How do you calculate the actual costs to own a plane? It’s not merely the price you pay to buy one, at least not according to StartPac. Private plane owners have a host of challenges they must move past in order to get the plane off the ground, including fuel costs and the price you’ll pay for maintenance.
Aircraft maintenance equipment for the private plane owner is a bit different than the requirements for commercial airlines. Private plane owners will certainly have a basic mechanic’s toolset for planes, but they’ll also probably have some other basic items they need. Chocks will hold the plane steady for pre-flight checks, while various refuelers will handle the job of keeping your plane fueled and ready for takeoff.
You’ll also need to secure an airplane starting unit, in order to jumpstart the plane’s battery as required. Most private plane owners don’t take their plane out daily, and even when they do they aren’t flying all day to multiple locales. As a result, the plane will run out of battery juice as it lands and shuts down.
Without the turbines spinning, that plane won’t be able to recharge its batteries. Since most private planes don’t require a massive battery, a lithium aircraft starter should prove sufficient. You’ll need to make sure the charger has juice beforehand, but these chargers are far less expensive than their fuel-consuming counterparts.
Overall, once you’ve factored in fuel costs, tool costs and the costs to store your plane, you’re looking at several thousand each year on top of whatever costs you’ll own on the loan for your plane. Before you take the plunge, make sure you can afford the ride.
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AFP
