Take it from me: When it comes to what it costs, those of us who own airplanes are economic imbeciles.
My annual was not terribly cheap, between three and four grand. Part of that was because a cylinder had to be removed for reworking because the valves were not sealing properly.
On the second flight after the annual was done, there was a decent oil leak. I figured that it was the pushrod seals from that cylinder; no big deal. So did my mechanic.
We were both wrong. It was the oil cooler.[1] That was a bit over a grand to fix, between the new cooler (OK, a rebuilt one) and the hoses and labor.[2]
The joys of owning an airplane. I keep telling myself that I'd never be able to rent anything like it, that I'd have to fly generic 172s and comparable Pipers. Not that there is anything wrong with them, but they are nowhere near as much fun to fly.
Airplane owners are certifiable, I think.
[1]I try not to think about what would have happened if the oil cooler had completely split. At the least, the insurance company would now own an airplane.
[2]The wrecked economy has done a number on my income, as well.
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Just curious, but the pics at the top look like Howard DGA-8's and I don't think I've ever seen two of them in the same pic. Haven't flown a Howard in many years since I gave up using them for a parachute club at an old field now abandoned and sold to developers.
I envy you since I lost my medical two years ago after 55 years of flying and 32 years of flight instructing.
My own personal Great Depression condemned me to probably never flying again.
I'm holding on to a sliver of hope I'll be able to pick up a nice ultralight in my retirement. But by then, they may be illegal.
Stinson Gullwings, Jim.
Nangelator, if the economy improves a little by next year, I may sell it.
Boat owners are just as crazed. My in-laws are in a constant state of dumping money into a big wooden boat.
The cost term is "AMU", for "Aircraft Maintenance Unit."
1 AMU is $1,000.
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