Aircraft Purchase

M

mav2005

Well-Known Member
Hello -

I am getting ready to purchase an IFR equipped C152/C150 for my flight training (PPL and IFR). After that I'd like to sell the Cessna for another plane that is more in line with my needs.

My flying will involve trips of about 600-700NM each way (east coast), with the occassional 1200+NM trip (east coast to mid west). I'll either be flying alone or with one passenger, with one large suitcase a piece and an occassional set of golf cubs.

What aircraft would you all recommend? I'll be the only pilot, so something that is easy to fly as single pilot IFR would be great. I'd like to stay away from twin engine planes at the moment. I'd like to keep the price below $350,000.

Thanks,
Lance
 
I hate saying it, but a Cirrus may be very well in your price and mission profile. Its quick, comfortable (even with 4 pax, albeit range limited) and it can't get any easier in IMC than with the Avidyne. The market is tanked right now, and you can get a early 2000s model -22 with about 500-800 hours on the engine for around $350,000.

If you wanna go with an old(er) skool, more tried and true airframe, then a 182 or Arrow would do the trick, although slightly slower.
 
It sounds like a newer Mooney would suit you well. I am not sure of the baggage space on the newer Mooney's, but if will only be two people I am sure there would be plenty of space for the bags.

http://www.aso.com/i.aso3/aircraft_...p=falsexxxxxsearchid=15777721xxxxxregionid=-1

http://www.aso.com/i.aso3/aircraft_...p=falsexxxxxsearchid=15777721xxxxxregionid=-1

The biggest problem you will find is very few single engines are capable of 700miles with the 30-70 knot headwind you normally have in the winter. If you can afford the higher operating cost, a Piper Malibu would be a very good fit down the road, but it may not be an airplane you want to jump right into after 150 hours in a 152. With the Continental engines, many owners run lean of peak with an average fuel burn of 15 gallons per hour. With a 140 gallon capacity, that is a lot of endurance!

http://www.aso.com/i.aso3/aircraft_...up=truexxxxxsearchid=15777721xxxxxregionid=-1

Where on the east coast are you?

Alex.
 
My vote would be for a Piper Lance or Saratoga. A lot of room for golf clubs, good power, ok speed, and comfortable. Again, due to gas prices, these airplanes are nearing rock bottom prices. If I didn't have a Seneca II, I would be buying one of these.

Michael
 
Thanks everyone for responding. Most of the flying will be from near Charleston, WV. Do I need any complex training for a Mooney or Cirrus product?
 

From personal experience the best aircraft to own for private-instrument rated pilots that are both cross-country flying and training is the Diamondstar DA40-180.....It comes in both the G1000 and 'Six-pack' avionics package. It is very forgiving when it goes into spins unlike the Cirrus, Mooney oh and the Piper Malibu. The diamonds sip fuel and if you get the extended range tanks on the 180 model you get a decent useful load increase as well as the ability to complete a 790 NM trip. It has been done by a friend of mine twice even though the manual says it can only do 750 or so NM's. Also the Diamond corp's got the new DA50 coming out
which would be suitable for long trips IFR or VFR

 
-=Deniz=- said:
It is very forgiving when it goes into spins unlike the Cirrus, Mooney oh and the Piper Malibu.
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If you are going to unintentionally spin an airplane, chances are it will be on the base to final turn. It doesn't matter if you are in a Cirrus, Mooney, Malibu, or DA-40, you have little chance of surviving it.


The diamonds sip fuel and if you get the extended range tanks on the 180 model you get a decent useful load increase as well as the ability to complete a 790 NM trip. It has been done by a friend of mine twice even though the manual says it can only do 750 or so NM's. Also the Diamond corp's got the new DA50 coming out
which would be suitable for long trips IFR or VFR
Click to expand...

I have never flown a Diamond I would want to sit in longer than an hour, but I also have not been in one newer than 2005. They are decent airplanes for training and I do enjoy flying them, but I would not recommend one to somebody looking for a cross country airplane, especially when the budget allows for something better. I would imagine the original poster's main trip will be from CRW to Florida. In the winter this means a 30-60kt headwind on every trip southbound, giving the DA-40 around a 100GS. 700 miles is a pretty long way to go in a piston single.

Do I need any complex training for a Mooney or Cirrus product?
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Because of your low time, insurance will require some type of training on a newer airplane. Both Mooney and Cirrus have a factory school you could attend, but you are able to get the training at certain insurance approved schools.

Alex.
 
frequentflya said:
Who the heck can afford a plane in this day and age?
:drool:
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If I sell my car, I may be able to afford this ...

48715main_ultralight2.jpg
 
AH heck a 152 can take care of you. I flew mine from SLC to Chicago one year. Won't do that again, but quite the experience.
 
Bentley Continental GT Coupe...MSRP 180,000, 6.0 550hp W12 engine, 17mpg interstate. It's fast, it's comfortable, and it will carry your golf bags :)

but seriously,

Ownership wise Cessna > Piper from what I heard just because of the MX costs
 
Should I keep twins in mind? I mean I know older Barons, Cessna 340s and similar aircraft are in my price range. What's the hourly operational cost on those?
 
Hey wait a second. Your name is Mav too? I don't have your $99 mav fan club initation fee recorded in my quickbooks yet!
 
mav2005 said:
Hello -

I am getting ready to purchase an IFR equipped C152/C150 for my flight training (PPL and IFR). After that I'd like to sell the Cessna for another plane that is more in line with my needs.

My flying will involve trips of about 600-700NM each way (east coast), with the occassional 1200+NM trip (east coast to mid west). I'll either be flying alone or with one passenger, with one large suitcase a piece and an occassional set of golf cubs.

What aircraft would you all recommend? I'll be the only pilot, so something that is easy to fly as single pilot IFR would be great. I'd like to stay away from twin engine planes at the moment. I'd like to keep the price below $350,000.

Thanks,
Lance
Click to expand...


Do you want something with fixed gear or retractable? Generally, I think fixed gear is the way to go. Lower mx costs, and the gear is always down and locked.
 
It sound like a Beechcraft Staggerwing would accomplish your mission nicely. You can pick up a very nice one in the $250-$350k price range. They will go close to 200mph, carry your golf clubs, and make lots of neat radial engine sound. Fuel burn is a little high, but to offset that you will be the star of whatever ramp you pull up to - even if the ramp included a G-V.
 
WacoFan said:
It sound like a Beechcraft Staggerwing would accomplish your mission nicely. You can pick up a very nice one in the $250-$350k price range. They will go close to 200mph, carry your golf clubs, and make lots of neat radial engine sound. Fuel burn is a little high, but to offset that you will be the star of whatever ramp you pull up to - even if the ramp included a G-V.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

Just make sure you get a REALLY big pan to put under the engine to catch all of the oil that drips out.....
 
WacoFan said:
It sound like a Beechcraft Staggerwing would accomplish your mission nicely. You can pick up a very nice one in the $250-$350k price range. They will go close to 200mph, carry your golf clubs, and make lots of neat radial engine sound. Fuel burn is a little high, but to offset that you will be the star of whatever ramp you pull up to - even if the ramp included a G-V.
Click to expand...

I just love the little tail wiggle you get when your hand cranking the gear up!:D
 
Here is my vote! Little high on the maintenance side, but you can't beat the speed/range with anything (non-turbine). I hear they are a little squirly to fly, and I'm not sure if the insurance companies would like to have a new pilot flying them. Maybe when you get over a thousand hours.
But seriously, how about a lancair errrr I mean Cessna 350 or 400?

77496703.jpg
 
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