LEFT SEAT CULTURE PILOT TOOLS

Rent, share or buy?

Compare the estimated cost of renting, group ownership and buying an aircraft outright using your own flying hours and cost assumptions.

AIRCRAFT COST COMPARISON

Rent, buy a share or buy an aircraft?

Compare the estimated cost of renting, joining a group and owning an aircraft outright. Adjust every figure to reflect the aircraft and arrangement you are considering.

Example scenario

Choose a starting point, then adjust every figure to match the real aircraft or group you are considering.

Your flying

Set the expected use and how long you want to compare the options.

Flying hours per year

Comparison period

years

Opportunity cost

Opportunity cost estimates the return that money tied up in a share or aircraft might otherwise have earned. Set it to 0% to exclude it.

Rent

Club or school hire with little capital tied up and predictable hourly costs.

Hourly wet rate

Annual membership

Other annual costs

Landing / booking cost per hour

One-off joining cost

Buy outright

Full ownership, full flexibility and full responsibility for fixed and unexpected costs.

Aircraft purchase price

Estimated resale value

Hourly fuel / operating cost

Hangarage / parking per year

Insurance per year

Annual / permit maintenance

Engine / propeller fund per hour

Other annual costs

Initial inspection / purchase costs

This cannot predict major defects, engine failure, avionics replacement or other exceptional maintenance. Consider adding a conservative annual allowance above.

Cost is only part of the decision

Renting usually reduces financial risk and maintenance responsibility, while group ownership may offer better availability and lower hourly costs. Sole ownership can provide the greatest freedom, but also exposes the owner to fixed costs, unexpected maintenance and capital risk.

Treat the result as a starting point. Check the group agreement, aircraft records, insurance terms, maintenance history, engine life, parking arrangements and likely resale value before making any commitment.

SUPPORT LEFT SEAT CULTURE

Help keep the tools and videos coming

These tools take time to research, build and maintain. Watching, subscribing, becoming a member or buying a coffee all help support the channel.

Watch & subscribe → Become a channel member → Buy a coffee via Ko-fi → Explore other resources →