Best personal plane?

stuckmike · Post by **stuckmike** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:10 am

Okay,

Here's the deal. If you were in the market for a small cheap aircraft, that works on floats, could haul 4 (2 adults 2 kids)in a pinch, with operating costs that are low. What would be the options? Do they even make a plane that the recreational pilot can afford anymore?

I Think the 170 would work. What do you guys think? I'm kinda looking, but would like some info from the mighty braintrust that is Avcanada.

Cheers and Happy Holidays

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:14 am

I think you'd find a 170 with even four little people on board a little underpowered? Maybe a Maule? There are some two-seaters that would work for me, but four seats means bigger bucks. I think I've seen Stinson 108's on tubs? That's about as cheap as you can get..with four seats?

bigsky · Post by **bigsky** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:28 am

Find yourself a Cessna 180. An old one.

rejd · Post by **rejd** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:42 am

What might help is to tell us what your budget would be.

stuckmike · Post by **stuckmike** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:51 am

Yeah, budget, forgot that. I'm looking at a Max $50 000 cdn. That's sitting on a dock, insured, gassed up and ready to fly. I know Two seaters are a dime a dozen for that kind of coin but I would love a 4 seater. I'll fly it mostly with with 2 on board but would like the option.

What do you guys think. Pipe dream to find a bird that can do it for that price?

Thx for the responses so far.

Cheers

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:57 am

If you're going to fly it with mostly 2 people on board, why do you want to pay for and truck around all that extra room (and that extra powerplant)?

Why wouldn't you buya 2 seater, and then bank your savings on purchase price and operating costs. Then when you NEED a four seater, you can rent one.

Either that or look at a fractional ownership of a four seater on floats.

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:58 am

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:54 pm

I think Doc is right ... can you find a 260hp Maule? That's the most powerful piston-powered Maule I know of. You can't afford the turbine version, not at Cdn$50k!

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 1:08 pm

Hedley....can you put a Pitts on tubs? Sure would look funny though!

rejd · Post by **rejd** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 1:25 pm

This one is open to offers so not sure how much they want.

http://www.cs-ent.ca/5831.htm

stuckmike · Post by **stuckmike** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:02 pm

If you're going to fly it with mostly 2 people on board, why do you want to pay for and truck around all that extra room (and that extra powerplant)?

Why wouldn't you buya 2 seater, and then bank your savings on purchase price and operating costs. Then when you NEED a four seater, you can rent one

I think that is the answer. I got caught up in looking for the perfect plane. In my price range, they don't exist.

rejd - Same Maule......big bucks... http://www.controller.com/listings/fors ... 654262C534

Doc, what model Aeronca have you got?

Cheers

stuckmike · Post by **stuckmike** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:02 pm

d@mn double post

bigsky · Post by **bigsky** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:49 pm

Cessna 180. Get an old one.
Here is a good start on start on the floats.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CAP-3000 ... 9853QQrdZ1

If you really want a true 4 place you will have to up your budget.
If you are looking for a pristine a/c you won't find it.

You will have to keep your eyes open.

I know a guy that bought a C172 on floats. It turned into a good machine for him.
Find a friend that has an AME and get them in on the project.
It is not the initial cost that is expensive. It is the O & M.

Trust me .. I know..!!

Jungle Jim · Post by **Jungle Jim** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:11 pm

Try a Stinson. I have a 108-3 on wheels and we see quite a few on floats in this area. They are a good solid plane that won't disappoint you.

Jim

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:16 pm

You might have to do a search but someone posted that new aircraft, kit..
The wheels at 33US and floats at 48, i think?

chief · Post by **chief** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:30 pm

How much are bellance vikings running for these days?

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 6:13 pm

I don't think you'll even come close to a four place a/c for 50K. I don't even think you could build one for that price (Murphy Rebel or SUper Rebel). Hope I didn't burst your bubble. If you had a bit more money, I'd go for a Maule.

Ronner · Post by **Ronner** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 6:43 pm

What about the Lake LA 4 180s. On controller in the mid 50k us
http://www.controller.com/listings/fors ... E008CD7140
good plane or expensive?

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 8:23 am

A four place place machine, on floats, gassed up at the dock ready to fly for $50K Canadian...............................

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Good luck with your search but I think you will need to elevate your thinking a little on the price.

pushyboss · Post by **pushyboss** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:35 am

The market price of an average condition early 70's vintage C172 is aorund 60 to 65K these days, without floats. I think your hopes of a four place float plane for under 50K is unrealistic. I think you'll find that even at that price range a decent two place aircraft on floats will be difficult, if not impossible, to find. You might be able to get into a late 40's Champ (85 hp) on floats for around that 50 k, but that type of airplane is just for fun at the lake and is not really a viable option if your planning on long distance family travelling.

Dog · Post by **Dog** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:31 am

Blakey · Post by **Blakey** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 6:22 am

gonefishing wrote:Yeah, budget, forgot that. I'm looking at a Max $50 000 cdn. That's sitting on a dock, insured, gassed up and ready to fly. I know Two seaters are a dime a dozen for that kind of coin but I would love a 4 seater. I'll fly it mostly with with 2 on board but would like the option.

What do you guys think. Pipe dream to find a bird that can do it for that price?

Thx for the responses so far.

Cheers

Let me know if you find what you're looking for. I'd like to buy 2 at that price! Insurance and a tank of gas comes to about $4000 these days.

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 9:31 am

Gonefishing, I would recommend a Stinson 108 with the 230 hp engine and constant speed propellor. Great float plane. I have done a couple of float endorsements, a few check outs in them and found them to be pretty forgiving with lots of power. They will certainly haul the loads you are talking with no problems. I have also flown the 108 with the 160 hp Franklin and I would steer away from that one. Pretty good 2 placer with no gear but that is about it.

You should be able to have one for about the price you are looking at but you are also looking at a fabric aircraft which can get real expensive if it needs to be recovered. Make sure you have a trusting engineer give it the once over before you sign on the dotted line.

Rumor has it that the Ontario MNR will have a couple of Maules coming up for sale before long, but you won't get them for $50K.

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 10:25 am

Every time a topic of "best personal airplane" comes up, I always think of something along the lines of a Beech 90. But in real life, a personal airplane should be something you can actually afford to fly. And, I'm not a float guy. So, for me, the Citabria would fill the niche. The 160 hp version without the flaps. These have the best range, albeit at the cost of five mph....I can live with that. Perfect plane for me. I can fly a taildragger, low fuel burn, I can roll it.....FUN!!

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 2:54 pm

Doc

I just sold mine and I miss it already. If I were to buy another, I would make sure it had a metal wingspar. The AD for the wooden one is a pain in the ass.