Pre-Buy Decision Tool
Ownership Break-Even
Rent vs. buy on 2026 numbers — move the sliders, the answer updates instantly.
Aircraft
Any airplane, priced for your field
Type the make and model plus your home airport or city — we'll pull 2026 numbers for that market.
Or start from a common type
Purchase price$165,000
Where will it live?
Your flight time
Your flying
Hours per month8 hrs96 hrs/year
Ownership split
Based on: $165,000 Cessna 172S Skyhawk · hangar · 20% down, 7.75% loan · $7.05/gal · $32/hr overhaul ·
The verdict
Break-even at 23.0 hrs / month
At 8 hrs/mo flying solo, owning costs $1,368/mo more than renting. Fly 23.0 hrs/mo to break even.
Renting
$1,640/mo
$205/hr wet
Owning solo
$3,008/mo
$376/hr effective
Moving from Buyer to Owner?
Carry these reserves into your active tach log.
Plug your tail number into TachTime 91. Track every 0.1 tach hour, calculate your next 50-hour oil change, and share the maintenance log with your partners.