6 Things That SHOCKED Me Buying an Airplane (Cessna 182) 

Hey guys! I wanted to let you know I just launched an "Insiders" Newsletter where once a week I'm sharing an important lesson I've learned in aviation, links to my latest content so you don't miss out, and links to any other interesting or helpful content I've found. I'm also working on a HUGE project I can't announce yet but I'm going to be sharing more behind the scenes info with Insiders first - Subscribe (it's free) at: airplaneacademy.com/insiders

Within a year of my divorce, I bought myself a plane, decided to do something for myself. I've now owned the plane longer than I was married. The plane has been way less expensive than the wife was.

I'm 76 years of age now and had to give away flying after having had both a heart attack and a stroke, but I recall them as being the best years of my life, having started flying at the age of 16. Everything you said is true, I owned two aircraft which I purchased in my forties, first a Piper Cherokee 180 and then a Cessna 182M I really miss it now but it was just fantastic, the feeling you get from flying your own aircraft is a feeling of total freedom. I think you need to do it to understand. Over all those years I was lucky enough to have been endorsed on three different twins along with gas turbine and pressurised aircraft which I flew all over outback Australia. Keep up the good work, I can sense I'm listening to a real pilot at heart.

My favorite aviation quote: "If God had meant for man to fly, he'd have given us more money."

Excellent video, Now at 74, I've stopped flying for financial reasons only. I'll miss it more than life. Never owned an aircraft, always rented, no incidents or accidents in 36 years of flying. Absolutely loved it. Have subscribed to your site, wish you many years of safe and enjoyable flying.

I've watched a ton of "my first plane" ownership videos. This by far was the best straight forward video I have seen to date. Nicely done sir.

It’s isn’t the FAA that adds cost to parts. That is like 10% maybe. It’s lawsuit liability coverage for parts makers. Every company is guaranteed to be sued at every crash. Companies that survive do so because their pricing model takes Into account payouts to legal claims. Aviation tanked since the 80’s when lawsuits skyrocketed. It’s also the reason insurance went up. And nobody discusses this.

I heard this some time ago, ......buying an airplane is like getting married, you think you know what you have, but after a couple years you really know what you have.

Owning a aircraft (airplane) is pricy on the ground, but "PRICELESS" in the air.

I started flying when I was a teenager. Went thru a lot of money. Would not trade it for the world. My brother in law asked me why I have 2 airplanes. Told him I could not afford 3. Flying to Alaska in my 170 is on my bucket list. The wife said we are not doing that. I hope she will meet me there. Hope I get 1 more medical passed, recent cancer and a new hip scheduled for the end of this month. The wife has panicked over many flying situations, some as difficult as parallel parking a car. She has not been with me when I thought I would be dead in 2 heart beats. Based at 1c5. N4526V & N504FA. Oh!!! One of my flight instructors had his ticket signed by a Wright Brother. Delbert Koerner.

16 months into plane ownership and I'd say pretty much bang on on all accounts. 2 others big things I love about ownership... My seat is in the same place every time and I never have to unplug my headset.

I'm in a club with a few other guys renting a Champ at 50 bucks an hour tach time wet, plus 55 bucks a month. I may not be able to get anywhere fast, but I gets some cheap, beautiful sunsets with the window open, elbow hanging out. Good stuff....

How good is it when you jump into the aircraft and your jumper is on the back seat and you sunglasses are on the dash, and it still has the same amount of fuel in it as when you left it yesterday... love my airplane and the best thing is I built it... and I built my own hangar as well... it is the best thing you can do with your clothes on... never have regretted it 15 years on... 1300hrs on the clock still a good aircraft... that and whiskey nothing better in life... good flying to all... Barry form Australia...

3:12 the right screw is wiggling. Right when you spoke about the previous owner keeping maintenance up

Got my license in '76 and have owned 5 planes. Started with a Super Decathlon, 182, 177RG, T 210, Archer. I have loved them all. After you own a plane, the thought of flying a rental is sort of scary. I always wonder what did the last few pilots do to screw up this plane? Did they over stress it, shock cool the engine, over rev it, fly with the cowl plugs in, fly it low on oil, etc.?

"As long as I can afford this, this is where I want to be spending my time, energy and effort." Many Thanks for that piece of my Mission statement!!!

Very interesting. I learned to fly first in tail draggers (Piper J3 Cubs) moving to Cessna 150s and sometimes 182s. I’ve often figured I’d buy one eventually, but life had other plans for me. C’est la vie. The fact is, fate fought me tooth and nail to prevent me full filling my desire to be an airline pilot. I started flying in 1968, when I turned 18. Whenever I had a spare fifty bucks, I took lessons and soloed. I desired to be a jet pilot, so I tried the Air Force. I needed a degree before they’d take me. So college bound taking widely spread lessons. After my degree the Vietnam War was winding down, so none of the Armed Services were taking pilot candidates. So, Law School. In my second year, I read that the Air Force wanted pilots, so I went to a recruiter who told me at 27, I was too old. 26.5 was the limit. So, shit, I graduated from Law School became a Prosecutor and then a Judge and I had no time for flying. Recently, I read that with as little as a simple Commercial License, airlines would hire and train, but, I was an old fart. So, fate gave me lots good things, but probably saved hundreds of passengers from death from my rotten landings😎

Common misconception is that the FAA is totally to blame for the expense of aviation. The truth coming from an aircraft manufacturer is that economies of scale don’t allow airplanes and parts to be cheaper. If they only sold 100 Honda Accords each year they would cost over $200,000 each. I work on the F-35 program and trust me when I tell you, they would still cost over $300M each of we were still making only 37 per year. At our 100+ a year rate the cost is roughly 1/3 per unit.

I'm not a pilot and I will never own a plane but I really enjoy listening to you as you share real life experience!

Like you said one of the biggest difference between renting and owning is when you rent you notice the money goes away when you fly, so it makes you want to fly less. When you own a plane the money goes away all the time most of which is when you're not flying, so it makes you want to fly more. I just started myself down the road of GA so keep up the good work.

#1 Totally Worth It (thought he'd be more on the fence) #2 Timing of Payments (rentals vs ownership) #3 Flying Alone (surprised he flew alone 95% of time vs w passengers) #4 Previous Owner's Sins (stuff they didn't maintain correctly that aren't obvious during PPI) #5 Cost of Parts (higher than you'd expect) #6 Hanger Space (cost & availability)

I purchased my C-150 from a retire FAA inspector. The mechanic that did the pre-buy inspection was very pleased with the condition given it was a 30+ year old airplane. Owning the plane was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Enjoy!

I tell people that when buying a used aircraft, and face it, most private aircraft are 40+ years old, the purchase price is just the down payment.

Charlie, The joy you are experiencing is shared by so many of us. I still look forward flying and learning many different types of aircraft. Next year will be my 50th in aviation since solo. It's a wonderful ride! Thanks for posting these videos.

Thank you for this I'm starting to learn how to fly, currently on circuits working towards my first solo but this is a definite end goal for me later down the line on owning my own aircraft. Awesome video man and thank you for all the details!

Excellent dose of aircraft ownership reality, and I realized this very early on in my flight training. Consequently, as much as I love the feeling of flight, I decided against continuing my PPL lessons.

i thought No1 would be how many 'friends' that you haven't seen for years come out of the woodwork.

Good insights, thank you and God bless!!! Safe flying!!!

So true on every point. Thank you for posting.

The cheapest part of owning an airplane is. The owner.

the fact that you fly mostly alone i think is one of the key things, could be be flying a 150 if you wanted to save some money but obviously it limits your capabilities. for someone on a "shoestring".. 150/152, pa28 or 172 is the way to start off I think.

Nice video. Determining your mission is an excellent point.

Great points! Thanks for the video. Love your enthusiasm for flying.

Loved you're videos Charlie. Unfortunately, I am signing off from RU-vid. Too much censorship. Happy flying and hope to see you at a fly in!

Interesting video, with very similar observations to my own reflections on aircraft ownership. In my case I went experimental and bought a Lancair Legacy RG. No turning back after that :) Thanks again.

Helpful video ! Thanks bro !

Thanks for all your input

With respect to high cost of parts, I suspect the costs of configuration control and QA are significant contributors. But those are safety-related functions.

I needed a 30 amp toggle switch for my old piper tomahawk. The one from piper with the FAA sticker was $220. I found the exact same toggle switch at a home depot that was the same serial number, manufacturer, and even color. $2.43.

I always wanted to do what you are doing! At this point in my life I am pleased to live vicariously through your experience. You are flying for the same reasons I would be flying. Glad I found your channel. Glad I will be notified of further videos! Thanks for your effort making them for us.

My dad once dumped Human cremains over the Smokey mountains in TN as a student solo pilot. He came back looking like a sugar cookie the first time. He slipped the wrong way, and the ashes blew back in and covered the inside of the rental plane. We swept the Ol' boy back into the Urn, and he took off again. The scattering was both neat and successful the second time. It worked out well. A family member of the deceased later stated that she wished she had kept some of the ashes to put in a locket. To her delight, months later, there were plenty left inside the plane.

Love your honesty! No bull just a common sense straight shooter!

I was thinking the 6 things you mention pertain to boat owning above a certain size (before 8k people scream at me). I'm no longer able to fly for health reasons and am relegated to flight simming but I truly appreciate you sharing your gratitude and being humble about your place in history, so refreshing. Just for that I subscribed. Thanks!

Great video and info. Thanks for sharing!!!

Too true! Same problem here in Eastern PA, about a 2 year wait list. All that effort I put into polishing, just to park it outside... Parts can be much cheaper on an Experimental, maybe that's the route to go for your future bush plane. 😜 All 6 are good points!

2:08 its not ONLY the FAA approval process that makes airplane parts expensive - in fact, its not even MOSTLY due to that. The FAA certification cost is a sunk cost that the airplane manufacturer had to recoup in the first few thousand airplanes built. They cant bank on recouping that money in replacements 20 years later (except for routine maintenance parts that are expected to be replaced periodically). No the biggest part of the cost is low production volumes. They just dont sell that many of them so production runs are only a few hundred copies of a part. The tooling cost and setup fees at the factories, and cost of sub-components purchased from their manufacturers in small volumes - that is the main thing that makes airplane parts expensive.

Friends I ride Harleys with have a favorite expression - "HD stands for Hundred Dollars !" It's true, everything seems to start at $100 and goes up, including what you carry out in your hand. But I tell them - "Yeah, well buy an airplane and that HD will look real nice !" Great video !

Your videos really help! Thanx.

Great video. Appreciate you putting this info out there. Actually answered a few questions I’ve had for a while!

I think most people who are fine with flying in an airliner are nervous about small aircraft, even though they’re embarrassed to admit it. Therefore, as a new pilot, you might feel let down many friends and relatives take a pass on flying with you (or anyone else). I agree with all your surprises...excellent observations.

Excellent Presentation on the truth about aircraft ownership!! Subscribed. Juan

Wow... That was really informative. Thank you for these insights...

Thank you for the video. I haven't started lessons yet but it's still good information for my future.

The REAL show of what the difference in Pricing is in Aircraft parts is, is when you look at the EXACT SAME Part for Experimental, and Certified...and the Certified one is anywhere from 3-5 times more expensive..even though it's made on the same machinery with ZERO physical difference..other than that little STC stamp

Great video! And really useful and practical info for a prospective buyer! At some point, I certainly will be buying my own plane! I am an instrument-rated commercial pilot, who had plans to pursue an aviation career (my 3rd career, actually, at a pretty late age - I'm in my early 40s). At times a brief thought has crossed my mind, if I made the right call, by spending all that money on flight training, with all the "stuff" currently going on, and its impact on aviation. But as you rightly pointed out, in the end it was most definitely worth it!! You've got *one* life to live, and what's the point of wondering, when you're near the end of your life, what it would've been like, if you had done the things you were "crazy passionate" about, but never did!! No regrets for me, certainly!!

Hey man, I'm really enjoying your channel. Thank you so much for sharing all this information. Flying is something I've wanted to do since I was a kid. I think I'm finally ready to dive in. You're giving me the motivation. Cheers.

Great video; concise and very informative. Thanks, man.

I have developed health issues with age and can no longer fly. "BOY" do I miss it. Yes the "JOY" of flying is like no other.

3:07 you had cowling screws come loose on the takeoff roll

Nice video! @0:30 Hanger space might be nice, but another option is tie-down space. Rates are much lower for out-door storage of the craft. There are some down-sides. For example, if a sand storm covers your glass, then rain turns that into mud, you've got some cleaning to do with your pre-flight check. You can get covers for your outside storage . . . There are many other considerations, and you'll just have to decide which is best for you. We once had a new-to-us Aeronca Champ. It was tied down out on the tarmac. In order to do maintenance on the tarmac, the airport moved our Champ to temporary tie-down space with the intention of moving it back after the work was done. Unfortunately, the cables in the temp space were neglected and corroded. We didn't inspect those because it was not our space. As things like this go, a storm came in with very strong winds. The rusted cables broke and our new plane was blown across the taxi way, across the runway, and half way up a prominent hill. It was a total loss. The facilities were at fault and the airport's insurance cut a check. @2:08 Yes, the gov't is to thank for that, but for more reasons than you said. Each part manufactured has a certificate (you might not see it when you buy the part, but it is tagged through the whole manufacturing process) showing each step of the process, including where the ore came from, who processed the ore into a billet, and each step that was taken on it until it became an airplane part. Keeping and tracking that data for each individual part is expensive. It pays off if/when there is a part failure that can be traced back to materials, for example, and they can look up all of the parts that were made with those same materials, or if there is a problem caused by a specific step in manufacturing and they can identify all of the parts that underwent that same process and recall them before many planes crash. You do not want to find that your craft has a bad part while you're in the air.

You're living the dream for sure! And I subscribed so I can live it vicariously thru your videos and those of others I've followed for a number of years! I've always wanted to be a pilot and fly back since the days of Sky King! You'll need to look that up because it was twice as long ago as you've been alive. Took flying lessons when I was in my 20's but never followed thru for one reason or another, not cheap for one thing. I flew paragliders for a few years, but even that didn't satisfy the flying bug from the point of being able to manipulate flaps, throttles and ailerons etc. Fly safe, stay safe and have a blast learning to fly your Dad's new Citation!!! I'm glad you get to live your dream!

Great video. I worked as a commercial pilot for a time, lots of PIC time logged and flown lots of different types but I've never owned my own plane, there have always just been too many other things to spend money on (I am in to classic cars, that doesn't help!). I had a friend who for years owned a Grumman Tiger that he never flew but would let me fly whenever I wanted, that was sweet, until it dawned on him that he was paying for me to have an airplane and sold it...selfish bastard! I envy you the ability to just drive to the airport and take off in your own airplane, I really do.

One year I had an unexpected engine failure that cost me $50K. If you think the worst case scenario is an early overhaul consider when you have no useful core. Engine had 1050 since factory new.

Well done! Thoughtful and a credit to the industry. I've taken many years off from flying (stopped to have kids), and have been wrestling with getting back into it. This is a great encouragement to move forward.

Most excellent sir! Thanks for the insight!

RE: Costs of the little fiddly bits it is true that the government puts a lot on a company for its part to be certified but c'mon...the Cessna 182 has been flying, in some form, since 1956. Sooner or later those development costs should have been paid for and you'd think they could produce a faring (or whatever) for a reasonable price.

Say “Hello” to your newest Subscriber, who, back before you were probably birthed, took her checkride from ADS. Back then I lived in the apartment complex on Sojourn, and was able to walk across the field to Addison Airport. It’s all built up now including doubling the runway length. Great video and glad I found your Channel!

I subscribed this morning when your video popped up in my feed. I am a novice flight summer, but I enjoyed your educational videos that I watched. Thanks.

Awesome videos and content bud, really a great help in the decision process of getting my PPL and buying my first plane . Cheers safe travels

Thank you for putting out so much positive energy. Magic words for me are gratitude, joy and self esteem, and this video is definitely a you can-do it offering, in these times of so much negativity. Happy Landings, Always

I kept hitting pause to see where that radio sound was coming from, thought it was on my end.

Great video, thanks for sharing. I’m considering buying and your experiences were very informative - much appreciated. Wish you continued good times in the skies! 👍

Great video. Informative and so easy to relate

I've found the courts are unintentionally responsible for the cost of aviation. I was doing a Cessna factory tour in 2006 and we were discussing the unit cost of 172s. Cessna said $100,000 of the cost was for Cessna's liability insurance because they can be sued for 40 years after the aircraft was made. At the time, that was almost 1/3rd the cost of the plane. Bankruptcies also play a part. Since most air services are considered essential, they will get as much relief in court as they need to remain in operation. So, if you sell 10 tires on credit (because in aviation we are usually paid after a service is rendered) and on average get paid for 1 after the purchaser goes bankrupt, you start charging 10x as much to make sure you make your profit on the first unit sold and can continue to do business after your client goes bankrupt and has their debts forgiven. if you need to compete to sell, then you distribute that loss among all your products, even the ones sold in private sale and so the prices end up astronomical for simple items. I like your video.

Let me know when you go up! I’d love to see this bird, I’m down in the ATX area.

Thank you. Good info. Excellent video.

Very well said, I love flying. Thanks.

You re so right! Thats exactly my thoughts 👍🏻 There is no price for a „ thats mine“ Fly safe dude and greets from Germany

Controlling a machine that flies you through the air, safely. What's not to love? Kiss the sky and honor creation!

Nice video. Sweet ride! :). I'm about to move back to the Addison area. Would be fun to see your plane.

Just learned so much from this. Thank you sir for all the insight!

I'm a pilot/Engineer & A&P and I sold my 337 because it was more economical to rent. Insurance cost after 9/11is insane.

Good vid. Long time ago I know I was going to buy an airplane. Put my name on the waiting list for a hanger thinking it was going to be a while before I was contacted. To my surprise 1 week later I was called. Had to turn it down because I didn't have a plane yet and was months away from getting one. When I finally did get a plane it took months before a hanger became available. I used to be a fanatical gun guy and competitor. Keeping the plane safe and flying put a stop to that...lol Looking at $30k to replace a failed and failing panel. Frustrating and expensive at times but I love it.

Wow what a refreshing attitude! Thank you & you have gained another subscriber.

I’m not a pilot but have always been fascinated by flight and all things aviation. Your videos are awesome and I’m subscribed. I’m flying vicariously thru your videos and loving it!

About 5 of 6 shocking things he brought up, you could replace "airplane" for "boat" ownership..

There are a few reasons parts are so expensive. The big one is liability. When you pay $300 for a part that'd be $30 on a car, most of that money is going into liability insurance and legal funds to deal with the inevitable lawsuits that all of these companies deal with from time to time. You could also argue that the extreme levels of R&D and quality control are also really the result of this, since a part that's more reliable is less likely to end up causing a lawsuit in the first place. Even the high level of regulation might tie into this, since passing stringent government standards gives the company good ground to stand on in a lawsuit as well. Aside from that, you're also paying more because of small production volumes, and then there's just plain old greed, charging inflated prices because they know they can get away with it.

First video I've seen from you. Thanks for the information. You seem to really enjoy it. So you're on my subscribed short list.

Thanks for the inspiration and insight!

Pro tip from an aircraft engineer .Never, unless you have to use Cessna parts. PMA parts are just as good, just as legal....and cheaper. Second tip .Unless you are using your aircraft for hire use a part 43 maintenance outfit. Why pay 145 prices when you don't have to?

Can you turn off the music next time you record? Good content but hard to hear over the noise in the background.

I enjoyed hearing your perspective. From my own experience, everything you said is very true. I look forward to see more of your videos.

VERY well done my friend. Your excitement really comes through. Also informative. 'have been thinking abt getting back to flying and you are like nudging me along. LOL! Well done mate!

Flying is really cheap. It's being on the ground that's expensive. I never seem to spend money whilst flying.

Sounds like owning a sailboat. Good luck finding a slip to keep it in, every little thing is crazy expensive, but then the wind is free so sailing cost like $2.

Great channel!! I’m in! Thank you for all the hard work in producing this content & sharing your passion for aviation!! Educational & inspirational....

Good watching! Nice job! Keep up the good work

components, maintenance, performance for the horsepower..... are why I prefer experimentals over factory planes.

If it flies, floats or f...ks it’s probably cheaper to rent.

I love this video! Thanks for telling it like it is. The video is very well produced and I love the flying footage.