I'm sure you guys get this all the time but I need some help!

I'm looking to buy my first airplane and I'd prefer is to be floats/ski's/tail wheel.I am commercial - SEL/SEL, instrument, and tail wheel with right around 300 hours. Most of my time is in a 150/152/172. I got my SES in a 172 and only have limited hours(just for the license) and got my tail wheel endorsement from my buddy whos a CFI who owns a 7AC and have around 15 hours in that. I'm pretty open to idea's and can't seem to pick one make or model that I would like. I'd really like a 170B on floats but they seem pretty hard to come by. I guess my basic requirements would be a decent useful load(700lbs or so or really able to take at least one other person with a decent amount of camping gear and fuel for the trip), tailwheel/ski's/floats, and 65-70k or under(although i really don't want to stretch the budget).

Let me know what you guys have for input and if you've seen anything on barnstormers or tradeaplane or know someone who's got something for sale?

There's currently a For Sale listing on this site for a very nice 170B with stock motor and including a Seaplane (8042) prop. robw56 is the seller.

I posted in the float flying forum also because I thought that might get some response but I figured I would here as well.

I'm sure you guys get this all the time but I need some help! I'm looking to buy my first airplane and I'd prefer is to be floats/ski's/tail wheel.I am commercial - SEL/SEL, instrument, and tail wheel with right around 300 hours. Most of my time is in a 150/152/172. I got my SES in a 172 and only have limited hours(just for the license) and got my tail wheel endorsement from my buddy whos a CFI who owns a 7AC and have around 15 hours in that. I'm pretty open to idea's and can't seem to pick one make or model that I would like. I'd really like a 170B on floats but they seem pretty hard to come by. I guess my basic requirements would be a decent useful load(700lbs or so or really able to take at least one other person with a decent amount of camping gear and fuel for the trip), tailwheel/ski's/floats, and 65-70k or under(although i really don't want to stretch the budget).

Let me know what you guys have for input and if you've seen anything on barnstormers or tradeaplane or know someone who's got something for sale?

Will do thanks! I believe they need a float kit too? was kinda hoping to get a plane with at least a float kit if not floats. The 170's I believe require one's own fabrication of the float kit per an STC, if I am wording that right.

Nrmangino7 wrote:I posted in the float flying forum also because I thought that might get some response but I figured I would here as well.

I'm sure you guys get this all the time but I need some help! I'm looking to buy my first airplane and I'd prefer is to be floats/ski's/tail wheel.I am commercial - SEL/SEL, instrument, and tail wheel with right around 300 hours. Most of my time is in a 150/152/172. I got my SES in a 172 and only have limited hours(just for the license) and got my tail wheel endorsement from my buddy whos a CFI who owns a 7AC and have around 15 hours in that. I'm pretty open to idea's and can't seem to pick one make or model that I would like. I'd really like a 170B on floats but they seem pretty hard to come by. I guess my basic requirements would be a decent useful load(700lbs or so or really able to take at least one other person with a decent amount of camping gear and fuel for the trip), tailwheel/ski's/floats, and 65-70k or under(although i really don't want to stretch the budget).

Let me know what you guys have for input and if you've seen anything on barnstormers or tradeaplane or know someone who's got something for sale?

Z will probably delete the other as a duplicate in order to keep the database clean. There's some forum rules for posting ads for an airplane/stuff you don't own as well.

Having said all that, I'll second the recommendation in the other thread (which ought to get merged here) for Rob's 170B. I haven't seen it in person, but his rebuild thread is very comprehensive if you're curious to read it. If I was in the market, I'd give it a very serious look.

If Rob's plane doesn't fit the bill, I'd recommend looking into a Piper Pacer. Great bargain for the capabilities they have. Mine has 842lbs useful load and 160hp. Won't perform as well in slow flight / off airport / on floats as a Cub, but will cruise way faster. Cruise speed is comparable to a Cessna 170B, but I think Rob's plane with the Sportsman cuff would fly slower. You can usually find a good PA-22/20 for $20-30k, and it makes a dang good "compromise" airplane for the budget. I think Prosaria on here just rebuild one beautifully and is selling it, as well.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if this would violate the forum rule or not but thanks for the heads up!

I have seen his plane a few times now on barnstormers. I'll definitely give it another look. I'm not super concerned about squeezing into areas with limited take off space..ect just want something that i can fly on floats and skis, bring enough fuel to get me there and back without having to worry, another person, and some gear to get us through a few days. Thanks for the advice on the piper, ill start checking them out.

Have you looked at an 8GCBC? It's designed as a bush aircraft and has all the STC's and/or factory options for Backcounty ops. It's "Plug and Play" for floats, skis, large tires.

The TCDS even allows up to 2600 LBS restricted category.

Where do you plan to fly?

Duplicated post....

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/community/forum/latest/first-airplane-purchase-help-19839?p=277001#p277001

other thread on this forum wrote:Have you looked at an 8GCBC? It's designed as a bush aircraft and has all the STC's and/or factory options for Backcounty ops. It's "Plug and Play" for floats, skis, large tires.

The TCDS even allows up to 2600 LBS restricted category.

Where do you plan to fly?

No, I have not, but I am intrigued! I'll look into them. I plan to do most of my flying in Maine.

Nrmangino7 wrote:No, I have not, but I am intrigued! I'll look into them. I plan to do most of my flying in Maine.

I was ready to get a "Cub". But, decided to stop by Idaho on the way...A friend showed me the Scout and it was love at first sight! I never even knew what a "Scout" was. Everyday I fly it, we love it more and more!

Skis were easy to install and paperwork is all there out of the box:



Been to SE Alaska on floats (and back)...

I have a bunch of time in a 7gcbc...wonderful plane. Loved every minute of flying it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

There's a ton of information on here regarding the joys and burdens of ownership, and it's worth the time to read it before you decide on a budget.

Everyone wants their first airplane to do pretty much everything they might want, which is normal. MOST people decide to sacrifice two or three or fifty of their original must-haves in the name of fiscal reality.

If you haven't already, one thing I'd definitely nail down before doing anything else are some insurance quotes.

If you're taking out a loan or cannot walk away from a loss, you obviously need hull insurance. With low hours you're going to be paying the highest premiums, and while I don't know exactly how insurance companies handle the float and ski aspects, I'm pretty sure they charge "something" for the additional risks.

Those insurance quotes might have a big impact on what you're willing to own...better to find that out before you spend a lot of time looking at airplanes that you really don't want to insure, or buying landing gear that the underwriter won't cover you for.

Good luck!

I appreciate that advice. I have gotten a quote on one plane so far with hull insurance through avemco..an aeronca 7ec with a O-235, prices were $4000/yr for floats but said they could prorate for the months on floats, and on wheels/skis was 1200/yr...i guess i should start looking at other perspective planes to see what the costs will be. i liked the 7ec but the useful load after fuel was dismal.

the scouts im finding on barnstormers are pricey!

Intentional duplicate topics in separate subforums are not allowed -- I have merged the two. This is appropriate to the ownership forum. People generally will find your topic via "latest/active topics" anyway.

Consider Aeronca Sedan. If you can find one with a 180hp conversion that would make a very nice float plane. A Sedan with stock 145 is kinda gutless on floats but then again, so is a Cessna 170 with stock 145hp engine. Gotta be careful with the BIG cabin of the Sedan, easy and tempting to over load.

Kurt

There is a sedan on alaskaslist.com

will add it to my options, certainly like the scouts, but not the price tag i'm finding so far! haha

thanks ill check it out

Nrmangino7 wrote:will add it to my options, certainly like the scouts, but not the price tag i'm finding so far! haha

Scouts are great planes, but I doubt you'll find one in your price range. Also, depending on your passenger, they may not stomach the rear seat of a tandem well.
7GCBC are a great plane. I loved mine. But they don't have a lot of useful load. I like the sedan recommendation.