Let me bring up an old topic with a new twist: buying my first airplane from abroad, for limited time use.
Here’s the scoop: I’d like to realize an old dream: spending a couple of months (2-4) over the period of 1-2 years flying leisurely across the US, visiting friends (from New England to New Mexico/CO) and enjoying the scenery.
Since I’m not a resident (German, spending a lot of my time in Patagonia - see also my intro over at “Lurkers 2019…”) I’ll have to organize plane and trips mostly from abroad (I do visit the US almost every year for a couple of weeks).

First question: which plane?

mission: max 300sm legs, speed no concern, VFR, 2 people + ~200lbs (luggage/camping/bike or 1pax) -> ca 700lbs useful load, paved/grass rwy, once/if confident maybe some ‘easy’ off-airport visits.

budget: airplane ≈ 45k $

experience: ~ 2700hrs glider, 140hrs SEL, tailwheel endorsement last August (T-craft/C140)

My favorite airplane would be a C170B, if I could find a decent one within my budget. A C170A would be ok, too, I guess. Then there’s its tricycle variant, an early C172.
(Tri-)Pacers qualify, as well, I think, and would probably be easier to find, fit my budget better.
I haven’t flown any of these, except for an ‘almost check-out’ in a 170A decades ago.

Which one would you recommend? Other options?

Second question: how to find a decent airplane?
I’ve been searching the web: Barnstormers, Alaskaslist, TaP, fb, type-clubs like TIC170A, and SWPC,…
The ‘local approach’, ie visiting airports, clubs and talking to people doesn’t really work for me (although it makes a lof sense). I wouldn’t know where to start (I’m reasonably connected within the US-soaring community only) and could only spend a couple of weeks/visit.
Some of my friends are pilots and they are in ‘look and listen’-mode.

Other Ideas?

Perhaps a partner-/coownership might work. And even though my mission/profile makes me a rather unusual partner, I’d certainly be open to it - and geographically totally flexible.

Is it doable? Well, dreams are there to be realized and I don’t give up easily..

Thanks for reading - and fire away.

Wolf

Wolf,

You'll get a bunch of replies to you questions so I'll just say I really like San Martin de los Andes to Bariloche to the bottom of Patagonia. What beautiful country and how great it would be to fly it. Great hunting and fishing too. Be nice to visit there again. Good luck on your search.

I am guessing that you plan on reselling this plane after your US tour. I would find a plane that would be easily resold. The 170/172 would fill your needs fairly easily. Are you wanting the plane well equipped? IFR or just VFR flights. Lot of good older 172's priced under your budget. I've flown my 1960 172A over a vast portion of the lower US and it has been reliable, low cost, and would fulfill your requirements.
JM2C.

Sounds like you know what is good for you, airplane wise. If you want tailwheel, I'd go 170, stinson, or pacer. Depending on budget with the 170B being at the higher end. A capable B model can easily be had for $45k. If nosewheel, an early 172 is hard to beat. Mid-later 172's are bringing a premium right now due to flight schools needing them. An N model 172 is more expensive than many 182s right now. Stinsons and Pacers are pretty damn cheap so you could go for one of them and spend the rest of the budget on fuel and food.

If you come to Colorado, come by Boulder. We have a very active pilot community both powered and gliders.

I wouldn’t discount the 170A for what you’re doing either, it would be more than capable for what you’re describing. The flaps aren’t as effective as the Fowler’s on a B obviously, but with a little work you can get it in and out plenty short.

asa wrote:If you come to Colorado, come by Boulder. We have a very active pilot community both powered and gliders.

Asa, I've been a member of the SSB since '94 and my last flights were in '16 in SG and PB - somehow we never ran into each other.
Ask Y, BC, A7,... if you want a background check on me.

asa wrote:A capable B model can easily be had for $45k

Haven't found one yet - let me know if/once you have a lead.

140eagles wrote:

asa wrote:If you come to Colorado, come by Boulder. We have a very active pilot community both powered and gliders.

Asa, I've been a member of the SSB since '94 and my last flights were in '16 in SG and PB - somehow we never ran into each other.
Ask Y, BC, A7,... if you want a background check on me.

asa wrote:A capable B model can easily be had for $45k

Haven't found one yet - let me know if/once you have a lead.

Oh that's awesome. I started towing in 2016 so no wonder we didn't meet haha. I do not fly gliders unfortunately. Here are some 170b's in your price range. A couple of them on floats. Sell the floats to buy gas.

https://alaskaslist.com/-3/posts/10_Tra ... _170B.html
https://www.barnstormers.com/classified ... +170B.html
https://www.barnstormers.com/classified ... Plane.html
https://www.barnstormers.com/classified ... 170+B.html

AERONCA SEDAN!!!! I'm just a little partial!

Decide if you must have a tailwheel (easier to skis, better for gravel bars, hip and cool factor) or if you are fine with a nosedragger.

If a tailwheel, look for a 170, a stinson, a sedan, a pacer, etc, and buy the one that's in the best shape and needs the least amount of work. That will be the one that will haul you around, and it will probably be the one with the best resale.

If you are cool with a nosewheel, I'd go that way, they are easier to sell (unless you are in AK), and there are more to choose from, and they tend to be newer.

At the end of the day, what you really want is good condition, look for something with an overhaul (at least top end) in the last few years. Something with TOP end 20 years ago might need work when you are just wanting to fly.

If I'm understanding the OP correctly, you're looking to fly for a week or two per year for several years, visiting friends around the US. Seems like a long-term rental would make a lot more sense than parking the plane for 11 1/2 months of the year, or am I missing something?

You should be able to find someone who'd rent you a 172 or such for a two-week period with some reasonable minimum hours flown. I did this back in 2003 when I flew a rental Citabria to Oshkosh. I ended up buying the plane later, but it was a pretty good arrangement at the time. Just a thought.

Oregon180 wrote:If I'm understanding the OP correctly, you're looking to fly for a week or two per year for several years, visiting friends around the US. Seems like a long-term rental would make a lot more sense than parking the plane for 11 1/2 months of the year, or am I missing something?

You should be able to find someone who'd rent you a 172 or such for a two-week period with some reasonable minimum hours flown. I did this back in 2003 when I flew a rental Citabria to Oshkosh. I ended up buying the plane later, but it was a pretty good arrangement at the time. Just a thought.

That's how I understood it as well. If that's the case I would definitely try to rent. I wouldnt be surprised if there was a private owner out there who be willing to make a deal with you for a couple weeks out of the year.


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Thanks to everybody for comments and suggestions.

To clarify: originally I thought I'd spend a max of three consecutive months during one year to fly around (a total of 100+hrs). Since I don't know when exactly I'd be purchasing I then included the option to spend 1 or 2 (consecutive) months over the period of two years. From what I've heard (haven't done any research) long term rentals would be difficult (at least) to find and mostly likely expensive (min. hours/day).

If I buy a plane it would still spend quite some time in a hangar somewhere. That's not good for the engine, and it is what made me think about a partnership of some sort.

I never thought about renting from a private owner, and, although I kind of favor the idea to do it in my own plane, it's an intriguing suggestion!
Now: how to go about looking for an interested private owner?
On relevant fb-groups/pages? Anybody interested among the bcp-members?

Thanks also for the hint to keep the resale value in mind. Would it favor Cessna (say 170) over Piper (Pacer)? - taildragger (C170/Pacer) over nosewheel (C172/TriPacer)?

You could probably get an O-360 or 470 powered Stinson for your budget, which would give you more flexibility at the higher elevations of your adventure.

Another option, especially if you went with a 172, would be to find a flight school and do a lease back while you're out of country. They'll keep the plane flying and presumably in good mechanical condition, and you could make some $ back. Or at least pay for storage (I have no experience with lease back arrangements).