what would you buy for 30 grand?
:o What else?
STANDTO if it's 4 seats and touring for 30k than an AA5-A or B is the way to go. Much nicer than a PA-28 to fly and faster than a C172.
However if you actually want to FILL the 4 seats AND go touring then a Piper Dakota / Cherokee Six is the only options I can think of for 30k and you'll have to search for one at that price. If you want to spend a bit more, there are a few Reims Rockets (C172 with 210hp engine) around which have great short field capabilities.
However if you actually want to FILL the 4 seats AND go touring then a Piper Dakota / Cherokee Six is the only options I can think of for 30k and you'll have to search for one at that price. If you want to spend a bit more, there are a few Reims Rockets (C172 with 210hp engine) around which have great short field capabilities.
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Afraid I remember the time when 30G would buy you 27 assorted Tigers and Chipmunks. Was going to buy a Tiger but they wouldn't drop the last £100, so didn't. Big bad decision.
What you buy depends on your current experience, and probably better spent if you can get one to three reliable partners to share as the costs of ownership are somewhat hours flown per year dependent.
Start new as possible, and as simple as possible, you will soon be trading up in accordance with Parkinsons law of aeroplane ownership.
What you buy depends on your current experience, and probably better spent if you can get one to three reliable partners to share as the costs of ownership are somewhat hours flown per year dependent.
Start new as possible, and as simple as possible, you will soon be trading up in accordance with Parkinsons law of aeroplane ownership.
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Chipmunk!!! What else?
Much though I love DH's classic, for 30K there's no contest - Yak 52.
The Chippy isn't half as much of an aeroplane as the '52, and costs far more in maintenance.
The Yak costs in fuel - but as a sole owner, that would be still a lot cheaper per hour than the Chippy.
Bangs per buck - nothing comes close to a Yak!
SSD
Much though I love DH's classic, for 30K there's no contest - Yak 52.
The Chippy isn't half as much of an aeroplane as the '52, and costs far more in maintenance.
The Yak costs in fuel - but as a sole owner, that would be still a lot cheaper per hour than the Chippy.
Bangs per buck - nothing comes close to a Yak!
SSD
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Agree with SSD, but then you'd expect me to. However, I think I'd prefer to spend 40K on a really nice one than 30 on one with more rough edges. For a genuinely sub £30K aeroplane I'd be tempted by the fresh-off-full-restoration AOP9 in one of the magazines this month at £22K. For a 4-seat tourer, at that money, a Rallye Commodore and a very careful corrosion inspection.
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Just goes to show that when you ask 20 pilots what they think is the ideal mount you end up with 40 answers!
The correct answer obviously can only given by the person asking the question.
After all you are the one that has to live with the choice.
Final decision will depend on a great number of variables, you mention touring in Europe for 4.
Other points to take into consideration:
VFR/IFR
Country of registration
Hangar or outside
Where do you keep it tarmac/grass/strip
Thickness of wallet to cope with annual/recurring costs
Taste
If 30K is the limit and your budget for ongoing issues is not unlimited you could not far go wrong by buying something 'standard' like a C172 or PA28. May be not the most exciting of mounts but certainly up to the job and fairly well chartered terrain when it comes to maintenance, AD's etc.
Bit more sprightly would be an AA5.
If you have hangarage available you could consider a 4 seat Maule (although I think you need more than 30K for that) or a smaller Robin (as in with the smaller engine) but you really need to fly out of a tarmac runway if you want to go 4 up with reasonable fuel. Once they get going there are few 4 seaters that will beat them in fuel economy and speed. They can be perfectly well operated out of grass but near AUW use a bit of runway on grass.
If you fancy something more esoteric you could consider something as fancy as a Bellanca Viking as currently for sale in one of the mags; retract; 250hp etc. But you are then operating a serious class of aeroplane with the associated ongoing costs.
As always: Horses for courses.
Enjoy the looking around.
FD
The correct answer obviously can only given by the person asking the question.
After all you are the one that has to live with the choice.
Final decision will depend on a great number of variables, you mention touring in Europe for 4.
Other points to take into consideration:
VFR/IFR
Country of registration
Hangar or outside
Where do you keep it tarmac/grass/strip
Thickness of wallet to cope with annual/recurring costs
Taste
If 30K is the limit and your budget for ongoing issues is not unlimited you could not far go wrong by buying something 'standard' like a C172 or PA28. May be not the most exciting of mounts but certainly up to the job and fairly well chartered terrain when it comes to maintenance, AD's etc.
Bit more sprightly would be an AA5.
If you have hangarage available you could consider a 4 seat Maule (although I think you need more than 30K for that) or a smaller Robin (as in with the smaller engine) but you really need to fly out of a tarmac runway if you want to go 4 up with reasonable fuel. Once they get going there are few 4 seaters that will beat them in fuel economy and speed. They can be perfectly well operated out of grass but near AUW use a bit of runway on grass.
If you fancy something more esoteric you could consider something as fancy as a Bellanca Viking as currently for sale in one of the mags; retract; 250hp etc. But you are then operating a serious class of aeroplane with the associated ongoing costs.
As always: Horses for courses.
Enjoy the looking around.
FD
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You can't buy a helicopter for 30 grand. 
So I'd have to find two other people with the same amount of dosh so that we could buy an R22, or maybe a Hughes 300. Or maybe I'd consider a Brantly B2B - not sure you can get one for that amount, but I think you could - if you could find it.
So I'd have to find two other people with the same amount of dosh so that we could buy an R22, or maybe a Hughes 300. Or maybe I'd consider a Brantly B2B - not sure you can get one for that amount, but I think you could - if you could find it.
Depends of-course on what you've already got to fly.
Adding to my current 1 + 1/2 + 1/17 I think at the moment I'd rather fancy the new Quik 912S having had a chat with Billy Brooks (the designer and test pilot) last week and been very impressed - particularly the bit about passing a PA28 (I'm assuming a heavy 140, but impressive nonetheless) in level flight and spend the rest on running it for 5 years or so.
Sadly, the reality is probably that if I did suddenly find £30k Mrs Genghis would tell me I've quite enough aeroplanes already and make me pay off the mortgage. Sadly, with the honorable exception of Whirly, many women tend that that sort of view on life.
G
Adding to my current 1 + 1/2 + 1/17 I think at the moment I'd rather fancy the new Quik 912S having had a chat with Billy Brooks (the designer and test pilot) last week and been very impressed - particularly the bit about passing a PA28 (I'm assuming a heavy 140, but impressive nonetheless) in level flight and spend the rest on running it for 5 years or so.
Sadly, the reality is probably that if I did suddenly find £30k Mrs Genghis would tell me I've quite enough aeroplanes already and make me pay off the mortgage. Sadly, with the honorable exception of Whirly, many women tend that that sort of view on life.
G
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What to buy
I think if I was looking now for a fun aircraft that could also carry 4 people at a good speed and in comfort, the secret is now out!
Take a look at the Bolkow 207.
A large, impressive 4-seat taildragger, good looks, beautifully made out of wood and composite, docile handling etc. but...why so cheap?
You can buy one for 'low 20's'. Incredible value.
If you can't affford a Robin it is a most worthy alternative at (comparitively) less than half.
THere is one at Turweston - the owner raves about it - I have had a go too.
Maintenance costs seem reasonable. In fact, that one is maintained in Germany - the owner looks forward to the Annual pilgrimage. THere is no 3-year 'CofA' (Star Annual) involved, just perpetual Annuals - costs seem very reasonable by UK standards and more than compensates for the (therefore free!) trip.
One of the easier taildraggers with good crosswind capabilities, good visibility over the nose, very strong undercarriage and powerful differential brakes.
Snap one up quick - I think there are one or two on the market - before the prices become more realistic.
I saw a feature recently - can't think where at the moment.
BB
Take a look at the Bolkow 207.
A large, impressive 4-seat taildragger, good looks, beautifully made out of wood and composite, docile handling etc. but...why so cheap?
You can buy one for 'low 20's'. Incredible value.
If you can't affford a Robin it is a most worthy alternative at (comparitively) less than half.
THere is one at Turweston - the owner raves about it - I have had a go too.
Maintenance costs seem reasonable. In fact, that one is maintained in Germany - the owner looks forward to the Annual pilgrimage. THere is no 3-year 'CofA' (Star Annual) involved, just perpetual Annuals - costs seem very reasonable by UK standards and more than compensates for the (therefore free!) trip.
One of the easier taildraggers with good crosswind capabilities, good visibility over the nose, very strong undercarriage and powerful differential brakes.
Snap one up quick - I think there are one or two on the market - before the prices become more realistic.
I saw a feature recently - can't think where at the moment.
BB
The Original Whirly
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Genghis,
I appreciate the honourable mention...but shame on you for that generalisation. Forget mortgages, I think Aerbabe wouldn't even object to being homeless if she could fly her very own chippie! And I know of a fair number of other women, including some on this forum whose names don't immediately spring to my mind on a Sunday morning after a late Saturday night, who would get airborne first and make peace with the building society later.
Anyway, we were fantasising. Don't go bringing cold reality into it.
But please, whoever started this thread, can we have a more realistic sum for a helicopter pilot? How about £300,000. Ahhh, for that amount....
I appreciate the honourable mention...but shame on you for that generalisation.
Forget mortgages, I think Aerbabe wouldn't even object to being homeless if she could fly her very own chippie! And I know of a fair number of other women, including some on this forum whose names don't immediately spring to my mind on a Sunday morning after a late Saturday night, who would get airborne first and make peace with the building society later.Anyway, we were fantasising. Don't go bringing cold reality into it.
But please, whoever started this thread, can we have a more realistic sum for a helicopter pilot? How about £300,000. Ahhh, for that amount....
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Whirlybird
Choppers are my first love, but, the 300 grand says it all. Too expensive so I've binned that idea until the Lotto finally matches up their numbers with mine.
If I was going rotary, I still think the sexiest thing ever built was the Hughes (MD) 500. Magnum PI, Capricorn One, all essential viewing for appreciators of the marque.
Choppers are my first love, but, the 300 grand says it all. Too expensive so I've binned that idea until the Lotto finally matches up their numbers with mine.
If I was going rotary, I still think the sexiest thing ever built was the Hughes (MD) 500. Magnum PI, Capricorn One, all essential viewing for appreciators of the marque.
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Since as the saying goes if it flies floats or f*** its cheaper to rent it so for 30 grand I would buy:
300 ish hours in a Grumman Tiger
150 hours in a Pitts or a Yak 52
20 hours in a Hunter (Surely the best bang per buck you can buy, faster and cheaper than a spitfire)
Or any combination of the above and the option to chop and change as you please.
By all means if you really want the romance of ownership do so but it will cost you.
Good luck.
300 ish hours in a Grumman Tiger
150 hours in a Pitts or a Yak 52
20 hours in a Hunter (Surely the best bang per buck you can buy, faster and cheaper than a spitfire)
Or any combination of the above and the option to chop and change as you please.
By all means if you really want the romance of ownership do so but it will cost you.
Good luck.
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Just had a look around at the Bolkow - what a fine looking craft. When were the last ones built? the ones I've come across on the web seem to be 61-64. Also, how much life is left in a 40 year old a/c before it expires or needs taking tobits and rebuilding? Is that why they are soooooo cheap?
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20 hours in a Hunter (Surely the best bang per buck you can buy, faster and cheaper than a spitfire)
tKF
The Original Whirly
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STANDTO,
I definitely agree about the Hughes 500. Supposed to be as nice to fly as it is to look at too - I haven't even been able to afford to try it yet. If I win the lottery I'll buy one and take you flying in it.
I definitely agree about the Hughes 500. Supposed to be as nice to fly as it is to look at too - I haven't even been able to afford to try it yet.
If I win the lottery I'll buy one and take you flying in it.