Power costs a ton. Like more than you can imagine. A Metlij just at cruise power, not even max, will drink 60-70 gallons per hour. Avgas is $7/gal, and also

Power costs a ton. Like more than you can imagine. A Metlij just at cruise power, not even max, will drink 60-70 gallons per hour. Avgas is $7/gal, and also not even high enough octane for a Merlin. You’d be at $500/hr just in gas.