Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Well even if it was private the rough estimates of cost per flight hour of an FA18 is something in the range of +$10k to +$20...

That would seem pretty unfeasible / unlikely for a private owner, even a wealthy one to fly it much at all.



It would probably be accessible to ultra-high net worth folks. Something like a super yacht can cost 2 mil/yr. Back of the napkin math indicates that's about equivalent to taking an FA18 out for a few hours per week.


Yeah, but I can even use a yat.

Not many people can use an FA18... the accessibility of anysort of utility drops pretty fast when it is "can fly an f-18"


Most people can't pilot a super yacht either; they hire a full crew. The FA18 can seat two. Also, anyone who has the money to buy and operate one of these vehicles has more than enough money to get someone to teach them how to fly it.

But yes, this is not an hobby for the masses.


Yeah but the joy of a yacht probably has less to do with piloting it than the joy of piloting an F18.


If you gave me the option to ride on a yacht or ride in an F18, I would 1000% choose the latter.


me too!

i'd guess that the per hour operating costs of a super yacht would be similar or higher to the operating costs of an FA-18.

i think people like larry ellison would agree. afaik he has a few ex-military jets, including a MIG-29 (a lot more capable than an FA-18 in many respects).


So if a wealthy person flew it one day a week for 8hrs, we are around $8m annual. For high net worth that's realistic. Cheap than a lot of super yachts on the 10% running cost rule. And likely would fly less.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: