The True Operating Cost of Piper Seneca V
The Piper Seneca V is a proven twin-engine piston aircraft offering six-seat capacity, excellent payload, and strong safety. Plan for $65,000–$82,000 annually in operating costs at 100 flight hours, or $650–$820 per hour. The Seneca V dominates business twin markets with exceptional economics and reliability.
Quick Specs: Piper Seneca V
| Specification | Seneca V |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2 × Continental IO-360 (200 hp each) |
| Fuel Burn | 30–38 gal/hr cruise |
| Cruise Speed | 180–210 mph |
| Service Ceiling | 19,000 ft |
| Useful Load | 1,500–1,800 lbs |
| Seats | 6 |
| Range | 750–950 nm |
TL;DR: Piper Seneca V Annual Operating Cost Summary
- Fixed costs: $18,000–$26,000/year (insurance $2,200–$3,500, hangar $8,000–$12,000, annuals $5,000–$8,000, training)
- Variable costs at 100 hours: $47,000–$56,000/year (100LL fuel, oils, engine reserves)
- Total at 100 hours: $65,000–$82,000/year (~$650–$820/hour)
- Finance a $400,000 Seneca V: Add $5,900/month ($70,800/year) at 6.5% over 10 years
- At 50 hours: ~$41,500–$54,000/year (~$830–$1,080/hour)
- At 200 hours: ~$112,000–$138,000/year (~$560–$690/hour)
Twin-Engine Piston Operating Costs
Fixed Costs
- Insurance: $2,200–$3,500/year for $350,000–$450,000 hull
- Hangar: $8,000–$12,000/year (twin-engine facility)
- Annual inspection: $5,000–$8,000 labor (twin-engine systems)
- Crew training/proficiency: $2,000–$3,000/year
Variable Costs (per flight hour)
- 100LL fuel: 34 gal/hr × $6.50/gal = ~$221/hour
- Oil and lubricants: $8–$12/hour
- Engine reserves: $18–$24/hour ($21K per engine ÷ 2,000 TBO × 2)
- Twin-engine maintenance: $25–$35/hour
- Avionics/systems: $35–$50/hour
- Landing fees: $20–$50/landing
100LL Fuel & Operating Economics
Fuel Cost by Hours
| Annual Hours | Gallons 100LL | Cost @ $6.50/gal | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1,700 | $11,050 | $221 |
| 100 | 3,400 | $22,100 | $221 |
| 150 | 5,100 | $33,150 | $221 |
| 200 | 6,800 | $44,200 | $221 |
Maintenance & Engine Reserves
Continental IO-360 Engines
- IO-360: 2,000 hours TBO
- Overhaul cost: $21,000–$28,000 per engine
- Combined reserve: $49,000 ÷ 2,000 = $24.50/hour
- Reliability: Proven piston engine
Twin-Engine Piston Maintenance
- Engine system checks: $1,500–$2,500/year
- Fuel system maintenance: $1,000–$1,500/year
- Alternator/electrical: $800–$1,200/year
- Pressurization (if equipped): $600–$1,000/year
- Budget: $60–$85/hour for all maintenance
Insurance & Storage
Twin-Engine Insurance
- $350,000 hull: $2,200–$2,800/year
- $450,000 hull: $3,000–$4,000/year
- Commercial operations: +15–25% premium
Storage Costs
| Option | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Twin-Engine Hangar | $650–$1,000 | $7,800–$12,000 |
| Tie-Down | $200–$350 | $2,400–$4,200 |
Annual Ownership Scenarios
Operating Cost (Not Financed)
| Hours/Year | Fixed | Variable | Total | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $22,000 | $19,000 | $41,000 | $820 |
| 100 | $22,000 | $38,000 | $60,000 | $600 |
| 200 | $22,000 | $76,000 | $98,000 | $490 |
Total Cost of Ownership (With Financing)
Assume $400,000 Piper Seneca V, 6.5% APR, 10 years = $70,800/year debt service.
| Hours/Year | Operating | Finance | Total | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $60,000 | $70,800 | $130,800 | $1,308 |
| 200 | $98,000 | $70,800 | $168,800 | $844 |
Financing the Piper Seneca V
- Purchase price: $350,000–$500,000
- Down payment: 15–20%
- Loan amount: $300,000–$425,000
- Term: 10–15 years
- APR: 5.75–7.0% (2025)
- Monthly payment: $5,200–$8,900
Lender Requirements: 650+ credit, multi-engine rating, $100,000+ annual income, business plan, hull insurance $350K+. Lenders like JakenAviation support twin-engine aircraft financing.
Piper Seneca V vs. Competitors
- vs. Beechcraft Baron: Similar performance; Baron low wing, Seneca high wing
- vs. Piper Seminole: Seneca faster; Seminole lower fuel burn
Get prequalified for twin-engine aircraft financing »
Sources: Piper Aircraft Specs | AOPA Owner Reports | FAA TCDS