Navion

[allisonh]

Hi, I'm Allison Hunter, I'm 24 and in my 3rd. year of med school, I own a Cessna 172 I use to commute weekly to school, I have 1,600 hours total time including a Cessna 310 R, AA5B, Cessna 150, And a Cherokee 140.

I got a test ride in a Navion yesterday and loved it. I have seen several for sale with low airframe and engine times. My question is, why are they priced so low for an airplane? Even the 140 is going for 70K, and my 172 is worth 75 to 80K. I've seen good looking low time Navions priced for 28K to 56K.

All I can gather from asking other people is that they are excellent, stable airplanes with good performing engines.

[Pilot DAR]

Hi Allison,

Welcome to PPRuNe.

I think you'll find that good an aircraft as a Navion is, they're getting a little old to be appreciated for the good aircraft that they are. I've never heard anything bad said about them, just that such an aircraft would become a labour of love from a maintenance standpoint. They were designed in an era when "heavy and tough" were good, now it's more "light and economical". Some of the Navions are equpped with engine models which are not so well supported any more.

I think the Navion may not be your best choice for the next plane, as it sounds like you have other interests. Enjoy the C172, and maybe aim at a Cardinal, 182 or 210, they're better known...

Cheers, Pilot DAR

[allisonh]

Thank you, to fly that Navion was to love it. I love my 172, but would like something a little faster. I commute from Ft. Walton Beach to Lando on a weekly basis. The Navion prices seemed pretty low for airplanes and I was wondering about them, I'm going to look at an AA5B when I get back to Orlando tomorrow, but it seems to be priced much higher than the Navions I've seen listed.

[allisonh]

Dad has a 310R that I'm rated in and have 200 hours solo time, but I don't want something that expensive to fly and maintain.

I guess I'm at the age where I want something fast and sporty looking. The 172 seems to just plod along.

[allisonh]

Would the Rangemaster be a better choice of the Navion family?

[TheGorrilla]

Hi, I'm Allison Hunter, I'm 24 and in my 3rd. year of med school, I own a Cessna 172

Blimey!! That's good going!

[Brian Abraham]

Allison, while the Navion is a fine aircraft some things to consider,
1. Its an old aircraft, most built in 1946 or 1947
2. Parts availability
3. Only 345 on the FAA register, so rare and maintenance shops that know the aircraft/systems would be few and far between
4. Go for some thing more mainstream - Bonanza, Mooney, 182RG

Get in touch with Navion Society Home, they mention a book authored by Dan Brodie "WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A NAVION."

[Pilot DAR]

Allison,

The 310R is great, but very expensive to operate. I have had landing gear problems with the one I used to fly.

The Grumman AA5 is a great plane, but though faster than your 172, otherwise not much better. They are more challenging (expensive) to repair in some cases, if damaged, than your average Cessna.

Have a look at Cessna 172, 177 or 182 RG. I particularly like the 182 RG, fast, easy on gas for it's speed, carries a great load, and get out of short strips well (watch going in though!). Make sure that the gear AD has had terminating action if you're looking to buy one. Piper Turbo Arrow 3 or 4 are also worth a look.

Avoid the Navion at this stage in your flying career, not that it's a bad plane, but it will consume more of your time and money than the others to do the same job, and will not be as predicable for operating costs.

If you just can't resist the older exotic types, go fly a Bellanca Viking before you settle. I put 30 hours on one last year, and remain in love with them, though they also have maintenance challenges, and can be difficult to pre purchase inspect well.

Have fun in the AA5...

Cheers, Pilot DAR

[aviate1138]

Go for what your heart says and that is a Navion. There will be a number of Navion 'geeks' you can contact. Don't buy the first one you see, take a little time, you will not regret owning a machine that you feel comfortable in. OK it will need loving care and attention but that is half the fun. Buy something different and next time you see a Navion you will wish to hell you had bought one.

Keep us posted!

Just Googling 'Navion' brings up some impressive sites!

Navion Factory: Home
Navion Society Home
Navion Skies

[Duchess_Driver]

Avoid the Navion at this stage in your flying career, not that it's a bad plane, but it will consume more of your time and money than the others to do the same job, and will not be as predicable for operating costs.

Errrrhhhhhh......1600hrs TT 200 ME......flying regularly.......sounds about enough experience from where I'm sitting.....I know people with a lot less TT and (seemingly) a lot less sense who handle far more challenging a/c that have an equal amount if not more 'maintenance' challenges!

Oh the style, romance, character, nostalgia......bring on the Navion.

[madlandrover]

If you just can't resist the older exotic types, go fly a Bellanca Viking before you settle.

Very true - the speed it gets from what looks like a relatively inefficient airframe (eg the tailplane struts) goes to show that looks aren't everything. I wouldn't have one over a decent Lance/Saratoga though, mainly because I found the Viking quite cramped on the short LHS flight I had in it, whereas the Lance I spend a certain amount of time teaching in has that bit more space in the front to relax in. Maybe something to do with Bellanca's design where the seat changes height at the same time as reach - clever, but might take getting used to. Nice and simple aircraft to handle.

I just prefer the size/speed of the PA32 (140+ KTAS at 14-15GPH), although 6 seats may rather exceed the OPs needs/wants. Does sound like something like a Turbo Arrow would do the job.

[BackPacker]

Allison, carefully consider your needs before swapping in the 172 for something else. You say you commute weekly from home to med school. I'm sort of assuming that you have no desire for a commercial flying career, but you're flying now because of the commute. In that case get a commuter airplane: one that's simple to operate, simple to maintain and has a high reliability record. The 172 can probably repaired with just a hammer, some duck tape and a leatherman, and spare parts abound. That's what you need right now.

If you're looking for something more flashy because you think that goes well with your age, let me tell you that most of your friends probably think you're cool enough already for owning a plane and knowing how to fly it. And your 100 knots is a lot faster than what they can legally do on the highway in their flashy cars anyway.

A commute is a commute... It's a drag no matter how long it takes. But it's worse when you can't commute because your mode of transport is down and you're waiting for spare parts to arrive from some volunteer owners club half a country away. One day of downtime at the wrong moment costs much, much more time than shaving five minutes off a commute each week.

[julian_storey]

I'm 24 and in my 3rd. year of med school, I own a Cessna 172

Are you married?

[reallynoidea]

Have you thought of 'Experimentals' Allison?
RV's for example are fast, aerobatic even... Or, living where you do, how about a seaplane?
cheers
Chris

[Pace]

The Grumman Tiger was an excellent aircraft. Fixed pitch, fixed gear yet cruised at 128 kts IAS. It also had the benefit of good views from the slide canopy which you could open in hot weather for taxi or even in flight a few inches.

If you want low cost and faster still consider a Mooney. 150 kts, good on fuel, strong and stable an excellent IFR platform. Downside a little cramped but comfortable once your in.

Pace