Cheap wings
Just call me Rotty
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Rotty's Bar and Grill (@RJAF) Shinshu JP
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Cheap wings
I'm finally getting ready to leave Japan once and for all, returning to the States this fall. The ten years here has been ten years basically out of the GA loop, as there is only ONE privately owned Cessna here in our small town, shared amongst 16 of us. Needless to say trying to get any flying time is practically an excercise in futility, especially as I am low man on the totem pole, so to speak...
At US$120 a prorated hour, though, the hours I haven't been spending in the air have allowed me to save a bit toward buying my own plane. I have been exploring what is available in the $15-20,000 range, hoping to own the thing straight up from the beginning.
With such a budget, my choices are obviously limited. I'm not very excited about a beat 150-152. Much more appealing would be a 140 (found one in nice shape, metal wings); I have also come across an only slightly tired C65 J3 in that general range, and a few relatively clean Taylorcraft. Some aerobatic ability is what I'm hoping for, as I plan to fly for sport, no real regular cross-country stuff. Two seats is plenty, as Mrs. R is not especially fond of small aircraft (at least as a passenger, she admires from afar); second perch is reserved for my son. I am rather hoping for an older taildragger, but I have heard the cost of some spares needed for these described as "breathtaking". No good to buy something that seems affordable only to find a year or two down the road that I'm grounded (again), out of budget for some annual or...heaven forbid...an OOPS.
Any helpful advice would certainly be welcome.
At US$120 a prorated hour, though, the hours I haven't been spending in the air have allowed me to save a bit toward buying my own plane. I have been exploring what is available in the $15-20,000 range, hoping to own the thing straight up from the beginning.
With such a budget, my choices are obviously limited. I'm not very excited about a beat 150-152. Much more appealing would be a 140 (found one in nice shape, metal wings); I have also come across an only slightly tired C65 J3 in that general range, and a few relatively clean Taylorcraft. Some aerobatic ability is what I'm hoping for, as I plan to fly for sport, no real regular cross-country stuff. Two seats is plenty, as Mrs. R is not especially fond of small aircraft (at least as a passenger, she admires from afar); second perch is reserved for my son. I am rather hoping for an older taildragger, but I have heard the cost of some spares needed for these described as "breathtaking". No good to buy something that seems affordable only to find a year or two down the road that I'm grounded (again), out of budget for some annual or...heaven forbid...an OOPS.
Any helpful advice would certainly be welcome.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Over the hedge... just!
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Tim Preston at Preston aviation, Florida, said he was selling his Aeronca. http://www.flytailwheel.com/
Nice guy, maintains his own Stearman & Cub well respected, and I don't think he's looking for a huge amount of money for the aircraft.
Hope it helps
CC
Nice guy, maintains his own Stearman & Cub well respected, and I don't think he's looking for a huge amount of money for the aircraft.
Hope it helps
CC
Last edited by Crossedcontrols; 16th Aug 2002 at 15:29.
If you were in the UK, I'd suggest joining the PFA and looking at some of the more interesting (and generally inexpensive) homebuilt types available second hand.
Given you're in the USA, why not try doing the same with the EAA?
G
Given you're in the USA, why not try doing the same with the EAA?
G
Just call me Rotty
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Thank you, gentlemen.
Ghengis, I am familiar with the EAA and have had a chance to check out many of the available kits at their Oshkosh, Wisconsin fly-in. I was particularly interested in the Kitfox, nearly along the lines of what I am looking for, and sporting an actual aircraft engine.
I am leery of buying a used kit for all the usual reasons, i.e. I don't have the foggiest idea about the engineering/mechanical skills of whoever put it together, etc. I would love to build one myself, but I am interested in getting into something a little sooner than the two years or so I estimate it would take to get it together.
Right now a GA airplane is what I have set my sights on, hopefully with no major damage history and no big surprises at inspection. What I want to know is if there's something I should stay away from (ADs pending, the like), future costs in mind.
Ghengis, I am familiar with the EAA and have had a chance to check out many of the available kits at their Oshkosh, Wisconsin fly-in. I was particularly interested in the Kitfox, nearly along the lines of what I am looking for, and sporting an actual aircraft engine.
I am leery of buying a used kit for all the usual reasons, i.e. I don't have the foggiest idea about the engineering/mechanical skills of whoever put it together, etc. I would love to build one myself, but I am interested in getting into something a little sooner than the two years or so I estimate it would take to get it together.
Right now a GA airplane is what I have set my sights on, hopefully with no major damage history and no big surprises at inspection. What I want to know is if there's something I should stay away from (ADs pending, the like), future costs in mind.
If you like the Kitfox (which hasn't a sparkling reputation this side of the Atlantic), take a look at the Easy Raider at http://www.realityaircraft.com/ , which I believe was jointly developed twixt a UK and US company, so should be available in the USA, although I've no idea about American specs and prices.
Personally, I think the J3 or PA-18 are grand little aeroplanes, and knowing several people in the UK who own them, I've not heard many complaints about either running costs or parts availability. Given they were built your side of the pond, I'd say that's a good buy. You might be able to get a tatty one and spend a few weeks re-covering it, almost certainly adding a lot of value.
G
Personally, I think the J3 or PA-18 are grand little aeroplanes, and knowing several people in the UK who own them, I've not heard many complaints about either running costs or parts availability. Given they were built your side of the pond, I'd say that's a good buy. You might be able to get a tatty one and spend a few weeks re-covering it, almost certainly adding a lot of value.
G
