atbroome
Pre-takeoff checklist
Yes, another (in)famous “Recommend me an airplane!” thread.
Why do I think I want a plane: Availability. Renting was not an option where I lived before and the Club of many people I joined was an economic option, but I tend to be a bit fussy and want my own stuff. I’m not against a club, but there aren’t any around here. Renting here is a better option and will be fine for the rest of this year, but I think I will fly more with my own plane. Would consider bringing on a like-minded partner once I know my flying profile
Location: Northern Virginia. Likely base at KHEF (Manassas)
Budget: Below $100k would be good to start, but up to $120k for the right plane
About me: PPL in ’09 at 50 hours, no flying for a few years, joined a club and then got to 90 hours by ’12. No flying until 4 weeks ago, now back with a FR. Plan is to keep flying this time and build up my hours and hopefully start IR training this fall or next spring.
Planned flights/passengers: Family of 3: me: (5’5”, 180lbs), wife (145lbs), , son 10 years old...likely to be tall and thin.
I expect most flying to be with the family or with another couple who are both on the lighter side of FAA standard. Possibly with another local pilot for short pancake/burger runs. Solo flying will likely be for training/proficiency only. I don’t have fun flying places by myself. My wife has no interest in learning to fly, but my son is very into the concept and all things aviation.
Trips: 200-350nm range, leisure only. East coast only. Down to Carolinas, up to upstate NY. Maybe a few longer but not often: family in Michigan, New Orleans, and southern Florida. Once every year or less...those will likely remain airline trips at least until post IR. Of course this could change.
I’ve only flown from decent length paved strips, but the idea of short and or grass strips seems like it would open lots of opportunities…like camping with the plane or just being able to get closer to our destination.
I would like/plan to get a hanger, but there is at least a 6 month wait and likely over a year around these parts. As a result, the plane would likely have to sit outside for some length of time.
Equipment: Solid airframe, mid-time engine, decent paint/interior – doesn’t have to be new but not something I’d want to re-do immediately. Doesn’t need a WAAS GPS, but ideally it either has one or is already been updated for ADSB since doing both will be costly. I though an AP was a requirement, but with the new options on the horizon, getting a plane without or with an outdated AP could end of saving money. AP can wait until IR.
Airplanes considered/eliminated: Like many here, I’ve gone through phases: DA-40, Mooney F’s & J’s, Bonanzas, even Soctias. Currently my top candidates are the Grumman Tiger and Cessna 182, with the outside possibility of a Bonanza/Debonair. I’ve moved my thoughts on other planes to the end for those that want the gory details
Grumman Cheetah...then Tiger. Started looking at Cheetah’s since they were very reasonably priced and fun to fly. Flew with a friend in the summer and was not pleased with the lack of climb. Moved on to Tigers.
Pro
Cessna 182:I trained in a DA-20, but have been flying 172/177s since. Not a joy to fly, but good to get me places. Focused on Ps and Qs. Always the option to get a Peterson conversion one day on those…
Pro
Other planes: I learned in a Diamond DA-20, so I wanted a DA-40 . Love the low wing, stick, visibility, easy entry/exit. Don’t love the bumps in turbulence. WASS G1000 models above budget. Afraid of the non-WASS G1000 ones but the 2003 and earlier steam models are hard to come by. Long wings make hangering more difficult.
Moved on to Mooney F’s and J’s. Appeals to the engineer in me. Go fast on less gas. Not many F’s, but seems to be a consistent supply of decent J’s. Retract insurance. Would have to improve my landings. Not the best option for soft/short fields.
Bonanzas and Debonairs came next of course. Buy your last airplane first! Focused on P models with IO-470/260hp and B/C Debonairs upgraded to 260hp. Concerned it’s a bit much for my current flying abilities, retract insurance, planned flying doesn’t require speed
Pipers: 180hp Cherokees or Archers could be an option, but I've never looked into them much. Dakota could be a good 182 competitor but again I don't know much about them.
Why do I think I want a plane: Availability. Renting was not an option where I lived before and the Club of many people I joined was an economic option, but I tend to be a bit fussy and want my own stuff. I’m not against a club, but there aren’t any around here. Renting here is a better option and will be fine for the rest of this year, but I think I will fly more with my own plane. Would consider bringing on a like-minded partner once I know my flying profile
Location: Northern Virginia. Likely base at KHEF (Manassas)
Budget: Below $100k would be good to start, but up to $120k for the right plane
About me: PPL in ’09 at 50 hours, no flying for a few years, joined a club and then got to 90 hours by ’12. No flying until 4 weeks ago, now back with a FR. Plan is to keep flying this time and build up my hours and hopefully start IR training this fall or next spring.
Planned flights/passengers: Family of 3: me: (5’5”, 180lbs), wife (145lbs), , son 10 years old...likely to be tall and thin.
I expect most flying to be with the family or with another couple who are both on the lighter side of FAA standard. Possibly with another local pilot for short pancake/burger runs. Solo flying will likely be for training/proficiency only. I don’t have fun flying places by myself. My wife has no interest in learning to fly, but my son is very into the concept and all things aviation.
Trips: 200-350nm range, leisure only. East coast only. Down to Carolinas, up to upstate NY. Maybe a few longer but not often: family in Michigan, New Orleans, and southern Florida. Once every year or less...those will likely remain airline trips at least until post IR. Of course this could change.
I’ve only flown from decent length paved strips, but the idea of short and or grass strips seems like it would open lots of opportunities…like camping with the plane or just being able to get closer to our destination.
I would like/plan to get a hanger, but there is at least a 6 month wait and likely over a year around these parts. As a result, the plane would likely have to sit outside for some length of time.
Equipment: Solid airframe, mid-time engine, decent paint/interior – doesn’t have to be new but not something I’d want to re-do immediately. Doesn’t need a WAAS GPS, but ideally it either has one or is already been updated for ADSB since doing both will be costly. I though an AP was a requirement, but with the new options on the horizon, getting a plane without or with an outdated AP could end of saving money. AP can wait until IR.
Airplanes considered/eliminated: Like many here, I’ve gone through phases: DA-40, Mooney F’s & J’s, Bonanzas, even Soctias. Currently my top candidates are the Grumman Tiger and Cessna 182, with the outside possibility of a Bonanza/Debonair. I’ve moved my thoughts on other planes to the end for those that want the gory details
Grumman Cheetah...then Tiger. Started looking at Cheetah’s since they were very reasonably priced and fun to fly. Flew with a friend in the summer and was not pleased with the lack of climb. Moved on to Tigers.
Pro
- Seems like a perfect plane for my mission
- Fast enough (~130KTAS)
- Low(er) fuel burn for speed
- Fun to fly
- Stable enough for IR
- Lower end of scale for maintenance with O-360, fixed prop, fixed gear
- Sliding canopy (ventilation, entry/exit)
- Fits budget
- Not best for short/soft fields
- Poor climb in warm weather
- Hard to find a good one
Cessna 182:I trained in a DA-20, but have been flying 172/177s since. Not a joy to fly, but good to get me places. Focused on Ps and Qs. Always the option to get a Peterson conversion one day on those…
Pro
- Also seems like a good fit for my mission
- Fast enough (~130KTAS)
- Simple-ish: O-470, fixed gear
- Excellent IR platform
- Excellent short/soft field
- Lots of space, good useful load, good range
- A few are always available (although seems a bit lacking recently)
- More complex than Tiger – const speed prop
- More expensive than Tiger – ~$30k+ more for “equivalent”
- Thirstier than Tiger
- Not fun to fly
- Hard to see out of – I have a short torso and need a cushion in some 172s
Other planes: I learned in a Diamond DA-20, so I wanted a DA-40 . Love the low wing, stick, visibility, easy entry/exit. Don’t love the bumps in turbulence. WASS G1000 models above budget. Afraid of the non-WASS G1000 ones but the 2003 and earlier steam models are hard to come by. Long wings make hangering more difficult.
Moved on to Mooney F’s and J’s. Appeals to the engineer in me. Go fast on less gas. Not many F’s, but seems to be a consistent supply of decent J’s. Retract insurance. Would have to improve my landings. Not the best option for soft/short fields.
Bonanzas and Debonairs came next of course. Buy your last airplane first! Focused on P models with IO-470/260hp and B/C Debonairs upgraded to 260hp. Concerned it’s a bit much for my current flying abilities, retract insurance, planned flying doesn’t require speed
Pipers: 180hp Cherokees or Archers could be an option, but I've never looked into them much. Dakota could be a good 182 competitor but again I don't know much about them.
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