Never Feel Sorry for Anyone Who Owns an Airplane

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.