Best Aircraft to Buy as Timebuilder

JAHinYYC · Post by **JAHinYYC** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:38 am

I am looking for input as to a descent choice for an aircraft to buy as a time builder.

I am currently instructing part time and work a day job which pays well = so I am not inclinded to quit.

I'd like something that I can own and fly on the side; for the occasional long weekend trip with myself and the wife or myself, the wife and teenager.

A C150/152 is too small to lift both of us. {I am a bigger guy (280lbs) and so I am looking at the PA28-140 as an alternate. }

I had thought C172, but their popularity as a school aircraft makes them too expensive for thier capability. I had also looked at the PA28-181, but I am wondering about the 20% additional fuel burn when I am hauling around two empty back seats 80% of the time.

I am at 450hrs and want to build towards 1,200hrs with a view to part time 'Ho charter work later in life.

Thoughts?

J in YYC

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:46 am

Sorry...buy the slowest one you can find.

Chuck Ellsworth · Post by **Chuck Ellsworth** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:50 am

Buy a homebuilt, they are cheaper to operate.

The Murphy Rebel will lift you and another passenger and if flies far nicer than a 172.

THEICEMAN · Post by **THEICEMAN** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:56 am

Many people are hiring Ho drivers @ 450 hours. Today, you can get a job with 450 hours.

Bushav8er · Post by **Bushav8er** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:05 am

C172 is still worth looking at, you can still find 'cheaper' ones. The PA28 is nice but as you stated, you're a 'bigger' guy. I'm 200 and both myself and my wife didn't enjoy the entry/exit of the low wing.

Masta-Fred · Post by **Masta-Fred** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:09 am

diamondstar cause their so cheap on gas?? u want twin time then the twinstar?? 3.4gph isnt it?

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:03 pm

Another option is an antique - perhaps something that is in the owner maintenance category. Often you can find these for very reasonable prices. Of course, you want one that is in decent shape - you don't want a basket case that is going to need a new engine, new avionics, new fabric in the next little while.

Tailwheel (cub, champ, luscomb, homebuilts) get a bad rap, but they will develop your stick & rudder skills.

Nosewheel might include piper colt, tripacer, ercoupe etc.

Trevor · Post by **Trevor** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:05 pm

Don't be afraid to look at the older model 172s. The razorbacks are apparently very nice airplanes and they're less expensive because the flying schools want the 'new' looking paroramic windows.

If you want a tail dragger, the 170 is in the same class.

Chuck Ellsworth · Post by **Chuck Ellsworth** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:56 pm

If you want a tail dragger, the 170 is in the same class.

Yup, the 170 is a good choice one of the better designs Cessna built before they changed over to " kiddy planes " with nose wheels.

Can you put that sucker in the owner maintenance catagory?

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:10 pm

yup

http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regse ... a507sh.htm

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:16 pm

Buy the cheapest thing you can get your little mitts on that will actually fly. Keep it safe...but....an hour is an hour.

Chuck Ellsworth · Post by **Chuck Ellsworth** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:16 pm

Then the Cessna 170 would be a great choice.....can you out think a Cessna 170 Hedley?

Chuck Ellsworth · Post by **Chuck Ellsworth** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:17 pm

Check your PM's Doc.......

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:52 pm

Beech Stagger Wing.

Jungle Jim · Post by **Jungle Jim** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:51 pm

Look at a Stinson. Prices are reasonable and you will develop good aircraft handling skills.

Jim

Fresh Prince of King Air · Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:25 pm

C150.. Lots of them out there and they burn 4.5 gals an hour. Full flight and hull insurance is about $1200 a year.

Only about 20-30g's to buy.

tiggermoth · Post by **tiggermoth** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:30 pm

I bought a 1957 straight tail C-172. Excellent airplane. Decent load, cheap to operate, looks nice. I have actually found it to be a touch faster than the newer rear window cessna's, and a fair bit lighter on the controls.

JAHinYYC · Post by **JAHinYYC** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:00 pm

Alas, in the C150 I am too fat to take my bride along with me...

Fresh Prince of King Air wrote:C150.. Lots of them out there and they burn 4.5 gals an hour. Full flight and hull insurance is about $1200 a year.
Only about 20-30g's to buy.

JAHinYYC · Post by **JAHinYYC** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:01 pm

I thought about that, but the one to two year depreciation on a $600,000 twinstar would cost me more than 100-200hrs of rental in a multi.

Masta-Fred wrote:diamondstar cause their so cheap on gas?? u want twin time then the twinstar?? 3.4gph isnt it?

Inverted2 · Post by **Inverted2** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:48 pm

Good time to buy with the value of our dollar though. Check out http://www.barnstormers.com

Just about every kind of plane you can think of for sale there!

THEICEMAN · Post by **THEICEMAN** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:11 pm

Y buy an airplane?? Just pick up more hours instructing.....It cost O$

nite_owl · Post by **nite_owl** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:44 pm

I suggest a Stinson 108. Cessna 172 performance, 4 seats, great visibility, awesome floatplane, lots of parts and still supported through Univair. The nosewheel is where it belongs too! Be careful of the owner maintenance category. Yes you get to do your own maintenance but come time to sell it, don't expect people to pay what you think it should be worth. After all you've decertified it and the only way to reinstate that is to overhaul the big dollar bits!

Doc, a Staggerwing!!!! Sweet ride but it feeds on bank accounts. Gotta love starting that old 985 and having the smoke from those 3 stacks fill the wheel wells then the cockpit or..taxiing with the seatbelt loose so you can lift yourself out of the seat by the diagonal braced tubing in the front just to see around the corner of that big round cowling or flying with the window rolled down and the elbow out the side... those full span ailerons and their effortless feel. X winds come back to mind too. Not an airplane for the faint of heart.
Cheers,
Nite_Owl

who me ? · Post by **who me ?** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:45 am

I would suggest a C 170B , lots of parts are still out there if needed.
All metal.Very similar to the early 172, except a tailwheel of coures, 7.2 us gal/hr @ 105 Kts . The tailwheel experience will give you great aircraft handling experience, and respect for crosswinds.The speed will not be too much a factor if you are trying to go somewhere , and timebuilding, at the same time. The 170B with 6 x 800 tires is a reasonably good off strip plane as well.They go on skis , but floats are marginable unless you have a larger than standard engine.

Check out the International Cessna 170 association. http://www.cessna170.org/

bkn4thr · Post by **bkn4thr** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:24 pm

I see guys on our field buying 172's for more money than I want for my C180. A Cessna 180 can haul your fat ass plus 3 more fatasses ( I can say that cause mine is also fat at 260) plus what ever else you can fit in the doors. It travels along at at decent pace, 145 mph on wheels. Burns a little more gas, but will teach you something about using your feet. The reason some guys or gals buy 172's instead is because they are scared of their ability to fly something that may take a little more skill. My pic would be MY 1954 C180 which I have replaced with a 185. pm me for details.

matt777 · Post by **matt777** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:35 pm

Have you considered the advanced ultra-light side of things? We have a Flight Design CT which is head and shoulders above a 172. Plus it can carry A LOT for its weight...it will fly great with 500 lbs worth of people sitting in it. The downside is that it is only a two seater.