Skymaster ownership costs: 2015 edition

[Ernie Martin]

Let me add my perspective after operating three (3) different Skymasters over the last 17 years. And, as you will see, I approach the issue from a rather different viewpoint.

Before I do that, one quick comment is that the landing gear has never given me a lick of trouble. I changed hoses once when the annual inspection indicated it, and that’s it.

My view on operating costs is that you should separate ownership costs out of the equation. Loan payments, insurance, hangar/tie-down, biennial transponder test, painting the aircraft, replacing windows, replacing the battery and much of the cost of the annual are there whether you operate the aircraft or not. I view these costs as overhead, and they are critical in deciding initially whether I can afford to buy the airplane.

But after I own it, I want to know what it will cost me for each hour of flight. So if I have a trip that can be done by car or airplane, at least I know how to compare costs.

So here are my numbers per hour with some based on 100 flight hrs per year:

Fuel @ $5.50/gal @ 23 gal/hr* -------------------- $126
Engine reserves @ $30K per OH every 1500 hrs ---- 40
$2K Maintenance between annuals ------------------- 20
Annual not including unpaneling -------------- 20
Propeller reserves and miscellaneous ---------------- 10

TOTAL ---------------------------- $216

Ernie Martin

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* This may seem a bit high but I typically do one take-off per hour, so this includes excess (unleaned) fuel in the take-off and climb.

[YankeeClipper]

Ernie, Joe, more great input.

Joe, to clarify, were you saying 120/hr including the annuals?

Ernie, what kind of ship are those numbers for?

[jchronic]

I understand Ernie's point and wouldn't disagree with it; like any cost accounting situation, just a judgment call in allocating costs that makes the most sense in your particular situation. I categorize most of my my 'ownership/overhead' costs the same way he does; I just choose to look at direct maintenance (i.e. major inspections and ongoing maintenance) as an 'operating' cost.

Yes, the $120/hour is predicated on covering the annual and 100-hour inspections, and unexpected maintenance during the year. In fairness (to the airplane), I've beat that each year since I raised it to that figure: $95-100/hour has been closer, although it came pretty close to $120/hr last year (repairs to fuel gauges, cowl flaps, etc.).

BTW, I budget $46/hour for an engine reserve, pretty close Ernie's engine and prop reserves combined.

Joe

[Ernie Martin]

All 3 of my Skymasters have been normally aspirated (I am in Miami). First was a 1969 337D, then a 1973 337G and now a 1977 337G.

Ernie