What plane to buy?

[Av8ta]

I'm a new trainee pilot, learning on a Tecnam P92 and I asking for help on what would be a good first plane for under $40,000. This is not a should and shouldn't buy a plane discussion it's purely a I'm purchasing a plane and would like some input from some experienced pilots and aircraft owners. I'm interested in 2 seater, high or low wing, enclosed cabin cross country touring aircraft. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

 

[Herm]

Very difficult question to answer. I own a Jabiru and always said I would not buy one as I did not really like them. Don't really love how they look. However I got the chance to buy a new one at a very very low price... Hence I now own one. I would suggest you look at aircraft that are available in you price range tha appeal to you and fit your flying needs. IIE do you need speed for xcountry or do you want a slow forgiving aircraft? Then ask questions based on the ones you like the look of and that fit you needs. People will then be able to comment better on your choices. If you can go and fly in them ans see how they are in the air... Lots of choices at the moment. Money is tight and lots of people are selling...

 

Mary

 

 

[old man emu]

Step 1. Obtain an A3 sheet of paper.

 

Step 2. Write down all the performance features you want the plane to have (Cruise speed; landing speed; fuel burn; endurance; rate of climb)

 

Step 3. Write down your engine spec features (2 or 4 stroke; water cooled/aircooled; maximum HP; cruise HP, fuel type; fixed/variable pitch prop)

 

Step 4. Write down your preferred layout (high/low wing; tandem/side-by-side; open/closed cockpit; conventional or tricycle u/c)

 

Step 5. Write down your minimum equipment requirments (DG; Rate of Climb; slip indicator; fuel flow; EGT; CHT; Coms; GPS)

 

Once you have decided on these matter, go looking and see how many the plane that strikes your fancy has got.

 

Buying a plane is a very personal matter, like buying a car. You wouldn't by a Barina if your driving habits are best met by a Clubsport.

 

OME

 

 

[Av8ta]

I am not totally fond of Jabirus, but bang for your buck their not bad i suppose. Mind you ive not flown one so I should hold judgment. Thanks for your input.

 

 

[boingk]

I asked this question to myself after I set aside a budget. I had a few things I really wanted so I set them on the table. Here they are:

 

• 15L/hr fuel burn or less
   
   
  
• 70kt cruise or better
   
   
  
• Twin seat preferred
   
   
  
• $20k or less
   
   
  

 

 

That gave me a rough inkling as to what was 'okay' and what was 'not okay' in terms of what I'd be happy with. I worked around it and ended up with my Minicab - a lovely little twin-seat aircraft cruising at 80kt and budgeting 15L/hr.

 

By 'cross country' I'll assume a range of 250 nautical miles or more, or roughly 500km as the crow flies - you'll need to factor in your cruise speed and fuel duration with reserve for this one when making a judgement.

 

Enclosed cabin is nice, but I'd also get opinions as theres 'enclosed' and 'eNclOSed', the poor cousin of the first. That definitely applies to some aircraft such as Gazelles, where although they are enclosed they are in fact somewhat draughty. I remember getting my nav ticket in one and not being able to feel my feet for about 20min afterwards because of the cold!

 

Your endorsements may also play a part. You can always get endorsed on your own twin-seat aircraft (and in fact I'd recommend a CFI or other experienced pilot guide you through the first 5~10 hours) but you may want something familiar.

 

Now for a shameless plug - buy my Minicab! Its a smart little low-winged craft with sturdy taildragger gear and a conservative 3.5hr range at 80kt cruise after a 45min reserve is accounted for. Two seats, luggage rack, shiny new prop and runs well on either mogas or avgas so long as you put valve seat lubricant in for the rebuilt Continental A-65 engine.

 

Cheers - boingk

 

 

[Av8ta]

Theres

 

I asked this question to myself after I set aside a budget. I had a few things I really wanted so I set them on the table. Here they are:

• 15L/hr fuel burn or less
   
   
  
• 70kt cruise or better
   
   
  
• Twin seat preferred
   
   
  
• $20k or less
   
   
  

 

 

That gave me a rough inkling as to what was 'okay' and what was 'not okay' in terms of what I'd be happy with. I worked around it and ended up with my Minicab - a lovely little twin-seat aircraft cruising at 80kt and budgeting 15L/hr.

 

By 'cross country' I'll assume a range of 250 nautical miles or more, or roughly 500km as the crow flies - you'll need to factor in your cruise speed and fuel duration with reserve for this one when making a judgement.

 

Enclosed cabin is nice, but I'd also get opinions as theres 'enclosed' and 'eNclOSed', the poor cousin of the first. That definitely applies to some aircraft such as Gazelles, where although they are enclosed they are in fact somewhat draughty. I remember getting my nav ticket in one and not being able to feel my feet for about 20min afterwards because of the cold!

 

Your endorsements may also play a part. You can always get endorsed on your own twin-seat aircraft (and in fact I'd recommend a CFI or other experienced pilot guide you through the first 5~10 hours) but you may want something familiar.

 

Now for a shameless plug - buy my Minicab! Its a smart little low-winged craft with sturdy taildragger gear and a conservative 3.5hr range at 80kt cruise after a 45min reserve is accounted for. Two seats, luggage rack, shiny new prop and runs well on either mogas or avgas so long as you put valve seat lubricant in for the rebuilt Continental A-65 engine.

 

Cheers - boingk[/qThere's always a place for a shameless plug! I have seen your minicab and I like it. One thing I decided I wanted was a nose wheel on my plane, yours fell off and got stuck to the back. Beautiful plane though. Again though, much like the jabiru, I've not flown a tail dragger and it's more of a fear of the change from nose wheel to tail wheel than dislike of tail wheel aircraft.

[boingk]

Yeah gotta love shameless plugs haha, figured I'd have a go for a change. Thanks for the kind words!

 

I'd never flown tailwheel before I bought it, but got a few hours with the local CFI and he signed me off. I took it easy for about 15 flying hours and a lot of landings, then recently did a Goulburn - Bathurst trip and really gelled with the aircraft... bad thing to do considering I'm selling but, hey, I love flying!

 

Basically its more or less like learning to taxi and land again. It flies just like any other aircraft. Once you get used to it you find its a pussycat.

 

Cheers - boingk

 

 

[cscotthendry]

When you've sorted out a short list of types that you're interested in, then start a search on the internet and find out as much as you can about what people think of them and what types of ADs are out on them.

 

See if you can find any forums or groups that specialise in the types you're interested in, and join those groups (usually they're free to join) and ask lots of questions of the group.

 

This kind of research costs nothing but your time and it's fun and interesting. It can also save you buying an airplane that has quirky behaviours, is just plain dangerous to fly, or that is a basically bad design.

 

When I did this kind of research before purchasing my Nynja kit, I could not find anyone who had a bad word about the building or flying of the Skyranger types in spite of there being nearly 2,000 of them flying all over the world. Needles to say, I was suspicious of that kind of reputation, but I'm pleased to say, nothing about my airplane has made me think otherwise. (Talk about shameless plugs!!)