First year costs to run a 310R

[James_Dean]

So I've had the 310 for a year now. Flew like crazy for the first seven months and then not as much when work disaster struck. Back into heavy flying now. Did 225 hours total. Made it all over the country in all weather conditions. New Orleans, Schnectady, Atlanta, Midway, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Washington DC, and Tampa. Flew over Lake Michigan a few times and cut the corner of the GOM. Played with ice, thunderstorms, and some low approaches.

Cost to get my MEI - $5450

Sales tax - $13,500

Prebuy inspection and title insurance -$1100

One time supplies and outfitting - oxygen system, smoke hood, tie downs, stratus, headsets, tug, engine blankets, service manuals, etc - $8,800


Recurring supplies - charts, subscriptions, oxygen, overnights, etc - $2,200

Fuel - $35,200

Training/checkout - $1800

Travel expenses. Hotel, rental car, etc. - $1225

Maintenance $9010

Landing fees - $380

Hangar in Ohio and Iowa - $3600

Insurance - $1mm/$100k $4364


-----------------------------------------

One time total - $28,850 or $128/hr

Recurring - $57,779 or $257/hr


I expect maintenance to go up this year as I have some bigger recurring items due. Throw in engine/prop/avionics reserve of $85/hr and I'm coming in right where I thought I'd be when I started this journey. Hoping to break 300 hours this year and then it will probably be time for a new engine.

Insurance was same money for year 2 but now $2mm smooth and better terms.

What a blast! Now if I could just stop looking at controller.com porn....


Eggman

 

[frfly172]

Loved my twin,the costs just keep rising. Enjoy the flying.

 

[Fearless Tower]

Your insurance is a lot higher than what I am paying on my Baron (for $2M liability and $125k hull).

How much twin time do you have and what is your hull value?

 

[James_Dean]

Your insurance is a lot higher than what I am paying on my Baron (for $2M liability and $125k hull).

How much twin time do you have and what is your hull value?

250 and $200k. I came to the 310 out of a fixed gear Saratoga, so very little retract time and a still wet ME ticket.

 

[Fearless Tower]

250 and $200k. I came to the 310 out of a fixed gear Saratoga, so very little retract time and a still wet ME ticket.

That makes a little more sense. That is probably pretty reasonable for the hull value.

 

[jesse]

250 and $200k. I came to the 310 out of a fixed gear Saratoga, so very little retract time and a still wet ME ticket.

That insurance cost is about the same price that insurance on a rental 172 with a 40k hull value costs us.

 

[Scott@KTYR]

James,
Are you running LOP and what cruise speed are you getting?

 

[ahkahn]

Very interesting data. I love it! Thanks for sharing!

 

[James_Dean]

James,
Are you running LOP and what cruise speed do you getting?

This is a fiki bird with engines that are 400/1300 smoh.

I usually fly 9k-11k and at that altitude can do 195 kts @ 36 gph, 185 @ 26, or 175 @ 22 plus or minus a few depending on the normal variables.

Takeoff and initial climb is 52-54 gph.

My normal practice is to run 10-20 LOP on the richest cylinder and that usually gives the 185 @ 26.

Just finishing the first annual and all compressions were +70 except for one jug in the 30's. +1300 TIS and upon borescope the exhaust valve is burnt in textbook style and it looks like the valve stopped rotating.

 

[Twin_Flyer]

James, are you planning on posting your numbers on TTCF? I'm interested in seeing how they compaire to the other 310 owners... I'm not far enough into my first year to get a feel for what my total cost for the first year will be... I don't think I'll get anywhere close to your hours for the year, but I am enjoying every hour I get to fly it this wonderful plane... You really appear to be enjoying your twin...

Continue to enjoy your 310 and fly safely,

 

[James_Dean]

James, are you planning on posting your numbers on TTCF? I'm interested in seeing how they compaire to the other 310 owners... I'm not far enough into my first year to get a feel for what my total cost for the first year will be... I don't think I'll get anywhere close to your hours for the year, but I am enjoying every hour I get to fly it this wonderful plane... You really appear to be enjoying your twin...

Continue to enjoy your 310 and fly safely,

How/where do you normally run your fire breather? I was seriously considering the T, but in the end felt it was already a big enough jump to go where I did.

 

[Twin_Flyer]

How/where do you normally run your fire breather? I was seriously considering the T, but in the end felt it was already a big enough jump to go where I did.

I'm on the east coast. About 40 mins flying time from Bill and Colleen in Va. I guess I just went with the best airframe I could find. I knew the turbos would come with some exta cost but they're nice when I want to go into the O2 levels. I'm running LOP and so far I've been able to get the ff down to 11 per side and seeing speeds(GS) in the 185 to 190 range (GAMIs are great) with great CHTs and EGTs... I'm still working wih the ff but I don't want to get to lean/cool. 9000 to 1200 is where I've been crusing lately. Really loving it.

 

[brian]]

Interesting numbers- thanks!

Question: are you flying coast to coast? (If memory serves you are based in the Midwest.)

 

[James_Dean]

Interesting numbers- thanks!

Question: are you flying coast to coast? (If memory serves you are based in the Midwest.)

Based in NW Iowa and my western most point is Phoenix and east would be Schnectady, NY. North would be Midland, MI and south would be Sarasota or New Orleans.

My goal was to give the airlines the middle finger. Wherever I had to be for work or play I tried to fly myself.

 

[Twin_Flyer]

I'm with you on the airlines... When I was traveling for work I joined several FF clubs. But now it seems every time I want to use a perk it's no longer availble... Last flight in April they wanted $7.00 for a frigging beer... If I have to travel I'll fly myself if I can and eat the cost...

 

[James_Dean]

I'm with you on the airlines... When I was traveling for work I joined several FF clubs. But now it seems every time I want to use a perk it's no longer availble... Last flight in April they wanted $7.00 for a frigging beer... If I have to travel I'll fly myself if I can and eat the cost...

I was doing 140 - 170 segments per year before I did the 310. Crappy way to live.

 

[brian]]

Not far behind on segments right now ...

I admire the airlines for what they get done. But there is nothing luxurious about airline travel, regardless of where you sit.