Planes to consider
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Planes to consider
I'm not in the immediate market for an airplane, but am starting to consider it. Next summer maybe, but most likely the year after. I just want to start thinking about it, researching and shopping around to get a feel for the whole thing.
I'm pretty ignorant to the float world so forgive my ignorance on the subject guys.
I would prefer amphibs.
I would prefer something I could put me plus two... or me plus one plus some gear.
Is there a small a/c out there you can strap a small canoe to legally/safely?
Prices?
Insurance?
Maintenance costs?
Hangar costs (I would like possibly to build my own at my own place)? Also, if I do this, what are the options to bring it to the water? Or am I legally allowed to fly it off my camp road (the road is more than enough)? But there is a launch... is taxiing it to the water an option? The launch is kind of steep.
Like I said, forgive me ignorance if any of these questions seem stupid.
Thanks guys.
I'm pretty ignorant to the float world so forgive my ignorance on the subject guys.
I would prefer amphibs.
I would prefer something I could put me plus two... or me plus one plus some gear.
Is there a small a/c out there you can strap a small canoe to legally/safely?
Prices?
Insurance?
Maintenance costs?
Hangar costs (I would like possibly to build my own at my own place)? Also, if I do this, what are the options to bring it to the water? Or am I legally allowed to fly it off my camp road (the road is more than enough)? But there is a launch... is taxiing it to the water an option? The launch is kind of steep.
Like I said, forgive me ignorance if any of these questions seem stupid.
Thanks guys.
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Cat Driver
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Re: Planes to consider
Far from it not asking is stupid.Like I said, forgive me ignorance if any of these questions seem stupid.
The Piper PA12 is a marvelous airplane in fact in my opinion it was Pipers best single engine airplane.
It is three place one in front and two in the back, and will carry a canoe as long as you don't over load the thing.
I don't know if anyone ever put one on amphibs though.
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
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Re: Planes to consider
Just covering my ass, Cat... didn't want to offend anyone. You know how easy that can be on here.Cat Driver wrote:Far from it not asking is stupid.
Also, besides the cost of the airplane, what other initial costs are there for the purchase? Transfer of ownership? Buying from the States, maybe? And any other significant costs you think may be relevant?
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
Re: Planes to consider
Cessna 180 or 185 would fit the bill. Some of the older ones would come in at a reasonable price. General rule for external loads is to reduce the payload, some operators even reduce internal payload by up to 50% or double the weight of the external load. Then limits on wind conditions.
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Re: Planes to consider
The Scout (8gcbc) will seat 2 in the back, like the PA12, and there are lots of them on amphibs. Usefull load won't be much(like all amphibs, it's the price you pay), but it is a good allround aircraft, with no bad habits.
We're all here, because we're not all there.
Re: Planes to consider
Also look at some of the homebuilt cub/citabria clones. not limited with floats, ie: full lotus, czech made amphibs etc.... maintenance can be lower as well.
Re: Planes to consider
It all depends on how much you want to spend. Amphibs will greatly reduce payload, while increasing versatility, especially if it's IFR equiped. Minimum would be a 180/185/206. If I had the money, I would have a turbo beaver amphib in a heartbeat! Just imho.
What little I do know is either not important or I've forgotten it!
Transport Canada's mission statement: We're not happy until you're not happy
Transport Canada's mission statement: We're not happy until you're not happy
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Re: Planes to consider
I'm starting to think amphibs are not as good an option, just because of payload but also because of cost. I'd love a turbo beav on amphibs as well, but that is just a pipe dream at this point. I'm thinking the 50-60 K range.
What do you guys think about the Zenith 701? Could it handle an external load? Is it too underpowered? There's one on barnstormers for 55 K on amphibs.... I can't post the link...
What do you guys think about the Zenith 701? Could it handle an external load? Is it too underpowered? There's one on barnstormers for 55 K on amphibs.... I can't post the link...
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
Re: Planes to consider
The 701 can barely get off the water with 2 people. That's with a Rotax 912. Forget external loads. I think maybe you are a low timer. Start with a cub, chief, etc. Forget external loads. You can't buy a cheap ($50-70K) airplane in decent shape that will haul external loads.
IMHO. For external loads (i.e. canoe or boat), you would want at least a high powered 172 and up. And you better have some float experience as well!!
IMHO. For external loads (i.e. canoe or boat), you would want at least a high powered 172 and up. And you better have some float experience as well!!
What little I do know is either not important or I've forgotten it!
Transport Canada's mission statement: We're not happy until you're not happy
Transport Canada's mission statement: We're not happy until you're not happy
- Cat Driver
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Re: Planes to consider
You can do without a canoe by carrying an inflatable boat.
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
Re: Planes to consider
Better then an inflatable boat...
http://www.paddling.net/folding-kayaks. ... OOGLE_FOLD
Folding Kayaks Get one of those and you can have your PA28 on floats
http://www.paddling.net/folding-kayaks. ... OOGLE_FOLD
Folding Kayaks Get one of those and you can have your PA28 on floats
No trees were harmed in the transmission of this message. However, a rather large number of electrons were temporarily inconvenienced.
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Re: Planes to consider
I thought that about the 701 anyway... just thought I'd ask. I don't have much float time, but do have other time... and I have some friends I would definitely get some instruction from first, so no worries there. Also, I would obviously progress myself with the operation of the aircraft.Lost Lake wrote:The 701 can barely get off the water with 2 people. That's with a Rotax 912. Forget external loads. I think maybe you are a low timer. Start with a cub, chief, etc. Forget external loads. You can't buy a cheap ($50-70K) airplane in decent shape that will haul external loads.
IMHO. For external loads (i.e. canoe or boat), you would want at least a high powered 172 and up. And you better have some float experience as well!!
Cat Driver wrote:You can do without a canoe by carrying an inflatable boat.
I was thinking of an inflatable or foldable anyway... surely you could strap one of those foldable boats to the side of a Cub or similar, no??Invertago wrote:Better then an inflatable boat...
http://www.paddling.net/folding-kayaks. ... OOGLE_FOLD
Folding Kayaks Get one of those and you can have your PA28 on floats
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Cat Driver
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Re: Planes to consider
Yes.surely you could strap one of those foldable boats to the side of a Cub or similar, no??
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
- mikegtzg
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Re: Planes to consider
There are a few 701's and 701 clones on our field. With 100hp they go 95 mph. Shortly therfe will be one on Amphib's...and then can comment on gross water performance. I suspect with 100hp there shouldn't be a problem.
Zenair also has come out with the 750. Like a 701 but setup for a small Continental rather than Rotax engines.
Zenair also has come out with the 750. Like a 701 but setup for a small Continental rather than Rotax engines.
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Re: Planes to consider
I've never seen one on amphib's.SuperchargedRS wrote:Stinson Voyager?
We're all here, because we're not all there.
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Re: Planes to consider
I've been told by a few of my friends as well as some posters here that amphibs are NOT the way to go in my case... I'll still consider it but I think I'll be going straight floats and would like skis for the winter... wheel/skis preferably.mag check wrote:I've never seen one on amphib's.SuperchargedRS wrote:Stinson Voyager?
I like the sounds of that Stinson... they seem to be fairly cheap and have dual controls as well... a bonus for a guy like me. They also seem to have quite a bit of power and a greater useful load... no problem with an external load I guess?? Is there a catch here?
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
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Re: Planes to consider
Stinsons are great-espc the 108-3 with the big tail. The engines can be a pain in the ass though. Most AMEs hate the old Franklin and the few with the Lycoming O-435 can be fun getting parts for. The O-470 conversions are probably the best but they command a higher price. Quite a few have metalized wings which saves on maintenance.
Another plane that might be good is the Aeronca Sedan. There aren't too many of these still around but they were a good workhorse floatplane back in the day.
If you are doing straight floats, find a takeoff dolly for launching and land in the grass. This is what we did in YCW where we were miles from water. I sure don't miss threading a floatplane between light standards and power poles and getting stuck in mud and sand in our half a Toronado float dolly.
Another plane that might be good is the Aeronca Sedan. There aren't too many of these still around but they were a good workhorse floatplane back in the day.
If you are doing straight floats, find a takeoff dolly for launching and land in the grass. This is what we did in YCW where we were miles from water. I sure don't miss threading a floatplane between light standards and power poles and getting stuck in mud and sand in our half a Toronado float dolly.
Geez did I say that....? Or just think it....?
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Re: Planes to consider
There are many positive things you get flying an amphib such as the ability to land at an airport should the weather close in on you and of course it is so much easier to find fuel at an airport.I've been told by a few of my friends as well as some posters here that amphibs are NOT the way to go in my case...
Also you do not have the worry of the airplane getting damaged at a dock or snow during the night sinking the thing because you can keep it at the airport.
There are only two real negatives...loss of pay load and cost.
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
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Re: Planes to consider
How much of a pay load cost are we talking here? Like I said, as long as I can take me, 1 passenger and my gear for fishing (including some type of foldable/inflatable boat/canoe/kayak), I am happy... will the range be affected? Also, are the maintenance cost/issues a lot more?Cat Driver wrote:There are only two real negatives...loss of pay load and cost.
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.