Aircraft Cost Explorer
Every GA aircraft ranked by ownership and operating cost. Toggle between a simple overview and detailed maintenance breakdown. Real data from the FAA — not estimates.
What Makes an Airplane Cheap to Own?
Aircraft ownership costs fall into two buckets: fixed costs you pay whether you fly or not, and variable costs that scale with flight hours. The cheapest airplanes to own minimize both.
Fuel Burn
The single biggest variable cost. A 4-cylinder Lycoming burning 8 GPH at $6.50/gallon costs $52/hour in fuel alone. A 6-cylinder Continental burning 14 GPH costs $91/hour. Low fuel burn is the #1 predictor of cheap hourly operation.
Ownership CalculatorInsurance
Premiums vary wildly by aircraft type, pilot experience, and hull value. A Cessna 150 might cost $1,200/year to insure; a Beech Baron could be $5,000+. Retractable gear and high performance endorsements increase premiums.
Insurance EstimatorEngine Overhaul Reserves
The largest predictable maintenance expense. Piston engines have a recommended TBO of 1,400-2,400 hours. Dividing the $15,000-$45,000 overhaul cost by TBO hours gives you a per-hour reserve of $12-$25. Multi-engine aircraft double this cost.
Annual Inspection
Every certified aircraft requires an annual inspection. Simple fixed-gear singles cost $1,000-$2,500. Complex retractable-gear aircraft run $2,500-$4,000. Multi-engine and turboprop annuals can exceed $5,000-$10,000 depending on findings.
Pre-Buy ChecklistsHangar & Storage
Hangar rental ranges from $100/month at rural strips to $800+/month at busy metro airports. Tiedown is cheaper ($50-$200/month) but exposes your airplane to weather and increases maintenance costs over time.
Hangar Rate EstimatorUnscheduled Maintenance
The wild card of ownership. Budget 20-40% above scheduled maintenance for unexpected repairs — magneto replacements, exhaust cracks, landing gear bushings, avionics failures. Older aircraft and those flown infrequently tend to have higher unscheduled costs.
Find a Maintenance ShopRun the Numbers on Your Next Airplane
Use our free tools to estimate ownership costs for any GA aircraft — personalized to your flying habits, location, and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest airplane to own?
Light Sport and Experimental aircraft tend to dominate the lowest-cost rankings due to lower insurance premiums and simpler maintenance requirements. Basic single-engine piston aircraft like the Cessna 150 and Piper Tomahawk are typically the cheapest certified airplanes to own, with annual costs starting around $8,000-$12,000 per year at 100 hours.
How much does it cost to own a small airplane per year?
A typical single-engine piston airplane costs $12,000 to $25,000 per year to own when flying 100 hours. This breaks down roughly as: hangar or tiedown ($2,400-$6,000), insurance ($1,200-$3,500), annual inspection ($1,000-$2,500), fuel at 8-12 GPH ($4,800-$7,200), and engine reserves ($1,500-$3,000). Multi-engine and turboprop aircraft cost significantly more due to higher fuel burn, insurance, and maintenance.
What is the cheapest airplane to fly per hour?
The cheapest airplanes to fly per hour are typically Light Sport Aircraft and small trainers with low fuel burn (4-6 GPH) and simple fixed-pitch propellers. Variable hourly costs (fuel plus engine reserves) for the cheapest models run $40-$70 per hour. Experimental aircraft can also be very economical due to lower parts costs and owner-performed maintenance.
Can you own an airplane for $10,000 per year?
Yes — several Light Sport and Experimental aircraft models have total annual ownership costs under $10,000 at 100 flight hours. The key is low fuel burn (under 6 GPH), affordable insurance, tiedown instead of a hangar, and doing owner-assisted maintenance where legal. Partnership ownership (splitting costs with 1-2 other pilots) is another way to keep total costs under $10K/year.
What is the cheapest airplane to maintain per hour?
Light Sport and Experimental aircraft with low-horsepower engines and fixed-pitch propellers tend to have the lowest maintenance costs due to simpler systems and lower fuel burn. The cheapest models cost approximately $40-$60/hour including fuel and engine reserves.
How much does aircraft engine overhaul cost?
Piston engine overhaul costs range from $15,000 to $45,000 depending on the engine model. Common Lycoming O-320 engines (found in Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee) cost around $22,000-$28,000. Larger Continental IO-550 engines run $30,000-$40,000+. Turboprop overhauls are significantly more expensive, often $100,000-$300,000. Smart owners reserve $12-$25 per flight hour toward the eventual overhaul.
What are the biggest maintenance cost drivers for aircraft?
The three largest maintenance cost drivers are: (1) Engine overhaul reserves — typically $12-$25/hour for piston engines, set aside toward the $15,000-$45,000 overhaul at TBO. (2) Fuel burn — ranges from 5 GPH for Light Sport to 80+ GPH for jets, at $6-$7/gallon for AvGas. (3) Annual inspection — $1,000-$2,500 for simple singles, $3,000-$8,000 for complex or multi-engine aircraft. Retractable gear, constant-speed props, and pressurization systems all increase maintenance complexity and cost.
How do maintenance costs differ between aircraft categories?
Single-engine piston aircraft are the cheapest to maintain, with hourly variable costs typically $50-$120/hour. Multi-engine piston doubles the engine overhaul reserve and fuel burn, pushing costs to $100-$200/hour. Turboprops run $200-$500/hour due to expensive hot section inspections and Jet-A fuel consumption. Jets are the most expensive at $500-$2,000+/hour. Experimental and Light Sport aircraft often have the lowest costs due to simpler systems and owner-performed maintenance.
All data is sourced from public FAA records, engine manufacturer specifications, NTSB databases, and industry benchmarks. Cost estimates are for informational purposes only and may differ from actual ownership costs. Annual costs assume 100 flight hours per year with national average fuel prices and hangar rates. Hourly variable costs include fuel and engine overhaul reserves. Insurance estimates reflect experienced pilot tier premiums. Always consult qualified professionals before making purchase decisions.