Operating Costs

[scalci]

I hope there is someone that could assist me.

I am looking for information regarding Operating costs of varios Micro / Ultra lights.

Aquilla 503
Aquilla 582
Bantam
etc...

[Junkie]

R70 - R80 an hour

[Boet]

Bushbaby. R70 - 80 p/h. But cruising along at 90mph!! :D

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Like with Bliks as demon says 2 components.
Broken down into direct hrly (variable) operating costs and fixed annual or monthly costs over no of hrs you do a year.

On bliks 3 times the fuel cost per hour is a rule of thumb based on aprox 100hrs a year. Would be nice to know if same for trikes?

[Fairy Flycatcher]

Like with Bliks as demon says 2 components.
Broken down into direct hrly (variable) operating costs and fixed annual or monthly costs over no of hrs you do a year.

On bliks 3 times the fuel cost per hour is a rule of thumb based on aprox 100hrs a year. Would be nice to know if same for trikes?

I think that is probably more realistic. You have a number of short-lifed components on most microlights. The Rotax 503/582 crank needs replacing at 300 hours, which most people look at, but there are carb rubbers, air filters, fuel filters, spark plugs, viton tips in the carburettors etc. etc.

At the coast our airframe maintenance is also huge, so we cost our trike running cost with the 503, 400 hours per year at R230/hr.

[Junkie]

Is that the first 300 hours or the 300 hours after one's clocked 1200+ :D

It seems most rotax 2stroke motors opertaing down here are going way beyond the 300 hour teardown. Im not advocating ignoring the recomendations, but it does seem a tad short

...here's me talking after 250 hours having to rebuild rotary valve on my 582 huh!

[Morph]

Is that the first 300 hours or the 300 hours after one's clocked 1200+ :D

It seems most rotax 2stroke motors opertaing down here are going way beyond the 300 hour teardown. Im not advocating ignoring the recomendations, but it does seem a tad short

Yup, mine is on 500 hours. At +/- 300 the AP stripped it all down and everything was well within specification. No replacement of the crank neccessary. At almost 400 hours another checkup engine still fine. I spoke to him the other day and he says we will have another decent look at 600 hours.

[DarkHelmet]

Yeap - my 582 went in for the stripdown and it was reported as in order, I opted to go another 150hrs before another stripdown. FF took her up and said she felt schweet (not FF's exact words).

One thing I want to calc into my running cost is the fuel and wear and tear on my car - 150km round trip to the field for each flight. On average I mostly only fly one hour but it still adds indirectly to my personal running costs.

DH

[skybound®]

Even if you do stick to the manufacturers spec and replace crank at 300 hours - you are still cheaper than a Lycoming etc.

Did my Kitfox 582 just before I sold it. Replaced crank, pistons, all working bits in the carbs and that cost about R13k. That works out at R43 per hour over 300 hours. Still cheaper than certified. Something like a C152 will cost you about R70 per hour for overhaul alone.

[FAWGie]

The operating costs quoted above in some cases are unrealistic...

Rotax 503 fuel burn @ 13l /h x R6 = R78 plus 2-stroke oil
Rotax 912 fuel burn @ 21l /h x R6 = R126
Bantam (Jabiru motor) burn @ 14l /h x R8 = R112

Then there is maintenance, etc...etc.....and overhaul costs...

[RV4ker (RIP)]

The operating costs quoted above in some cases are unrealistic...

Rotax 503 fuel burn @ 13l /h x R6 = R78 plus 2-stroke oil
Rotax 912 fuel burn @ 21l /h x R6 = R126
Bantam (Jabiru motor) burn @ 14l /h x R8 = R112

Then there is maintenance, etc...etc.....and overhaul costs...

Based on the Blik norm that would equate to
503 - 78 x 3 = R234
912 - 126 x 3 = R378
Jabi - 112 x 3 = R336

That should give sufficient reserves for maintenance, but seems low if flying less than 100hrs. Don't know what Trike insurance and hangarage is like....

Blik type costing spreadsheet on AVCOM could be adapted for any aerie....
http://www.avcom.co.za/images/cost_analysis.xls

[CloudBase]

You can download the Flying Costs Spreadsheet from the SAGPA website and fill in your own numbers to calculate fixed and variable costs of flying. The per hour cost varies with the annual flying hours, so the more you fly (up to a point) the cheaper it gets. Don't show this to the holder of the purse strings.

The oil consumption and TBO(1200 hrs) is for a four-stroke Rotax, so you can change those values for a two stroke. You can also specify either capital cost of a hangar or monthly rental.

It's based on the original Malcolm Taylor did a while ago.