Why flying is so expensive

Roger Roger said:
Here's an even better example. Needed an alternator control unit for a Caravan today. From Lamar (manufacturer) or one of their dealers, $450 (which is already highway robbery for something that probably has $30 worth of parts in it). From Cessna or any Cessna dealer: $4500 new or $2900 overhaul exchange. Stupid.
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Christ. I thought OEM Jeep parts were expensive.

I mean, they are, but not like that....
 
Apophis said:
It astounds me how the manufacturer gets sued when Joe Weekend Warrior launches into marginal conditions, then lawn darts it after flying VFR into IMC. Pure idiocy.
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Or as we saw recently, overloads an airplane by 100% with an aft of limit CG and blames the engine manufacturer.
 
z987k said:
Or as we saw recently, overloads an airplane by 100% with an aft of limit CG and blames the engine manufacturer.
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I guess the better question is, why are the moronic families who decide to sue a company based on their loved one's idiocy even given a voice? Why are courts/judges not throwing these ridiculous cases out?
 
Apophis said:
I guess the better question is, why are the moronic families who decide to sue a company based on their loved one's idiocy even given a voice? Why are courts/judges not throwing these ridiculous cases out?
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I don't know, but having talked to family members of people that have crashed(fatal and non), they were always the best pilot ever. Even with 65 hours. Could dead stick 777 from 150 miles from any airport.
 
killbilly said:
Christ. I thought OEM Jeep parts were expensive.

I mean, they are, but not like that....
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Well, to stay in business, every level of distribution is going to add a markup to any part. The fewer units they sell (which is small number with aircraft), the bigger the markup is going to be. At least the parts are available - having to fabricate your own can be a pain, if it is even an option.
 
I don't doubt the liability question factors into prices, but it's been that way for 30+ years.

The OEMs charge that much for parts for one simple reason....they can. Just like the drug makers.

Richman
 
Richman said:
I don't doubt the liability question factors into prices, but it's been that way for 30+ years.

The OEMs charge that much for parts for one simple reason....they can. Just like the drug makers.
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With any low volume, high priced part, this will always be true. Other markets are the same. For instance, parts for my sailboat engine are about 10x what an equivalent automotive part would cost. Why is that? There is a cost for keeping the lights on, maintaining inventory, and there needs to be enough profit for the business to be viable. If you only sell a handful of something, the markup needs to be substantial.
 
Apophis said:
I guess the better question is, why are the moronic families who decide to sue a company based on their loved one's idiocy even given a voice? Why are courts/judges not throwing these ridiculous cases out?
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Because it makes money and it's an ocupation on it's way out the door (civil matters). It is job security for courts and judges. It's a big pile of racket.
 
z987k said:
I don't know, but having talked to family members of people that have crashed(fatal and non), they were always the best pilot ever. Even with 65 hours. Could dead stick 777 from 150 miles from any airport.
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This. Folks we would do our fellow aviators a favor if we all told our families it was probably our fault ahead of time. At least us low time guys.
 
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