Posted: 5/14/2009 10:10:54 AM EDT
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I'm ready for my check ride and want to buy a plane. Now, I'm familiar with the old saying, "if it flies, floats or fucks, you're better off rentin' it." I've gotten lots of different opinions on what kind of plane to get. I'm not rich, but I can afford 1000$/mo + variable costs.
One friend is a fan of the Cessna Skymaster 337, which is nice because you have the redundancy of a second engine. And I think it's extra cool that you can get them with gun pods still attached. The guy that owns the flight school is suggesting a Mooney M20J 201, which is fast and fuel efficient; some of the flight instructors suggest that it may be too much plane for my first plane, and I've heard enough stories about people doing "gear up" landings accidentally and stuff. I've got to admit that I've failed to bring my flaps to take-off once or twice; and I figure a gear up landing is just as simple of a mistake to make. My instructor loves the Cherokee Six 300. I've flown in a Cherokee Six 260, and I liked it quite a bit –– sortof reminds me of a VW microbus. There's always the standard Cessna 172, but I kindof want something a little different, just 'cause. |
| Long time pilot. Long time CFII. Don't rush. Just finish your ticket. Rent a while. Get some hours under your belt before you decide what to buy. The Six is a good airplane, but, (big but) will it meet your needs? That 300hp is a lot to pay for if you are not hauling large loads. Define what you want to do with the airplane. If you want to go places pick a high perf A/C like the Mooney or Arrow. Don't get a 172 it will become boring quickly. OK to train in but to own? No. If you want to just enjoy flying around for the pure joy of flying get a stick and fabric. I have had more fun flying a 85hp Champ than most of the other A/C combined. Piper J-3, Scouts, Decathlons, Citabrias, Pitts, etc are some of the most fun to really just fly. The rest become like driving a car after a while. Be patient. Do it right the first time. WJ |
| cessna 172 Hawk XP. Great performance with 172 ease of use. Most insurance companies will not ensure you in anything with retractable gear or high performance...and if they do you will pay through the nose. Later, when you have some time and a multi, you can't go wrong with an AZTEC. Not terribly fast but has six seats and will carry anything you can stuff into the door, two engines too! |
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Quoted:
I'm ready for my check ride and want to buy a plane. Now, I'm familiar with the old saying, "if it flies, floats or fucks, you're better off rentin' it." I've gotten lots of different opinions on what kind of plane to get. I'm not rich, but I can afford 1000$/mo + variable costs. One friend is a fan of the Cessna Skymaster 337, which is nice because you have the redundancy of a second engine. And I think it's extra cool that you can get them with gun pods still attached. The guy that owns the flight school is suggesting a Mooney M20J 201, which is fast and fuel efficient; some of the flight instructors suggest that it may be too much plane for my first plane, and I've heard enough stories about people doing "gear up" landings accidentally and stuff. I've got to admit that I've failed to bring my flaps to take-off once or twice; and I figure a gear up landing is just as simple of a mistake to make. My instructor loves the Cherokee Six 300. I've flown in a Cherokee Six 260, and I liked it quite a bit –– sortof reminds me of a VW microbus. There's always the standard Cessna 172, but I kindof want something a little different, just 'cause. Sound like you can afford what ever you want. Thats cool, but remember that just because you can afford it doesnt mean you have the skills yet to handle it. A mistake in a fast plane like a Mooney can do more than just cost you money. IT CAN KILL YOU. If you really want a traveling plane thats fine, buy something slow and easy like a 172 anyway. Then start working on an Instrument ticket. You can always sell it to get something faster later when your skills have grown. Planes like Mooneys, Bonanzas and MU2s have killed a lot of people with more money than skill. Many took thier whole family with them. A private license is a license to learn. Edit to Add: I get paid to fly a fast complex twin. When i buy my own plane its going to be something like a J-3 cub. Cheap and simple. i'll buy a airline ticket to go long distances. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm ready for my check ride and want to buy a plane. Now, I'm familiar with the old saying, "if it flies, floats or fucks, you're better off rentin' it." I've gotten lots of different opinions on what kind of plane to get. I'm not rich, but I can afford 1000$/mo + variable costs. One friend is a fan of the Cessna Skymaster 337, which is nice because you have the redundancy of a second engine. And I think it's extra cool that you can get them with gun pods still attached. The guy that owns the flight school is suggesting a Mooney M20J 201, which is fast and fuel efficient; some of the flight instructors suggest that it may be too much plane for my first plane, and I've heard enough stories about people doing "gear up" landings accidentally and stuff. I've got to admit that I've failed to bring my flaps to take-off once or twice; and I figure a gear up landing is just as simple of a mistake to make. My instructor loves the Cherokee Six 300. I've flown in a Cherokee Six 260, and I liked it quite a bit –– sortof reminds me of a VW microbus. There's always the standard Cessna 172, but I kindof want something a little different, just 'cause. Sound like you can afford what ever you want. Thats cool, but remember that just because you can afford it doesnt mean you have the skills yet to handle it. A mistake in a fast plane like a Mooney can do more than just cost you money. IT CAN KILL YOU. If you really want a traveling plane thats fine, buy something slow and easy like a 172 anyway. Then start working on an Instrument ticket. You can always sell it to get something faster later when your skills have grown. Planes like Mooneys, Bonanzas and MU2s have killed a lot of people with more money than skill. Many took thier whole family with them. A private license is a license to learn. Edit to Add: I get paid to fly a fast complex twin. When i buy my own plane its going to be something like a J-3 cub. Cheap and simple. i'll buy a airline ticket to go long distances. this. Bonanza and Cirrus planes are known as doctor killers. The Mooney seems to have a better record, but that may just be because inexperienced pilots overlooked the Mooney in favor of one of the others. |
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It's not worth buying anything at the point you are at. Use that disposable income to get some more tickets under you belt. The insurance to insure you on much of anything right now will be a metric fucktonloadofcash/month.
Once you get to 'that' point I would look at a professionally built lancair IVP. The restrictions on 'homebuilts' are less and less every year. |
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Quoted:
It's not worth buying anything at the point you are at. Use that disposable income to get some more tickets under you belt. The insurance to insure you on much of anything right now will be a metric fucktonloadofcash/month. Once you get to 'that' point I would look at a [red]professionally built lancair IVP[/red]. The restrictions on 'homebuilts' are less and less every year. He only has 1000 a month to spend. Could you possibly bet one for that? That would be a lot of A/C for a novice pilot IMHO. WJ |
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Quoted:
I'm ready for my check ride and want to buy a plane. Now, I'm familiar with the old saying, "if it flies, floats or fucks, you're better off rentin' it." I've gotten lots of different opinions on what kind of plane to get. I'm not rich, but I can afford 1000$/mo + variable costs. One friend is a fan of the Cessna Skymaster 337, which is nice because you have the redundancy of a second engine. And I think it's extra cool that you can get them with gun pods still attached. The guy that owns the flight school is suggesting a Mooney M20J 201, which is fast and fuel efficient; some of the flight instructors suggest that it may be too much plane for my first plane, and I've heard enough stories about people doing "gear up" landings accidentally and stuff. I've got to admit that I've failed to bring my flaps to take-off once or twice; and I figure a gear up landing is just as simple of a mistake to make. My instructor loves the Cherokee Six 300. I've flown in a Cherokee Six 260, and I liked it quite a bit –– sortof reminds me of a VW microbus. There's always the standard Cessna 172, but I kindof want something a little different, just 'cause. If you are not using your checklist, you are not ready to take a check ride. No excuse. USE THAT CHECKLIST. Every time. WJ |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm ready for my check ride and want to buy a plane. Now, I'm familiar with the old saying, "if it flies, floats or fucks, you're better off rentin' it." I've gotten lots of different opinions on what kind of plane to get. I'm not rich, but I can afford 1000$/mo + variable costs. One friend is a fan of the Cessna Skymaster 337, which is nice because you have the redundancy of a second engine. And I think it's extra cool that you can get them with gun pods still attached. The guy that owns the flight school is suggesting a Mooney M20J 201, which is fast and fuel efficient; some of the flight instructors suggest that it may be too much plane for my first plane, and I've heard enough stories about people doing "gear up" landings accidentally and stuff. I've got to admit that I've failed to bring my flaps to take-off once or twice; and I figure a gear up landing is just as simple of a mistake to make. My instructor loves the Cherokee Six 300. I've flown in a Cherokee Six 260, and I liked it quite a bit –– sortof reminds me of a VW microbus. There's always the standard Cessna 172, but I kindof want something a little different, just 'cause. If you are not using your checklist, you are not ready to take a check ride. No excuse. USE THAT CHECKLIST. Every time. WJ Though this sounds defensive, doing that was from my instructor intentionally trying to bust me on a stop-and-go. |
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Our flight department has 6 aircraft, a G550 (awesome, but no fun), a PC-12 (very capable, no fun), a Eurocopter EC-135 (tons O fun and practical), Two Extra 300L stunt planes (an absolute blast, strong, safe and reliable) and my Cessna 177RG (faster than a 172 with RG and fly's nice). We are looking into a Husky A1C with 200HP.
One thing you might want to consider is a nice RV-10 experimental. They are good looking, very fast, fixed gear and 4 seats. The construction is conventional. I like em. Most RG aircraft have a warning system to help you remember to put the gear down. I do know that many gear up landings have the "buzzer" inop or disconnected. I made sure my gear warning works properly! Good lord willing, I'll use the checklist and never forget. I would stay away from the twin Cessna. It's a maintenance HOG. There are so many great choices. Be more specific as to what you want. It's always nice to have something that can do (at least) mild aerobatics. I spent a summer flying to TX every monday and back on Fri in an old Beech Baron. What a great plane. 180+ knots meant I could beat the airlines at any trip up to 600NM. And, nearly match the airlines (if they have a layover) up to 1000NM. Franklin |
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I'm astonished that anyone would try to suggest what airplane you want/need without you giving us some more information.
When I started thinking about buying a plane, the smart man at the FBO where I took my lessons said something like "whats your mission". He then went on and asked me the following: 1) how many passengers? 2) VFR only or IFR also? 3) takeoff or landing distance requirements? 4) conventional or tricycle gear if you have an opinion 5) aerobatic? 6) how much are you willing to spend to maintain it? This drives things like a) fixed pitch prop or constant speed b) fixed or retractable gear. 7) how far do you want to go how fast. In the end we realized that I wanted a proven airframe with a "real" aircraft engine. I wanted something aerobatic that could also take 2 people 400 miles without refueling oh yeah, I wanted it to be as fast as possible while still retaining the economy of a fixed pitch prop and fixed gear. I also wanted it to be a little bit different, tailwheel was a plus. In the end I purchased a Vans RV-4. Its an experimental, but there are over 4000 RVs flying, they are built using standard methods, and use a standard Lycoming engine. When all was said and done, I got an aerobatic plane that cruises at 185 mph with fixed gear and a fixed pitch prop. It has taken my wife and me from our home in CT to Ohio and Washington DC non-stop as well as longer trips with minimal stops. On shorter trips I pull the power back so we're only going 120 mph or so. At that speed and a fuel burn of less than 5 gallons per hour, we're getting 25 miles per gallon!! For yucks, it loves to be upside down and climbs at 1700 fpm solo. I'm in no way saying that this is the right plane for you. My point is mainly that you should define your mission then look around with an open mind. Don p.s. I also dont believe in "starter" airplanes. If you exercise good judgement, get the proper training you CAN safely fly a "hot" airplane like a Mooney or a Bonanza or an RV right off the bat. I owned my RV before I finished my primary training. (which I did in a 152) Immediately after getting my ticket, I began transition training into the RV. It took about 15 hours. Although my instructor could not legally sign me off with restrictions. We had a gentleman's agreement that I would not carry passengers for an additional 15 hours and no night flights until I had 50 hours in the plane. |
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Here's another vote for a Cessna 182.
Rock solid, no drama, every insurance company in the world knows them and has fairly easy requirements to insure them. Right now, you are essentially UNinsurable in anything BUT a 172 or Cherokee (as in PA-28-161 Warrior). Rent for now until you get the minimum requirements to take an Instrument checkride and a good thing to do is GET AN INSTRUMENT RATING while you're doing it, as well as High Performance, Comples amd Tailwheel endorsements. The IFR ticket will be the money saver when you shop for insurance as will time in type. Don't jump into it yet... you may regret it. |
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I don't really have that option: The wet rates in California are so hideous that the cost to get an IFR ticket whilst renting really seems to make buying something like a 182 the better decision for me: I'm racking up the hours (and money) but at the end of it, I'm part-way through paying off the airplane to keep for the long term!
NTM |
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Piper arrow
I started on others since my parents owned a flight school but my favorite single was a Piper arrow . |
| Right now with your time and experience, if the plane you are looking at is labeled fast, high performance, sexy, slick, complicated, retractable gear or any other myriad of adjectives describing a plane in such a way as this. STAY FAR AWAY! Get some time under your belt and get an instrument rating! Stay with a 172, 182 or maybe a Cherokee 160 or 180. Those are all honest airplanes that wont get you into trouble if you follow the rules. |
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Quoted: I'm ready for my check ride and want to buy a plane. Now, I'm familiar with the old saying, "if it flies, floats or fucks, you're better off rentin' it." I've gotten lots of different opinions on what kind of plane to get. I'm not rich, but I can afford 1000$/mo + variable costs. One friend is a fan of the Cessna Skymaster 337, which is nice because you have the redundancy of a second engine. And I think it's extra cool that you can get them with gun pods still attached. The guy that owns the flight school is suggesting a Mooney M20J 201, which is fast and fuel efficient; some of the flight instructors suggest that it may be too much plane for my first plane, and I've heard enough stories about people doing "gear up" landings accidentally and stuff. I've got to admit that I've failed to bring my flaps to take-off once or twice; and I figure a gear up landing is just as simple of a mistake to make. My instructor loves the Cherokee Six 300. I've flown in a Cherokee Six 260, and I liked it quite a bit –– sortof reminds me of a VW microbus. There's always the standard Cessna 172, but I kindof want something a little different, just 'cause. 1) If you are just getting your ticket, don't get a twin - you won't be able to fly it except as a student untill you get your multi.... 2) New? Look into the new LSA birds.... That's the 'economical' route to owning a plane, if you aren't willing to build.... 3) Used? Cessna 172 or 182.... |
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Don't get a Cessna 337 "MIX MASTER".
Yea, it's a "TWIN", but not really. You get a "CENTERLINE THRUST" limitation on your ticket. Still have to get time in a REAL TWIN to get rid of it. IF you want a "FUN" airplane, get a SF-260. Then go "G" Your lips off. You could get an EXTRA 200/300 and "G" Everything ELSE off too! |