Sharing a Piper PA-18
23 Piper PA-18s in the US are registered to co-owners who aren't married to each other — ranking #65 nationwide among all shared general aviation aircraft models (July 2026). Here's what those partnerships look like and what each partner actually pays.
23
FAA Registry Data#65
Of 79 top shared models1952
Manufacture Year2 Owners: 22
3: 1 | 4: 0 | 5+: 0Worked Cost Example: Piper PA-18
Direct operating cost for a 2-partner group — the most common Piper PA-18 arrangement on the registry — flying 100 hours a year between them. These are the costs of running the aircraft, not a club rental rate, which would add a margin on top.
Lycoming O-320. 8.5 gal/hr at $6.75, plus $28k overhaul spread over 2000 hours, plus $10/hr for oil, tyres, brakes and the prop fund. Check them against your own hangar, insurance and shop rates before using them for anything that matters.
$587.50 / partner / mo
Calculated at 50 hrs/yr per partner (8.3 hrs/mo total group flight time). Fixed dues cover fixed overhead, while flight hours bill exact operating time plus engine overhaul escrow.
Interactive Piper PA-18 Cost Calculator
Where Piper PA-18 Aircraft Are Shared
The top US states with the highest concentration of registered co-owned Piper PA-18 aircraft:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Piper PA-18 aircraft are co-owned in the US?
According to official FAA registry data as of July 2026, there are 23 co-owned Piper PA-18 aircraft registered in the United States, making it the #65 most popular shared aircraft model.
What is the typical partnership size for a Piper PA-18?
Of the 23 co-owned Piper PA-18 aircraft on the registry, 22 are held by two owners, 1 by three, 0 by four and 0 by five or more. Most Piper PA-18 groups therefore run with 2 partners, which is the split used in the worked example above.
What are the main states where Piper PA-18 aircraft are co-owned?
The top states for co-owned Piper PA-18 aircraft are Alaska (9), Minnesota (2), Nebraska (1), Washington (1), New Mexico (1).
What should the hourly engine reserve be on a Piper PA-18?
The Piper PA-18 runs a Lycoming O-320. A field overhaul is around $28k against a 2000-hour TBO, which works out at roughly $14.00 per hour set aside. Partnerships that skip this end up asking each other for a four-figure cheque when the engine reaches TBO.