How do I know if an airplane is right for me?

Evaluate an aircraft across six key dimensions: affordability (does it fit your budget?), mission fit (does it match how you'll fly?), insurance costs, parts and support availability, safety record, and resale value. The HangarMath Scorecard combines real data across all six to give you a 1-100 score.

What is a good score on the aircraft purchase scorecard?

A score of 80-100 (Grade A) means the aircraft is an excellent match for your situation. 70-79 (B) is a good fit with minor caveats. 60-69 (C) means it's workable but you should consider alternatives. Below 60 suggests the aircraft may not be the best choice given your budget, mission, or experience level.

How much should I budget monthly for aircraft ownership?

A typical single-engine piston aircraft costs $1,500-$3,000 per month to own when flying 50-100 hours per year. This includes hangar ($300-600/mo), insurance ($150-400/mo), fuel, engine reserve, annual inspection, and miscellaneous costs. Multi-engine and turboprop aircraft cost significantly more.

Does fleet size matter when buying an airplane?

Yes. Aircraft with larger active fleets (like the Cessna 172 with 13,000+ registered) have much better parts availability, more mechanics familiar with the type, and stronger owner communities. Rare aircraft with fewer than 100 in the fleet can mean long waits for parts and higher maintenance costs.

How does pilot experience affect aircraft purchase decisions?

Pilot experience significantly impacts insurance costs and mission suitability. New private pilots pay 2-3x more for insurance on complex or high-performance aircraft. Student pilots are best served by common trainers (Cessna 150/172, Piper Cherokee) with low insurance rates and forgiving handling characteristics.

Should I Buy This Airplane?

Get a data-driven purchase score for any aircraft. Evaluate over 1,400 models across affordability, mission fit, insurance, parts availability, safety, and resale value.

Use this when you've narrowed your search and want an objective score to help you decide.

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How the Aircraft Purchase Score Works

The HangarMath Scorecard evaluates aircraft across six data-driven dimensions to produce a score from 1 to 100. Unlike subjective reviews or forum opinions, every dimension is computed from real data: FAA fleet registrations, NTSB incident records, insurance benchmarks, and ownership cost databases. The result is an objective, repeatable assessment of whether a specific aircraft makes sense for your budget, mission, and experience level.

The Six Scoring Dimensions

Affordability (20 pts)

Compares total annual ownership cost to your stated monthly budget. Full marks if annual cost is well within budget; scores drop as costs exceed what you can comfortably afford.

Mission Fit (20 pts)

Evaluates whether the aircraft's capabilities match your primary use case. Training aircraft need low cost and fleet support. Cross-country needs range and speed. Family travel needs seats and payload.

Insurance (15 pts)

Scores insurance premiums relative to category averages, adjusted for your pilot experience tier. Aircraft that cost less to insure for your experience level score higher.

Parts & Support (15 pts)

Based on active fleet size from FAA registration data. Larger fleets mean more mechanics, better parts availability, and stronger type club communities.

Safety Record (15 pts)

Uses NTSB incident data normalized by fleet size. Fewer incidents per thousand aircraft equals a higher score. Models without NTSB data receive a neutral score.

Resale Value (15 pts)

Certified aircraft with large fleets hold their value better than rare or experimental models. Popular models score highest because demand supports resale prices.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

Start with a realistic budget that includes all fixed costs, not just the purchase price. Hangar, insurance, annual inspection, and reserves add up quickly.
Match the airplane to your mission, not your dreams. A Cessna 172 that you fly 100 hours a year beats a Bonanza that sits in the hangar because you can't afford the fuel.
Factor in your experience level. Insurance for a new PPL on a retractable complex aircraft can be 3x what an experienced pilot pays. Build time in something affordable first.
Get a prebuy inspection from a mechanic who specializes in the type. It costs $500-2,000 but can save you from a $30,000 engine surprise.
Join the type club before you buy. Current owners will tell you exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and what the real costs are.

All data is sourced from public FAA records, NTSB databases, and industry benchmarks. Scores are for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for a purchase decision. Always get a prebuy inspection and consult qualified professionals before buying an aircraft.