Under $30k airplane

DavidWhite

DavidWhite

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So I am looking at potential next airplanes. My mission? To futz. The occasional $100 hamburger and just a few trips more than a couple hundred miles a year. It HAS to be a taildragger and must have atleast 2 seats (cub is really the only tandem I would look at) experimental or certified.

So far I've been thinking either

1. Cessna 140
2. Luscombe
3. Kitfox
4. Pacer
5. Cub

Any other airplanes I'm overlooking - and does anyone know any of these for sale?
 
The CFI that did my CFI just bought a 150 w/tail dragger stc. It's pretty sweet.
 
I would have said a perfect plane for that mission was a 172.

heh.
 
Also I don't want anything with an auto engine (not everyone is Ben Haas)
 
It still isn't a taildragger though.
 
A Sonex with a Jabiru engine if you think the AreoVee has too much auto engine pedigree.
 
warthog1984 said:
If you can find a Pacer or Kitfox in good condition under $30K, take it!
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$30k isn't a "hard" budget - it's just kinda the general vicinity.

My last airplane was (is) a go-somewhere airplane which is way more than I need for what I do. I just want to futz around at 5gph.
 
I want less systems, less complexity - more stick and rudder.
 
DavidWhite said:
So I am looking at potential next airplanes. My mission? To futz. The occasional $100 hamburger and just a few trips more than a couple hundred miles a year. It HAS to be a taildragger and must have atleast 2 seats (cub is really the only tandem I would look at) experimental or certified.

So far I've been thinking either

1. Cessna 140
2. Luscombe
3. Kitfox
4. Pacer
5. Cub

Any other airplanes I'm overlooking - and does anyone know any of these for sale?
Click to expand...

Avid Catalina, folding wing amphib.
 
I like the pacer,if you can find one should sell mid 20s.
 
There is a project Piper Vagabond that I saw being sold for $14,500.
 
I'm with Tom. A cessna 170 is the way to go. Im biased but out my two airplanes and all those that I've flown thinking they would be better I still fly he 170 the most. I've been to California in it, and its great to futz around in too.
 
How about a nice Vagabond for slightly less than $30,000.
Dave
 

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Yeah, that 170a won't last long. Best Cessna ever built IMHO.
 
Awkward entry/access issues compared to 170's but fun little planes. I had a Vag-17 for a few years, always wished it was a Pacer.

frfly172 said:
I like the pacer,if you can find one should sell mid 20s.
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LandSickness said:
Yeah, that 170a won't last long. Best Cessna ever built IMHO.
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All Cessna 170s have a gross weight of 2200 pounds, all stock engines are 145 horse power, the 48 rag wing is lighter thus have a greater useful load, the C-145/0-300-A will use about 7-8 gallons per hour. running 2450 RPM and give a faster cruise speed than either the A or B.

a 48 with a new era fabric system will be less trouble than the old wives tales that haunt them.
 
Rearwin is a friends airplane. Beautiful
And done right.
Dave
 
It's not on your list but I've been futzin' around in a 90 hp Champ for the past three years and it's been a lot of fun. You can't beat the visibility from the front seat in a tandem and there's lots more shoulder room too.

It's the one on the right :D
 

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You know what is interesting? I remember it wasn't long ago that you wanted something that could give you more speed and now it seems like you have come full circle.
 
He's not the only one.

LJS1993 said:
You know what is interesting? I remember it wasn't long ago that you wanted something that could give you more speed and now it seems like you have come full circle.
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LJS1993 said:
You know what is interesting? I remember it wasn't long ago that you wanted something that could give you more speed and now it seems like you have come full circle.
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My guess is that he'll round that circle a few more times, too. When I grow up, I want to be David. :D
 
jhausch said:
My guess is that he'll round that circle a few more times, too. When I grow up, I want to be David. :D
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Interesting. Most others just want to be adopted by his parents.:D
 
Many of the airplanes mentioned have engines that have been out of production for 30+ years.
 
I say if David has the cash laying around for another plane why not get certified in a helicopter and go that route? Slower, great for sight seeing, the chicks dig them, what more could a teen want?
 
LJS1993 said:
I say if David has the cash laying around for another plane why not get certified in a helicopter and go that route? Slower, great for sight seeing, the chicks dig them, what more could a teen want?
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Helicopters really aren't that cool (to me, anyways)

I've found that doing stuff because chicks dig it is a moot point. I want an old taildragger for me because I think they're cool.
 
DavidWhite said:
Helicopters really aren't that cool (to me, anyways)

I've found that doing stuff because chicks dig it is a moot point. I want an old taildragger for me because I think they're cool.
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Wise man
 
Reading this thread, it looks like the OP already had something in mind that he couldn't find (or afford), but I'll mention that there is no production plane which is cheaper to buy and fly than the Cessna 150. These can be found with fresh annuals for under $15K, have a fuel burn rate like he's looking for, and are simple enough that they don't need a lot of work.

One other factor, not mentioned so far, is that metal aircraft can be safely and happily tied down outside, rather than needing a hangar, further reducing expenses.

If he's gotta have the tailwheel, he can have it and still be under his $30K target price.
 
Here in the Midwest airplanes don't get tied down outside
 
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