Howdy all...

Been a minute since I was in a cockpit, I started the process for my license but I never finished. I still have my logs and plans to dust them off. Looking to start again next year, in the meantime Im trying to learn as much as I can about what kind of aircraft I was to start investing in.

I know my budget will already be below $30k, as thats what I can/will be able to afford and maintain. Mostly Im considering Cessna120/140, Taylorcraft, Luscombe, Aeronca, Stinson, and Piper Pacer/J-3. Open to others, but this is what Im thinking. Currently the Piper/Tcraft/Cessa are the top.

Ive read many of these don't come with electronics. What do the stock avionics run on (airspeed, etc) if they have no electric? Could I attach solar panels to the plane and power aftermarket avionics? Recommendations? (Should I shy away from no-electric for a starter plane?) I would think start simpler, but what is too simple?

Looking to use for backcountry flying, etc. Granted, I leave east coast and theres not much here compared to the midwest/NW.

Steel craft vs fabric? Local air strip has $75 a month grass tie downs...With wing and engine/prop covers, and extra care in the winter to dust off the snow from the wings and crank it up to keep it fresh, is there any reason a fabric body can't be stored that way? (obviously hanger is preferable, but at $400 a month...)

Im still probably a year or so out, but I want to do my digging now so I know what Im doing when the time comes. Thoughts?

My opinion:
get a plane thats in your budget (not all of it !!, save some for the inevitable "after purchase expenses", and by getting a thorough pre buy inspection from a mechanic familiar with the model you are buying (and definitely! make sure he is on your side) will help keep these cost down).
Get a plane that you can finish up your training in, you can upgrade latter. Dont worry about avionics (things that work on electrons, not airspeed indicators, altimeters ect.)
Get started now ! and the place to start is at the airport, make fiends with people who have a plane and can mentor you, so you will Know more of what will fit your needs.

Arlington as in Arlington Virginia, just outside DC?

Bagarre wrote:Arlington as in Arlington Virginia, just outside DC?

Arlington as in just down the road from Herndon

You got it.

Airspeed, etc, don’t run on electricity. Non-electric airplanes often have battery-powered handheld radios. The lack of a starter disqualifies them from your mission, IMHO. For one thing, you might have a hard time finding someone qualified to teach you how to start it.

In that price range, it’s hard to beat a 120/140, a Pacer/Tri-Pacer, or a homebuilt like a Kitfox or an Avid Flyer.

Flying anywhere around here requires an electrical system since you must have a radio and mode C. (SFRA) Next year you will need ADSB as well.
My advice would be rent a 152 and worry about a taildragger after the fact.
I only know one tw instructor at Leesburg and I don’t think he does primary instruction.
Joe Gauvreau at Freeway Is the best instructor in the area that will give primary in a tailwheel but W00 is a hike from Arlington.
The few that I know that have got5en their PPL in a tailwheel also had trouble finding an FAA type for the. Heck ride.

Knock out your PPL fastest route in whatever airplane your flight school has to rent and then go get 15 hours with Joe in his airplane. Joe will talk your ear off about every tailwheel airplane out there and is a wealth of information. He’s the reason I bought my first 170. In fact, he flew it home for me and taught me how to fly it.

I'm sorry, I appreciate your enthusiasm for planning, but the policy is that you must be actively training for your certificate to post on BCP. If you joined before this year, the guidelines may not have included this:

Backcountrypilot.org is for pilots. Prospective and retired pilots are welcome, but discussion is required to be of a nature related to piloting, maintaining, or building manned aircraft. If you wish to join the discussion, it is expected that you have at least a student pilot certificate and are actively taking instruction, or are a certificated A&P mechanic.

Stop planning for airplanes you haven't flown and get down there and take a lesson!

Zzz wrote:I'm sorry, I appreciate your enthusiasm for planning, but the policy is that you must be actively training for your certificate to post on BCP. If you joined before this year, the guidelines may not have included this:

Backcountrypilot.org is for pilots. Prospective and retired pilots are welcome, but discussion is required to be of a nature related to piloting, maintaining, or building manned aircraft. If you wish to join the discussion, it is expected that you have at least a student pilot certificate and are actively taking instruction, or are a certificated A&P mechanic.

Stop planning for airplanes you haven't flown and get down there and take a lesson!

So I joined before this year, so I didn't do anything wrong by joining, at least so I thought. Guess thats changed and I can't participate? Whatever. I suppose Im not welcome on this forum, which is a bummer because some of BCP's video's and wealth of information got me into wanting to finish my license and really got me enthusiastic about it. Kind of got side tracked with the military and moving around over the last decade, but policy is policy.

Thanks for the advice I received from those who shared their knowledge. I'll have to seek assistance finishing my training elsewhere.

Godspeed.

You're more than welcome here. You just have to have a student pilot certificate and be taking instruction at the minimum to participate as a poster. I got tired of people with no actual flight experience arguing with 20,000 hr veterans about which year 206 was the best.

Zzz wrote:I'm sorry, I appreciate your enthusiasm for planning, but the policy is that you must be actively training for your certificate to post on BCP. If you joined before this year, the guidelines may not have included this:

Backcountrypilot.org is for pilots. Prospective and retired pilots are welcome, but discussion is required to be of a nature related to piloting, maintaining, or building manned aircraft. If you wish to join the discussion, it is expected that you have at least a student pilot certificate and are actively taking instruction, or are a certificated A&P mechanic.

Stop planning for airplanes you haven't flown and get down there and take a lesson!

Thought you were on leave or taking a time out....retiring? Glad you are back, yes I’ve had a couple.