I really like how most folks in this site keep from bashing each other, it’s refreshing compared to many other groups!

OP, right now it really is hard for those of us flying all kinds of different airplanes and all kinds of experience and capability to tell you anything when you really don’t have much to base your opinions on other than looks. There is so much more than high wing/low wing, stick/yoke and nose wheel/tail wheel to consider.

I think you are doing this backwards, personally. You need to get in the left seat, learn to fly, understand what you want and need from an airplane and then make your aircraft selection from there.

I was asking similar questions a couple of years ago but was doing my pilot training. I wanted a J3 - nostalgic, cool, capable taildragger. Well, I did my PPL in a J3 and quickly changed my mind. I needed more room, more range and more airplane.

I ended up in a Maule. Not classic, not nostalgic, not a stick, not tandem. But, it’s capable and fits my mission (and I can’t afford a 185!). Still looks cool as hell on 31’s or 35’s though!

Point being, go start flying and start learning what you don’t yet know. Then, once you have a basis for your opinion and mission, go from there.

Good luck!

TxAgfisher wrote:I really like how most folks in this site keep from bashing each other, it’s refreshing compared to many other groups!

OP, right now it really is hard for those of us flying all kinds of different airplanes and all kinds of experience and capability to tell you anything when you really don’t have much to base your opinions on other than looks. There is so much more than high wing/low wing, stick/yoke and nose wheel/tail wheel to consider.

I think you are doing this backwards, personally. You need to get in the left seat, learn to fly, understand what you want and need from an airplane and then make your aircraft selection from there.

I was asking similar questions a couple of years ago but was doing my pilot training. I wanted a J3 - nostalgic, cool, capable taildragger. Well, I did my PPL in a J3 and quickly changed my mind. I needed more room, more range and more airplane.

I ended up in a Maule. Not classic, not nostalgic, not a stick, not tandem. But, it’s capable and fits my mission (and I can’t afford a 185!). Still looks cool as hell on 31’s or 35’s though!

Point being, go start flying and start learning what you don’t yet know. Then, once you have a basis for your opinion and mission, go from there.

Good luck!

I've been waiting on this post all along. To the OP, this ^ is the way to go. You may decide to buy some rental property instead.

You all missed the Wittman Tailwind. It does everything he's asking for in style and you could buy 4 of them for his budget. Perhaps not a great beginners plane though.

What about a wittmann tailwind? Not really stol but has a stick and is fast on low power.

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TriPacerPilot wrote:You all missed the Wittman Tailwind. It does everything he's asking for in style and you could buy 4 of them for his budget. Perhaps not a great beginners plane though.

Looks like I was trying to steal your idea.... Lol should finish the thread before posting a reply.

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Great minds think alike.