Do you think an aircraft will ever be developed that is afordable to the common man?

Question

Like when Henry Ford came out with the model T or when Hitler invented the volkswagon.

Answer 1

Yes, if there is ever a technological innovation that creates an efficient, small yet powerful method to push air, combined with a digital flight guidance system that can reliably control the aircraft.
Look at the fly by wire aircraft like Airbus A-320, etc. It has many computers based on 1980's technology. Modern computer technology could handle much more than what 20 year old computers can.
Imagine a "hovercraft" that can take off and land like a helicopter yet fly like an airplane.
The Moller Skycar is the closest thing to reality we have so far.

Answer 2

You've got some good answers especially concerning traffic! Can you imagine an airplane for even half the cars on the road?!!

The other good point is to define the common man. Operation, care and maintenance of an aircraft requires discipline, focus and dedication. Is the common man capable of that?

You can buy a good used aircraft for less than the price of many used cars but if not properly cared for it becomes unsafe and depreciates quickly.

By the way, the Volkswagen was invented by Ferdinand Porsche. After playing with the concept he built a prototype in 1931. In 1933, Hitler liked the car and demanded things like number of passengers, fuel consumption and ultimate price which would have made the car to expensive to build had the government not backed it.

Porsche was behind the design ideas including every nut and bolt being accessible, require nothing more than screwdriver, pliers and adjustable wrench for maintenance and reliability.

Answer 3

Actually, you can get aircraft for quite reasonable prices. Quite often, for less then the cost of a luxury car. (Granted, that plane will not be a performer, but it will fly.)

I think the main reason that you do not see as many people flying as you could is the high cost of licensing. To get a visual flight rules pilot's license you are talking anywhere from $5000 to $15000 in lessons, flight time, etc... So that severely restricts the market for planes.

In addition, planes have significantly higher maintenance and operating costs. The landing fees alone can run into thousands a year. Maintaining your planes airworthiness certificate is another high expense. Things like having to replace, or refurbish parts every XYZ number of hours can really empty a wallet.

If there was a market for cheap planes for the everyman, believe me, there will be a manufacturer that will fill that niche.

Answer 4

there are a few obstacles that need to be overcome first;

1: the requirement that aircraft manufacturers carry liability insurance on every airframe they manufacture for the life of the airframe. this is expensive and stupid, but because of lawsuits against manufacturers of aircraft, the government has seen fit to require the lifetime liability insurance. in my opinion 10 years should be the maximum.

2: not many people have their pilots license thus the demand for light aircraft is limited.

3: licensing requirements are necessarily stiff. would you share the sky with someone who flies a plane like some drive cars? i sure as heck wouldnt.

the cheapest way to go is to buy a set of plans for an aircraft that you like, and build that plane. you can get a set of plans for $65-500, and then build the plane for as little as $20,000 depending on where you get your materials, and what power plant you use. for example the last i knew a set of KR2 plans were like $125, the material costs were something on the order of $10k or so, and a used ceritfied engine was around $5k. this combined with the fees, and any A&P help would run you about $20k-$25k to build this plane from scratch. and as long as you bild at least 51% of the plane, you can apply for a repairmans certificate so that you can sign off on the required annual inspections of the airplane. is that cheap enough for you?

Answer 5

new certified aircraft will continue to be very expensive. The ordinary joe's best bet here is to get involved with a flying club that buys or leases a new aircraft. There are many affordable older aircraft on the market but the cost of operation will still be costly to an individual owner. Fuel prices are grounding many at $4 - $6 per gal. for 100LL aviation fuel.

Answer 6

It's called a Cessna. Of course, you have to buy a used aircraft, but it'll cost as much as 50K or so...2-seater Cessna 150 with good avionics, engine, etc. 20-30K, plus hangar fees, etc. It'll be from like 1970's, but in airplane years, that's like buying a 1998-2001 car. Remember, airplanes are aged not by miles, but hours. there's always a good buy somewhere...where the real cost goes is the maintenance and fuel.

Answer 7

Yes. It is possible, but will take a long time. Unless the economy crashes, humans decide to save the Earth, or the human race become extinct, it should happen soon. Some things become cheaper by and by, and will become affordable. The big consequence for getting a plane is to get a license to drive it, like how people need a driver's license.

Answer 8

You can get one of those kit airplanes that seats 2 for around 70k. Thats about the price of a dodge viper or Range rover.

Thats probably as low as the price will get for an aircraft and thats a pretty reasonable price for an aeroplane.

Answer 9

Aviation will never be affordable to the common man. In fact, those who've made a small fortune in it have always started out with a large one. Somehow regular Joes out there still manage to find ways to own (or are they owned by?) aircraft.

Answer 10

Supply and demand. There are no large manufacturing plants like they have for cars that mass produce planes. Because the supply is low the price is going to be higher.