Is owning a Cessna expensive?
As an average breakdown of owning and operating a Cessna 172 or similar: Total fixed costs $2,000-$5000, including insurance, hangar, and maintenance. Variable costs are $100-$200 per flight hour, including fuel, oil, landing fees, etc. Maintenance/repairs $50 per flight hour. Overhauls for a Cessna 172 This is a big expense, but only needs to be done roughly every 2,000 hours of flight time. The Engine overhaul cost anywhere from $20,000-35,000. The propeller can range from $2,000-4,000.
Why don’t planes fly over 40,000 feet?
As a result, the FAA effectively limits commercial passenger flight to 42,000′. Above that altitude, the pilots would be unable to control the plane in an emergency because they would have insufficient oxygen to breathe, even on pure oxygen. Why get up there in the first place? Efficiency. Why Not Stay Low? Flying below 10,000 feet consumes more fuel due to higher air density and drag. It also increases exposure to turbulence, storms, and air traffic congestion. The trade-off makes high-altitude flight the optimal choice for long-distance travel.