Which Plane?

[DClarkson1]

I'm sure all answers are on here somewhere so please direct me...but after a 4 year absence I am flying again. I am a UK PPL with expired FAA IR. I am assessing which plane to purchase if I were to fly again. I have owned numerous planes in the past from Piper Arrow to SR20 to C210 to C340 to PA46 with others in between. In order of priority I am looking for

- safety
- 150+ knots speed
- grass field capability of 800m (I live a mile from one but a tarmac 1800m is a 30min drive away)
- reasonable on going maintenance and running costs
- something easy to resell (recognizing planes aren't the most liquid assets)
- nothing too ancient
- 900 mile trip capability with max 1 stop (I have a house near Tarbes but most flying will be in UK)


I only really need 4 seats and I have discounted anything turbo due maintenance/running costs and typical cruising altitude being less than 10,000 ft. I also want something with modern avionics, I have upgraded panels in the past and would rather someone else take the depreciation hit this time. Finally would have to be at least a 1990's airframe.

Planes I am considering include earlier Cirrus SR22 (I like speed but lacks grass capability, maintenance may be high, and I like the parachute - but dislike slow speed handling if like SR20 - also if I go Cirrus at all it would be SR22 rather than SR20), Beech 36 or 33 (speed and grass field but boy they cost a lot for older airframe and heard maintenance expensive), Diamond DA40 XLS (safety great, believe can do 800m grass field, maintenance reasonable but 150 knots may be a push), Socata TB20 GT(reasonably modern, reasonably safe, reasonable speed - not sure if excels at anything but I'm not informed enough to really comment).

Budget is realistically $250k max but would really rather spend less! I'd also consider sharing.

So anyone got real world experience of any of above or want to suggest something else.

Again, if all my questions are answered elsewhere please just point me in the right forum direction!

[A and C]

Add the Rockwell 114 to the list for consideration, you can't slide a cigarette paper between it and the TB20 in terms of performance. ( but IMO it is a nicer aircraft to fly ).

[Genghis the Engineer]

Don't know if this old Cirrus thread is of any value?

http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/551691-more-informed-thoughts-cirrus.html

G

[DClarkson1]

Thanks for both posts!

[The Ancient Geek]

Cessna 210 if you can find a nice one.

[foxmoth]

RV10 - if you can find one!

[Prophead]

Find a nice RV10.

[john ball]

Yes, RV10 as it is on the LAA permit and will save you thousands in maintenance over a Cirrus, TB20, 114 etc etc as you can do it all yourself and get to know your aircraft intimately, rather than just sending it to the maintenance organisation. IMO part of the joy of ownership is the love and care you put into looking after the aircraft.

[Genghis the Engineer]

But will need overflight permissions for flights outside the UK, and can't be flown night or IMC / IFR.

G

[john ball]

France is OK for LAA homebuilts and very soon they are going to be authorised for IMC and night.

[Jan Olieslagers]

very soon they are going to be authorised for IMC and night.

In France or in UK or both? Any sources?

[foxmoth]

Certainly in the UK, not sure what the situation elsewhere will be, AIUI all the actual work has been done, just waiting on final approval.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Turweston has dragged its heels over IMC and night for PtF aeroplanes for so long, I really wouldn't want to put a certainty or a timescale on it.

G

[horizon flyer]

From a performance point would a 250 Comanche fit your needs. Goes fast with speed mods goes even faster. I don't think there is any single today that can beat it and it has range trouble is a bit old. Believe there was a South African company making a composite copy don't know if still around.

[john ball]

I owned with a group a Comanche 260B at Biggin, G-AVGA. it was a lovely machine to fly and certainly faster than either a TB20 or Rockwell 114. Very comfortable with a large space between the left to right four seats. As well as having two extra small seats. It could land and takeoff in surprisingly short fields. Only problem was its age and running costs. We could easily do Biggin to Cannes in one go taking about 4 hours and at a throttled back more economical 140kts at 55% power. It would do 160kts at 75% power. But that was 15 years ago --- with increased fuel and maintenance costs, i could not afford that anymore !!!

[dirkdj]

I can only state that I have owned a BE36 for 43 years since new. It is very economical to maintain since it is so well built. It has a high resale value and is still in production.
The sweet spot are the mid 1970's to early 1980's models. I would not buy a G36 since you are married to the G1000 which is a nice system today but maybe no longer in ten years. The G1000 is part of the airframe certification and you cannot just remove or update it without Textron involvement. The older models can be equipped with anything on the market. There are lots of STC's available from turbonormalizer, to TKS FIKI to tiptanks, airco etc.

[ChickenHouse]

When we were looking with a similar profile we ended up in sharing a Jetprop DLX, a stunning bird and as fractional share within your budget.

[DirtyProp]

How about a nice Robin?
Not a rocket, but a pretty good all-around aircraft.

[tdbristol]

Hi,

I have sent you a message about a DA40.

Regards,

TD

[27/09]

From a performance point would a 250 Comanche fit your needs. Goes fast with speed mods goes even faster. I don't think there is any single today that can beat it and it has range trouble is a bit old. Believe there was a South African company making a composite copy don't know if still around.

From what I've heard the Comanche is still a very competitive aircraft by todays standards. Like any second hand aircraft there can be higher than normal expenses to start with depending on how well the previous owner maintained it.

However the the is the Raven, it has pretty impressive specs Ravin Aircraft (http://saravin.com/Specifications.html)

[horizon flyer]

DClarkson1 27/09 This is the aircraft I was thinking about I believe there was an article about in Pilot/Flyer some years ago. Working on the figure if I am correct with full tank, 160usg = approx. 1000lbs it then becomes almost a pilot only aircraft, good for ferrying reduce fuel to 800nm range and it becomes a good for 4 seat aircraft. Many of the aircraft mention are only 2 to 3 seats at max range which may be down to 500nm and their cruise speeds are in the 120/130kt range. So if you want 4 seats some baggage 150kt and 800nm it takes at least 250hp if not, 300hp I don't think if can done on 200hp. The biggest Robin can lift over it's own weight but is wood and fabric and down in the 120/30kt range, so a comprise may be needed in one of the requirements.