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Airplane Purchases

scoober78

(HCDAW)
pilot
Contributor
Not saying it's impossible, just... buyer beware :) The general wisdom is if you can't fly more than 100 hours a year, you're wasting money.

Rog....I hear you guys about the time consideration. When I posted, it was something that I hadn't really thought about...duh...I know. Thanks for the input. Renting is from a financial point of view, obviously the way to go...but wanted to see what caught everyone elses imagination out there. I have thought about time-sharing situations...talked to some reps from MyPlane...neat program...more like co-leasing than renting...check it out. Here is a link. http://www.ourplane.com/ They offer some great aircraft and some neat perks like cleaning, preping, and national use.

To those who responded with their "dream planes", thanks. Lots of neat stuff out there and honestly, that was what I wanted to see/get a feel of. My heartstrings still want a Guards red Cayman S...we'll have to see when the time comes.
 

Gatordev

Well-Known Member
pilot
Site Admin
Contributor
My best friend's father owns a time-share with about 4 other pilots, and is basically able to use the plane at will. We went down to Fun 'n Sun this year and he was able to use it for several other occasions w/o conflict from the other pilots. He pays a low amount for upkeep a month + that of fuel when he uses it. He has read this thread and told me to recommend a time share. So for better or for worse, consider this.

Agreed. Definitely a viable way to go....as long as you know and trust your partners.

My heartstrings still want a Guards red Cayman S...we'll have to see when the time comes.

Now that's a whole other thread. :)
 

gaetabob

Registered User
pilot
To those who responded with their "dream planes", thanks. Lots of neat stuff out there and honestly, that was what I wanted to see/get a feel of. My heartstrings still want a Guards red Cayman S...we'll have to see when the time comes.
if we're talking true dream plane, that'll only happen once I win the lottery (which of course is my destiny) would be a B-17...everytime I see one flying all I can think about is poetry in flight...I'm not sure how practical it would be...but if I were rich enough to own one, I wouldn't be too concerned about being practical, now would I?!? :D
 

Cobra Commander

Awesome Bill from Dawsonville
pilot
if we're talking true dream plane, that'll only happen once I win the lottery (which of course is my destiny) would be a B-17...everytime I see one flying all I can think about is poetry in flight...I'm not sure how practical it would be...but if I were rich enough to own one, I wouldn't be too concerned about being practical, now would I?!? :D


That's what I'm talkin about! Four Wright Cyclones with 1,000 hp a piece! Oh baby!!
 

Zilch

This...is...Caketown!
A B-17? Dizzam. I think there's a picture of one next to "upkeep" in the dictionary.

Then again, nothing sounds like four radials...
 

phrogdriver

More humble than you would understand
pilot
Super Moderator
Like cars, only classics appreciate. That 1970 C-172 is a lot cheaper than a 2005. Now, a Stearman or something like that...

Buying a plane is doable. Definitely more of a recreational thing than a practical one. Recommend taking that money and getting ALL your civilian ratings before sinking it in a plane. Also think about maintenance and insurance costs--the sticker price is only half the struggle.

A buddy of mine bought a Long EZ as a 1stLt, too. Cheap, easy to fly. Unfortunately it was classed as an experimental, which means sh!t for resale value.

As this being said, look at 1970s-vintage Cessnas and Pipers.
 

scoober78

(HCDAW)
pilot
Contributor
This is probably a question asked elsewhere...but since you brought it up...

Its my understanding that sometime during advanced (usually) you are given the opportunity to apply and test for your commercial cert. Is this true? I would assume in addition to that you would reccomend a complex/high power rating, multi-engine rating...and then CFI? ATP??? Just wondering if you can elaborate I guess. Makes alot of sense and I never really thought about that before.
 

zippy

Freedom!
pilot
Contributor
This is probably a question asked elsewhere...but since you brought it up...

Its my understanding that sometime during advanced (usually) you are given the opportunity to apply and test for your commercial cert. Is this true? I would assume in addition to that you would reccomend a complex/high power rating, multi-engine rating...and then CFI? ATP??? Just wondering if you can elaborate I guess. Makes alot of sense and I never really thought about that before.


Military Competency Exam... you can use it to get your Commercial Single Engine and Instrument rating (as well as whatever rating you'd get for your advanced track ie. commercial multi or helo). You can take the test a bit before you get winged (site says 2 years). Since your in Corpus, Bazemore would be guy to give you the rating and you can take the exam at Coastal Bend Aviation.

Costs about $200 overall for the test and the ratings.

http://www.coastalbendaviation.com/
 

chrispaul

NFO
None
As an alternative to co-ownership, perhaps look into the flying clubs that exist at some NAS locations. For example, NAS Whidbey has a club, I'm sure there are others around the country. A great way to ease into possible ownership down the road.
 

SubtoSky

Officer NOooo...
None
Consider the RV series from Van's.

It will be cheaper in the long run, as you pay for it in chunks.

By the time you finish building it you will have time to fly it.

A manufactured aircraft that has generally the same performance will cost you four times as much, all at one payment.

Plus, you will save loads of money that you would ordinarily be giving up to mechanics for maintenance, overhauls, yearly inspections, etc...

I would go with the new RV-10 as it has four seats, or the RV-3 because you can choose to install the turbine driven prop and flat out fly!
 

Malice 1

Member
pilot
Unless I was rich, they only aircraft I would ever consider buying is citabria or aviat husky. They are cheap enough that they won't break the bank, and they are fun to fly. Aerobatic and cheap. Slow as hell though.

I would never buy a cessna, warrior, or anything like that.
1) you can rent POS's like that, and it'll be cheaper in the long run.
2)My camaro and my corvette both outperform a C172. If I'm gonna pay alot of money for a vehicle, it better outperfrom the average bear by a LARGE margin.

Buying a C172 for recreation is like buying a ford escort for racing. It's just stupid. Driver education courses use ford escorts, and FBO's rent out cessnas.
 

xmid

Registered User
pilot
Contributor
Unless I was rich, they only aircraft I would ever consider buying is citabria or aviat husky. They are cheap enough that they won't break the bank, and they are fun to fly. Aerobatic and cheap. Slow as hell though.

I would never buy a cessna, warrior, or anything like that.
1) you can rent POS's like that, and it'll be cheaper in the long run.
2)My camaro and my corvette both outperform a C172. If I'm gonna pay alot of money for a vehicle, it better outperfrom the average bear by a LARGE margin.

Buying a C172 for recreation is like buying a ford escort for racing. It's just stupid. Driver education courses use ford escorts, and FBO's rent out cessnas.


This is an ignorant statement. Its like saying "I would never buy a POS Harley Davidson or any cruiser motorcycle, because a 10 year old crotch rocket will run circles around it everyday of the week with half the displacement." Different style. Different strokes for different folks. Most people that buy a C172 or a warrior are looking to build time and experience. Some people just have no desire to do aerobatics, or be a fighter pilot, etc. Sure your corvette may "outperform" a C172, except for one thing... It can't FLY. Not to mention you can't drive a straight line from point A to point B cruising at 100 knots. Alot of people with your attitude are the ones who buy more than they are capable of handling and end up killing themselves. C172 is going to be cheap to insure, not true for alot of other higher performance aircraft. Look up insurance costs of a 45K C172 versus a 45K Pitts, and thats if you can even get the Pitts insured with your qualifications/hours. It can be over 10 times the amount. A C172 or a warrior may not be "cool" enough for you, but don't be a d!ck about it.
 

Malice 1

Member
pilot
This is an ignorant statement. Its like saying "I would never buy a POS Harley Davidson or any cruiser motorcycle, because a 10 year old crotch rocket will run circles around it everyday of the week with half the displacement." Different style. Different strokes for different folks. Most people that buy a C172 or a warrior are looking to build time and experience. Some people just have no desire to do aerobatics, or be a fighter pilot, etc. Sure your corvette may "outperform" a C172, except for one thing... It can't FLY. Not to mention you can't drive a straight line from point A to point B cruising at 100 knots. Alot of people with your attitude are the ones who buy more than they are capable of handling and end up killing themselves. C172 is going to be cheap to insure, not true for alot of other higher performance aircraft. Look up insurance costs of a 45K C172 versus a 45K Pitts, and thats if you can even get the Pitts insured with your qualifications/hours. It can be over 10 times the amount. A C172 or a warrior may not be "cool" enough for you, but don't be a d!ck about it.


Since most of us are military pilots here, it seems to me like they wouldn't want to take a big step down in the performance of the aircraft they are flying.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like building time in a c172 warrior won't get you the good quality hours needed to transition to the airlines after your military aviaiton career ends.

A friend of mine in primary said that he will never touch his personally owned C172 again after tearing around in a T-6 II for 6 months.

I'm sorry I hurt your feelings soo much. I guess some people still get a kick out of going 112 knots and climbing at 400ft/min.
 
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