Aircraft suggestions
 

Would anyone care to suggest aircraft for a potential group purchase.
We would be looking for an IFR compatible touring ( 4 or 2+2)aircraft for 3 or 4 pilots, likely to fly 50-100 hours a year each. Mainly newish PPLs, but looking to fly something a bit more than the usual training type offering. Personally I would like a VP prop, cruise 120-130kt, but am not that fussed about retractable due to insurance and unpredictability.
The setting would be a 700m farmstrip with 2.5deg slope down on r/w 25. A hangar would be available.
Thoughts so far are Robin 1180, Cardinal, or an " advanced 172".
It was thought a cardinal might not manage 700m grass if 2deg upslope (anyone got a POH handy)?

If not already there, would look to get a single axis AP and fuel flow / JPI.

Any thoughts???

PS is £40k too optimistic.

What about a Grumman AA5B/AA5G. Meets your spec without the complexity and expense of a VP. A super aircraft.

For something a little more different, another option within your price range is a Wassmer WA52/WA54. You would probabaly need to import one from France. Although there are W&B limitations that may make them unatractive.

Also a Robin HR100. All metal Robin with VP and I believe a whopping 10 hours endurance.

Sorry HWD.

Only aeroplane to fit that bill would of course be a Maule.

Will do the grass strip and that slope without batting an eyelid.

Cruise of 120kts no problem either.

A good one can be had for £40k or less.

Justin drop me an email if you want to have a go in ours (not for sale that one but I know a few that are!)

Thanks FD!
Is it a tail dragger? Can you recommend a specific model for me to look at closer?
I may well take you up on that if it looks good.

I've got a cracking 172 you can have ... ;)

FF :ok:

I'm mystified. No-one has suggested a Cherokee 6:confused:

Thanks.
Probably would not need to haul a heavy load, so a cherokee 6 is a bit fuel heavy for the job in hand. I have looked at another thread on it, and looks great you need a load lifter.

Cherokee Six!
 

Justinmg,

The -6 is a seriously under rated aircraft - roomy comfortable and refined WITH very long legs, south of France, piece of ease!

If interested do send me a PM as I may just know of a very, very nice one coming on the market, soon.

Club seating for four, passenger door, 10 hours on an overhauled 260 IO540 - good combination of power/fuel consumption/load lifting with the smoothness of a 6 cylinder motor.

I spend a lot of my airborne time hanging upside down behind an AEIO360, 4 cylinder Lycoming. Occassionaly I get to do the same behind a 6 cylinder IO540. The 6 banger is so much more smoother than the 4 cylinder model.

Having recently been reacquainted with the -6 after a long time, I love this aeroplane and it's not remotely aerobatic but it is smooth!


Stik

Depends hugely on the budget. Also there aren't many planes suitable for what one might call "real IFR" which you want to operate from 700m grass (i.e. mud during a large part of the year in the UK).

There isn't an insurance issue with retractables, and again not going for a complex aircraft limits the field if IFR is desired.

Except for not wanting to operate something half decent from mud, a TB20 is very very hard to beat for excellent IFR capability combined with versatility (500m tarmac at MTOW).

How about a C182? Good cruise, comfy, rugged, and a honey on strips. Whats the overshoot/overrun area at the top of the strip like?

I'll agree with IO540. You can also get what you want from a Socata TB10.
Checkout their users' group message board and you'll figure out yourself.
www.socata.org

TB10 is a lovely machine but a ground hog.
Would not be my first choice for a 700m strip.

Funny you guys should mention those two.
The 2 nicer aircraft at the strip are indeed a TB20 and a 182 retractable.

The 182 has great shortfield performance, but there is no over run at the end of the 25 downhill. Thankfully there is unlimited undershoot, with a smooth unfenced field at the top, so bringing it in low and planting it at the start of the 700m is OK.

The aircraft need not be a dyed in the wool IFR tourer, as it will spend imited amounts of time in cloud. Just needs to be capable enough to handle it when required ( I know the pilots capability is more important).

I know a TB20 is well out of the range, and I suspect a 182 would be verging on unavailable.

I suspect a 360 engine rather than a 540 would help keep the running costs managable and hence more flying per year.

What about a Reims Rocket? Six cylinder smoothness, wobbly prop and the good old 172 airframe that every engineer knows. Excellent short strip machine for around 40k fr a good one.

As usual in these threads, everybody will suggest their favourite plane :O

But a 540 doesn't cost much more to run. The extra hourly cost (engine TBO) is 5-10 quid an hour over a 360. And you can do 138kt IAS (about 60% power, say 155KT TAS at 10000ft) on 10.5 US gals/hr. Compare that with the alternatives; well those that you can get reliable fuel flow data. I used to burn that much (in terms of MPG) in an Archer, but a PA28 doesn't even begin to compare with a TB20 in terms of capability, versatility, comfort, access, passenger acceptance, you name it.

Also Socata prices are pretty low right now.

Still, no mention of a budget. If it is 30k and you call popping into cloud "IFR" then a C152 will do the job :O

Have to agree with this one. I have flown one from a v. short field on top of a mountain in Germany. Absolutely trouble free.

I would be surprised if that was anywhere near MAUW

Fair enough, two up and the mountain wasn't exactly high. There was another Socata there which was used as a tug. It went four up with no bother. I am not light and I got a back seat in it. I cannot remember which type though.

Just read this month's Pilot. It seems a Super Navion would fit the bill perfectly!