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It seems cheap and, relative to other
forms of flight, it is. But is it really cheap? Here's a
look at what you can realistically expect to spend in your pursuit of flight. Cheap is always relative—be thankful you're not
maintaining a helicopter. When Don McNiven asked me about this it got
the wheels turning. Here are the results. See also
Chapter 1
on starting training and what to look for. Several factors can have a
dramatic affect
on hourly cost. Traditionally, only expenses directly attributable to
the aircraft are included so things like getting to field aren't
included. But, for a full assessment, they should be and the
downloadable spreadsheet does.
1. An ounce of prevention really is much cheaper
than a pound of cure. Especially while being
grounded during the cure. Appropriate preventative maintenance can preclude
the expensive departure of parts
while reducing the risk of surprises. Vibration is legendary for
sacrificing the priciest pieces propwards. Neither part
nor prop usually survives. Thankfully,
for example, I'm rebuilding my redrive before
something bad happened. That's probably $90 now instead of $500
later had the shaft come out destroying a belt, pulley and prop and
who knows what else. 2. Buying used can save probably 25%. You'll
spend a lot less initially, pay more for maintenance, but still come
out ahead in most cases. There's more likelihood of being grounded,
too. Be careful buying a used wing—it's what's holding you up. The harness, carabiners and wing
are your life. At least get it inspected. 3. You must value your time at some amount. If
doing your own work is an enjoyable passtime unto itself, consider
yourself lucky and don't add the $30 per hour that I count. Since
there's probably not a paramotor repair shop down the road, if you wanna fly, you'll learn to fix. 4. Accept the fact that there is
variability. Not all motors are created equally. Mistakes in
manufacture happen. Some people are lucky and some aren't, even with
the same care. I know one meticulous pilot who spent probably a dozen
hours repairing a recurring problem on a reputable motor. The
manufacturer has since changed the troubled ignition system but these
things will still happen in other areas to all makes.
5. New pilots should buy gear from their local
instructor, if they have one. It'll save so much money and hassle in
the long run.
Don't be fooled when you hear about "all the problems" of one motor
or another. They all have problems but a popular motor will get more
press because there are more of them. Training is not included since
it's a one-time expense and is an enjoyable activity on its own merit.
With the caveats covered, and assuming you buy new equipment, here is a
rundown of typical expenses.
Below is a spreadsheet that outlines every conceivable cost related
to paramotoring. It's nothing I'd recommend for your
disinterested spouse and remember how much worse it could be. Renting
an airplane costs over $100 per hour and is rarely as much fun as
powered paragliding.
Download the Excel Spreadsheet here.
Sept 28, 2007 Updated with lines to include
the cost of transporting yourself and gear to the flying field. Pilots
living far from their launch site will appreciate it (or not).
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The Real Cost of PPG |
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Figuring out the hourly cost to fly paramotors |
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by Jeff Goin, www.FootFlyer.com, Sept 7, 2007 |
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Hrs/yr |
20 |
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Labor/hr |
$30/hr |
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Labor |
Labor |
Cost |
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Variable Costs |
Cost |
Life |
Hours |
Value |
per hour |
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Paramotor Purchase* |
$4,000.00 |
2,000 |
2 |
$60.00 |
$2.03 |
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Piston & Cylinder |
$300.00 |
300 |
4 |
$120.00 |
$1.40 |
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Starter (electric or pull) |
$80.00 |
200 |
2 |
$60.00 |
$0.70 |
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Carb Rebuild |
$20.00 |
200 |
1 |
$30.00 |
$0.25 |
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Prop |
$180.00 |
100 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$1.80 |
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Redrive Rebuild |
$180.00 |
75 |
4 |
$120.00 |
$4.00 |
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Paraglider Wing* |
$2,500.00 |
300 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$8.33 |
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Gas (1.0 gal per hr) |
$3.25 |
1 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$3.25 |
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Unexpected repairs |
$100.00 |
50 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$2.00 |
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Misc |
$0.00 |
2,000 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
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Misc |
$0.00 |
2,000 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
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Misc |
$0.00 |
2,000 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
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Total Variable per hour: |
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$23.76 |
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Below are calendar based expenses. Airplane owners must include
costs such as insurance, hangar rental, medical, annual inspection and annum based parts
replacement (regardless of hours). Airplane renters normally pay over $100 per hour. Be glad you own a
paramotor! |
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Months |
Labor |
Labor |
Cost |
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Calendar Based Expenses |
Cost |
Interval |
Hours |
Value |
per hour |
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Wing Inspection |
$125.00 |
24 |
1 |
$30.00 |
$3.88 |
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Rubber (fuel line, gaskets, others) |
$20.00 |
36 |
1 |
$30.00 |
$0.83 |
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Misc |
$0.00 |
12 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
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Misc |
$0.00 |
12 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
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Misc |
$0.00 |
12 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
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Misc |
$0.00 |
12 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
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Total Calendar (fixed) expenses: |
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$4.71 |
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Money Spent on purchase |
$6,500.00 |
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Bank Interest Rate: |
5.00% |
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Lost interest on money (*purchase only) |
$325.00 |
12 |
0 |
$0.00 |
$16.25 |
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Total hourly cost: |
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$44.72 |
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See Don
McNiven's take on this subject. |
Don McNiven inspired the idea and provided input for this article. Motor
maintenance is but one aspect of the hourly cost to pursue our peculiar dream.
Did I miss something? If you can think of costs that I've left out, let
me know by sending them to contact. |
