Although a little pricey the Socata Trinidad is a great little plane. Also still a few Rockwell 112/4s floating around which may fit the bill

Pricey yes but heck, what other options are there…..172/182….210?

Rather a nice Bo or a retard vehicle, but they don't fit the bill. :ok:

Hi Jab,

I think the decision may well be to repaint so it looks 'smicko', and as time permits, upgrade the Txpdr to Mode S, and maybe later, a little little bit of glass
maybe.
I still prefer the 6-pack (Old Habits die hard...) and most charter acft that the wannabees will fly will be similar I reckon.

Donk is good, and SIDS all done.

Interesting exercise though....sometimes as has been said,
'The only replacement for a DC-3 is........

Similarly the ole 'Cutlass'...for now.

Cheers :ok:

Well Griffo, I have scratched my head something chronic over the last few days, trying to think of a viable alternative to your RG. Honestly, I think you are bang on the money when you say another one will be the best replacement. Everything else I can find will either be too complex for CPL students, to costly to run, purchase or maintain, or is simply not suited to the role or has added and less obvious considerations. A recently refurbished 172 RG realy is the best candidate. A rather sad indictment of the progress in GA aircraft manufacturing over the last 30 years.

Thanks for the head scratching Mate.

A 'panel' of us couldn't come up with anything we could afford and which would do the job either.

And for the CPL wannabees, the job they go to initially, will, no doubt, be of the same vintage - and will have a 6-pack!
So, they might as well get used to it.

As much as the new 'computer whiz kids' get excited over lots of 'glass',
in the real world of 210's and the like, it ain't gunna happen....generally speaking.

Still, I'll continue to 'scratch away', you never know.....??

Cheers :ok:

How about the Pipistrel Panthera. Only thing you can't do is shade yourself under the wing, but you will still look cool!

Ah yes.. The great C172RG gutless Cutless! Lots of fun trips that I've had in those over the years!


One that I particularly remember was flying in FCV during 1998 from overhead Eucla to YFRT. Best groundspeed available that day was 85Kts at 500'..

I love the Rockwell commander 114. Built like the proverbial brick outhouse, particularly now the wing problems are sorted.

IO540 engine, big cabin, plenty of weight lifting capability, a really nice aeroplane with a really great pedigree.

There are some in the US which have been tarted up with flash new panels etc and they look really nice.

So what is wrong with a Mooney? I see Fred Gassit made the suggestion but no one has commented. Are they just a private toy or good for the odd charter too? I see the newies have two doors but most have one door which could be a hassle. The price on second hand ones does look attractive.

Nothing really except they are a bit labour intensive to open up for maintenance and I'm not sure how well they would handle stalling in from from 10 ft with their rubber donuts for springs. The Cessnas seem to manage OK. Don't ask me how I know.

Hi Bob,

A certain 'local' mob having a lot of trouble with their Mooneys, costing lots of money, corrosion in wing spars, not good.....still, they must have paid for themselves by now....

Cheers :ok:

General Avia F22.
https://photos.flightaware.com/photo...22b2f81111816f

sure, it cant lift 4 big blokes, but for a CPL aerobatic trainer...

i know, not a serious replacement for a 172Rg, but just as a trainer.