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Comment by atourgates | Hacker News Reader

This is interesting if it's true:

"David Grolic also noted that these aircraft are affordable and paying for one is comparable to paying for a car. They also have low operational costs, consume little energy, and are easily maintainable. The director noted that the initial plan revolves around domestic sales before eventually pivoting to selling to the international market."

The U.S. version of the Skyleader 600 seems to go for about $120k[1]. So, either cars are more expensive in Tanzania, or that country's version of the Skyleader is gonna be significantly cheaper.

[1] https://www.flyskyleader.com/models/skyleader%20600

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The country does have a cumulative 60% tax on imported cars, which they are likely comparing to [1]. A $60k luxury car is about $90k sold locally, which is indeed comparable.

[1] https://blog.kobemotor.com/all-posts/kobe-featured-posts/how...

Indeed https://www.cartanzania.com/en/vehicle_listings/ad-toyota-la...

That's more expensive than in UAE

I am not a pilot but I've been told by many that a large chunk of a new airplane price is the cost of certification which also provides a great incentive for manufacturers to design one product, get it certified, and sell it without major modifications for decades to avoid re-certifying it.

How did they manage to produce a $120K aircraft then? Is it not subject to the same certification requirements as the Cessna 172 which features similar specs but at 3x the price?

I think it is under light sport so it is a different certification

>a large chunk of a new airplane price is the cost of certification

That seems rather odd. Is this because unlike cars, the cost of certification is spread out among much fewer models, or for some other reason?

The cost of certifying a new aircraft model is significantly higher than a car. It's like $25m for non-commercial aircraft? I forget the exact number but it's quite high.

It could be lower since this thing has only 1 passenger capacity

A Cessna 172 ironically is probably worth more than an average equivalent non-Cessna plane ironically because it's so ubiquitous that parts, experience, and understanding are everywhere. It's the Ford Focus of light aircraft, beloved by those learning to fly, and actually usually holds a premium as a result. I take your point though; but the real reason everything in aviation is so expensive is that it is traceable, documented, and with known MTBFs and characteristics -- all requirements that are completely and utterly written in blood.

> Is it not subject to the same certification requirements as the Cessna 172 which features similar specs but at 3x the price?

Maybe the question should be, what exactly justifies an airplane first flown in 1955 being 3x the price..?

The Rotax 912 is 30k and up on its own (and made in Europe), so doubtful it’s actually much cheaper there. Probably some savings in insurance; it’s said something like half the price of a new certificated plane is insurance.

While not alleviating a need for a car unless all the airports are walking distance for business people.

Maybe not comparable, but $120k is still very cheap for a brand new fully enclosed aircraft.

> comparable to paying for a car

I'd say $120k and $24k are comparable. In comparison, one is five times the other.

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