https://backcountrypilot.org/knowledge- ... ush-planes

This has been featured on the homepage for a while. It’s something we compiled after experiencing the challenge of trying to get into an affordable aircraft, and contains many gems learned right here in the forum over the years, including this recent thread: What is the best bush plane I can buy for $80K?

It might also contain some tones of personal frustration.

A note of sad interest: that BC-12D from my local seaplane base in the leading photo has since had its wings removed and been put in storage

Affordable airplane: The ultimate oxymoron......

mtv wrote:Affordable airplane: The ultimate oxymoron......

Exactly!!

While you can still find a Champ/Chief T-craft and others of the ilk for fairly cheap, planes have just gotten extremely pricey. Even experimentals, which a few years ago could be had for reasonable prices, have drastically increased in value. I had a guy contact me a few days ago about a Murphy Rebel that I have that is nearly complete. $65,000 and he balked saying it was over his budget. When a kit from most manufacturers are well over $30K, FWF costing about the same, add radios, paint, etc. and a several year build time, most kits will end up closer to $100K+ unless one can really scrounge.

All my life I've happily bought shitbox cars and brought them back to life. Being able to turn a wrench is often the difference between having cool stuff and not....

Buying an airplane was the first time in my life where I owned something mechanical (and dead simple) that I couldn't repair. Buying a plane is one thing but keeping it flying is a totally different matter. When you have to pay for a mechanic gambling at the cheap end of the aircraft spectrum becomes much less enjoyable.

In my opinion getting a good mechanic and building trust with them is probably more important in "affordable" aircraft ownership than the upfront cost. I dreamt that I was going to be able to use a LSA repairman's rating on my 170 with the passing of MOSAIC but that doesn't seem to be the case.

SmokeyTheBear wrote:All my life I've happily bought shitbox cars and brought them back to life. Being able to turn a wrench is often the difference between having cool stuff and not....

Buying an airplane was the first time in my life where I owned something mechanical (and dead simple) that I couldn't repair. Buying a plane is one thing but keeping it flying is a totally different matter. When you have to pay for a mechanic gambling at the cheap end of the aircraft spectrum becomes much less enjoyable.

In my opinion getting a good mechanic and building trust with them is probably more important in "affordable" aircraft ownership than the upfront cost. I dreamt that I was going to be able to use a LSA repairman's rating on my 170 with the passing of MOSAIC but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I totally agree on the importance of developing a relationship with good maintenance professionals. I've done that for decades, but lately, there are few options hereabouts at least. The gent I have been working with is great, but, totally swamped. Two mechanics, and they are just overwhelmed. So, get in line is the name of the game. Previously, this hasn't affected my flying much, but it's starting to get that way. So, now you have an expensive hobby, which you may or may not be able to get maintained when you need it. Don't get me wrong, these folks have been great to date. And, I have tried to respect their situation.

Bottom line, aviation is getting to be more difficult as a recreational pursuit.

SmokeyTheBear wrote:All my life I've happily bought shitbox cars and brought them back to life. Being able to turn a wrench is often the difference between having cool stuff and not....

Buying an airplane was the first time in my life where I owned something mechanical (and dead simple) that I couldn't repair. Buying a plane is one thing but keeping it flying is a totally different matter. When you have to pay for a mechanic gambling at the cheap end of the aircraft spectrum becomes much less enjoyable.

In my opinion getting a good mechanic and building trust with them is probably more important in "affordable" aircraft ownership than the upfront cost. I dreamt that I was going to be able to use a LSA repairman's rating on my 170 with the passing of MOSAIC but that doesn't seem to be the case.

In contrast to a general mechanic for cars/motorcycles/etc, the number one skill for an airplane mechanic is being able (and willing) to read and write. So much of what becomes a showstopper during a pre-buy is poor workmanship and poor adherence to regs and poor record-keeping from the previous mechanics and/or owner. You're basically buying into a regulated airplane "system" with provenance, recorded in the logs. And similar to a person who gets a large number of visible tattoos, all the quality of the work is there to be read and corroborated until the end of time. Or, as a knowledgeable friend once told me: read between the lines. What's not there?

Exactly the reason that I have gone experimental!

Mechanics that have the time and aren't swamped are getting harder to schedule for maintenance and repairs. Granted, there are a couple of shops in the area, but since they cater more to the 'upper crust' crowd, the cost is eye watering.

Personally, I am confident in my abilities, having restored motorcycles, classic cars, and worked on airplanes for well over 50 years, going experimental is the route I had to take to continue being able to fly. Not sure if I will ever own another certified airplane. With the new MOSAIC rules, one can take a 16 hour course to enable you to do a condition inspection on an AB aircraft you personally own. While I do not think this is the optimum solution for everyone, it is what I am going to do. I have a friend that's an AP and will still continue to ask for his feedback. An IA that I have also been working with for years suggested that I just take the tests for an AP since he will sign off my experience. AT my age, I really don't see the benefit now that the MOSAIC has been implemented, especially now that I own only AB aircraft.

WWhunter wrote:Exactly the reason that I have gone experimental!

Mechanics that have the time and aren't swamped are getting harder to schedule for maintenance and repairs. Granted, there are a couple of shops in the area, but since they cater more to the 'upper crust' crowd, the cost is eye watering.

Personally, I am confident in my abilities, having restored motorcycles, classic cars, and worked on airplanes for well over 50 years, going experimental is the route I had to take to continue being able to fly. Not sure if I will ever own another certified airplane. With the new MOSAIC rules, one can take a 16 hour course to enable you to do a condition inspection on an AB aircraft you personally own. While I do not think this is the optimum solution for everyone, it is what I am going to do. I have a friend that's an AP and will still continue to ask for his feedback. An IA that I have also been working with for years suggested that I just take the tests for an AP since he will sign off my experience. AT my age, I really don't see the benefit now that the MOSAIC has been implemented, especially now that I own only AB aircraft.

There are many benefits for you to obtain A&P certification. At a minimum, additional knowledge is good, learning is therapeutic, and IF you find that nice bargain that happens to be certified, this places you in a position to take it on if desired. The objective is to keep current doors open and learn methods to open new ones, earning the A&P meets this and more.

TR