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Evan,
I understand the point you are trying to make and your numbers are not
unreasonable.
However, just for the same of argument, what if the airframe parts, ready to
be assembled could be punched out for under $10,000? This isn't
unreasonable considering that Van's can sell a kit for $15,000 and still
make a profit.
And what if the engine could be supplied for under $10,000 too? This too is
not unreasonable, considering you could buy a brand new PZL four-banger for
that much money for a number of years.
So now your total figure has dropped by $15,000 to $46,000. True this does
not leave a lot of profit margin, but you are getting very close to the
$50,000 factory-built airplane.
Regards,
Gordon.
"Evan Carew" <elcarew@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:L1fXe.20$rx5.18@newssvr22.news.prodigy.net...
> Gordon,
>
> Based on my back of the envelope analysis of the theoretical base price of
> a 2 place aircraft, I think wishing for a plane costing less than 50K is
> nothing more than a pipe dream. If you use the following numbers as a
> guide, you'll see what I mean.
>
> Airframe + instruments + basic engine + labor = theoretical base
> price
> 20000 + 4000 + 15000 + ( 500 * 45 ) = 61500
>
> Notice that this price doesn't include any profit, overhead costs or
> insurance. Add those in, & you quickly get to a point where $80K looks
> reasonable & $100K understandable.
>
> As I have mentioned before, until the structural issues affecting cost
> (labor & machined materials) are addressed with better up-front
> engineering, these costs won't come down.
>
> Evan
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