Buying first family airplane.

[Denti]

Always love the F33. It has a somewhat shorter fuselage than the A36, but only four seats which makes for great leg room in the second row. Very comfy to sleep on those long cruise sectors.

Helped a friend buy one in top maintained form last year for 80k€ in northern germany. Only had pretty old avionics in there though so he installed around 15 to 20k of new glass stuff and got a state of the art IFR platform now. Yes, it eats quite a bit of fuel, but considering its build quality, speed and load capacity it is still quite good.

[peterh337]

Being totally impartial I would buy a TB20GT.

Similar price to a decent SR22, parts are not an issue at all, and it is really nice to fly.

Not made of plastic, too

[englishal]

Did anyone ask a budget? If you are super wealthy then perhaps a GV or Falcon 2000....?

[AC-DC]

Pilot DER wrote:

Code:

The afore mentioned types are good choices, though I'm weary of the 1960's and 70's Pipers these days. I have first hand experience with parts shortages, and resulting permanently grounded aircraft. A Piper tech rep in Florida said the following to me, in respect of a Seneca I:

"Sir, that's a 40 year old plane, and we [Piper] have not seen it for 40 years. We really don't want it in the air any more."

If that reflects Piper policy with respect to their legacy aircraft, I would not consider buying one. Too much risk you might need a part, and not be able to get it. I have just declared a 1967 Arrow with really minor corrosion to be beyond economical repair, due to the large effort to change out, and poor availability of, major structural parts.

From within Piper we were told that they will start to produce parts for their old legacyaircraft. We were told that they will make the tools and what ever it takes. I guess that the economy caused a change of heart. I own a Comanche and think that this is one of the best aircraft out there.

[AC-DC]

PA24

Big Pistons.

I own a Comanche for many years, never had a problem with parts, any parts. Indeed, some are hard to find but you will find them. Even more, there are many STC/PMA to support the aircraft and now Piper starts to re-produce. As for load, my gross is 3200lbs, empty 1911lbs, useful 1289lbs. Full fuel is 90gl. Consumption is 12gl/h @ 140kts indicated at 2500'. We took off 4 people (not slim), full fuel and luggage for a smart weekend and still were within limits.

Code:

Commanches are lovely, but isn't it just a powerful archer? Little bit cramped for longer flights

Don’t believe anything you hear in the club, too many experts, not lots of knowledge.

[Jabawocky]

RV10 and IFR.........NO PROBLEM.

You have something wrong over there?



Time to fix your CAA

We have 550 hrs on this wonderful machine, it carries a good load, fast and LOP where we run it, trues around 160 knots on about 40-41 LPH.

Equipped with dual power circuits, redundant EFIS system, GNS530W, integrated AP, ADSB, and integrated stormscope she is a perfect SE IFR platform.

If you can't do this where you live I really feel for you

[Jabawocky]

Certified stuff

Ok, fixed gear...... C182 or even a C206, big payload and maybe too big.

Retract, V35B.....sexy as, or the Piper Tailed version the F33A. A nice 260 Commanche is hard to beat

[seat 0A]

Does it need to be a single? I own a share in one of these and it will take 4 adults for a 4 hour flight at 155 IAS at 16 GPH. Half the price of a BE36, less running costs and the safety of a twin. (let's not start the debate on that again)