I'm getting a little bored since I can't get out to fly or work on my bird so I figured I would light the conversation fuse. So here goes...

What is the best backcountry plane in your opinion and why? Best performance? Best load? Best value? Or something else that makes your plane the best?

I'll lead off with my pick.

I nominate the Piper PA-22 Tripacer. Yep the one with the third wheel up front. And I nominate it because it is probably the best "average joe" plane out there.

It's a true multi-mission bird. You can buy one to get your private ticket in and then when your skills get up to snuff you can take it just about any of the backcountry strips out there. It comes stock with big(ish) tires, stout tube frame gear, removable back seat, and that huge back door for getting passengers or cargo in or out. Oh, and it's as gentle and forgiving as a 172. When you are not out in the boonies you can use it for training. Can't get out to the wide open country? Still a lot of good flying to be had in training and putting passenger in that back seat.

In the real world of jobs, houses, kids one doesn't have a lot of free time to keep their skills honed razor sharp. So a plane that is forgiving of little oops and the occasional mishandling is a great advantage. After all you can't ground loop a trike. Couldn't get out for a month? No problem, just go fly and you'll be fine.

Lastly the Tripacer is cheap. They tend to sell cheap and are cheap to fly. Low fuel burn, simple construction, and the forgiving nature all lead to low operating costs. Which is a good thing since that whole real life thing tends to leave one with little extra money.

Yes, I know the Tripacer doesn't have the biggest useful load or shortest landing/takeoff distance. But it allows you to do the most for the least cost.

The one you have.

I know is a lame, conversation killing answer but for most pilots the plane isn't the limiting factor.

Get perfectly proficient, be smart and run what ya brung.

Whee said it pretty well! Most guys can get by pefectly well with what they have. I understand the quest for something else, as I am totally guilty of doing the same thing. Even though I have purchased several other types of planes over the years, my old 172A will do what I want/need for 90% or more of my flying. A well tuned pilot can do amazing things with a plane he/she is comfortable with.
Having said this, your questions are difficult to answer since the type of plane one 'needs' pretty much comes down to what is the main mission you are going to be usuing it for. Really not any one particular plane that does everything and still economically feasible for the average owner. JMHO

niente qui

Bell Jet Ranger. I can’t afford one, even the OH58 kind. But alas, “if wishes were horses then beggars would ride.”

Luv the idea of ‘rolling your own’ . That makes mine the best available to ME!



https://vimeo.com/370751511?fbclid=IwAR ... SXg9uvaJR8

dogpilot wrote: Land in 340' drive two Unimogs off and 10 people.

Well crap, now that I looked up what a Unimog is, I want one.

dogpilot wrote: For me the flat out best backcountry aircraft was the deHavilland DHC-5 Buffalo. Land in 340' drive two Unimogs off loaded with 10 supermodels.

The only way this gets cooler

Y'all are just greedy and unrealistic. A Twin Otter hauling a couple motorcycles and a few attention starved Scandinavian bikini models is good enough for me and always will be.

Get real folks...geesh.

dogpilot wrote: For me the flat out best backcountry aircraft was the deHavilland DHC-5 Buffalo. Land in 340' drive two Unimogs off loaded with 10 supermodels.

vs.

Hammer wrote:A Twin Otter hauling a couple motorcycles and a few attention starved Scandinavian bikini models

We have a contest now boys

Huskytracks wrote:What is the best backcountry plane in your opinion and why? Best performance? Best load? Best value? Or something else that makes your plane the best?

It entirely depends on your mission, budget, experience.

For most people, the best backcountry plane is a Cessna 182 with a Sportsman STOL kit and 1000 gallons of gas through it.

Just buy a Maule.

akschu wrote:

Huskytracks wrote:What is the best backcountry plane in your opinion and why? Best performance? Best load? Best value? Or something else that makes your plane the best?

It entirely depends on your mission, budget, experience.

For most people, the best backcountry plane is a Cessna 182 with a Sportsman STOL kit and 1000 gallons of gas through it.

I would second the above statement about the C182 assuming you've got a decent budget. If I didn't love flying taildraggers so much I would be flying one. I would add the O-520 engine to the list of upgrades.

If you are on a limited budget you really can't beat a PA-20/22.

Of course if you've got serious money - then get a Sherpa.

Battson wrote:Just buy a Mall.

Fixed the spelling for you. ;P

Oh, I almost forgot, define backcountry. Like this?



Or more like this?

Draco obvs

whee wrote:The one you have.

I know is a lame, conversation killing answer but for most pilots the plane isn't the limiting factor.

Get perfectly proficient, be smart and run what ya brung.

This is absolutely it. So many years wasted saving and worrying about building my ultimate backcountry aircraft, when I could have been flying and having adventures, making memories in a more reasonable airplane. So much of my saving tied up in a pipe dream that probably won't be finished on a timeline that actually produces those images of my young daughters riding in the back and having fun.

Could have had 2 nice 172s running well and ready to go for what I have invested, making family memories in the woods instead of the garage.

Zzz wrote:

whee wrote:The one you have.

I know is a lame, conversation killing answer but for most pilots the plane isn't the limiting factor.

Get perfectly proficient, be smart and run what ya brung.

This is absolutely it. So many years wasted saving and worrying about building my ultimate backcountry aircraft, when I could have been flying and having adventures, making memories in a more reasonable airplane. So much of my saving tied up in a pipe dream that probably won't be finished on a timeline that actually produces those images of my young daughters riding in the back and having fun.

Could have had 2 nice 172s running well and ready to go for what I have invested, making family memories in the woods instead of the garage.

Both good points.
We opted to stick with much less airplane than we could afford to own because there are a lot of other things in life besides flying. Having less airplane and consequently more money is a trade-off that we've NEVER regretted, ever. Early retirement and money to support hobbies like good glass, competitive handgun shooting, art supplies, and just not having to worry about putting tires on the car or what taxes will be this year is worth a lot more to me than my dream airplane.

A 1964 Cessna 150D is hard to beat for economy. Fly it right, Fly it light, Fly it tight.