Best Plane for New Pilot
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: canada
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I have used AA1 and AA5B for business travel in North for thousands of hours. The Tiger (AA5B but NOT AG5B) fits your bill and does a fantastic job as a 2+2. There is an extremely good aftermarket and community in support, and you have one good shop nearby and a second not far away. Just for comparison: I have left one slot behind a 200HP Arrow on a two hour flight and landed destination well ahead. They are a LOT faster than P/C spam cans, and (from running light a/c maint business) much cheaper to maintain. Also with your budget can be modified to go even faster. AuCountry Aviation, Grumman Tigers and Cheetahs for reference.
I am not very familiar with the Da20 and 40, but they, too fit your budget and speed range. only the 20 with Continental will meet your speed and fuel consumption requirements, and can not see why you would not want to fly it IFR (especailly later model glass panel). An AA1 with 0-320 mod will come very close as well for a lot less $$$$.
I am not very familiar with the Da20 and 40, but they, too fit your budget and speed range. only the 20 with Continental will meet your speed and fuel consumption requirements, and can not see why you would not want to fly it IFR (especailly later model glass panel). An AA1 with 0-320 mod will come very close as well for a lot less $$$$.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Completely agree with the above. I have a similar (UK) requirement to commute occasionally although formation and aeros and fondness dictated by Bulldog. But I have a number of hours in the Aquila doing local and long distance flights and can't recommend it high enough. However, if it is available in the USA (don't see why not it's German) it (to my knowledge) is only night VFR, not IFR. Has no heated pitot tube for example although I've flown instrument approaches in it (in VFR) and it's an exceptionally stable aircraft. Rotax with constant speed prop, cockpit is extremely ergonomically designed and the seats are perhaps the most comfortable I've flown on in my 25 years of flying.
AQUILA Aviation GmbH - Flugzeuge mit Leidenschaft - Aquila A 211
AQUILA Aviation GmbH - Flugzeuge mit Leidenschaft - Aquila A 211
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In the boot of my car!
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The Aquila looks beautiful its a shame they cannot certify an IFR capable version
Its his first aircraft purchase and the Aquila looks great but what is the purchase price of one?
Just through interest no mention of a BRS? This was a major selling point on the Cirrus and always thought this would be the safety way forward for all new design aircraft especially quality aircraft like the Aquila
Pace
Its his first aircraft purchase and the Aquila looks great but what is the purchase price of one?
Just through interest no mention of a BRS? This was a major selling point on the Cirrus and always thought this would be the safety way forward for all new design aircraft especially quality aircraft like the Aquila
Pace
Join Date: Jan 2009
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jon152, new to flying, but not short of moola. I lived in Berkely California a very long time ago. Never did any flying west of Oklahoma....but nobody on this thread has mentioned what I do remember about your weather in central California. It can be hot hot hot.
Having flown a fair bit in Florida, it is jolly nice to have a high wing aircraft, more shade. Some types you can fly with the windows or doors open, even better.
They fly banner planes down the beach with all the cowlings removed, and the pilots quite comfortable in their bathing costumes!
If you are trapped into a low wing aircraft with only a small vent opening, you can, at lower levels, get rather warm. Anybody here know of a small affordable aircraft with air conditioning? ....
Though it is much cooler the higher you fly, unless you have an instrument rating and a sealed aircraft, I believe access to above 18,000 is restricted in the US.... (in a glider, I did manage 20,300 in Scotland, in wave) though gain of height attempts over the mountains in a glider can be arranged in the US 24 hours in advance..... The chap who did the US height record, Robert Harris, went to 49,000. He got in a bit of trouble with the FAA because its not always possible to predict the right weather 24 hours in advance.....
Having flown a fair bit in Florida, it is jolly nice to have a high wing aircraft, more shade. Some types you can fly with the windows or doors open, even better.
They fly banner planes down the beach with all the cowlings removed, and the pilots quite comfortable in their bathing costumes!
If you are trapped into a low wing aircraft with only a small vent opening, you can, at lower levels, get rather warm. Anybody here know of a small affordable aircraft with air conditioning? ....
Though it is much cooler the higher you fly, unless you have an instrument rating and a sealed aircraft, I believe access to above 18,000 is restricted in the US.... (in a glider, I did manage 20,300 in Scotland, in wave) though gain of height attempts over the mountains in a glider can be arranged in the US 24 hours in advance..... The chap who did the US height record, Robert Harris, went to 49,000. He got in a bit of trouble with the FAA because its not always possible to predict the right weather 24 hours in advance.....
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Anybody here know of a small affordable aircraft with air conditioning? ....
I'm fascinated by this fascination with speed. What for ? If you want to go fast, jump on a commercial.
GA is generally about the pleasure of flight. Going slowly means more time to see things and appreciate the beauty around you and put more time in your log book.
Get in a slow beastie with big tanks and have a look at what's going on.
GA is generally about the pleasure of flight. Going slowly means more time to see things and appreciate the beauty around you and put more time in your log book.
Get in a slow beastie with big tanks and have a look at what's going on.
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I'm fascinated by this fascination with speed. What for ? If you want to go fast, jump on a commercial.
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Re 27. Despite all precautions, how does sudden onset bad weather figure in that ?
As for the OP, well he has already said that he will be driving when flying is not realistic.
Which brings me back to my original point about the value of commercial flights, now with the added impetus of poor weather !
I envy your IR. Not too many of them around at LAA level. I believe that you'll get your wish - LAA IFR approval.
I envy your IR. Not too many of them around at LAA level. I believe that you'll get your wish - LAA IFR approval.
Join Date: Dec 1999
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I think once IFR for LAA is approved you will see more people getting the basic IR.
As for commercial, not really worth it in the UK unless you are traveling from the S of the U.K. up to Scotland or similar distance and I would think the same applies in the USA, by the time you have driven, parked, checked in, waited, flown, disembarked, then got a taxi to destination (which may be further from a commercial airport than a smaller regional one), you may as well have driven in the first place - probably more so in the USA where roads are less congested!
As for commercial, not really worth it in the UK unless you are traveling from the S of the U.K. up to Scotland or similar distance and I would think the same applies in the USA, by the time you have driven, parked, checked in, waited, flown, disembarked, then got a taxi to destination (which may be further from a commercial airport than a smaller regional one), you may as well have driven in the first place - probably more so in the USA where roads are less congested!
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Capt Kremmen;
There's a surprising number of IR's at LAA level. I used to belong to a ten member Jodel syndicate and eight members held ATPL/IR.
An awful lot of us who fly big stuff for a living also fly LAA types, some to keep their hands in, some (like me) because we just love proper flying. I often fly my LAA type to work, leave it in a company hangar and head off at M.86 and FL nose bleed, or get into a company helicopter and spend my day running rich people to meetings.
I'd bet good money that a check on the LAA membership would reveal the most common job of the members as airline/commercial pilot. I've spent the last couple of days with our CAA Ops Inspector, much of the time in the evenings was spent talking about getting some engine parts for his LAA type, and arranging to visit a couple of fly-ins this year. One area we really agreed on was that flying when we want, rather than when the company says is much more fun.
Back to the thread. For the OP go AA5 series. I haven't flown one for a while, but have around 300 hours on them, and I love them. If I could get a good one, or a share in a good one I'd buy it and put up with all the certificated hassle that comes with it in EASA land. A friend has one which he has had for 20 years and would never part with, that is a good reccomendation. He regularly flies IFR when he needs to, but mostly enjoys VFR wandering.
SND
There's a surprising number of IR's at LAA level. I used to belong to a ten member Jodel syndicate and eight members held ATPL/IR.
An awful lot of us who fly big stuff for a living also fly LAA types, some to keep their hands in, some (like me) because we just love proper flying. I often fly my LAA type to work, leave it in a company hangar and head off at M.86 and FL nose bleed, or get into a company helicopter and spend my day running rich people to meetings.
I'd bet good money that a check on the LAA membership would reveal the most common job of the members as airline/commercial pilot. I've spent the last couple of days with our CAA Ops Inspector, much of the time in the evenings was spent talking about getting some engine parts for his LAA type, and arranging to visit a couple of fly-ins this year. One area we really agreed on was that flying when we want, rather than when the company says is much more fun.
Back to the thread. For the OP go AA5 series. I haven't flown one for a while, but have around 300 hours on them, and I love them. If I could get a good one, or a share in a good one I'd buy it and put up with all the certificated hassle that comes with it in EASA land. A friend has one which he has had for 20 years and would never part with, that is a good reccomendation. He regularly flies IFR when he needs to, but mostly enjoys VFR wandering.
SND
Sir Niall,
Perhaps I don't move in the right circles ! Eight out of ten - that's an impressive percentage. The Dynamic - a slippery machine - parked on my right has three co-owners and I believe that they are ATP's. So perhaps there is something in your claim.
Difficult to give a satisfactory reply to the OP's question. Because he is new or, relatively so, he won't know in which particular direction he should go, hence his request for some helpful suggestions. All of us have our own individual 'take' on the subject.
I divide recreational GA into three broad groupings: Bimblers, Pooterers and Whizzbangs. Bimblers are the Sunday afternoon draggy microlites. Pooterers (that's me) are the Sunday afternoon less draggy STOL types and Whizzbangs are all the wannabe fighter pilot slippery steeds usually and derisively referred to as 'tupperware' by those who want them but can't afford them !
Whichever way the OP goes I hope it is the LAA way. That way lies piloting and ownership happiness. It took me far too long to find that out.
Perhaps I don't move in the right circles ! Eight out of ten - that's an impressive percentage. The Dynamic - a slippery machine - parked on my right has three co-owners and I believe that they are ATP's. So perhaps there is something in your claim.
Difficult to give a satisfactory reply to the OP's question. Because he is new or, relatively so, he won't know in which particular direction he should go, hence his request for some helpful suggestions. All of us have our own individual 'take' on the subject.
I divide recreational GA into three broad groupings: Bimblers, Pooterers and Whizzbangs. Bimblers are the Sunday afternoon draggy microlites. Pooterers (that's me) are the Sunday afternoon less draggy STOL types and Whizzbangs are all the wannabe fighter pilot slippery steeds usually and derisively referred to as 'tupperware' by those who want them but can't afford them !
Whichever way the OP goes I hope it is the LAA way. That way lies piloting and ownership happiness. It took me far too long to find that out.
If I could get a good one, or a share in a good one I'd buy it and put up with all the certificated hassle that comes with it in EASA land.
G
