Splitting costs

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BrownieFlys

Filing Flight Plan
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Feb 25, 2025
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BrownieFlys
So, I’m about halfway through my PPL. There is a local pilot with a Cessna 182 T model who has shown interest in a partnership.

Unfortunately I don’t have $75-120k just sitting around.
I do however have a pretty healthy yearly budget of about $15,000 or so.

Is it possible to pay for the hanger, split the annual, and operating costs.
Is this something that’s done without actually paying for my share of the plane itself.
 
I can’t tell you how many people on a local Facebook group seem to want full ownership privileges of other people’s planes without actually owning it.
 
Sorry if this is stepping on toes.
Ownership rather out right or through a partnership is out of the question for me at this moment.
The rental market in my area is just for 172’s. And these are tied up mostly with instructoring.

So, if this is considered renting from an individual, is this considered poor taste?
There are no clubs or 182’s for rent in my small town.
I was just thinking ahead on what comes next.
 
It’s not poor taste and there are some non-equity partnerships, but those are mostly among people who know and trust one another.

For someone without a pilot’s license and no network of owners, it’s usually a hard row to hoe. Most open pilot clauses will state PPL or higher and X many hours time time in type. Our club’s 182 requires 10hrs dual or time in type for coverage.

This is where flying clubs fit in the big picture.
 
I’d hate to see the insurance rate for a 182 flyer with 60 hours and a shiny new pilot certificate

Further, one firewall bending landing puts the plane on the ground for a year (at least)
 
BrownieFlys said:
Sorry if this is stepping on toes.
Ownership rather out right or through a partnership is out of the question for me at this moment.
The rental market in my area is just for 172’s. And these are tied up mostly with instructoring.

So, if this is considered renting from an individual, is this considered poor taste?
There are no clubs or 182’s for rent in my small town.
I was just thinking ahead on what comes next.
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Why would it be poor taste if you and he agree to it?
 
TCABM said:
This is where flying clubs fit in the big picture.
Click to expand...
This is the way. As a sole owner, it would be a hard sell to convince me to take on all the hassles of partnership without someone actually buying into the partnership in a meaningful way. What is being proposed by OP is not terribly enticing as it removes most of the benefits of sole ownership (doing what I like, when I like) for a relatively small financial contribution. I second the recommendation to try to find a flying club in the area.
 
TCABM said:
It’s not poor taste and there are some non-equity partnerships, but those are mostly among people who know and trust one another.

For someone without a pilot’s license and no network of owners, it’s usually a hard row to hoe. Most open pilot clauses will state PPL or higher and X many hours time time in type. Our club’s 182 requires 10hrs dual or time in type for coverage.

This is where flying clubs fit in the big picture.
Click to expand...
Dad's open pilot clause requires instrument or greater on his Cherokee Six and 250 hours total time. Didn't think that through when I sold my pa28.
 
Consenting adults.

Agreements on how to split "fixed" costs / increase in insurance.

Agreements on how to handle fuel / oil.

OK to go on a 2 week vacation?

Breakdowns at remote locations?

etc.

Put it writing.
 
Before you enter into any agreement, assess the effects on insurance coverage. If you end up renting, invest in liability insurance for flying non-owned airplanes.
 
Gilbert Buettner said:
Before you enter into any agreement, assess the effects on insurance coverage. If you end up renting, invest in liability insurance for flying non-owned airplanes.
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This. Doesn't matter if the plane's insured unless you are named insured (not just a named pilot) on the policy. Otherwise, if you bend the airplane, the insurance company will make the owner whole, and then... Remember that plane you said was out of the question for you to buy right now? Well, you just bought it.
 
Randomskylane said:
I’d hate to see the insurance rate for a 182 flyer with 60 hours and a shiny new pilot certificate

Further, one firewall bending landing puts the plane on the ground for a year (at least)
Click to expand...
I was a student at 60+hrs (waiting on a SI medical) and bought a 182S ($316K insured value) and I paid $5,400 for the first year of insurance. It dropped my second year after getting PP/IR but was still around $3,500 with 120+hrs in M/M. Yes, pricey....but oh so worth it. I'll spare you the rate for a 374hr pilot without retract time or M/M for a T210....yowser!
 
get a loan, pay him his half, enjoy flying 8). seriously, if you don't tear it up, heck even if you do you'll probably get most of the money back when you sell
 
Short answer: yes, possible but usually not inside a true equity partnership.

Most 2–4 owner partnerships require a buy-in because ownership rights, liability, and voting are tied to equity.
If someone wants to fly without buying equity, it’s usually structured as one of these:

1) Equity partnership member (buy-in + monthly fixed share + hourly)
2) Flying club style member (no equity, dues + hourly, governed by bylaws)
3) Usage agreement/dry lease (no equity, defined access + payment terms)

For a student pilot, the usual friction points are:
- insurance underwriting (student pilot can raise premium / checkout requirements)
- liability + deductible responsibility
- scheduling priority (owners vs non-equity user)
- reserve funding for maintenance surprises
- making sure operational control/compliance is set up correctly

On a $15k/year target for a 182T, it can be tight depending on hours and local costs.
Rough framing:
- fixed share often lands around $8k–$18k+/year per participant
- variable can be roughly $110–$170/hr all-in reserve style

So it can work, but only with low/moderate hours and a very clear written structure.

If you pursue it, get these in writing up front:
- fixed vs hourly formula
- reserve contributions
- checkout/training requirements
- damage/deductible allocation
- scheduling rules
- default + exit terms

Worth having an aviation attorney and aviation-savvy CPA review before signing.
 
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