Operating Costs – low operating costs are why the Luscombe 8 remains one of the most affordable airplanes. A model 8C in decent condition costs around $17,000, while the average asking price for a high-performance Model 8F is $26,000.
Today, the Luscombe 8 series is one of the least expensive airplanes and depending on the model, the average price of a used Model 8A Luscombe Master is $22,000.
It is a single-engine airplane with two side-by-side seat arrangements and a taildragger undercarriage. The Luscombe 8 series is a range of high-wing monoplanes based on a 1936 design by Donald Luscombe. Engine: 1 x Continental C90 air-cooled flat-four piston engine, 90 hp (67 kW).No of crew and passengers: One pilot, one passenger.Planes in this category are the best budget buys for any sports pilot with average means looking to snatch an affordable personal aircraft.
You may see vintage post-war planes in excellent flying condition, but those are getting rarer with time. Most airplanes in the $15,000 to $30,000 category are forty-year. Sponsored Ad The Most Affordable Airplanes Starting From $15,000 There are still good cheap aircraft deals available you just have to look for them. Purchasing an older but well-looked airplane with extensive service history is always good. Also, buying a newer model airplane at a massive discount to fix it up can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in mechanical and airworthiness certification costs. Great deals often mask lemons, and even popular planes with years of hard use can hide several expensive problems.
However, insurance premiums on older airplanes with good reliability and safety records can be lower than on other cheaper airplanes.Ĭondition – As we said earlier, knowing all you can about an airplane’s used history before buying seems a piece of awful good advice. The odds of something going terribly wrong on an older plane is higher than on newer models, and the insurance man knows. You think insurance costs for the least expensive airplanes are cheap, right? Not necessarily. Insurance – Yes, airplanes do have insurance. So, check if your airplane manufacturer has the model’s parts in stock. Parts for some newer planes can be challenging to get, while some older aircraft have spare parts in abundance. Parts availability – For me, this is a deal-breaker, and it has little to do with the plane’s age. It is vital to find out hangar storage costs for your airplane type. Instead, it combines low fuel consumption, reliability, and cheap parts. What makes an affordable personal aircraft isn’t just the sticker price. Running costs and maintenance – High running costs can drop an airplane’s value faster than a sack of bricks. Less popular airplanes may have excellent performance and low running costs, but be prepared to take a financial hit when you want to resell due to low demand. The brand – People tend to purchase popular airplanes not just because they are great planes, but they also tend to hold their value due to high demand. Find out all you can about the airplane before writing that check. Remember, a plane’s ownership costs start after you pay for it. You should not purchase an airplane without doing your research beforehand. You don’t walk into a dealership and buy the first vehicle you set your eyes on. Things to Consider When Shopping For An Affordable Airplane