First GA Purchase - What to Get?

[N707ZS]

What about a Beagle Pup if you can find one.

[27/09]

Originally Posted by Pilot DAR

Similarly Piper PA-28 series, though I would be very cautious about parts availability for ongoing maintenance.

I don't think there is anything to be worried about so far as parts go for the PA28 series. Certainly no more conerns than many other aircraft that have been suggested.There's been1000's built giving a good source of second hand parts plus they are still in production.

The PA28 series is a good robust aircraft that is simple and easy to maintain, I'd say more so than brand C.

[Big Pistons Forever]

In the glider world the advice given to new glider pilots is buy a great trailer and fly what ever glider happens to be in it. The corollary for powered pilots is buy the maintenance history. There are so many ways your dream airplane can become a nightmare of unexpected expensive repairs.

[Gipsy Queen]

I have no idea if there any still flying but years ago, the Victa Airtourer was a fun kite for aeros of limited complexity. They certainly were not expensive to operate.

[Pilot DAR]

27/09's experience with legacy Pipers differs, and that's fine. The message is do your own homework on what the maintainbility will be. Yes, buy the maintenance history, though also buy the maintainability. Cessnas have their own challenges, and an impending AD on some four seat models is going to be burdensome. The fact that a forty to sixty year old aircraft type has 1000's out there for parts, does not assure availability of airworthy replacement parts. The junk yard aircraft have the same corrosion and wear and tear as the subject aircraft, and the wrecks have been well picked over by now. The fact that a model is still in production is also not an assurance of economical parts. My client inquired about a Cessna 206 wing nose rib (a simple one piece pressed aluminum part, a bit bigger than my open hand). US$1200 for one! And, that part is technically not eligible on the legacy 206's.

Very new aircraft probably have excellent parts availability, but you're paying the price, and it'll be more than 40k!

If you're prepared to buy the plane, and fly your value out of it, your attitude is right, and you will likely save over renting, let alone the wonderful availability of the aircraft to you, just educate yourself as to the economics of maintenance and repair for any type you consider.

[Silvaire1]

Originally Posted by Gipsy Queen

I have no idea if there any still flying but years ago, the Victa Airtourer was a fun kite for aeros of limited complexity. They certainly were not expensive to operate.

Good suggestion!

[Dave Gittins]

I don't have any safety concerns about the T67. There is a group owned one at Redhill with the 160 hp Lycoming, I've flown it a couple of times and our club uses it for aerobatic experience flights and instruction. As G says above I think it's a dog with a bad name as a result of some inexperienced users. However I am no aerobat and I've only used it for IMC instruction.

But what do I know about dangerous aeroplanes ? I've flown a few PA-38s without coming to any harm.

If the OP wants to try it out and talk to an experienced aerobatic instructor, let me know and I can PM the details.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Goodwood (Ultimate High) and White Waltham (West London Aero Club) both do aerobatic instruction in T67s, have excellent instructors and good safety records - if you wanted to try out, I'd go to one of those.

White Waltham I'm sure could do the whole SEP rating happily in it, which doesn't seem a bad idea if seriously considering buying one.

But I'd still rather own a Bulldog I just think it's a far more enjoyable aeroplane to fly - and there are a few with rear seats. Some Bulldogs are not fatigue life limited.

I mentioned the Auster earlier - a type I know passably well - I'd personally not own one with a Gypsy Major or Cirrus: just because of the age and running costs of those engines, nor unless I had a hangar to keep it in available. But there are 3-seaters, it has a basic aerobatic capability, and they are an absolute joy to throw around, as well as being great for strip flying.

G

[l10fly]

Fuji FA-200?

[mary meagher]

I learned to fly gliders at High Wycombe, and then imported a Supercub from Texas. Since then more than three thousand hours, quite a few competitions, never won but had lots of fun trying. The glider was seriously damaged by a subsequent owner, but the Supercub is still flying in luxury at White Waltham. I did a couple of flights at WW, but that runway was not very smooth compared to gliding fields!

The advantage of having a decent single seat glider to fly, lots of solo practice, you should then be ready for competition which is always like a 9 day big party, all participants suffering from the same weather conditions. I used GOFER to tow up gliders at Shenington on a regular basis, and at a number of gliding competitions.

[foxmoth]

I really cannot understand those proposing the Pa28, looking at the OPs desires

something that has character, is aerobatic and can take one or two passengers, and that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to run.

the Pa28 only seems to fit "take one or two passengers", whilst it may not cost an arm and a leg to run it certainly will not be anything like as cheap to run as a permit aircraft. The Pup fits the bil pretty well, especially the 150 as does the Airtourer but there are others around that fit the bill really well, we have just bought a permit aerobatic biplane with low engine hours for well under this price . Another option of course is to use your funds to buy a share in something a bit more expensive, you can then look at a half or third share in an RV which has to be one of the best choices going!

[Ewan Whosearmy]

Thanks, all, for the additional ideas.

[ethicalconundrum]

Bellanca Citabria or Decathelon. You will be stretching the budget for either, but they are good planes. I flew one for several years. 7ECA, 7KCAB, 8KCAB.