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  #1  
Old 09-11-2014, 09:37 PM
Whitman Whitman is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Allentown PA
Posts: 254
Default RV-4 Operating Costs 2014

After my first year of RV-4 ownership. Here are the costs. I consider fixed costs a sunk cost so only focus on the variable costs like fuel/oil when deciding to fly or not.

Annual Inspection: 3150
Hangar: 1080
Insurance: 1299
Other Mx: 350
Fuel: 4048
Oil/Filter/Analysis: 200
Hours Flown: 101

Total Cost/Hr (Fixed/Variable): 100
Cost/Hr (Fuel/Oil Only): 42
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  #2  
Old 09-12-2014, 05:33 AM
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rbibb rbibb is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Freericksburg, VA
Posts: 624
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Interesting data. This is one thing I never want to know about my plane. When it costs too much for the joy received I'll quit. Somehow knowing the number might hasten that conclusion. Hence I continue all attempts at fiscal self-deception.

So far its working....
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RV-4 N144KT
Fredericksburg, VA
KEZF
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  #3  
Old 09-12-2014, 05:51 AM
Dean Pichon Dean Pichon is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitman View Post
Cost/Hr (Fuel/Oil Only): 42
At a fuel cost of $6/gallon, you burn less than 7 gallons per hour on average. Is that correct? It seems low. Perhaps you have an O-320....
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  #4  
Old 09-12-2014, 07:13 AM
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acam37 acam37 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lufkin Tx
Posts: 689
Default Annual

$3150 for the annual/conditional inspection? Wow! My last annual on my C172 before I sold it was only $1500, and that included a trip to the radio shop to have the IFR cert. done for the new owner. My -4 is not flying yet, but my A&P quoted $450 to do the conditional inspection. That's just his inspection fee. Any parts and labor not included, but everything down to the plug wires and fuel/oil lines are new so I shouldn't expect any surprises.
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Arlie Conner (A&P)
RV-4 (N124TT) Sold
RV-8 (N269CP) Sold
RV-4 (N684ML) completed 3-17-19
KOCH Nacogdoches
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  #5  
Old 09-12-2014, 10:46 AM
RogerG RogerG is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Lubbock, TX
Posts: 63
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Wow $3150 for Inspection on a RV-4? Did the mechanic have to rebuild a structure or something major? I never had that kind of cost on a Mooney I owned.

Did owner assist any with inspection? Does the $3150 include some major parts costs? Where was this inspection done?

I'm currently completing a 4, and would be curious what others from around the country are spending on average for annual inspection.
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Lubbock TX
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  #6  
Old 09-12-2014, 10:54 AM
JimRice JimRice is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Collierville, TN
Posts: 99
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I got a quote of $300 for condition inspection at my hangar with me having everything opened up ready to go. $600 at A&P/IA's shop with him doing it all. This assumes no additional work is required.
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Jim Rice
Collierville, TN

1994 RV-4 N4WJ (Purchased/Flying)
1946 J-3 Cub N7155H (Restored/Flying)
1946 Globe Swift N3368K (Purchased Restored/Flying SOLD)
1987 Starduster Too SA-300 (Purchased/Flying/SOLD)
1994 V6STOL (Built w/dad/SOLD)

US Army Retired (still working to pay for flying)

When my ship comes in, I'll probably be at the airport.
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  #7  
Old 09-12-2014, 08:07 PM
Whitman Whitman is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Allentown PA
Posts: 254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean Pichon View Post
At a fuel cost of $6/gallon, you burn less than 7 gallons per hour on average. Is that correct? It seems low. Perhaps you have an O-320....
My math was based on 8 gph at $5/gallon which I'm usually able to find using skyvector (layers top right fuel price tool) and foreflight. Last week I made fuel stops on a cross country of $4.60 and $4.79. Usually fuel burn is only about 7 gph on my O-320 with 9:1 pistons and whirlwind ground adjustable prop.
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  #8  
Old 09-12-2014, 09:00 PM
kenora kenora is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitman View Post
After my first year of RV-4 ownership. Here are the costs. I consider fixed costs a sunk cost so only focus on the variable costs like fuel/oil when deciding to fly or not.

Annual Inspection: 3150
Hangar: 1080
Insurance: 1299
Other Mx: 350
Fuel: 4048
Oil/Filter/Analysis: 200
Hours Flown: 101

Total Cost/Hr (Fixed/Variable): 100
Cost/Hr (Fuel/Oil Only): 42

ANNUAL INSPECTION???
Don't you do that yourself?
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  #9  
Old 09-12-2014, 09:28 PM
Whitman Whitman is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Allentown PA
Posts: 254
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I'm a first time airplane owner and sort of expected the first condition inspection since owning the plane to be higher. I just wanted to get an experienced set of eyes on it. I was glad I got to pull the inspection panels and learn some things. The prop hub needed replacing which was a big driver in the cost ($1000 parts/labor) and with the inspection starting at $700 (usually $795), it escalated quickly.

Engine was fine after only 100hrs SMOH but there were lots of things that needed attention on the airframe. Brake lines, fuel system lines, rudder trim tab, airbox fiberglass, and the required prop balance since the hub was changed.

As far as op costs: I really prefer to deal with that $42/hr number
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  #10  
Old 09-13-2014, 05:02 AM
DaveO DaveO is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Greenfield, IN
Posts: 341
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Realize that a "free" condition inspection can only be done if you are the builder of the aircraft. If you have purchased the aircraft from another you cannot do the inspection yourself.
So the only recourse is to either get the original builder to look at the aircraft, or use an IA. Either of these two methods may not be "free".
Dave
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