Moving to the USA - time to buy an airplane?

[Katamarino]

So, I've just been offered a job in Pennsylvania. I'm pretty sure I'll accept. This made me think; maybe I should buy an airplane!

It's a four year contract, so I don't feel the need to make a major investment. As it would be my first airplane, something cheap and simple would be good; but I'm IFR rated, so IFR capability would be nice. I saw this 150 for sale: 1968 CESSNA 150 Piston Single Aircraft For Sale At Controller.com (http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/CESSNA-150/1968-CESSNA-150/1227835.htm?)

I figure I could take myself, a light female passenger, full fuel, and 100lbs of baggage. More than enough for a typical trip which would be camping in the Appalachians or visiting friends in West Virginia. Maybe some times a trip up to Maine. Fying it back from California would be great fun, too! I am friendly with a good flight school and Cessna maintenance place on the same airfield that the 150 is at, so they could do the pre-buy for me.

So what do people, particularly Pilot DAR, think of the idea? If I really fall in love with it maybe I could ferry it back to Europe when the time comes :E

[BackPacker]

Can't help you with your question, but congratulations on being offered the job!

[172driver]

As BP - can't help with the a/c (although I would probably buy something a bit more substantial than a 150), but:

Congrats! Enjoy - I know you will.

:ok:

[fernytickles]

We have a 1955 C180, with an 0-470-U engine - all round great aeroplane. Good, solid cross country, stable IFR, load it up, take it to pancake breakfasts without busting the budget. It is at Sun & Fun right now, carrying 3 guys & all their camping gear. KOSH to KLAL in 7.5 hrs. Heading west next week. Plenty of spare parts & a great support network. It's a keeper!

Good website is Barnstormers.com

[B2N2]

How about a 1974 Piper Archer for $32,500?
1974 Piper Archer 180HP 130 KTAS cruise 1974 Piper Archer 180HP 130 KTAS cruise | eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-Piper-Archer-180HP-130-KTAS-cruise-/110849525067?pt=Motors_Aircraft&hash=item19cf25854b)

[stickandrudderman]

Don't forget that over there experimental stuff can be IFR so your choices of a/c are significantly greater than here in Europe.

[sccutler]

Great idea. Right now, as weak as the US Dollar is, you can buy a plane for about the price of a good dinner in Euroland.

I agree with what is noted above- that does look like a nice 150, but for the money you can get a lot more airplane, something with more utility and which will likely be easier to re-sell later. Planes you can get now for $30k were twice that amount six years ago, and that was when we had a legitimate currency, too.

If you want to explore possibilities and meet some good US GA pilots and resources, drop in at Pilots of America (http://www.PilotsOfAmerica.com) and introduce yourself.

Good luck!

[AdamFrisch]

Of course you should!

As you know, owning and flying in the US is great. Get a capable machine, though, with the long distances. Just ferrying back from Cali means you'll have to hit both the Sierra Nevadas and the Rocky Mountains and there's no way to get around them much lower than 10.000ft, even way down south. If you can afford something a little bigger and faster, maybe an odd type so as to save a bit of money, you should probably think about it. Not that there's anything wrong with a 150 - I love those little aircraft. Gentle and forgiving. Just not the best cross country aircraft.

Just in case, an old Bonanza is not much more than a high spec 152. An old Mooney neither. Grumman AA5? Musketeer?

1956 Beechcraft Bonanza, G35 Lots of Mods!Great Avionics,Super price!$27,995.00! 1956 Beechcraft Bonanza, G35 Lots of Mods!Great Avionics,Super price!$27,995.00! | eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1956-Beechcraft-Bonanza-G35-Lots-Mods-Great-Avionics-Super-price-27-995-00-/320878610414?pt=Motors_Aircraft&hash=item4ab5db07ee#ht_865wt_1167)

Or if you're high wing - Cardinal, 172 or 175? Lark?

It's a nice problem to have;)

[englishal]

I'd buy something like a Vans RV6. In the USA these can be IFR certified, if you are limited in cash?

Oterhwise a Commander 115TC :D

[A and C]

Just as in the UK there will be people telling you that you can buy aircraft for very low prices.......................But you will have little engine life, old avionics, worn paint, and just about all the rest will be worn almost to limits.

In the UK at the moment there are two aircraft markets, the one you see in the papers were you can buy a C152 or the like for £16K and the market that you wont see were a C152 that is fully sortted and ready to do a years hard work trades for £35K to those who know the costs involved in getting aircraft into a reliable state.

The best advice I can give is to get the aircraft inspected by a mecaninc who knows the type, only then can you go in with your eyes open as to the real cost of ownership.

[Genghis the Engineer]

For that spec, I think I'd look to something a little more capable than a C150. At the very least a C172 PA28 or BE23, but you could I also agree look at what's available in the experimental category.

Best thing is get there, get to know the local flying clubs, and ask around - the locals will know what are the good aeroplanes available for the sort of flying that you want to do.

But the basic principle of buying a basic aeroplane as personal recreation and transport for the 4 years you'll be there - good idea. Although again, once you're there, you'll have a feel for what the local rental availability is, and it's worth scouting that out before you commit to buying.

G

[Katamarino]

Now you've got me going...

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/Single+Engine+Piston/1976/Bellanca/17-30A+Super+Viking/1512608.html

[Katamarino]

Indeed, the Viking might be a bit much. This 172 is rather nice though!

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/Single+Engine+Piston/1973/Cessna/172M+Skyhawk/1450792.html

[Genghis the Engineer]

Looking on that Trade-A-Plane website I can see several BE23 Musketeers for under US$30k, which I'd regard as a pleasant and thoroughly practical touring aeroplane.

G

[Ultranomad]

Musketeers are slow indeed. An O-320 one I flew (model A23-19) cruised at 88-90 kts.
Their good side is ergonomics of the cockpit: good visibility, nice panel, and very comfortable seats.