Best a/c to buy under $35k?

[falcon20driver]

I have time in tailwheels but prefer 150/152 over 140's. Don't know why, just like the 150 better.

I've never flown a Cessna tailwheel airplane, I have about 1,500 hours in J-3 and Super Cubs, I think Cubs grow on you, always have a soft spot in my heart for Cubs and Super Cubs, gonna try hard to have one of my own someday, a 180 horsepower J-3 is a blast.

 

[FN FAL]

Oh yes, skydivers and DZ's are known for their lavish treatment of their aircraft.

Yea, and all black guys are pimps and all latinos sell crack.

The three dropzones I flew and jumped at, took very good care of their airplanes.

 

[EagleRJ]

Yea, and all black guys are pimps and all latinos sell crack.

The three dropzones I flew and jumped at, took very good care of their airplanes.

I'm sure the MX is excellent at most DZs, but it would be the mission that would concern me for a used aircraft.

Take off near max gross, climb at full power to 10,000' at Vy in warm summer temperatures, level off briefly, and then shock cool the engine as you get back on the ground as quickly as possible, landing on a rough grass strip. Repeat 20X before sundown.

I don't know what the history of DZ aircraft making TBO is, but I suspect it isn't good. I would consider a modified jump aircraft only if leasing it back to the DZ made up for the wear and tear.

 

[Huggyu2]

If I may ask, why do you want the IFR panel in your $35,000 airplane? Are you planning on flying in hard IMC?

 

[Pilot_Ryan]

Being an airplane owner myself (remnant from my former career) I can tell you that it's unlikely you'll come out ahead of renting. Not saying it can't be done, but it's not likely. One of the most unpleasant parts of aircraft ownership centers around "surprise" costs that hit you when you least expect them, like new cylinders, prop overhauls, new radios, you name it.

Unless you have a nice cash mx buffer and are willing to part with a lot of cash if need be, I think you'd be wise to reconsider aircraft ownership in the course of pursuing your ratings. We're talking a few hundred hours max before you can start instructing and building time that way, so the risk is just not worth it most of the time.