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Lets say I fly 200 hours per year at 10 gallons per hour which is 2000 gallon/hours at, say, $2.30 per gallon or $4600 for fuel.  Let's say I can manage the same power using an engine of the same weight and simplicity that burns Jet-A at the same rate for the same power and costs a mere $1.60 per gallon for $3200, a savings of the princely sum of $1400.  Of course, after the inexpensive Lancair 320 in which I invested a mere $110,000, I spend $2000 (could be more) per year to insure the aircraft, $140 for Oil (10 qts per 50 hours @ $3.50/qt), Maintenance at $2000-$3000 per year including engine and avionics reserves, $$$$ for a hangar or tie down fees, charts and plates, etc, etc...

Thats OK though, with that diesel engine I could have an engine that burns Jet-A -- a simple engine that has a supercharger to start it, a turbo-charger to keep it running, using a fuel thats notorious for attracting water, sometimes allowing the formation of ice crystals at altitude resulting in blocking screens (ok if you heat it with turbine bleed air), a fuel that requires an anti-gel additive when temps are low (additives cost more), etc, etc...

All this to save $1400 per year.

To me, currently, fuel is one of the least expensive costs of aviating (at least here in war torn USA).

Scott Krueger

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