5 hours into lessons. Big guy, potential big guy partner. Looking at C 177 Cardinals. Spouse might be ok with buying a plane but Very concerned about ongoing expenses (repairs).
What is your experience? THanks.
What is your experience? THanks.
Any pilots here?
- Thread starter MABMAB
- Start date
It depends on your mission and what you're going to want out of the plane.
If you're flying less than a few hundred hours a year and just around your local airspace, just rent from the local flying club. Takes a lot more planning and coordination since flight students always get priority, but one can make it work.
Aviation is a money pit that most people should shy away from unless making a career out of it. Not to mention that general aviation is one of the last major sources of burning leaded gasoline in North America. I definitely would not want to live near a GA airport and support efforts to shutter airports in the middle of communities, like the example in Santa Monica.
If you're flying less than a few hundred hours a year and just around your local airspace, just rent from the local flying club. Takes a lot more planning and coordination since flight students always get priority, but one can make it work.
Aviation is a money pit that most people should shy away from unless making a career out of it. Not to mention that general aviation is one of the last major sources of burning leaded gasoline in North America. I definitely would not want to live near a GA airport and support efforts to shutter airports in the middle of communities, like the example in Santa Monica.
Pre-COVID yes, I was more than halfway done with my PPL. I'm not going back to be shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone until it's safe to do so. It's just a hobby for me, not worth the risks.
I have owned a Cessna 182R (a 182 retractable with carburated turbocharged engine) and a Cessna 340A (twin, pressurized).
Your spouse is right to be concerned about the ongoing expenses. You should probably look up the for reserves that need to be set aside for the 177. In the 1980s through 2005, we set aside about $225/hr for the 182 and around $500/hr for the 340A. This covers fuel, oil, and routine maintenance. But does include accidental failures, new avionics, training, etc.
You might contact organizations like the Cessna Pilot Association. I used to know a lot of people there and they seemed to have a good understanding of the costs, maintenance issues, etc. Plus just like these forums, their forums contain a lot of people that fly Cessnas and can separate the BS from the truth.
BTW, the Cardinal is one of the sexist looking singles out there. Best of luck.
Your spouse is right to be concerned about the ongoing expenses. You should probably look up the for reserves that need to be set aside for the 177. In the 1980s through 2005, we set aside about $225/hr for the 182 and around $500/hr for the 340A. This covers fuel, oil, and routine maintenance. But does include accidental failures, new avionics, training, etc.
You might contact organizations like the Cessna Pilot Association. I used to know a lot of people there and they seemed to have a good understanding of the costs, maintenance issues, etc. Plus just like these forums, their forums contain a lot of people that fly Cessnas and can separate the BS from the truth.
BTW, the Cardinal is one of the sexist looking singles out there. Best of luck.
I have owned three airplanes, two certified and one experimental. GA is *phenomenally* expensive and can’t compete with commercial aviation if you’re actually needing to travel. GA is good for a couple of hundred mile trips between communities w/o reasonable commercial flights. But whatever you think it costs, multiply by 10. If you want to stay safe, it requires constant annual training.
I’m just a 2500 hour private pilot with single engine land and instrument rating.
I’m just a 2500 hour private pilot with single engine land and instrument rating.
MarsOrBust
Member
Guess I am the old Pilot here. On my third plane, currently its a A36 Bonanza. have about 19,000 hours.
Fun never stops.
Fun never stops.
Solarman004
Member
I don't know how much time you want to invest. I went the homebuilt route years ago and never regretted the decision. If you construct more than 51% of the plane you can get a Repairman's certificate from the FAA and do your own annual inspections and maintenance.
If you're interested, see if you have an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter near you and go to a few meetings and chat with other builders. They're a great source of knowledge and support.
If you're interested, see if you have an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter near you and go to a few meetings and chat with other builders. They're a great source of knowledge and support.
jbcarioca
Well-Known Member
- Feb 3, 2015
- 5,068
- 22,899
I don't know if I'm older but I have many fewer hours. I have owned several dozen aircraft, from TB-21, my first one, to CE 525 and LR25D and dozens of rotorcraft. Obviously I was in the business, owning a flight school and charter company. Zero question, owning any aircraft costs money. If you fly a lot (your own definition, nobody else's) you'll really want your own. If you don't do not buy one. Low usage translates into higher cost per flight hour.
Worst of all, as a CFI I know that low flying currency equals incompetence. If you buy an aircraft FLY IT. The more you fly it the better a pilot you'll be, the more you'll enjoy it and the less risk of regret.
Frankly, as owner operator of bizarre oddities like a B206 (A British cabin class unpressurized twin) and a 12,000 hour Beech E90 I think that choosing the aircraft you like the best will end out being the most satisfying. Forget about brand advocates and concentrate on the best price/quality. Every type has quirks. If you can find them TB-9 or TB 10 are great first airplanes because their maintenance is far cheaper than that of the more plentiful Cessna/Piper ones, not least due to the use of less maintenance sensitive controls. I have operated nearly every brand, so have had pretty extensive experience paying for maintenance.
My last advice, 1) begin instrument training the instant you can and get an instrument rating as soon as possible. Instrument competence will dramatically increase your competence as a pilot even if you fly only VFR. 2) before you fly solo, or at least before you carry passengers, do at least a few hours of spin training.
Those two things will make you far, far safer and more confident too. FWIW, in my flight school I required both of those prior to first solo flight, with an additional update just prior to the Private check ride. That took extra time and cost a bit more, but made every pitot safer.
As for C17x vs Piper PA28x there really is not much difference in performance or operating cost, but there is a big difference in pilot preference between low wing and high wing. That goes for Twin Commander vs King Air too, if one wants twin turboprops. Don't let aficionados make the choice, make it yourself. There is another caveat to that, finding a mechanic you can trust to do good and fair work. If the mechanic(s) you like have major brand prejudice, and many do, I would defer to the mechanics, after all they'll do your pre-purchase inspection and you'll be spending quite a lot with him/her.
That is much more than you asked for. If you think it's helpful I can add more. Just PM me.
Similar threads
