Here are my results for 2023:

Flight time: 84.4

Fuel: $76,720
- 16,283 gallons
- average price $4.71
- block 193 gph

Maintenance: $18,421
- hydraulic AOG event
- 10K inspections
- phase 18 (safety, yearly)
- phase 20 (transponder, alt, RVSM, every 2 years)
- washes

Parts: $3,424
- two cases of oil
- ducting
- hydraulic AOG parts

Total direct operating cost: $98,565
- $1168 per flight hour

Fees: $2988
- ramp/facility
- parking (most of it)
- landing
- misc fees

Hangar: $8,640

Insurance: $15,054

Services: $3844
- dues for CAA, CJP
- nav data subscription
- maintenance tracking
- Airtext service

I've attached a spreadsheet so you can see the actual data, every expense I incurred in 2023 related to the airplane. Pilot related expense are not included.

2023 had two major maintenance events, my hydraulic AOG event and doing 10,000 hour inspections. Otherwise, it was a very low maintenance year and 2024 will likely be the same barring something unscheduled.

In 2025 I have the major phase 5 inspection, but the LUMP makes that occur only every 6 years.

My flying was down a bit from last year, but despite that, my per hour costs also went down a bit. You can compare results here:

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=221386

Mike C.

Estimated total mileage flown? Average trip length?

Thanks for posting!

Your hanger costs are more in line with a piston twin than a jet. It would be closer to $20,000/year in the North Tx area.

I can add up my great circle lengths, but those are skewed by local flights that sometimes net zero miles. I'll look into it.

When I checked before, it was about 360 knots block speed, so 30,400 nm in 2023. My block speed would be a touch higher if I dropped my local practice flights.

That results in a direct cost pre mile of $3.24/nm.

My local practice flights don't burn as much fuel as I hard feared, a 3 approach 1 hour sessions might use about 1200 lbs, about the same as cruising.

Mike C.

I moved my plane from KEVV to KEHR primarily on the basis of a hangar price increase (about $2000/month at KEVV, $720 at KEHR). The on field maintenance at KEHR has turned out to be very useful, too. Fuel is also a lot cheaper. Penalty is 25 min to airport instead of 15 min, but those extra 10 minutes each way save me about $25,000 per year.

My biggest gripe is that it makes the airport further away for my passengers, some of whom live fairly close to KEVV. I wish it was closer.

KEVV FBO Tri State Aero was sold to new owners, but the vibe I am getting is that they are not going to lower rates any time soon since they are building a new terminal. They definitely look like they want to be a luxury jet FBO type of place.

Mike C.

Am I reading it correctly that you went through 2 cases of oil in 84 hours?

He did have a hydraulic system leak.

No, I found a deal on Mobil Jet 254 and bought 2 cases that will probably last 5+ years if not more.

I bought 48 qts for $19.15 each. Current prices are around $25, and I bet that goes up in future years.

Mobil Jet 254 is what my engines have in them, and it isn't common (2380 is what you find). So I need to provision my own oil and carry some with me. You are advised not to change types during an overhaul period.

Mike C.

I moved my plane from KEVV to KEHR primarily on the basis of a hangar price increase (about $2000/month at KEVV, $720 at KEHR). The on field maintenance at KEHR has turned out to be very useful, too. Fuel is also a lot cheaper. Penalty is 25 min to airport instead of 15 min, but those extra 10 minutes each way save me about $25,000 per year.

My biggest gripe is that it makes the airport further away for my passengers, some of whom live fairly close to KEVV. I wish it was closer.

KEVV FBO Tri State Aero was sold to new owners, but the vibe I am getting is that they are not going to lower rates any time soon since they are building a new terminal. They definitely look like they want to be a luxury jet FBO type of place.

Mike C.

2380 has an expiration date on the box when you buy it. Usually, it's about 12-18 months. Does 254 not?

Mike, do you think 80 hours plus or minus is going to be a typical year for you going forward?

How many flights?

Chip-

What Kind of Piston Twin Doug? Like a DC-3, PBY or a B-25
Only Whack Jobs come from North Texas

For the Cupcakes lurking.......imagine what I just wrote was in Green

Happy New Year Doug........

How does this compare to your MU2? Seems like quite a bit more. It is more than I spent on my MU2 for 103 hours last year, you might have flown more miles though. My fuel burn is 65-70gph depending on stage length and temperature, better on longer legs at higher altitudes.

Jeff Axel
N228WP