How I can calculate operating hours of aircraft?

Question

If I need to rent my aircraft to some one , Is there any calculation need to be done to calculate the cost of hours ?

Answer 1

You need to divide the yearly cost of mantenaince, personel, etc in the hours of flight during that year.

Example:

Total Costs: 1000 dollars
hours of flight a year 10

1000 divided 10 = 100 dollars

The cost of a flight hour is 100 dollars

Answer 2

You need to identify the fixed and variable costs. The fixed (tie-down, mortgage and interest, insurance, engine replacement, inspection) costs are divided by the anticipated number of operating hours. The variable costs (fuel and oil) are usually paid by the renter. Don't forget that by renting the plane you become a commercial operator and your inspection and maintenance will be different than that of a private owner. Check the FARs. Also check with your insurance company.

Answer 3

Have you consider refering to the engine odometer and fuel gage.

Make sure when you rent it out you know the volume of the fuel in the tank, if not just fill it up. After the flight measure it again or fill it up (its easier to see how many gallons was used if you fill up the tank)

Before you start the engine write the odometer reading in a piece of paper and after you shut it down copy the reading again.

Current reading - previous reading = hours used*cost per hour
Volume of fuel used = Volume of fuel used to fill up*cost per gal


Overhead and maintenace = its upto you, can be percentage of the two above cost

Add the three values and you arrive at the total cost.