Cost of maintenance of a C-162

[gordonf-nyc]

Thank you all for your replies. I hadn't considered things like bent engine mounts on hard landings. I suppose part of "maintenance" is not just the scheduled and expected work that needs to be done, it's all the unexpected.

I will continue my search for a relatively affordable 2-seater certified aircraft that continues to get support from its manufacturer. This thread has certainly changed my perception of a bargain C-162.

[FastEddieB]

I think that's a wise choice.

I've flown in one once, and it's a nice enough little plane. But Cessna lost me forever on it when they scrapped their unsold inventory.



https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/bu ... ycatchers/


Countless engine and airframe parts intentionally destroyed, with no consideration of its effect on future parts availability for current or potential owners.

Probably was a sound business decision, but a slap in the face to C162 owners.

[Warmi]

I think that's a wise choice.

I've flown in one once, and it's a nice enough little plane. But Cessna lost me forever on it when they scrapped their unsold inventory.



https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/bu ... ycatchers/


Countless engine and airframe parts intentionally destroyed, with no consideration of its effect on future parts availability for current or potential owners.

Probably was a sound business decision, but a slap in the face to C162 owners.

I say this is yet another result of our legal system being out of control .... I am sure if they were to sell off the engines etc ... no matter how many disclaimers , had there been any accident with the engine ( whatever the reason) , some sleazy lawyers would find a way to extract money from Cessna - just not worth the risk.

[MrMorden]

The cheapest 162 I found on Barnstormers was about $54k. I have seen CTs and other still supported SLSA types in that price range.

[stevem]

Hi everyone,
I wanted to ask those of you who have owned C-162s for a few years, what has your annual maintenance cost been? If I plan to own the aircraft for 5-8 years, what large ticket items am I looking at? I'm budgeting $5k/year for maintenance, which includes oil, annual, etc. Some tell me it's excessive. Frankly, I've never owned an aircraft so I'm not sure what I'm in for. I can forecast other fixed costs like fuel and parking, but I'd love some financial insight from current (or past) C-162 owners.

I have owned N3028G for about 8 years. I lease it back to our flying club where it is used for training. It flew 245 hours last year. The tach reads 1600 hrs and the Hobbs close to 2000 hrs. Even in this environment, the plane has been reliable and shown to be tough. It has been damged twice due to on the ground incidents. The first was the FBO failed to secure the 162 properly one evening and straight line winds the next day damaged the ailerons. Their insurance picked up the repair costs. The other was a new pilot who ran off the end of the runway and got stuck in the mud. He exited the aircraft with the engine running and walked into the prop. Thankfully he survived. However both the engine and prop were damaged and had to be replaced. Again, insurance took care of the majority of the expenses.

Here is some real world data for you from 2019: fuel $4300, hangar $2400, insurance $2800, maintenance $4800 (it is usually around $2000 but I had to replace the exhaust for $2800). I go through 2-3 sets of tires a year. I do the tire and oil changes myself.

The other big ticket item coming up for the fleet will be overhaul costs. The O-200 has a TBO of 2000hrs or twelve years in service. (I still have 9 years left with the new engine)

This year I spent $5700 for the ADS-b out upgrade. The only other unexpected maintenance issues I've had were Garmin related. I have needed to replace the GPS/Com antenna and the AHRS. I have a GDL 39 and always fly with Garmin pilot so that there is some back up available if the G300 system fails in flight.

Support from Cessna/Textron is almost nonexistant but I have not found that to be a huge issue. Parts have not been an issue yet. I was told by a Textron customer service rep that even though the unsold planes were destroyed, parts were kept in inventory to support the current fleet. Plus slavage parts are available on Ebay and from some slavage yards.

For the current price the 162 is a bargain. i have found it to be a fun plane to fly. There are limitaions as with all LSA, but I found have the majority of the criticism of the 162 to come from folks who have never flown one. The major issues I've had were caused by human mistakes and not due to any airframe defects. The other things were just wear and tear.

[Warmi]

Here is a decent, supported Tecnam LSA for a decent price.

https://www.controller.com/listings/air ... echo-light

[drseti]

My late father bought a new 162 and enjoyed its performance and ease of ingress and egress at his age (he was 91 when he purchased it).

Don,
My next EAA webinar will deal in part with orphaned aircraft. Would you happen to have a photo or two of your father with his Skycatcher, that you'd be willing to let me use in my PPT? If so, I'd be most grateful if you could email same to [email protected].
Thanks,
Paul

[Wm.Ince]

My next EAA webinar will deal in part with orphaned aircraft.

Paul,

What's the title of that webinar?
I won't want to miss it.

[drseti]

Paul,

What's the title of that webinar?
I won't want to miss it.

"Fast Track to Experimental", 8 July 2020 at 8 PM EDT. You can register for it now at eaa.org/webinars. (Sign up early, because my recent EAA webinars have had registrations significantly exceeding the 1000 seat maximum capacity.)

[Wm.Ince]

Paul,
What's the title of that webinar?
I won't want to miss it.

"Fast Track to Experimental", 8 July 2020 at 8 PM EDT. You can register for it now at eaa.org/webinars. (Sign up early, because my recent EAA webinars have had registrations significantly exceeding the 1000 seat maximum capacity.)

Thanks, Paul.

[ryoder]

Lots of misinformation in this thread.
I have bought a bunch of parts for my 162. Tons of spares are in stock at cessnadirect and others. Also there are salvage parts too.
The airplane is still supported. Cessna just created an ADSB out parts kit. They issue SBs all the time.

[FastEddieB]

I have bought a bunch of parts for my 162. Tons of spares are in stock at cessnadirect and others. Also there are salvage parts too.
The airplane is still supported. Cessna just created an ADSB out parts kit. They issue SBs all the time.

All good to know for a prospective buyer.

Just curious...what’s in the ADSB out kit and how much?

[ShawnM]

Just curious...what’s in the ADSB out kit and how much?

It's coming from Cessna Eddie so please make sure your sitting down when you read his reply.

[ryoder]

GDL 82 and all parts needed to install per the SB. It wasn’t cheap.
The point is they support the airplane. Cessna is a very strong company financially and have been supporting GA for years. They aren’t going anywhere they just don’t manufacture the 140, 150, 152 or 162 anymore.

[ShawnM]

I paid $1795 for my GDL-82 and love it. I can only imagine what Cessna charged for their "kit".