Which plane to buy..

[Mark 1]

Apex will tell you that they live fine outside. This is possibly true if they are flying almost every day, but prolonged outside parking will likely cause eventual degradation of the woodwork, especially vulnerable areas like the trailing edges, stern post etc..

Hangarage wasn't raised as an issue in the original post, and even a cheapish polytunnel shelter would be sufficient adding less than £3K to the budget.

[Dicky5]

Depends on the budget...

I bought an old PA28 (a 180C to be precise) last year for sub £30k and am very pleased. The "old" wing seems to lift very well, I operate from a 600m grass strip with pylons near to one end and never have an issue, even when hot; I can do 120kts all day at 30 to 33 Ltrs/ hr, and up to 135kts if I need to. I can lift 480kg, so 4 x 13 st people plus full fuel. Also much more stable than a Jodel / Robin type esp in imc bouncy stuff. Really great plane, totally reliable, can leave ourdoors with cover and parts / maintenance are good value, I think of it as a "Ford Escort" of the sky, similar to the C 172 in that respect but I think cheaper to buy.

Happy hunting!

[A and C]

All you have to do is keep the rain off a Robin DR400 A pollytunnel would be just fine as long as it had lots of ventilation.

At one time I had a DR400-140 on a 370M farm strip but it could not lift a full payload off the strip, 500M would have solved all the payload problems.

[S-Works]

Originally Posted by A and C

All you have to do is keep the rain off a Robin DR400 A pollytunnel would be just fine as long as it had lots of ventilation.
At one time I had a DR400-140 on a 370M farm strip but it could not lift a full payload off the strip, 500M would have solved all the payload problems.

Which goes back to a Cessna my 172 will if its full payload of 1000lb out 370m and so would a 182. Robin's are wonderfull aircraft though, the cranked wing is very efficient.

[S-Works]

Originally Posted by stray10level

130kn cruise, 5 or 6 pax, operate from a 50 meter strip! Runs on Jet A1 or whatever you want to call it at half the price of mogas, or just ordinary petrol as most people know it! Maintenance is a bit more of a grey area. But as IO540 says, a new piece of kit wont cost half as much as a decrepit old banger will, so it wont be too much if you keep it all upto date. Plus you get to up your street cred by having a chopper to play with Should impress the girleys!
I'm sorry, but did you mention budget? Well £150k should get you a working example i think!

Your having a laugh! 95kts with load 110kts at a push 2 up. It just sounds nice. But a lot to pay for a nice noise!

[grasspirate]

Originally Posted by bose-x

Which goes back to a Cessna my 172 will if its full payload of 1000lb out 370m and so would a 182. Robin's are wonderfull aircraft though, the cranked wing is very efficient.

Thanks for your reply. Just checked on Cessna's website and it appears that the 172 cannot lift 1000 lb, but a bit less than 900lb.

[grasspirate]

Originally Posted by Dicky5

I bought an old PA28 (a 180C to be precise) last year for sub £30k and am very pleased. The "old" wing seems to lift very well, I operate from a 600m grass strip with pylons near to one end and never have an issue, even when hot; I can do 120kts all day at 30 to 33 Ltrs/ hr, and up to 135kts if I need to. I can lift 480kg, so 4 x 13 st people plus full fuel. Also much more stable than a Jodel / Robin type esp in imc bouncy stuff. Really great plane, totally reliable, can leave ourdoors with cover and parts / maintenance are good value, I think of it as a "Ford Escort" of the sky, similar to the C 172 in that respect but I think cheaper to buy.

Happy hunting!

Thanks for your reply, is your plane retractable ?

[rug-rats]

Hi have you thought about the Jabiru J400? go to http://www.jabiru.co.uk/aircraft/aircraft_range.htm click on the J 400 scroll down to the comparison with a Cessna 172, it comes out quite well

[grasspirate]

Thanks rug-rats. Just checked on the website. It doesnt have the payload required unfortunately.

[Rod1]

The DR400 180 would tick all the boxes, with a useful load of about 1080 lb.

Rod1

[FullyFlapped]

Cessna 210 will eat the load/distance/speed criteria for breakfast ...

FF

[tangovictor]

Originally Posted by A and C

All you have to do is keep the rain off a Robin DR400 A pollytunnel would be just fine as long as it had lots of ventilation.
At one time I had a DR400-140 on a 370M farm strip but it could not lift a full payload off the strip, 500M would have solved all the payload problems.

re the pollytunnel, don't they require planning permission now ?

[172driver]

Originally Posted by FullyFlapped

Cessna 210 will eat the load/distance/speed criteria for breakfast ...
FF

absolutley correct.... and I even know one for sale (not mine, alas).

[grasspirate]

Thanks for your suggestion. Will this P210 be easy to maintain/insure and will it run on 96UL ?

[FullyFlapped]

Thanks for your suggestion. Will this P210 be easy to maintain/insure and will it run on 96UL ?

Ummmm ... no, and no, unfortunately !

And a P210 is the pressurised version ... even more trouble and expense !!

FF

[IFollowRailways]

Which Plane?

A Rallye 235E will do all of this with the possible exception of the fuel grade. I believe the 235 is a low compression engine, but not sure that it has been stc'd for mogas.
Yes - I know they can corrode, but I own a Rallye 180Gt (MS-893E) fitted with a wobbly prop and can honestly say I have had more FUN flying it than any of it's predecessors (Assorted Cherokee's, Turbo Arrow, Commander 114). When light/bit of a breeze, I can take off and land from the grass in front of my hangar instead of taxying to the runway! With the vp prop I can cruise at 118 Kts (24 Sq) although if I'm not in a rush I tend to go at 105 kts with 2350rpm, 21" manifold as I am getting tight in my old age and this uses around 30 litres/Hour verses 40 litres at the higher setting.

[IO540]

I think a lot of planes will do this job, except the MOGAS bit.