In your opinion ?

Tom-D

Tom-D

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Tom-D
what make and model aircraft is the cheapest to maintain?
We all know there are derelicts in all makes. Just on the average, which is your choice?

Lots of perspective buyers would like to know.
 
Certified or EAB? Single engine or multi? Prop or jet? Helicopter or airplane?
 
mscard88 said:
Cessna and Pipers due to the number of them out there? Just guessing though.
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Can’t speak for Piper, but NOTHING under the Textron umbrella is cheap to maintain.

I’d say the cheapest is a well built and cared for EAB.
 
Tom-D said:
Wouldn't that depend upon the owners ability?
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Certainly. But if you want ‘cheapest’ the owner needs to develop some skills.

That said, a well built EAB is still going to be cheaper than something supported by a company like Textron even if the owner leaves everything up to a shop simply due to parts cost.
 
As a previous owner of one, I'll put my vote in for a 150/152 in the certified singles category (but yeah, I had bought one that was in fantastic shape, as Fearless mentions).
 
Pietenpol, with a Continental engine and Grove 6" wheels. Plane doesn't get any simpler. Engine *can* be more expensive to maintain, but if you use a ~C85 or O200, it's a bit more modern and parts are easier to find. PLUS you see the reliability advantages over many conversions. No one can afford an unreliable engine.

Tires are cheap, there's no electrical system and the avionics likely consists of a single $200 handheld. Lots of them out there, if you can't make a part yourself you can find someone to help you.

All the above applies to Fly Babies as well, but I figure most folks would prefer a plane that at least *pretends* to have a second seat. :)
piet_header.jpg

http://www.bowersflybaby.com/stories/piet.html

Ron Wanttaja
 
Simple thought here,, E/AB are built using the typical parts available, like Cleveland brake sets. parts aren't any cheaper than certified.
granted the labor is.
 
Tom-D said:
Simple thought here,, E/AB are built using the typical parts available, like Cleveland brake sets. parts aren't any cheaper than certified.
granted the labor is.
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SOME parts are the same and some are cheaper. Hardly universal.

If you really want to debate that, first go to Spruce and pick a few random items, and in the drop down menus, compare prices for certified vs not certified.

Start with the price for a Garmin G5....same bloody instrument, but it’s almost twice the price for the STC vs EAB Model.
 
Fearless Tower said:
SOME parts are the same and some are cheaper. Hardly universal.

If you really want to debate that, first go to Spruce and pick a few random items, and in the drop down menus, compare prices for certified vs not certified.

Start with the price for a Garmin G5....same bloody instrument, but it’s almost twice the price for the STC vs EAB Model.
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Yep, just went with the exp G5 in the Glasair. Saved a bunch and it still performs flawlessly...although I do wonder which kind of hamsters I've got running inside mine.:)
 
If I lived closer to Jim, I'd have the experimental version of the G5 in my Cherokee. Everybody around here is too scared to risk challenging the system.
 
Single engine fixed gear, owner assisted annuals (note: owner to wear helmet, and appropriate survival gear around certain mechanics).

Any resemblance of my fictionalized mechanic to anyone living or otherwise is purely coincidental.
 
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I would say Piper Cherokee but I don't want to jinx myself. First annual was over 5 grand, second almost 3. Next one should be much less unless that AD to cut inspection holes in the wing hits. And this IS owner assisted with me doing most the work. Most of the cost was new parts.
 
Timbeck2 said:
I would say Piper Cherokee but I don't want to jinx myself. First annual was over 5 grand, second almost 3. Next one should be much less unless that AD to cut inspection holes in the wing hits. And this IS owner assisted with me doing most the work. Most of the cost was new parts.
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You mean most was maintenance, not the inspection. :)
 
Luigi said:
Single engine fixed gear, owner assisted annuals (note: owner to wear helmet, and appropriate survival gear around certain mechanics).

Any resemblance of my fictionalized mechanic to anyone living or otherwise is purely coincidental.
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You can leave the helmet home when you keep your head out of your azz and stay out of the prop arc.
 
When I was kicking the idea around of buying a N3 pup for a short range commuter, they seem VERY economical across the whole board.

image.jpg
 
bjones said:
I just googled it and Ercoupe was on the list, along with a few others mentioned in the thread.
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Ercoupes are a lot like 150s, though. I’ve personally seen a huge variation in the fleet, from well loved on airplanes to hunks of junk that unsuspecting buyers got stuck with. Unfortunately, the junk ones far outweigh the number of loved airplanes.
 
Metal: Cessna 100 series
Rag: Aeronca
E/AB: RVs

There never is just one...
 
What’s your mission? 2 or more seats? Speed? Endurance?

LSA are pretty low maintenance and fuel efficient aircraft (mostly because of the durability of the Rotax 912) but don’t expect to get anywhere fast (though it’s fast enough for 90% of most people’s missions.)
 
Bell206 said:
Metal: Cessna 100 series
Rag: Aeronca
E/AB: RVs

There never is just one...
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I have a hangar full of Aeronca projects. Simple airplanes, but those frames are getting old and internal rust is a real concern. A recovering job will cost the full value of the airplanes unless you are the DIY type with a friendly mechanic.
 
kyleb said:
I have a hangar full of Aeronca projects. Simple airplanes, but those frames are getting old and internal rust is a real concern. A recovering job will cost the full value of the airplanes unless you are the DIY type with a friendly mechanic.
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Anyone providing a replacement fuselage?
 
Tom-D said:
Simple thought here,, E/AB are built using the typical parts available, like Cleveland brake sets. parts aren't any cheaper than certified.
granted the labor is.
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How often to you replace the brake cylinders?
I can re-line my brakes (both sides) for $30.19 plus shipping.
I can get O rings from McMaster Carr if I don't like the aircraft prices.
 
Tom-D said:
Anyone providing a replacement fuselage?
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There are a couple of jigs out there if you want to do major repairs or have a mostly new one welded up, but the cost, aargh.
 
kyleb said:
I have a hangar full of Aeronca projects. Simple airplanes, but those frames are getting old and internal rust is a real concern. A recovering job will cost the full value of the airplanes unless you are the DIY type with a friendly mechanic.
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kyleb:
I hear ya, but still cheaper than a J-3 overall from my dated experience. On the other side, if we slide off the cheap side... a PA-18 all day long.
 
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