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Unfortunately that's not how aircraft pricing works, due to very low economy's of scale. A 172 definitely doesn't have 400k in parts in it, yet that's what a fa

Unfortunately that's not how aircraft pricing works, due to very low economy's of scale. A 172 definitely doesn't have 400k in parts in it, yet that's what a fairly simple model costs new out of the factory today. The costs of certification, development and liability insurance are adding a lot to the price.

AdrianB1 8y ago
I know how it works as I am looking to buy my own 2 seater for some years, I fly rented. I am familiar with the US versus European manufacturer pricing differences and I just paid over $1,000 for a new radio a few months ago, the kind of radio that would be $50 if it would not be "aviation".
- allannienhuis 8y ago
  Presumably there are some reasons for the higher cost, or someone else would come along and sell the radios for much less and take over the market. I expect in aviation higher reliability requirements would add something to the average costs for many things. People (me included) complain about the same thing when it comes to 'marine' parts - they're often 2 - 3 times higher in price than land-based parts (usually automotive or RV parts). There are actual differences in the items in many cases though - for example, marine engine parts have to ensure they never throw any spark, because explosive fumes in an enclosed engine compartment are a real safety concern that well ventilated automotive engines don't have. That takes extra R & D and different manufacturing processes for much smaller production runs (increasing pro-rated capital costs). Plus, market forces seem to show that people are willing to pay the higher prices - perhaps that's in part because most of the people buying these things have more money than people buying commodity (automotive etc) parts.
  - AdrianB1 8y ago
    Yes, there is a reason for the higher cost: price gauging. A pair of 7" displays with Android like software and GPS are ~ $10,000, if you want it in 12" you pay another $5,000. There is no competition in the market. This is why so many people use iPads and $100 software instead.

AdrianB1 8y ago

I know how it works as I am looking to buy my own 2 seater for some years, I fly rented. I am familiar with the US versus European manufacturer pricing differences and I just paid over $1,000 for a new radio a few months ago, the kind of radio that would be $50 if it would not be "aviation".

allannienhuis 8y ago
Presumably there are some reasons for the higher cost, or someone else would come along and sell the radios for much less and take over the market. I expect in aviation higher reliability requirements would add something to the average costs for many things. People (me included) complain about the same thing when it comes to 'marine' parts - they're often 2 - 3 times higher in price than land-based parts (usually automotive or RV parts). There are actual differences in the items in many cases though - for example, marine engine parts have to ensure they never throw any spark, because explosive fumes in an enclosed engine compartment are a real safety concern that well ventilated automotive engines don't have. That takes extra R & D and different manufacturing processes for much smaller production runs (increasing pro-rated capital costs). Plus, market forces seem to show that people are willing to pay the higher prices - perhaps that's in part because most of the people buying these things have more money than people buying commodity (automotive etc) parts.
- AdrianB1 8y ago
  Yes, there is a reason for the higher cost: price gauging. A pair of 7" displays with Android like software and GPS are ~ $10,000, if you want it in 12" you pay another $5,000. There is no competition in the market. This is why so many people use iPads and $100 software instead.