GA plan - What would you do?

[RFtech]

GA plan - What would you do?

Just looking for ideas…

I will be moving back to the States at the end of this year. No exactly sure where yet, it is still too early to tell. It will be either mid-Michigan, DC/Northern Virginia, or Miami.

Married no kids.

Private SEL. Approx 120 hours in 152/172s

I have 25k in the bank for a down payment and will have $1000 a month dedicated for training/flying.

Low end of the spectrum. Purchase a two-seat tail dragger and fly slow and low on VFR days!

Mid range. Purchase a 172/182. Good for short range weekend trips and excellent instrument training platform, my next goal.

High end. Get the Mooney. Not sure if my budget will cover it.

What would you do??

 

[350DRIVER]

Look into an older V-35 with the IO-550 300 horse in it, awesome bird and it moves. You can get a older V-35 for a decent price and will do speeds that 152's and 172's can only dream of.... The Cessna is a "good" training bird but I sure would NOT ever wanna own one and fly around in it due to how "slow" they are.

My vote is for a V-35

3 5 0

ps>>> if u can swing it look into the A-36 ( Mercedes of single engine aircraft)

 

[RFtech]

come on guys. One reply? I sling a little mud at the frogs and get 22 replies. I ask an aviation question and get one reply.

Help me spend my money...

 

[bobbysamd]

Aircraft purchases

I've heard it said that two happiest days of an aircraft owner's life are the day you purchase the airplane and the day you sell it.

Having said that and wanting to give specific advice, what are your flying goals? I see that you are planning to work on your instrument. Anything further?

Assuming not, a 172 would be a good choice. 172s are wonderful airplanes/trainers. You can train for nearly all your ratings in them (you would need a high-performance/complex/whatever to finish your Commercial), they are excellent (but slow) cross-country airplanes, and they are excellent instrument trainers. 172s hold their value. The ideal 172 has the Penn-Yan or whatever 180 hp conversion, although the 150/160 hp version will be fine if you fly at low elevations.

A36s are indeed the Mercedes of the single-engine fleet, but you could be eaten alive by maintenance (name an airplane that doesn't eat you alive by maintenance). I suspect that insurance will eat you alive, too, especially if you have low time.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your purchase.

 

[RFtech]

350

My vote is for a V-35.

I hear ya, but not sure i can afford one yet.

Bobby,

short term goal is IFR ticket.

long term - CFI ticket and do some part time stuff someday.

The plane would be used for personal stuff, weekend trips, just because!

 

[Illini Pilot]

what about a complex/high perf. piper like a saratoga or lance?

or a cessna 210?

 

[DIRT]

RFTECH


I fly a C182 and as far as bang for the buck I don't think you can beat a Skylane of any vintage. It will carry anything you can close the doors on (especially the older lighter versions) and will cruise around 150 MPH on about 12-13 GPH. Parts are going to be much easier to find and much cheaper than Beechcraft parts and annuals and insurance will be much cheaper as well.

I have heard some negative things about V tail Bonanzas but frankly I don't have any first hand experience with them so I can't say for sure.

Dirt

 

[chawbein]

Didn't Beech use some parts made from magnesium on some Bonanzas?

 

[DIRT]

They used magnesium for some of their control surfaces and there are also some AD's on the tail that if not done limits the Vne. The early v tails had a bad habit about the tail feathers departing but a lot of that was attributed to pilot error.

 

[CatYaaak]

No kids? Not a lot of "stuff"? Hands down winner; go with the Mooney. Not only are they "cooler" than the rest, but by far the most fun to fly. Steer clear of the Bonanza, which is kind of an "old man's" airplane and people might get the wrong idea and mistake you for being a lawyer or French or something.

 

[abatista]

From what you said in your orignal post. I would recommend the following.

Out of places to move to. I would Pick Miami, Florida. (I am from Miami so thats my choice). It has the weather, and it's great year round for flying. There are many schools down here for you to get you next rating.

2nd thing is which aircraft. I would wait till you get here and try some out. If you can affort the payments then C182 are a real good buy. Also an Arrow II with is more of what I would pick. I like low wing.

If your looking for a newer plane then the following would be my choices. SR20 or Diamond D40. Or if you just want something for just 2 people the Liberty XL is a great little plane and it's not too bad in the price.

Hope this helps and welcome the more the better.

 

[RFtech]

Forget france.

Lets talk about airplanes!