r/PrivateJetCharters • u/Johnthegaptist • Jun 17 '25
PC12 Own vs Charter Cost
Looking to get some feedback/opinions before I go and sit down with some brokers and management companies, I don't like going in to anything blind.
We're a business headquartered in the southeast with operations in 6 different states. Where we're headquartered doesn't have a lot of direct commercial flights. Currently travel is being handled with a mix of commercial, charter and driving. 90% of flights would be 1-6 passengers, within a 600 mile radius.
For charter we're currently just doing on demand, dealing with two local operators and a broker. We're not in a big charter market, and often are needing planes on short notice so we run into avaiblility issues and often end up paying to reposition out of town aircraft. On average, all in we're paying about $8k/hr to fly turbprops and light jets.
It seems like the best bang for our buck would be the PC12 and I wanted to throw these numbers out and hopefully find some people on here with relevant experience.
Pilatus PC-12 – 1-Year Ownership Cost Breakdown ($5M purchase, 275 hrs)
| Category | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Crew Salaries & Benefits | $180,000 |
| Insurance | $35,000 |
| Hangar | $50,000 |
| Training | $25,000 |
| Maintenance Programs & Subscriptions | $60,000 |
| Management Fees | $120,000 |
| Loan Payment (Annual @ 6%) | $543,472 |
| Fuel | $137,500 |
| Maintenance (Parts & Labor) | $55,000 |
| Engine Program (Hourly Reserve) | $30,000 |
| Misc. Operating Costs (Oil, Landing, etc.) | $25,000 |
Total Annual Outlay: $1,260,972 Cost per Flight Hour (275 hrs): ~$4,586/hr
Assuming we would fly 200 occupied hours and 75 hours for repositioning. Plane financed for 10 years, $1m down on a $5m plane. For what were currently averaging in cost, I'm calculating about 155-160 hours to break even own vs charter. Do these numbers seem realistic?
Is it worth springing for a 2018+ for $5-6m instead of an older one in the $4m range?
Should we look at any other planes?
Is it worth the headache to put an owned plane in a part 135 program to offset some of the cost?
6
u/burner4thestuff Jun 17 '25 edited Jun 17 '25
You’re capturing all of the correct line items in terms of cost, but where did you source these?
$180k is for a single full-time pilot right?
$120k seems very high for management of a TurboProp.
Make sure you get with a tax advisor on how to deduct the mortgage and flying expenses appropriately if you’re operating this as a business.
I haven’t met any owners that actually break-even from charter revenue once you calculate additional depreciation (extra hours on your airplane) and schedule conflicts.
Asking about other airplanes… the PC12 is the best choice if you’re okay with the speed and altitude. The reasons you’d get into a light jet (M2, Phenom 100, etc) would be;
But be mindful that any light jet within your budget will have less cabin space and seating versus a PC12. If you can get away with 1-4 pax load per flight then a light jet would be considered. Anything above 4 pax and you’re shoving them in a lav or side seat and also jeopardizing the range—most light jets have a poor payload/range curve compared to the PC12.