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`Coupers.
* * * * * * * Boxer's Day Greetings * * * * * * *
At the turn of the year, it is traditional to reflect on the
past twelve months. There have been several threads on
this esteamed list about Ercoupe costs. Well, my costs
are in (and paid, which is even more amazing!), and I am
sharing them with you. Please note that yours will surely
vary. This is just one person's data point.
Insurance is one cost. Great variability has been reported
on this list. Mine was $455 for a year; I still have six months
until I need more. I have liability only as I own 29H outright.
Repairs and maintenance are very large costs - mine were
$2,445.81 this year. Sounds like a lot, but I got a lot done.
Under this category I have the annual inspection and some
refurbishments. The annual was $462.86, which included
the inspection (400), an oil change (16) and Miscellaneous
Receipts (46.86). The repairs were non-recuring costs
that were needed due to stuff flat wearing out.
I needed an Emergency Location Transmitter. It had been
found bad on the last annual, but was defurred (not the
best practice) due to lack of funds. I decided to go all new.
The ELT itself was 192.55 plus 375 installation labor. That
is $567.55 all up. It would have been cheaper at the time
to replace it with a like unit. But the like unit's batteries
are $25 every two years. The new ELT uses "D" cells that
are available at a more reasonable costs. You'd have to
divide the 375 by 25 then multiply by 2 years each to see
the payback time (30 years).
The wings failed the "punch" test, so I recovered the tops.
A "punch" test involves a tool that your mechanic (engineer
in othe English speaking countries) has. For the top speed
(V sub ne, velocity not to exceed) your fabric needs to
withstand a certain shock. Mine didn't. This was the
biggest cost this year - 1,299.90 (574.90 materials, 725
labor, me doing all the dummy work).
Then there were sales taxes of 115.50 (a pox on you,
Governer Locke!) on the repairs and annual.
Also to be dealt with were the tie-down expenses of
$25 per month. One question is how many months can
you rent a hangar for $1300 to recover the wing tops.
At $130 monthly (a talking figure) it is less than one year!
Now one can go flying at $2/gallon of gas and 5 gallons
per hour. "Hundred Dollar Hamburger" indeed...
To recap: Recurring costs = `bout a grand
($500 insurance, $500 annual inspection)
Monthly costs = $25/month = 300
gives yearly fixed costs of 1500 (talking figure)
Non-recuring costs this year = $2K
so my `coupe costs me $3,500 this year.
Happy New Year Percy in Portland
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