If you had +/-30k to spend on a plane

[38bat]

By the way all, I am looking around 30k. Willing to spend more for the right one. Here are a few of interest so it does seem feasable to stay around 30k.

1965 140, 3280 TT, 234 SMOH, 3/07 anl, speed mods, mogas, hgrd, all logs, NDH, too much to list, $28,000

1966 140, 2580 TT, 580 SMOH, 4 new cyls, fresh annual, Apollo 618 loran, King flip-flop, IFR, $30,000

1969 140/160, 550 SMOH, 6055 TT, fresh annual, loran, VOR, mods: prop, wing tips,, lt wt starter, tinted windshield, Tannis, strobe, glare shield, battery cables, $30,000,

1966 180, 2168 TT, 1283 SFRM, KMA-24 w/gs, dual K-155, 4-pl int, EGT eng htr, strobes, new int, clean logs, $35,000

 

[BenWlson]

To those of you who posted constructive replies I really appreciate it. DE I think you have me on the right track with the 140, it seems like I can definately get one with low hours for around 30k. A super nice one for mid 30's with some shopping. Thanks and I look forward to any help you all have to offer and I will take the jabs/criticism the from the rest of you to get the good stuff!

Go Cessna 140, not Cherokee! Way more fun! :rawk:

 

[esa17]

A PA28-140 may have four seats but it is by no means a true four place aircraft. They're great to fly if just you and a buddy want to go up and shoot the pattern but the second you add bags, fuel, and a third person you'll learn exactly what an anemic rate of climb is.


The margins in this post are killing me!

 

[38bat]

Thanks for that, I know that it isn't a true 4 place but I have myself at 225 pounds, a wife at ???? somewhere quite a bit less than that and two kids that are about 150 total. Is that out of the realm of a 140?

 

[tprops4me]

Could be. Depends how much junk they have thrown in the panel. Usually if you want IFR instruments, it hurts the useful load. You may have to leave out fuel. Depends how often you want to stop. Don't fly during the hot months fully loaded, and use long runways.

 

[esa17]

Thanks for that, I know that it isn't a true 4 place but I have myself at 225 pounds, a wife at ???? somewhere quite a bit less than that and two kids that are about 150 total. Is that out of the realm of a 140?

Very much so, I don't know many people who like to travel without luggage. Combine that with a high DA day and you're not going anywhere unless its via the interstate.

 

[JHines]

38bat, do yourself a big favor, go get the Used Aircraft Guide that Aviation Consumer puts out. About $40 but WELL worth it. It will tell you all the useful loads, etc. and changes from year-to-year for each make/model.

Most times you will see a model starts out with a good useful load (remember has to cover fuel too) in the early model years, and then "porks up" with more options, radios, leather, etc. The gross weight usually stays the same, so you lose load,even though the plane may be nicer.

Don't know how familiar you are with avionics, A King KX-155 is a truly top notch radio; good sound and display, and has a flip-flop, plus does not have screwy tuning controls like some other brands. IMO not going to get much better that dual KX-155s for the nav/comm portion of the panel.

 

[BenWlson]

Thanks for that, I know that it isn't a true 4 place but I have myself at 225 pounds, a wife at ???? somewhere quite a bit less than that and two kids that are about 150 total. Is that out of the realm of a 140?

A very nice PA-22-160 can be purchased for $30k. Useful load is almost 900 pounds. Full fuel of 36 gallons gives you about 650 pounds for people and baggage. 105 knot cruise. 9 gph. Short field capability (2000ft). 350nm range (1/2hour reserve). (These are the conservative numbers I use in flight planning).

They are VERY easy to fly. The rudder is mechanically coupled with the ailerons for coordinated turns.

Most can't be found with IFR instruments, so you would have to upgrade that on your own. They are fabric planes too, so a hangar would almost be mandatory (airplanes should never be stored outside anyway).

 

[DE727UPS]

The Cherokee 140 has tabs inside the fuel tanks that let you accurately limit fuel weight. I think it's 38 gals vs the total 50 gals you can max out at. I believe you'd be okay, at the weights you mention, if you keep you fuel weight down.

The best way to find out for sure is to get a Cherokee 140 manual and run the weights on it. Also, you'll have to watch what sort of airports you operate at. A heavy Cherokee 140 is not a good short field airplane. Plan on flat land, long runways, and low density altitudes. You just have to be more careful with where you plan on going, and when.