DENNY wrote:One thing I have not seen mentioned is to find a good IA before you look look much harder.

Yes. And a hangar. Airplanes come and go but a hangar is your rock. A safe place for your tools and junk. A defense against the gawkers on the field.

From the outside, owning an airplane seems like you just find what you think is a good airplane and buy it. What could possibly now stand between you and having your camp already setup at Moose Creek for perfect Instagram photos?

Then you get a leaky valve or a cracked exhaust and you're violently sucked out of the Matrix, wearing a greasy hole-ridden hand-knitted sweater, eating nutritious paste, waiting for the next sentinel to destroy your wallet.

Hammer is our tough love expert, but he's perhaps too pragmatic. Although maybe he is doing something right because he reported portfolio losses to rival the purchase price of a new 206. I on the other hand manage my money and airplanes with my heart and my testicles, and it's left me with a good hangar and two grounded airplanes. Hmm. Better listen to Hammer.

Nobody wants to be so prudent as to spend their money on an airplane they know is only temporary for learning in. We all want our last airplane first. I say just set your criteria simply: Taildragger and 150hp minimum. There is SO much fun to be had taking trips alone or with your lady or dog. Skywagons and big engine Maules aren't nearly as much fun as smaller bore fixed pitch setup anyway. Too much thinking ahead. Too much fuel.

I will say I wish I had discovered the PA-22/20 earlier than I did. What a great airplane and value. It makes 150hp feel way snappier than the Cessna for some reason. I think that reason is weight.

Due to your Military Background this may be easier for you. But, as a new pilot, new plane owner, and new to aviation one of the hardest things is to find a good, trustworthy I/A who will actually work on your aircraft.
Im good now but for the first year it was hard to find a shop that would do smaller things like tire upgrades or 100 hour inspections on your Muffler for the AD when thats all you need.
I almost had to ground my bird over a couple of inspection sign offs .
The uneducated fool I am though it would be like getting a car worked on. Call a shop, schedule an appointment , get an estimate and boom your done.
Not so In my airplane world. Call the shop ( a week before you want anything done ) Explain what you want done .........remove phone from ear, guy on the other end starts a rant about how busy it is in GA repair . Ask sheepishly ..."Please" ??
And I dont even ask what the bill will be.( Not huge items of course )

But, Im in San Diego .....lost of GA . Few good shops

I have found a shop that works with me now, and I do some things myself

Your Mileage may vary

I have nothing of value to add but since everyone else is offering advice...

Forget about a plane, buy a boat, pour piles of money into said boat but do it with a smile cause you are saving money, and enjoy getting to see your gal in a swimsuit every time you take the boat out.

...or just buy a Maule...

There’s no reason she can’t wear a swimsuit in the plane.

CamTom12 wrote:There’s no reason she can’t wear a swimsuit in the plane.

My thoughts exactly...

A1Skinner wrote:

CamTom12 wrote:There’s no reason she can’t wear a swimsuit in the plane.

My thoughts exactly...

Yes, agree. Please attach phots of passenger in bikini.....most of us would like to debate the advantages of losing weight, ie articles of clothing.

lawndart wrote: I intentionally set my budget optimistically low to force myself to wait for a good deal rather than just going out and buying.

Steve

Be very wary of good deals, as they usually don't exist. Most sellers are aware of the market and if it's priced low, there is usually a good reason. Most sellers are actually very proud of their planes and think they're worth more than they are. I know you expect the market for planes to crash in this economy, and it may....or it may not.

When I was shopping, I came across a 185 on floats that sounded great, but was priced very low. I mentioned it to my I/A and he knew of that plane. It had been purchased by another mechanic as salvage from an insurance company after it had sunk in salt water.

Good deals also may come with the first annual being a very expensive one. First annuals are usually pretty pricey anyway, because the last owner typically deferred maintenance at the end plus a new mechanic is going to find things that another mechanic didn't.

Good luck if you find that "great deal," but be very wary.

Ross

Think of that first plane as the first car you would get a College kid that likes to go camping. Alll you really need is a beater with a heater!! If the motor/brakes/tires are good, you are golden. Paint/interior panels do not help a plane fly and a bit of weathered paint job usually means a lowered price. Fabric planes are the same way, I have a few tones of red on my plane with some sliver showing on the flaps, I asked my IA about painting them and he said with my skill set I should wait because I would most likely need it done soon anyway On a side note if you do end up married to the Doctor gal it is best that the plane from day one be know as HER plane. Show her the plane at pre-buy and when she likes the color/seats/Hula girl on the dash make a note and from that point on you got it for HER because she liked whatever it was. If all go's well she will become a wealthy Doctor with you filling the arm candy role. Couple times a year the plane/planes are going to need prop/tires/radio. Remember back to the first day and start with" Your Hula girl plane needs" My wife said never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she would own TWO planes but here she is upgrading the motor mount on the Cessna so we can go on floats!!
DENNY

whee wrote:I have nothing of value to add but since everyone else is offering advice...

Forget about a plane, buy a boat, pour piles of money into said boat but do it with a smile cause you are saving money, and enjoy getting to see your gal in a swimsuit every time you take the boat out.

...or just buy a Maule...

Learning to sail will make you a better pilot. You will appreciate the flying privilege much more. I couldn’t image flying without the knowledge of sailing first.

WWhunter wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:

CamTom12 wrote:There’s no reason she can’t wear a swimsuit in the plane.

My thoughts exactly...

Yes, agree. Please attach phots of passenger in bikini.....most of us would like to debate the advantages of losing weight, ie articles of clothing.

Soo this is why I was asking if a PA28-180 can land on a beach...





I'm a lucky guy!

Thanks for the additional input guys.

DENNY wrote:Think of that first plane as the first car you would get a College kid that likes to go camping. Alll you really need is a beater with a heater!! If the motor/brakes/tires are good, you are golden. Paint/interior panels do not help a plane fly and a bit of weathered paint job usually means a lowered price. Fabric planes are the same way, I have a few tones of red on my plane with some sliver showing on the flaps, I asked my IA about painting them and he said with my skill set I should wait because I would most likely need it done soon anyway On a side note if you do end up married to the Doctor gal it is best that the plane from day one be know as HER plane. Show her the plane at pre-buy and when she likes the color/seats/Hula girl on the dash make a note and from that point on you got it for HER because she liked whatever it was. If all go's well she will become a wealthy Doctor with you filling the arm candy role. Couple times a year the plane/planes are going to need prop/tires/radio. Remember back to the first day and start with" Your Hula girl plane needs" My wife said never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she would own TWO planes but here she is upgrading the motor mount on the Cessna so we can go on floats!!
DENNY

Very well played sir... I'm hoping I won't be arm candy just yet!

Damn this thread is exactly what I needed to try to define my mission. I’m not military (I’m a doctor) but I’m in a similar position as OP. Great discussion. I’d like to be able to throw a couple of bikes in the back so useful load gets a little dicey for me with 2 people, fuel and no space in a 120/140. Sounds like a 170 or a PA22/20 would be good for me. Or maybe I should stop being such a romanticist and just save myself CAD30k and go 172. These 4 seat tailwheels are getting pricey versus their nosewheel cousins!!

TB752 wrote:Damn this thread is exactly what I needed to try to define my mission. I’m not military (I’m a doctor) but I’m in a similar position as OP. Great discussion. I’d like to be able to throw a couple of bikes in the back so useful load gets a little dicey for me with 2 people, fuel and no space in a 120/140. Sounds like a 170 or a PA22/20 would be good for me. Or maybe I should stop being such a romanticist and just save myself CAD30k and go 172. These 4 seat tailwheels are getting pricey versus their nosewheel cousins!!

If you are Canadian I know of a couple nice 172s for sale for decent money.

Wow just went through this thread and it makes me feel lucky. Decided to learn to fly and wanted to purchase plane to save on rental costs while taking instruction. Approached my pilot buddy who bought and sold planes and asked for his help. Told him my budget was 30K and asked what I should do. Told me I needed a 170 and he had an instructor. Said OK and could he help me find the plane. One week later I was the proud owner of a new plane. Didn't even know where I was going to hangar it. Before I knew it had a hangar to rent at way under market. Instructor turned out to be great and had my ticket 11 weeks later. Flew the crap out of that plane. After about 1000 hours flying I happened to notice my mechanic rebuilding a Super Cub. Had to ask him who he was rebuilding that plane for and he replied "you". Made me an offer I couldn't refuse. That plane will last me for the rest of my life. So my suggestion is to not think about it at all. Just ask one person you trust and go with it. Worked out for me. Actually would not recommend my method unless as Dirty Harry once said " You feeling lucky punk".

Wow Coyote that is great it worked out for you the way it did. Nice looking Super Cub in your avatar. Post more pics of it!

Kurt