Any private pilots out here?

[V1Rotate]

Chris,
Your list of favorites is almost identical to mine, I am currently flying a CJ3, our careers must be similar.
For the OP, I think he would be better of renting a 172. Resale values on aircraft keep dropping and I think that trend will continue. So in addition to paying outrageous prices for fuel, a person buying a plane today stands a good chance of losing a great deal of money over the long term of aircraft ownership.

Jim

 

[ray66v]

With $5+ fuel, and an uncertain economy, I would not buy an aircraft right now. Especially, if you can still rent for a fair price.

That being said, If you still want to buy, IMO, a 172 is your best bet. Their popularity will help a lot when the time comes for you to return your investment into cash. If the economy stays flat, and you need to sell, you will be much better off trying to sell a plane that is popular.

A 172 is tough to beat when you consider price, their flying characteristics, ability to glide better than most, maintenance costs, availability of parts, including used parts, and insurance costs.

Don't be a fool, and buy an airplane that needs everything. Buy one that has everything you want, with a new, or low time engine. It's far cheaper that way. We have several guys in our club, who have much more in their airplanes than they will ever be able to get for them, because they did not follow this advice.

Don't forget, you already own an airport, if you get your helicopter rating. :thumbsup:

 

[scoutcub]

Don't forget, you already own an airport, if you get your helicopter rating. :thumbsup:

NOW you're talking....:thumbsup::laughing:.

 

[Wacky]

NOW you're talking....:thumbsup::laughing:.

+ 1
Anyway, the costs of maintenance is what is discouraging. My late brother worked for AA and had all the licenses for all the maintenance the aircraft I would purchase, which he would have been part owner in. That was back in 2003. It has been that long since I have been waiting to see if I would be able to afford it. And I probably could swing it. But for the amount of money I would have to put out of pocket, and the amount I would use it, as of right now, is not the best route for me. I will continue to toss around the idea every time I rent. So, unless I can find a "steal", I probably will continue to rent. I am a low time pilot as well which is hurting the cost of insurance as well. Thanks to all for the input and ideas.:thumbsup:

 

[Quickster2]

I am a Private Pilot with an Instrument rating and also have my A & P license. I owned a Beechcraft Sundowner with four other owners. The only way it made sense to me is I performed all of the maintenance for our little Corp. Once I moved from Illinois to Michigan I have never come across another situation that made sense financially to own.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris,
Your list of favorites is almost identical to mine, I am currently flying a CJ3, our careers must be similar.
For the OP, I think he would be better of renting a 172. Resale values on aircraft keep dropping and I think that trend will continue. So in addition to paying outrageous prices for fuel, a person buying a plane today stands a good chance of losing a great deal of money over the long term of aircraft ownership.

Jim

Yes, the CJ series is a great airplane. There again, it is what it is. If you can settle on the speed and range its tough to beat.

In the corporate world I have flow a C-210 Turbo Centurion, Cessna 310, Piper Cheyenne III, Beech King Air 200, Mitsubishi MU-2, Cessna Grand Caravan C208B, Pilatus PC-12, Mitsubishi MU300 Diamond Jet, Beech BE-400 Beech Jet, Sabreliner NA-265 Sabre, and the Cessna 525CJ Citation Jet.

All had good points and bad point. I had dreams of a Global or Gulfstream at one time till my buddies got them jobs. Being away from home and overseas does not interest me. I averaged 13 days a month last year, logged 400 hours, and averaged 3 overnights per month. Pretty good life, decent money, and plenty of time for the family, house, tractors, and boats.

Chris

 

[Egon]

Planes have always interested me but My knowledge equates to 0/1 on the going to smaller scale.

Just wondering if one of the Ultralights could fill the bill. One that is enclosed and has two motors on pods [ can't think of the name]. very sleek looking. Don't know about price or maintenance.
Google Image Result for http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/cricri/cricri1.jpg

 

[Gary Fowler]

In 1983 I bought a 1977 Cessna Cardinal RG which was about as cheap to fly retractable as you would ever find. Leaned out at cruise it would do a respectable 150 knots on 6.5 GPH. I kept it till 1985 and was proud to be able to sell it for what I had invested. I saw a 172 Cessna in Little Rock Ark. Craigslist for $29900 if I remember correctly. It was really light on avionics but priced right for a quick sell to an unsuspecting buyer who has no idea of the upkeep costs. My happiest days were when I bought my plane and when I sold it. Hard to say which was the happier occassion. Now I just collect tractors and boats that I use only occassionally but would never sell.

 

[V1Rotate]

Planes have always interested me but My knowledge equates to 0/1 on the going to smaller scale.

Just wondering if one of the Ultralights could fill the bill. One that is enclosed and has two motors on pods [ can't think of the name]. very sleek looking. Don't know about price or maintenance.
Google Image Result for http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/cricri/cricri1.jpg

Just because a plane is very small doesn't mean that it is easier or safer to fly. In fact, that plane looks to me like it would be very tricky especially if one of those two stoke engines engines failed.

If you are interested in airplanes, by all means go out to your local airport and talk to a flight instructor about taking a flight. You will find people at the airport will be very friendly and eager to answer your questions. If you do take a flight, it will probably be in a Cessna or Piper. These are safe, reliable , FAA approved aircraft that are used by most private pilots.
The ultralight type aircraft that you refer to are often home built and have questionable saftey records.

 

[Boeing]

Boy, did Diamond give you good advice. Partnerships are always a problem because of "unequal" use or "quality of use". If the other guy "pounds" on the landings and you share tires, brakes, gear inspections and strut overhauls....??
Also, EVERY annual will find something need to be done. Brakes, rotors, valves, magnetoes etc. And, of course, frequently SOMETHING won't work...radio, transponder, alternator, beacon etc. Unless you are Donald Trump, keep renting. (and take a safety pilot once in a while so you can practice "under the hood"....you never know when the weather will come down)
Good Luck,
Rob:thumbsup:

 

[pilot-werx]

For me, time is money an sitting around an airport waiting for the airlines became maddening..... That is why I bought my first plane. Since my business supports it and it makes me money with clients I would not be able o service without it (Canadian bush), I have slowly upgraded to my turbine beaver.... Yeah it only cruises at 150 knots but it beats driving and sure as heck beats delta.....

 

[Boeing]

Dennis, looks like you and I are about the same era. I was in the Marines and started taking the lessons in the base flying club. The aging c-150 was $8.00....I think an instructor was $6. That was '67. [After I got out and started MEL it was an AZTEC for $60 Since then I've been fortunate to have employers pay me to fly their very expensive planes......BE-100's, BE-99's, Falcons, 727's, L-1011's, DC-10's, 757's and now 767's. It's more fun now on the tractor..... But it's been a fun career.

 

[Dennisfly]

Boeing,

You're right. You can read the enthusiasm between the lines based on age and experience. Nothing at all wrong with youth or entusiasm. It's what makes us a great country. You and I are just past it a bit. It has been a great career, but I wouldn't recommend it to a young person given the current state of affairs.

 

[haroldy]

i have 180 on floats that i have had for 20 years and just fly for fun
not looking at the cost has been the greatest experience of a lifetime
I bought a mooney on spec 10 years ago, loved flying it ,but could not take care of 2 aircraft.Mooney was not very expensive considering performance
If you can afford it go ahead ,enjoy it ,thats what life is about..

 

[grsthegreat]

i have a friend that is a pilot for a regional carrier based out of Colorado. he hates his job. he keeps wining that they treat him like a child, and he thinks he can make more money working for home depot...hehe. he actually told me that.

 

[Boeing]

GRS, I've met and flown with a few...VERY FEW, like that. Most of us LOVE our jobs The industry does have a tendency to "take advantage" of the economy. When jobs are scarce they will be the first to threaten bankruptcy unless the crews take a 40% pay cut. (and we usually do) Also, they will furlough with a 10 day notice. The real problem is that most airlines are unionized and have a seniority system which means that you may be the most qualified guy around but if your company shuts down, (Braniff, Eastern, Pan Am, ATA, Pacific Southwest, Southern and many many more) then you will start over as a "probationary Co-pilot" making about $35,000. In that case you may very well make more at Home Depot. The upside is that if things go well and your company expands and gets newer equipment you may work 2 days a week and earn a really good salary. We do have to roll the dice every 6 months with a physical, EKG, FAA observed training (pass/fail) and just general luck as far as equipment failures and weather related accidents. It's not all rosy.
Take care and happy flying.:thumbsup:

 

[PILOON]

Well I have owned over a dozen aircraft from J-3 to C-182s and have an A&P ticket as well.
Owned a radio shop, was a FBO and for a short time a Cessna dealer.

All around the most cost effective aircraft to own IMHO is a Cessna 172.
Very rarely a SB or AWD to comply with.
Annuals are a piece of cake.
Best is any year with a Lycoming rather than a Conentintal as Lyc has higher TBO's.
Probably the lowest costing to buy would be an early square tail contintal powered bird.
Many minor things to consider. Avionics as an example. This can be costly to update and many older radios are just not cost effective to maintain plus often no longer legal to use.
My best advice I can offer from my years in that trade is to take a trusted A&P along for an inspection and have him verify AWD's and SB's B4 any commitment is made.
The rattiest old 172 might be the best deal over the best looking Cardinal RG.
Example; most AC with minimum King avionics will be far better than a factory IFR Cessna avionic equipped same model AC.
Lots of avionics are simple trash.

High wing like cessna eliminates lots of fuel related maintainance. (like pumps etc)
Keep clear of bladder tanks due to AWD's. Same for constant speed props (AWD's)
Cessna landing gear= one big blade spring, not oleos.
Anything RG will cost in maintainance (and insurance)

Hey, pick an AC and send me the specs and I'll advise U to the best I know.

 

[roaf3x]

It must be contagious to be flying planes and running some type of tractor.

I am always amazed by the number of "farmers" who are also pilots for a living.

In response to the original post- I think a flying club has become the only affordable way to still be flying.

I live in CT so a 172 here is still 130.00 an hour after you are deemed worthy.

It is becoming much like Europe and soon we will all be only allowed to mow the
grass at the airport.

Sad but true........

I love to get hoe from trips and use the Kubota.......

I hope the L3200 does not need a type!

Cheers,

RD

 

[roaf3x]

or spell check sorry !!

 

[grsthegreat]

or spell check sorry !!

don't you hate that...you think that its the 21st century....my computer keyboard should automatically correct my typing .....stupid Microsoft