Tecnam P2008 Cost of Ownership: Light-Sport Budget, Rotax Costs and LSA Loan Line
This is the annual budget for a Tecnam P2008 special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) with a Rotax 912 ULS: fixed and hourly costs, what the Rotax adds to the maintenance calendar, the choice between 100LL and autogas, and the light-sport loan line. The buying decision is covered in the Tecnam P2008 buyer's guide.
What are you budgeting for?
The P2008 is a two-seat, high-wing trainer and touring airplane with a composite fuselage and metal wings, landing gear and stabilator. Most U.S. examples are S-LSAs with the 100 hp Rotax 912 ULS; Tecnam also lists the fuel-injected 912 iS and the turbocharged 914, and the certified P2008 JC is widely used in European training fleets. Confirm which engine and certification basis you are buying, because maintenance items and costs differ.
Prices are hedged. The P2008 buyer's guide found only two U.S. P2008 LSAs listed on Controller.com in September 2026, asking $160,000 and $224,900. With so few listings, ask for sold comparables and check Vref or Aircraft Bluebook. This page uses $165,000, the same illustration as the buyer's guide. For other Tecnam models, see the Tecnam aircraft hub.
Tecnam P2008 annual budget at 50, 100 and 200 hours
Fixed costs
| Item | Per year | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance (hull + liability) | $1,500 | Assumption; experienced pilot, about $165,000 hull |
| Hangar | $3,600 | Assumption ($300/month); protects the composite fuselage and canopy |
| Annual condition inspection (before squawks) | $2,000 | Assumption; Rotax-familiar shop following Tecnam's instructions |
| Avionics databases, subscriptions, misc. | $600 | Glass-panel updates, EFB, small parts |
| Total fixed | $7,700 |
Hourly operating costs
| Item | Per flight hour | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | $36.20 | 5 gph × $7.24/gal 100LL |
| Oil and filters | $2.50 | Rotax calls for more frequent changes when running mostly 100LL |
| Engine reserve | $12.00 | Assumed $24,000 overhaul or exchange ÷ 2,000 hr |
| Rotax calendar items | $3.00 | Periodic rubber-component replacement, gearbox and carburetor work |
| Propeller reserve | $1.50 | Fixed-pitch propeller |
| Unscheduled maintenance reserve | $12.00 | Brakes, tires, canopy, avionics, composite touch-ups |
| Total hourly | $67.20 |
Total by utilization
| Hours / yr | Operating cost | Per hour | With loan | Per hour with loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $11,060 | $221 | $24,835 | $497 |
| 100 | $14,420 | $144 | $28,195 | $282 |
| 200 | $21,140 | $106 | $34,915 | $175 |
Every line is an assumption; replace it with local quotes. The engine reserve uses Rotax's current 2,000-hour figure for 912-series engines; Rotax also sets calendar limits, and older serial numbers may differ, so confirm the numbers for the installed engine. Because some Rotax items are on a calendar schedule, low-utilization owners pay more per hour for them than this table shows. See understanding SMOH and TBO.
The Rotax maintenance calendar
- Calendar items. Rotax requires periodic replacement of rubber components such as hoses and carburetor sockets on a calendar schedule, whatever the hours flown.
- Gearbox. The 912's reduction gearbox has its own inspection requirements; confirm the interval and the cost with a Rotax-trained shop.
- Oil and fuel. Running mostly 100LL means more frequent oil changes; Rotax-approved autogas reduces lead deposits.
- Shop choice. Rotax training matters more than proximity. A shop that works on Rotax engines regularly will spot gearbox and carburetor issues sooner.
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100LL vs autogas
At 5 gph and the AirNav national average of $7.24 a gallon for 100LL (September 2026), fuel costs $36 per hour, or $3,620 over 100 hours. Regional averages from $6.76 to $7.88 put the same 100 hours between $3,380 and $3,940. Rotax designs the 912 to run on premium automotive unleaded that meets its specifications. As an illustration only, at an assumed $4.50 a gallon, 100 hours would cost $2,250, saving $1,370. Check the current Rotax service instruction for octane and ethanol limits and confirm the fuel is available where you fly.
Training use: what a flight school or leaseback adds
Many P2008s fly in training fleets. An aircraft used for flight instruction or rental for hire needs 100-hour inspections, so at an assumed $1,500 each, 300 rental hours a year means about $4,500 in inspections alone. Insurance for training use also costs more than private use; BWI's 2026 data puts flight school or rental Cessna 172 policies at $4,000–$8,000+ a year, well above private-use premiums. See flight school aircraft financing.
MOSAIC and what it means for a P2008 owner
Since October 22, 2025, sport pilots may fly airplanes with a VS1 of 59 knots CAS or less at maximum certificated takeoff weight, up to four seats and one passenger, with no weight limit. A legacy S-LSA P2008 was built to the former, stricter stall-speed limit, so it may qualify comfortably; confirm with the POH. Two cautions for the budget:
- No automatic upgrade. An existing S-LSA keeps its original certificated limits unless the manufacturer issues a new statement of compliance and the airplane is recertificated. Don't pay for upgrade potential that hasn't been published.
- More competition for two-seat LSAs. Sport pilots can now consider many certified two-seaters and new Part 22 designs, which could soften demand for some older legacy LSAs. Strong factory support helps a P2008's resale, but factor the risk into how long you plan to keep it.
The MOSAIC light sport financing guide explains the rule change, and the light sport aircraft buyer's guide compares legacy LSAs with new Part 22 aircraft.
How lenders look at a P2008 loan
As of September 2026, FLYING Finance lists a 7.71% starting rate for MOSAIC light-sport aircraft, compared with 7.01% for certified pistons, with up to 20-year amortization. At $165,000 with 15% down:
- 7.71% over 20 years: $1,148 a month
- 7.71% over 15 years: $1,317 a month
- 9.99% over 20 years: $1,353 a month
- For comparison, the certified-piston starting rate of 7.01% over 20 years: $1,088 a month
| Term | 7.71% APR | 8.75% APR | 9.99% APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 years (180 mo) | $1,317/mo | $1,402/mo | $1,506/mo |
| 20 years (240 mo) | $1,148/mo | $1,239/mo | $1,353/mo |
Loan amount $140,250. Principal and interest only; excludes insurance, taxes and fees. Illustrative, not a quote.
Lenders will want the airplane's airworthiness certificate, the manufacturer's maintenance compliance and proof that you can insure it. See aircraft loan requirements.
How this page differs from related pages
This page is the P2008's annual budget. The buying decision, including the LSA versus JC question, is in the Tecnam P2008 buyer's guide. For other two-seat budgets, compare the Diamond DA20, Cessna 152 and Kitfox pages, or browse the cost of ownership hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Tecnam P2008 cost to own per year?
On this page's planning assumptions, a P2008 LSA flown 100 hours a year costs about $14,420 to operate before financing, or $144 per hour. A loan on a $165,000 example (15% down, 7.71%, 20 years) adds about $13,775 a year. Hangar and insurance are the fixed lines most likely to differ for you.
How much fuel does a Tecnam P2008 burn?
We plan on 5 gallons per hour for the Rotax 912 ULS, about $36 per hour on 100LL at $7.24 a gallon (AirNav national average, September 2026). Rotax approves premium automotive unleaded that meets its specifications, and at an assumed $4.50 a gallon that would save about $1,370 per 100 hours. Check Rotax's octane and ethanol limits first.
Can a sport pilot fly a Tecnam P2008?
A P2008 certificated as a legacy special light-sport aircraft was built to the former light-sport stall-speed limit, so it should fall well inside the current sport pilot rule of a clean stall speed (VS1) of 59 knots CAS or less at maximum takeoff weight. It may qualify; confirm with the POH. The certified P2008 JC is a different certification basis, so check its paperwork separately.
Did MOSAIC raise the P2008's weight limit?
Not by itself. MOSAIC removed the weight cap from the light-sport category and from what sport pilots may fly, but an existing S-LSA keeps its original certificated limits unless the manufacturer issues a new statement of compliance under the new standards and the airplane gets a new airworthiness certificate. Do not pay extra for upgrade potential Tecnam has not published.
What does it cost to finance a Tecnam P2008?
As of September 2026, FLYING Finance lists a 7.71% starting rate for MOSAIC light-sport aircraft, versus 7.01% for certified pistons. On a $165,000 P2008 with 15% down, the $140,250 loan is about $1,148 a month over 20 years at 7.71%, or $1,317 over 15 years. Rates for most borrowers run from about 7% to 10%.
Who can maintain a Tecnam P2008 LSA?
An S-LSA is maintained to the manufacturer's instructions, and its annual condition inspection can be done by an A&P or an appropriately rated light-sport repairman. Rotax items such as the gearbox and periodic rubber-component replacement follow Rotax's schedule. If the airplane is used for flight instruction or rental for hire, 100-hour inspections also apply. Confirm the current rules with your shop.