Citation Jet Operating Costs

Citation Jet Operating Costs

All citation jets have the same fundamental line items to each operating expense. The size and type of jet will determine how large or small each item is.

We think of it in 3 terms: How much will it cost me to keep annually regardless of flying? The cost from A to B? And annual maintenance cost

Fixed Costs

Insurance: Hall (covers your aircraft for physical damage) and liability (damage you cause to others) premiums will vary greatly. Pilot experience, experience in type, training, and value of aircraft affect this number the most.

Maintenance Tracking Software: Various options/price points to track when inspections are due, component replacements, and overhauls.

Navigation and Weather Subscriptions: GPS/FMS Databases vary in price depending on coverage and hardware (Garmin vs Collins). XM weather subscriptions average $800/year.

Recurrent Training: Typically required annually in a simulator for each pilot.

Aircraft Cleaning: Wash and wax on a regular basis, especially if operating near saltwater.

Hangar: Cost varies greatly on location and type of hangar.

Management Fee: Are you going to manage your own aircraft? Have an external management company? Or a chief pilot? They are responsible for ensuring maintenance is scheduled, tracked and complied with, the aircraft is legal, databases updated, insurance shopping, and so much more.

Flight Costs

Fuel: Current national average is $6.17 however "base" fuel prices and contract fuel programs such as CAA can substantially lower this number. Alternatively flying to large airports or areas with minimal choices can have a higher cost.

Fuel burned hourly will vary on trip length and altitude. A CJ2 typically "blocks" 140 gal/hr. On a long trip at high altitude that number may come down to as little as 115 gal/hr, but a short trip at low altitude may rise to 160+ gal/hr.

Engine reserves: Most jets are on "engine programs" which is a reserve fund that transfers with the aircraft upon sale. There are varying degrees of coverage, but the top level programs will cover nearly all scheduled items such as the big ticket hot section inspections and overhauls. Also included are the unplanned events. Some think of this as insurance.

Current rates are around $400/hr for the Mustang and CJ series and $650/hr for the Excel, although there are numerous program providers and coverage options

An example direct hourly cost of a CJ2 would be fuel price x gph + engine reserve programs which would total $1263/hr at todays rates.

Maintenance

Maintenance is generally divided up into "DOC" inspections which call out a specific area or component be inspected. At a minimum, each jet is looked at every 12 months, most are inspected twice per year. Annual maintenance costs will vary depending on where in the cycle you are as well as caliber of shop you choose.

Large inspections are due every 3 or 4 years depending on the model.

Consumable items such as batteries, brakes, and tires may have to be replaced throughout the year, generators are on a 1000 hour overhaul cycle.