Aircraft ownership cost calculator
Pick an aircraft to load its typical figures, then replace any number with your own quote. The meter shows the cost per Hobbs hour.
How it works
Flying costs per hour are fuel (burn times price), the engine reserve (overhaul cost divided by TBO) and the propeller reserve. Fixed costs per year are insurance, storage, the annual inspection, small parts and fees. Cost per hour is the flying cost plus the fixed costs divided by the hours you fly.
The loan payment uses a standard fixed-rate amortization. The 20% down payment and 15-year term are starting assumptions, not quotes; AOPA reported aircraft loan rates in the low 6 percent range in January 2026, with terms of 5 to 20 years, and the rate field starts at 6.25%.
Aircraft defaults come from each model page, where every figure is sourced: Cessna 172, Piper Archer. Fuel defaults use the September 2026 national averages, checked October 11, 2026. The full method is on How we calculate.
Not included: depreciation or appreciation, the return you could earn on the cash instead, upgrades, and major unplanned repairs.