rotated
16th Aug 2002, 07:22
I'm finally getting ready to leave Japan once and for all, returning to the States this fall. The ten years here has been ten years basically out of the GA loop, as there is only ONE privately owned Cessna here in our small town, shared amongst 16 of us. Needless to say trying to get any flying time is practically an excercise in futility, especially as I am low man on the totem pole, so to speak...
At US$120 a prorated hour, though, the hours I haven't been spending in the air have allowed me to save a bit toward buying my own plane. I have been exploring what is available in the $15-20,000 range, hoping to own the thing straight up from the beginning.
With such a budget, my choices are obviously limited. I'm not very excited about a beat 150-152. Much more appealing would be a 140 (found one in nice shape, metal wings); I have also come across an only slightly tired C65 J3 in that general range, and a few relatively clean Taylorcraft. Some aerobatic ability is what I'm hoping for, as I plan to fly for sport, no real regular cross-country stuff. Two seats is plenty, as Mrs. R is not especially fond of small aircraft (at least as a passenger, she admires from afar); second perch is reserved for my son. I am rather hoping for an older taildragger, but I have heard the cost of some spares needed for these described as "breathtaking". No good to buy something that seems affordable only to find a year or two down the road that I'm grounded (again), out of budget for some annual or...heaven forbid...an OOPS.
Any helpful advice would certainly be welcome.
At US$120 a prorated hour, though, the hours I haven't been spending in the air have allowed me to save a bit toward buying my own plane. I have been exploring what is available in the $15-20,000 range, hoping to own the thing straight up from the beginning.
With such a budget, my choices are obviously limited. I'm not very excited about a beat 150-152. Much more appealing would be a 140 (found one in nice shape, metal wings); I have also come across an only slightly tired C65 J3 in that general range, and a few relatively clean Taylorcraft. Some aerobatic ability is what I'm hoping for, as I plan to fly for sport, no real regular cross-country stuff. Two seats is plenty, as Mrs. R is not especially fond of small aircraft (at least as a passenger, she admires from afar); second perch is reserved for my son. I am rather hoping for an older taildragger, but I have heard the cost of some spares needed for these described as "breathtaking". No good to buy something that seems affordable only to find a year or two down the road that I'm grounded (again), out of budget for some annual or...heaven forbid...an OOPS.
Any helpful advice would certainly be welcome.