The ownership costs are the first part of a series of costs. As demonstrated above, 200 hours of annual revenue from renting out an aircraft only produce $350,000 per year. Add the tax savings of $265,000 per year, and profits from 200 hours of flying brings in $615,000 of positive cash inflow.

Renting out a private plane—often called "leaseback"—can be profitable, but it is rarely a "get rich quick" scheme. In 2026, the primary goal for most individual owners who rent their planes to flight schools or charter companies is cost offset rather than pure profit. Owning a plane involves massive fixed costs, including insurance, hangar fees, and "time-based" maintenance. By renting the plane out, you generate revenue that helps cover these bills and can provide significant tax benefits (like depreciation). However, the increased "wear and tear" from multiple pilots means you will hit expensive engine overhaul milestones much faster. For a plane to be truly profitable as a rental, it typically needs to fly over 400–500 hours a year. Most owners find that while they might not see a huge monthly check, the rental income essentially allows them to "own their plane for free" or at a highly subsidized rate.