Average annual cost of `being in the game`

[Gerber]

Hi guys

As someone interested in the LSA side of things, what can one expect to pay per year just to be `in the game`, i.e. before aircraft operating costs.
I`m thinking about:

1. Aeroclub & EAA Membership fees: R630 (yes?)
2. Insurance: What is required, R5000,000.00 3rd party? Average premium?
3. ICASA: Cost?
4. ATF: R200 (yes?)

Then of course for the driver:
1. Medical cost (depends on Dr I guess)
2. Currency fee: R290
3. Re-validation flight test: depends on a/c time in air etc

Have I left anything out? Trying to get a rough idea of what it will cost to have an aircraft (Cheetah/Bantam) and be legal, before operating costs. Any input will be appreciated!

Cheers

[John.com]

Hi guys

As someone interested in the LSA side of things, what can one expect to pay per year just to be `in the game`, i.e. before aircraft operating costs.
I`m thinking about:

1. Aeroclub & EAA Membership fees: R630 (yes?)
2. Insurance: What is required, R5000,000.00 3rd party? Average premium?
3. ICASA: Cost?
4. ATF: R200 (yes?)

Then of course for the driver:
1. Medical cost (depends on Dr I guess)
2. Currency fee: R290
3. Re-validation flight test: depends on a/c time in air etc

Have I left anything out? Trying to get a rough idea of what it will cost to have an aircraft (Cheetah/Bantam) and be legal, before operating costs. Any input will be appreciated!

Cheers

OK, so John's view . . . .

This is a little bit like the people that budget for children and won't have one until money for the child's varsity education is saved up and all the stars are aligned!!

The other, and maybe more extreme line of thinking, is to have some fun making the baby and you will be amazed how you make ends meet once it arrives! OK, so maybe you won't drive a Porsche like some of those more prudent planners but you won't starve and your child will get a reasonable education!

So, if flying is your passion, YES, look at the costs, but GET INTO IT without the "paralysis through analysis"!

Flying will always be an expensive hobby, but dream the dreams and you'll be amazed at how your work and financial stars will align to make things happen!

This is a fact: Since I decided to start flying my earnings have DOUBLED!!!! Go figure . . . . (I have HUGE flying dreams, so have to build the machine to fund them!)

If you don't have a "Vision Board" build one today . . . . and stick something like this RIGHT in the middle!!

PS: Get your own architect . . . . don't steal my plans!!

[bobthebuilder]

EAa is not compulsary.

[bobthebuilder]

Oh .... What about a hanger?

[Bundy]

Oh .... What about a hanger?

You beat me to it BTB....

Every plane needs one...and it ranges between R400 to R1500 a month for a hanger. (I know some guys who pay even more )

Admin costs (AeCSA, MISASA, ICASA, Medical, Annual Inspection, RAASA ATF etc) for any NTCA are roughly the same. You can probably average them out at about R2500 to R3000 per year spent on these costs.

Hangerage and insurance are area/plane specific and can vary greatly. We pay R480 per month for a shared hanger (Trike) so that would add another R5760 per year...LSA will probably be more as they take up more space. (Length wise).

Gives you a basic idea but the cost calculation will have to be done for each specific type.... without even flying my trike costs me roughly R800 a month....LSA must be more?

Gotta agree with John...you will never have enough money! Just Do It!

Good Luck.