Why Maintaining Your Plane is Cheaper in the Long Run
Owning a small plane may be more costly than owning a car, but it gets you to places faster than a four-wheeled vehicle or to areas the roadster can’t reach.
And when it comes to cross-country flying, small airplanes can also provide you recreation opportunities and more convenience than commercial planes.
It gives you freedom as it opens up the world to you at your command, in a fraction of time and at the comfort of your plane.
But like anything with engines, owning an aircraft is accompanied by a long list of expenses—such as repairs, storage fees, insurance, loan payments, gas, and oil—may it be a brand new plane or an older one, say a Mooney aircraft which has been a favorite of budget-minded plane aficionados.
So it’s important to be aware of the strict maintenance requirements for all aircraft so that your plane will stay in top condition and keep you out of harm’s way. To comply with aircraft ownership and civil aviation rules, you are required to conduct proper and regular plane maintenance.
Plane maintenance is not limited to annual inspections and repair or replacement of damaged parts: it also includes cleaning and refueling.
It is inevitable for planes to undergo overhauling called Time Between Overhaul (TBO) which typically takes place around 1,200 to 2,000 hours of running time for general aviation planes.
As this does not happen immediately, it is essential to set aside some money—or an escrow fund as Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) recommends—which keep you on your toes for planned and unplanned maintenance like the engine, propeller, avionics, and airframe overhauls.
By undertaking routine maintenance on your plane, AOPA said this allows you to save “a substantial percentage of the annual maintenance costs” that comes with owning an aircraft.
Safety and Protection of Passengers
The adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” should not be applied to the maintenance of your plane and it’s also best to avoid Band-Aid solutions to minimize accidents and complications, allowing safe flying that will get you and your passengers to places you need to be in one piece.
Imagine a situation where you’re flying, and something goes wrong mid-air because you opted not to replace a bad cylinder you though could still work for a flight or two. When you land, that could spell costlier repairs and probably complaints and cases if you’re with passengers.
Avoiding Lost or Delayed Flights
Engine failure could lead to lost or delayed flights. It is essential to get your plane go through regular aircraft maintenance before flying to avoid such circumstance from happening. Maybe you’ll need to have some batteries or other parts replaced. Doing this before taking off will help you get to your destination faster and without burning fuel more than you need.
Extending the Life of the Aircraft
Going through regular maintenance helps prolong the life of your plane. Replacing old and broken parts would mean better performance of your aircraft for a longer time. Always keep tabs on your camshafts, cylinder walls, valve stems, and exhaust system to know when they need to be replaced.
Owning an aircraft is not a walk in the park and maintaining it may be expensive, but ensuring the safety and optimal performance of your plane is an investment that can’t be ignored or underestimated.
Here at Knisley Exhaust, we provide you with a complete inventory of reliable parts for your plane’s exhaust system—whether it be a Cessna, Mooney, Piper, Beechcraft, AviaBellanca, Partenavia, Bell or Helio—making us your best bet in keeping your aircraft in tip-top shape. Just give us a call, and we’ll provide you the right component and professional service you and your plane deserves.