What is the average annual operating cost of a Cessna 172?

For 100 annual flight hours, expect $30,000–$35,000 per year in total operating costs (fixed plus variable). This includes fuel, maintenance, insurance, hangar, and avionics subscriptions. Costs scale with hours flown and local factors like fuel prices and hangar rates.

How much does Cessna 172 fuel burn per hour?

The Cessna 172 burns approximately 5.0–5.5 gallons of 100LL Avgas per hour at cruise power settings. Fuel cost depends on price (typically $6.00–$7.00 per gallon), making hourly fuel expense roughly $30–$39.

What is the engine TBO and reserve cost?

The Lycoming O-300 engine has a 2,000-hour TBO. Engine overhaul costs $18,000–$24,000. The hourly reserve is approximately $9–$12 per flight hour. Prop overhaul adds another $4–$6 per hour.

How much does Cessna 172 insurance cost?

Annual insurance for a Cessna 172 typically runs $1,200–$2,500 depending on hull value, pilot experience, and use. Newer models or lower-time pilots may pay on the higher end.

What is the cost of hangar vs. tie-down?

Hangar rental ranges $200–$500 per month ($2,400–$6,000 annually) depending on location. Outdoor tie-down is much cheaper at $50–$150 per month ($600–$1,800 annually). Premium urban airports charge more.

Do annual inspections add to operating costs?

Yes. Annual inspection labor and small repairs typically cost $500–$1,500. Budget this as a fixed cost unless you can spread it across multiple years.

What avionics subscriptions are required?

Modern Cessna 172s may have glass cockpit avionics requiring subscriptions: Garmin's G1000 NXi database updates and weather subscriptions run $600–$1,200 annually. Older steam-gauge aircraft have lower or zero subscription costs.

Are landing fees a major cost factor?

Landing fees vary by airport. Small rural strips are free or low-cost ($5–$25). Class B/C airports charge $50–$200. IFR approaches add user fees at busier facilities. Plan $5–$15 per landing.

How does 50 vs. 100 vs. 200 hours annually change costs?

Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, subscriptions) are constant; variable costs (fuel, oil, maintenance reserves) scale with hours. At 50 hours, you might pay $1,800–$2,200 per month. At 200 hours, you could exceed $4,000 monthly due to higher hourly burn.

What is total cost of ownership vs. operating cost?

Operating cost covers direct expenses (fuel, mx, insurance, hangar). Total cost of ownership (TCO) adds aircraft depreciation, finance charges, and taxes. TCO is typically 20–30% higher than operating cost alone.

The True Operating Cost of Cessna 172 Skyhawk

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the world's most popular general aviation aircraft, but ownership costs more than the purchase price. Plan for $30,000–$40,000 annually in fixed and variable operating expenses, or $300–$400 per flight hour. Understanding fuel burn, maintenance reserves, insurance, and hangar fees will help you budget accurately and make informed decisions about financing and flying.

Quick Specs: Cessna 172 Skyhawk

Specification	Value
Engine	Lycoming O-300 (earlier models) or O-320 (modern); 150–180 hp
Propeller	Fixed-pitch or constant-speed (CS)
Fuel Burn (cruise)	5.0–5.5 gal/hr (100LL Avgas)
Cruise Speed	90–120 mph (varies by year/model)
Useful Load	950–1,200 lbs (4 occupants + fuel)
Seats	4
Range	800–1,000 nm (depending on winds and reserves)

TL;DR: Cessna 172 Annual Operating Cost Summary

Fixed costs: $10,000–$14,000/year (insurance, hangar, subscriptions, annuals)
Variable costs at 100 hours: $20,000–$22,000/year (fuel, oil, mx reserves)
Total at 100 hours: $30,000–$36,000/year (~$300–$360/hour)
At 50 hours: ~$22,000–$26,000/year (~$440–$520/hour)
At 200 hours: ~$45,000–$52,000/year (~$225–$260/hour)
Finance a $150,000 purchase: Add $8,000–$12,000/year in debt service (7-year term, 6–7% APR)

What Counts as Operating Cost

Operating costs fall into two buckets: fixed (same each month) and variable (tied to hours flown).

Fixed Costs

Insurance (hull + liability): $1,200–$2,500 annually for a $150,000–$200,000 aircraft with an experienced pilot
Hangar or tie-down: $2,400–$6,000/year (hangar) or $600–$1,800/year (outdoor tie-down)
Avionics subscriptions: $0–$1,200/year (steam-gauge aircraft have zero; glass cockpit requires Garmin database updates and weather services)
Annual inspection: $500–$1,500 labor (plus parts if issues arise)
Financial charges: If you finance the aircraft, add loan payments (~$1,000–$1,800/month for a $150,000 loan at 6.5% over 7 years)

Variable Costs (per flight hour)

Fuel: 5.0–5.5 gal/hr × $6.25–$7.00/gal = $31–$39/hour
Oil and oil filter: ~$3–$5/hour (for Lycoming engines)
Engine reserve (overhaul fund): $9–$12/hour (assumes $20,000 overhaul ÷ 2,000 TBO)
Propeller reserve: $4–$6/hour (assumes $8,000 overhaul ÷ ~1,500 hours)
Maintenance & parts (incidental): $15–$25/hour (vacuum pumps, alternators, magnetos, hoses, gaskets)
Landing and facility fees: $5–$15/landing (varies by airport category)
Miscellaneous (de-ice boots, etc. if equipped): $1–$3/hour

Financing the Purchase: If you're buying your first Cessna 172, a typical loan might be $150,000 (down 20% on a $187,500 aircraft). At 6.5% APR over 7 years, expect ~$2,200/month or $26,400/year in debt service. This is separate from operating costs—it affects your affordability but not the aircraft's hourly direct operating cost.

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Fuel Burn and Hourly Variable Cost

Fuel is the largest variable cost. The Cessna 172 consumes about 5.0–5.5 gallons of 100LL Avgas per hour at cruise power, depending on the year, engine variant, and altitude.

Fuel Cost Calculation

Formula: Fuel burn (gal/hr) × Fuel price ($/gal) = Fuel cost per hour

Example (current assumptions):

Fuel burn: 5.2 gal/hr
Fuel price: $6.50/gal (2025 average)
Hourly cost: 5.2 × $6.50 = $33.80/hour

Assumption: 100LL Avgas prices vary regionally ($5.50–$7.50/gal). Older, slower aircraft and lower-altitude flying reduce fuel burn. High-altitude or lean-mixture operations save fuel but take more time. Always use AirNav or aircraft-specific FAA resources to verify fuel prices at your home base.

Annual Hours and Total Fuel Cost

Annual Hours	Fuel Gallons/Year	Fuel Cost @ $6.50/gal	Cost/Hour
50	260	$1,690	$33.80
100	520	$3,380	$33.80
150	780	$5,070	$33.80
200	1,040	$6,760	$33.80

Maintenance & Reserves (MX)

The Cessna 172 is simple and reliable, but engines, props, and avionics eventually need overhaul. Budget conservatively.

Engine and Propeller TBO

Lycoming O-300: 2,000 hours time-between-overhaul (TBO); overhaul cost ~$18,000–$24,000
Lycoming O-320: 2,000 hours TBO; overhaul cost ~$18,000–$24,000
Fixed-pitch prop: ~$8,000 overhaul at 1,500+ hours (less frequent need)
Constant-speed prop: ~$10,000–$12,000 overhaul at 1,200+ hours

Reserve Math

Engine reserve: ($20,000 overhaul cost ÷ 2,000 TBO) = $10/hour

Prop reserve: ($8,000–$10,000 overhaul ÷ 1,500 hours) = $5.33–$6.67/hour

Total MX reserve: $15–$17/hour (engines + props combined)

Annual and 100-hour Inspection Costs

Annual inspection (required): $500–$1,500 labor; parts (hoses, seals, filters) add $200–$500
100-hour inspection (if used for training/rental): $1,000–$2,000; many owners defer if owned privately
Notable ADs (Airworthiness Directives): Check FAA AD Search for your specific year/serial. Common Cessna 172 ADs involve landing gear, fuel tanks, and door hinges ($500–$3,000 per AD if not yet complied)

Assumption: Incidental maintenance (alternators, vacuum pumps, hoses, spark plugs) averages $15–$25/hour. Budget an extra $50–$100/month for surprises.

Insurance & Hangar

Liability and Hull Insurance

A Cessna 172 owner typically carries two types of insurance:

Liability (bodily injury & property damage on the ground): $100,000–$1,000,000 minimum; usually bundled with hull
Hull (damage to your aircraft): Depends on hull value and pilot hours

Typical premiums (2025):

$150,000 hull value, 500+ pilot hours, private use: $1,200–$1,600/year
$150,000 hull value, 100–250 pilot hours, private use: $1,800–$2,500/year
$200,000 hull value, low-time pilot: $2,200–$3,000/year

Factors affecting premium: Pilot experience, hours, medical certificate, accident history, use (private vs. business), location, and aircraft history.

Hangar vs. Tie-Down

Storage Option	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost	Pros/Cons
Indoor Hangar	$200–$500	$2,400–$6,000	Protects paint, avionics, interior. Higher cost; limited availability in urban areas.
Outdoor Tie-Down	$50–$150	$600–$1,800	Lower cost; weather exposure leads to corrosion, paint fade. Ideal for high-frequency fliers.
Shared Hangar (split cost)	$100–$250	$1,200–$3,000	Compromise; share hangar with 2–3 aircraft. Limited availability; coordination required.

Regional variations: California, Florida, and Northeast airports charge 50–100% more. Rural strips are often free or $25–$50/month.

Annual Ownership Scenarios

These tables combine fixed and variable costs for different usage profiles. They assume a $150,000 aircraft purchase price financed at 6.5% APR over 7 years (no down payment shown here; see CTA below for financing details).

Operating Cost by Annual Hours (Owner-Operated, Not Financed)

Annual Hours	Fixed Costs	Variable Costs	Total Annual Cost	Cost/Hour
50	$12,000	$9,000	$21,000	$420
100	$12,000	$18,500	$30,500	$305
150	$12,000	$27,750	$39,750	$265
200	$12,000	$37,000	$49,000	$245

Assumptions for table: $12,000 fixed costs (insurance $1,600 + hangar $3,000 + annuals $1,000 + avionics $600 + misc. $5,800); variable costs include fuel ($33.80/hr), oil ($4/hr), engine reserve ($10/hr), prop reserve ($6/hr), maintenance ($15/hr), landing fees ($8/landing, ~20/year).

Total Cost of Ownership (Includes Finance)

If you finance a $150,000 aircraft at 6.5% APR over 7 years with no down payment, add ~$2,200/month ($26,400/year) in debt service.

Annual Hours	Operating Cost	Finance Cost	Total TCO	Cost/Hour (all-in)
50	$21,000	$26,400	$47,400	$948
100	$30,500	$26,400	$56,900	$569
150	$39,750	$26,400	$66,150	$441
200	$49,000	$26,400	$75,400	$377

Key insight: Higher annual hours spread fixed costs and finance payments over more flight hours, reducing cost per hour. If you fly 100 hours/year, cost per hour drops from $569 to $441 by year 8 (when loan is paid off).

Financing the Purchase

Most Cessna 172 owners finance their purchase. A typical deal:

Purchase price: $150,000–$200,000 (depending on year, avionics, engine time)
Down payment: 10–20% ($15,000–$40,000)
Loan amount: $120,000–$170,000
Term: 7–10 years (84–120 months)
Interest rate: 5.5–7.5% APR (2025 environment)
Monthly payment: $1,500–$2,200

Lender Requirements

Aircraft lenders (like JakenAviation) typically require:

600+ credit score
Private or commercial pilot certificate (for owner-pilots)
Proof of annual income ($150,000+ preferred)
Personal guarantee and collateral security
Comprehensive aircraft insurance before funding
Appraisal and pre-purchase inspection

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