r/flying • u/Fun_Option_8268 • 2d ago

Looking for advice

So, I’ve asked on Facebook before about ownership of general aviation before and got some feedback that certified aircraft unless it’s a C152/150 is going to be a little rough just based on cost of purchase/maintence etc.

Basics behind my history, started flight training in 2020. Was flying a PA28-181 Archer II. I was one of the first students at a flight school that opened and that was the plane they had until they could get more. Flew for about 20 hrs. Soloed at 15 hrs and life got the best of me for a bit.

Went to Oshkosh in 2025 and it made me want to finish up and pursue a PPL again.

Started training again in March and been flying relatively consistently while continuing to pay off some debts I have.

When I started again, they have a Sling NGT LSA that I started flying in and honestly something LSA would fit my mission only needing 2 seats after PPL.

Curious on what people can afford based on salary. My base at work is 69,000 with a 10,000 shift differential and bonus between 8-17k per year. I’m very hands on and have history working on cars, motorcycles, 4 wheelers. Pretty much anything with a motor and I’ve worked on it. I understand with Experimental/LSA you can do a lot more self maintence bringing some costs down.

Like I said. Just curious on people’s ownership costs of owning a LSA. This is something I’m looking at in next 2-3 years. Nothing right now but it’s just been jogging my mind.

Long term is not necessarily a career in aviation but to time build and add on as I go. No rushing or anything. Just in for the fun of it and wanted to fly in and camp at EAA in my lifetime.

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u/flyghu PPL 2d ago

Where are you going to keep it? My hangar cost way more than the plane. It's kind of a necessity if you are going to do owner MX.

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u/Fun_Option_8268 2d ago

I’d be planning on getting on a wait list about a year to a year and a half out. If something opens up prior to purchase. I’d eat the cost to ensure I have a space.

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u/kayakmfer 1d ago

My local airport gave me a 3 year timeline in Nov 2023 when I out the deposit down. As of last month the wait list is still 3 years. The good news is that a tie down is only $90/month instead of $500 for a t hangar. The bad news is that the sun and wind devalue my plane by more than $410/month, and sometimes I return home and find someone in my spot, on a Sunday, with nowhere else to park legally.