What Does It Actually Cost to Own a 1965 Bonanza? Month 1 Breakdown
Month one of owning N2015W is behind me. Here is every dollar that came out of my pocket, with no rounding and no omissions.
Month 1 Actual Costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LMCU Loan Payment | $693.55 | First payment |
| Insurance (annual, paid in full) | $9,245.29 | AIG / National Union Fire — Sept 2025–Sept 2026 |
| Tiedown | $79.88 | Page Field (KFMY), Fort Myers |
| Month 1 Total | $9,750.31 |
Insurance is an annual premium paid upfront — not a monthly charge. Months 2 onward are $773.43/month (loan + tiedown). Averaged over 12 months, insurance works out to $770.44/month.
The Engine Reserve Reality
With 1,267 hours on the IO-520 and a manufacturer TBO of 1,700 hours, I have roughly 433 hours left before TBO. An engine overhaul on this engine runs $35,000–$50,000. That means I am setting aside $80–$115 per hour flown as an engine reserve. This is a real cost that most online “cost of ownership” calculators quietly ignore.
The full month-by-month breakdown will be updated here and in the Ownership section as the numbers accumulate. No smoothing. The actual cost of owning a vintage Bonanza, month by month.