When the idea of fractional ownership for single-engine piston aircraft was introduced, it was greeted with plenty of skepticism. But now it’s an accepted part of the GA landscape, and continuing to grow. Aviation Consumer’s June issue analyzed the financial difference between single ownership and fractional, and found that for pilots who fly from about 50 to 250 hours per year, fractional plans can work. Pilots also appreciate having fewer worries. “The number one benefit we heard from fractional owners was the pleasure of not dealing with the details of ownership,” the article said. Of course, the big operators like AirShares Elite and OurPlane aren’t the only option for the part-time owner. Flying clubs have been around for decades, and AOPA recently added a flying-club section to its Web site. The section features information about starting a flying club, finding an aircraft, club operations, costs, taxes, and insurance. There are also tips on how to manage relationships with the FBO and other club members and how to effectively promote the club. And at the sport-flying end of the spectrum, Let’s Fly has organized over 200 cooperatives with buy-in costs as low as $2,900.
An Analysis Of GA Fractionals
Key Takeaways:
- Fractional ownership for single-engine piston aircraft, initially met with skepticism, is now an accepted and growing part of general aviation, proving financially viable for pilots flying 50 to 250 hours annually.
- A primary benefit cited by fractional owners is the convenience of not having to deal with the operational and maintenance details of aircraft ownership.
- Beyond major fractional operators, other shared ownership models like established flying clubs (supported by AOPA resources) and cooperatives (such as Let's Fly, offering low buy-in costs) provide additional alternatives to full ownership.
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