The rise of small aviation. Price of a personal airplane, maintenance, training in aviation school

In 2021, 475 small aircraft were registered in Ukraine, with another 300 flying under foreign registration. Further, the number of issued certificates reached 570 licenses per year. As demand grew, attention was paid to infrastructure – its development was taken up by private business (enthusiasts). For example, they started to build a new airfield “Slobodka” near Kyiv, or, runways appeared in the projects of countryside complexes – average length 500 meters, width 40, initial investment $80,000 – $160,000.

How much does flight school cost?

On average, the cost of studying in Ukraine is about from 9,000 to 12,000 dollars. Duration – 4 to 6 months. This price includes theory and 45 hours of flight practice on the AERO AT-3. The larger the plane – the greater the fuel consumption, depreciation – the more expensive the training. After passing the exam, you receive a PPL licence, which allows you to fly single-engine piston aircraft during daylight hours.

Importantly, the Ukrainian licence gives you the right to fly only those types planes on which training were performed. So choose popular plane in Europe or the USA. Also, note that only the study of 2-3 more similar aircrafts will open you an new category – flights on a single-engine plane weighing up to 5700 kg.

How much does a small private jet cost? Rent or buy?

It is believed that the purchase of a private jet will be justified with a fly time of 300 hours per year. In order to somehow recoup the costs, some do charter.

The Ukrainian plane request are from 60,000 to 100,000 euros. Brands that considered: the Ukrainian manufacturer Aeroprakt, the immortal Cessna, the American Piper, Skylane, Socata, Cirrus.

For a year, 30-50 “new and not so” light aircraft are brought to us. Popular Cessna models Citation Bravo, Citation Encore, Cessna CJ2+.

How is the price of an light-aircraft formed?

The first factor is the type – light, medium, large. The second – the flight range on one tank. The third – the year of manufacture, equipment. Everything else: flight history; comfort level; the presence of a permanent crew, etc.

Among ultralight aircraft in the corporate segment, the Hawker 400 model is recognized. The second one, which has proven itself in high speed and efficiency, is the Learjet 45-45XR.

How do people buy planes in Ukraine?

They are looking for offers on popular marketplaces, or specialised sites like PlaneCheck or Controller. Then an intermediary is hired, who flies abroad and does a pre-sale check. After that, the plane can be delivered to UA in the temporary registration mode (mandatory fly abroad once a year), or in the registration change mode. In the second case, you will have to pay 20% VAT. Commission for the services of an intermediary ranges from 5 to 10 percent of the size of the transaction.

What are the costs for a small plane?

Consider the example of the Ukrainian double Aeroprakt A32. Length 6.29 m, wingspan 9.45 m. Maximum speed 215 km / h, range 1000 km. The price of a used A32 with a Bombardier engine costs 30-40 thousand euros. When flying 180 km / h, the consumption is 15 liters of the 95th.

Parking. In UA, aircraft storage costs $8/day in a hangar, $4 in the open air. Europe will cost about 12 euros / day (tea, coffee, rest room included). Or free if you are a member of the flying club (a couple of nights) – membership fee is 350 euros per year. For this value is available, not only parking can be, but also a rental car or a motel room.

The cost of landing and takeoff in Ukraine is from 0 UAH to $12 (for example, the Chaika airfield in Kyiv).

The most expensive expense option on a private plane is de-icing (not counting crew salaries). We did not find open prices in UA, in Europe can be from 600 to 1500 euros. This is the price for pilot’s with licence that can land at the aerodrome by instrument (not for visual flight).

Disadvantages of small and medium aircrafts

The only disadvantage is that the flight lasts as long as you are willing to endure not going to the toilet.

Medium-sized aircraft also suffer. There are no problems with WC, but when you fly with a co-pilot, you have to land for extra refuelling.