microlight vs Group A - running costs.

[Ecosseven]

Hi folks.

What are the relative running costs of a microlight (such as a Rans S6, Ikarus C42, Skyranger) vs a 2 seat group A aircraft (such as a C150 / Piper Tomahawk, etc). I know that the NPPL (m) requires less hours to obtain than the NPPL and I can see the relative costs of buying a second hand aircraft from looking in the classifieds but I’m looking for info on fuel burn, insurance, maintenance, etc.

Any other opinions / comments on relative performance, reliability, durability, etc also welcome.

Thanks and all the best.

Martin.

[eharding]

Ecosseven said:

Hi folks.

What are the relative running costs of a microlight (such as a Rans S6, Ikarus C42, Skyranger) vs a 2 seat group A aircraft (such as a C150 / Piper Tomahawk, etc). I know that the NPPL (m) requires less hours to obtain than the NPPL and I can see the relative costs of buying a second hand aircraft from looking in the classifieds but I’m looking for info on fuel burn, insurance, maintenance, etc.

Any other opinions / comments on relative performance, reliability, durability, etc also welcome.

Thanks and all the best.

Martin.

From personal experience, anything which requires a CofA (as opposed to a permit) will cost an order of magnitude more in the maintenance department - and a tired old C150 or PA38 will almost certainly end up costing you a significant proportion of the initial purchase price to keep airworthy. If you don't want to go down the microlight route, then look at LAA types.

[IforB]

As Ed says, microlights and LAA aircraft are a whole heap cheaper to run. For a start you can do the maintenance which save you an absolute bomb and you know that the work has been done to a decent standard.

Add in the decrepit nature of most things like Cessnas and Pipers then frankly only a lunatic would buy a "group A" machine for themselves.

[elster]

My mum is emailing me in the morning a rough breakdown of the costs of light aircraft.

They have:

Putzer elster
Taifun


Also have had
Wassmer
Robin
Grob 109

She also looked after quite a few syndicates finances at Breighton.

So she will base this on "proper aircraft".

A few variables are:

Engine hours
Fabric condition (if fabric obviously)
Hangarage costs
Engine type

A plane will be cheaper if done as PFA aircraft.

[elster]

Insurance for aircraft cost of 30 - 40K with crown indemnity approx £1,500 per annum

Hangarage variable - Expensive is £ 1,500 per year

Annual / 100 hour check depends if done by self but for certification each year approx £ 150 Plus plugs / oil etc £ 50 every 50 hours

Maintenance can not say - depend on hours of various parts age of a/c type of a/c how well it has been looked after etc

If PFA a/c parts are cheaper as they do not have to be certified whereas CAA a/c parts have to have certificate of conformity.

Radio Licence £20 per annum

Be careful when going into a syndicate find out who can do what on the a/c otherwise you can be stuck doing all the work on the a/c.

Check how they have availability for usage some have to book the a/c in advance

How much do the others fly the a/c

Do they look after the a/c, i.e clean it when they come back from flying,if so more chance the care for a/c

What maintenance had been done

How do they communicate between members

Do they hire a/c wet or dry

Do the syndicate have good bank funds




Dont forget medicals

Dont just go and look at a/c must take an engineer or similar with them

Must find out the history of a/c read log books make sure all paper work there if not as why

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

IforB said:

only a lunatic would buy a "group A" machine for themselves.

Guilty as charged....