Free tool
Aircraft ownership cost calculator
What does it really cost to own — or share — an aircraft? Pick a type, enter what you paid and how much you fly, and get an editable five-year profit & loss statement: fixed and variable costs, the reserves for the engine and propeller, what each owner pays per year and per hour, and whether renting it out covers the bill.
- 23 aircraft types
- Editable 5-year P&L
- Per owner & per hour
- EUR · USD
- Shareable link
Indicative figures — every value can be changed. Data last updated 16 September 2026. EUR and litres at a European price level or USD and US gallons at a US price level, excluding VAT, sales tax and tax effects.
Your aircraft
Lycoming IO-360-L2A
2,000 h · 12 yr
33 l/h · AVGAS 100LL
21 years
4 owners · shared
€11,243
per year
€937 a month · 30 h flown each
€374.77
per owner€152.60
variable costs€26,660
per year, all owners−€234,898
−€58,725 per ownerOverwrite any amount or switch it between per year and per hour.
€26,660 + €153/h
per year + per hourOverwrite any amount or switch it between per year and per hour.
Shrink the administration line — now €960 a year
Pilot-Next books the aircraft, logs Hobbs/Tacho and bills each pilot. SOLO is free; BASIC is €108 a year.Costs and rental income rise 3% a year; depreciation is straight-line. Click an amount to overwrite that year.
−€234,898
five-year resultCosts and rental income rise 3% a year; depreciation is straight-line. Click an amount to overwrite that year.
| EUR | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €26,660 | €27,085 | €27,522 | €27,973 | €28,437 | €137,677 | |
| €18,312 | €18,861 | €19,427 | €20,010 | €20,610 | €97,221 | |
| Net result | −€44,972 | −€45,946 | −€46,950 | −€47,983 | −€49,048 | −€234,898 |
Net result
−€44,972
Five years together
−€234,898
Fixed costs spread over more hours. Your own cost lines, without rental.
€375/h
all-in nowFixed costs spread over more hours. Your own cost lines, without rental.
25 h
€1,219
50 h
€686
75 h
€508
100 h
€419
120 h
€375
150 h
€330
200 h
€288
300 h
€248
Only what is left of the rental rate after its own variable costs pays towards the fixed costs.
Off
Only what is left of the rental rate after its own variable costs pays towards the fixed costs.
Any rental rate above €152.60 an hour contributes to the fixed costs.
How the calculator works
Fixed costs are paid every year whether the aircraft flies or not: depreciation, insurance, hangarage, the annual inspection or ARC, subscriptions such as navigation databases and charts, and administration. Variable costs grow with every flight hour: fuel and oil, the 50- and 100-hour inspections, and the reserves for the engine and propeller overhaul. The more hours an aircraft flies, the more its fixed costs are spread, so the all-in cost per hour falls as utilisation rises.
Engine manufacturers set an overhaul interval in hours and a calendar limit in years, and whichever comes first applies. Lycoming and Continental publish 12 years for most engines. An engine with a 2,000-hour interval that flies 100 hours a year would need 20 years to reach it, so the 12-year limit comes first and the reserve is a cost per year rather than a cost per hour. The calculator applies that rule for you and says which limit it used.
Most partnerships split the fixed costs equally between the owners and charge the variable costs per hour each owner actually flies. The per-owner view of the calculator shows exactly those two numbers: a fixed share per year and a variable rate per flight hour.
Only the part of the rental rate above the variable cost per hour contributes to the fixed costs. The calculator shows that contribution margin, how much of the fixed costs it covers, and the number of rental hours per year at which the rental income pays for all fixed costs.
They are indicative. Engine overhaul intervals come from the engine manufacturers’ published schedules and fuel flows are typical cruise figures from the aircraft handbooks. Prices — overhauls, maintenance, insurance, hangarage, subscriptions — differ per country, shop and airframe, so they are planning assumptions — in euros at a European price level, or in US dollars at a US price level, depending on the region you pick — that you should replace with your own quotes. Every figure in the calculator can be changed. The data was last updated on 16 September 2026. Tax treatment and VAT are not included.
Aircraft data and sources
Fuel flow: typical cruise figure from the type’s POH/AFM. Overhaul intervals depend on the exact engine model and serial number; check the current service documents for yours.
| Type | Engine | Overhaul interval | Fuel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 152Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming O-235-L2C | 2,400 h / 12 yr | 23 l/h 6.1 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Cessna 172N/P SkyhawkLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming O-320-H2AD / O-320-D2J | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 30 l/h 7.9 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Cessna 172S Skyhawk SPLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming IO-360-L2A | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 33 l/h 8.7 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Cessna 182T SkylaneLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 50 l/h 13.2 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Piper PA-28-161 WarriorLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming O-320-D3G | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 32 l/h 8.5 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Piper PA-28-181 ArcherLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming O-360-A4M | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 38 l/h 10 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Piper PA-32-301 SaratogaLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 55 l/h 14.5 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Diamond DA20-C1 KatanaContinental Service Information Letter SIL98-9 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Continental IO-240-B | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 22 l/h 5.8 gal/h | Continental Service Information Letter SIL98-9 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Diamond DA40 180 (Lycoming)Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming IO-360-M1A | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 34 l/h 9 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Diamond DA42-L360 Twin StarLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | 2× Lycoming IO-360-M1A | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 64 l/h 16.9 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Cirrus SR20 (G6)Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit); Cirrus: CAPS parachute repack and rocket replacement every 10 years (newer aircraft may have a longer interval — check your POH) | Lycoming IO-390-C3B6 | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 42 l/h 11.1 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit); Cirrus: CAPS parachute repack and rocket replacement every 10 years (newer aircraft may have a longer interval — check your POH) |
| Cirrus SR22 (G6)Continental Service Information Letter SIL98-9 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit); Cirrus: CAPS parachute repack and rocket replacement every 10 years (newer aircraft may have a longer interval — check your POH) | Continental IO-550-N | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 64 l/h 16.9 gal/h | Continental Service Information Letter SIL98-9 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit); Cirrus: CAPS parachute repack and rocket replacement every 10 years (newer aircraft may have a longer interval — check your POH) |
| Cirrus SR22T (G6)Continental Service Information Letter SIL98-9 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit); Cirrus: CAPS parachute repack and rocket replacement every 10 years (newer aircraft may have a longer interval — check your POH) | Continental TSIO-550-K | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 68 l/h 18 gal/h | Continental Service Information Letter SIL98-9 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit); Cirrus: CAPS parachute repack and rocket replacement every 10 years (newer aircraft may have a longer interval — check your POH) |
| Robin DR400/140BLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming O-320-D2A | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 30 l/h 7.9 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Robin DR400/180 RégentLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming O-360-A3A | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 38 l/h 10 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Tecnam P2008 JCRotax 912 series maintenance manual / service instruction (TBO and 15-year calendar limit; older serials may have a shorter limit) | Rotax 912 S2 | 2,000 h / 15 yr | 18 l/h 4.8 gal/h | Rotax 912 series maintenance manual / service instruction (TBO and 15-year calendar limit; older serials may have a shorter limit) |
| Tecnam P2002 SierraRotax 912 series maintenance manual / service instruction (TBO and 15-year calendar limit; older serials may have a shorter limit) | Rotax 912 S2 | 2,000 h / 15 yr | 17 l/h 4.5 gal/h | Rotax 912 series maintenance manual / service instruction (TBO and 15-year calendar limit; older serials may have a shorter limit) |
| Tecnam P2010 (180 hp)Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming IO-360-M1A | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 36 l/h 9.5 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Aquila A210 (AT01)Rotax 912 series maintenance manual / service instruction (TBO and 15-year calendar limit; older serials may have a shorter limit) | Rotax 912 S2 | 2,000 h / 15 yr | 18 l/h 4.8 gal/h | Rotax 912 series maintenance manual / service instruction (TBO and 15-year calendar limit; older serials may have a shorter limit) |
| Comco Ikarus C42Rotax 912 series maintenance manual / service instruction (TBO and 15-year calendar limit; older serials may have a shorter limit) | Rotax 912 UL/ULS | 2,000 h / 15 yr | 15 l/h 4 gal/h | Rotax 912 series maintenance manual / service instruction (TBO and 15-year calendar limit; older serials may have a shorter limit) |
| Beechcraft A36/G36 BonanzaContinental Service Information Letter SIL98-9 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Continental IO-550-B | 1,900 h / 12 yr | 57 l/h 15.1 gal/h | Continental Service Information Letter SIL98-9 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Mooney M20J 201Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D | 1,800 h / 12 yr | 36 l/h 9.5 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
| Socata TB20 TrinidadLycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) | Lycoming IO-540-C4D5D | 2,000 h / 12 yr | 45 l/h 11.9 gal/h | Lycoming Service Instruction SI 1009 (TBO schedule, 12-year calendar limit) |
Where Pilot-Next comes in
The administration line is the one you can shrink. Pilot-Next lets co-owners and clubs book the aircraft, log Hobbs or Tacho time after the flight, and turns those hours into a charge on each pilot’s account — so the variable rate per hour in this calculator becomes an invoice without a spreadsheet. See the plans, starting with SOLO, free for one aircraft and one pilot. Read more about Hobbs vs. Tacho time and aircraft scheduling software.
This calculator gives an indication, not financial, tax or airworthiness advice. Your insurer, maintenance organisation and engine manufacturer have the final word.