The short answer
Fly regularly — ideally at least an hour or two a month, and more if you can. Regular flying keeps the engine and systems healthy (idle airplanes develop corrosion and seal problems), maintains your proficiency, and helps preserve the aircraft's value. Airplanes are damaged more by sitting than by flying.
Why Regular Flying Matters
Airplanes, especially their engines, don't like sitting. Infrequent operation lets internal engine corrosion form, dries out seals and gaskets, flat-spots tires, and drains batteries. Flying regularly — getting the oil hot and circulating — is one of the best things you can do for engine longevity. A common guideline is to fly at least an hour or two a month, and to avoid long periods of inactivity. This is a real cost consideration: an under-flown airplane can need more maintenance than a well-used one.
Proficiency and Value
Beyond mechanical health, regular flying keeps your skills sharp — currency is the legal minimum, but proficiency requires practice. It also supports the airplane's value and financeability, since a regularly-flown, well-documented airplane with steady utilization is more attractive to buyers and lenders than a neglected one. If you can't fly enough to justify sole ownership, a partnership spreads both the cost and the flying.
Figures in this article are illustrative for the 2026 market and are not offers of credit. Jaken Aviation is a licensed aircraft financing brokerage — a division of Jaken Finance Group — and does not make loan decisions. All financing is subject to lender approval. Tax and legal information is general; consult a qualified professional.
Related Questions
Is it bad to let an airplane sit?
Yes — infrequent flying promotes internal engine corrosion, dries seals, and drains batteries. Airplanes are generally harmed more by sitting than by regular use.
How little flying is too little?
There's no exact rule, but flying at least an hour or two a month and avoiding long idle periods is a common guideline for engine and system health.
What if I can't fly enough to justify ownership?
A partnership spreads both the cost and the flying, keeping the airplane used and the per-person cost down.
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