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What drives unit costs of those aircrafts? Low quantities built? I would guess safety standards are much higher too, but I generally don't understand why they'
by jokoon 6y ago
What drives unit costs of those aircrafts? Low quantities built?
I would guess safety standards are much higher too, but I generally don't understand why they're so expensive.
I guess the piston engines are very different from the ones you find in cars.
- cjrp 6y agoLow quantities, certification costs, mandatory maintenance (engine and prop overhaul/replacement after {X} hours)
- jeffreyrogers 6y agoLiability as well. Aircraft used to be cheaper (in real terms). At some point the law changed so that aircraft manufacturers could be sued if someone died in a crash. I don't remember the specifics, but this caused several companies to go out of business and others to raise their prices. Edit: probably the manufacturer could always be sued, but the change made it easier. I can't remember the specifics.
- restalis 6y agoRegulations, it seems. Here's an article that provides some clues: https://generalaviationnews.com/2012/09/09/the-cost-of-certification/ https://generalaviationnews.com/2012/09/09/the-cost-of-certi... As I understand it, the most lenient certification to allow someone to sell planes to masses in USA is the (special) Primary Category¹, for the General Aviation, which Cessna's two-seat 152 model seems to be in. Cessna's four-seat model 172, however, is on another category, the so-called "Utility Aircraft", which required the more costly Standard Certification². With a broader (legally permitted) use, it's kind of natural to expect an appropriate price difference. ¹ https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/primary/ https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certific... ² https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/std_awcert/ https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certific...