How much does a DC-3 cost?
The base price of a new DC-3 in 1936 was around $60,000–$80,000, and by 1960 used aircraft were available for $75,000. In 2023, flying DC-3s can be bought from $400,000-$700,000. The -3s have direct operating costs a little less than those incurred by a B200 King Air twin turboprop: about $600 to $700 an hour. Hanging rebuilt engines on a DC-3 costs, at $35,000 to $45,000 a side, about the same as re-engining a twin-piston, six-seat Beech Baron.
How many DC-3s are still flying?
Although manufacturing ended in 1945, it is estimated that over 150 of these 80-year-old aircraft were still in use. While none remain in scheduled passenger service, dozens of DC3’s are still flying cargo in remote areas and occasionally nostalgic charters. Many continued to be used in a variety of niche roles; 2,000 DC-3s and military derivatives were estimated to be still flying in 2013; by 2017 more than 300 were still flying. As of 2023, it was estimated about 150 were still flying.