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  #1  
Old 08-03-2020, 07:21 PM
golfmogul golfmogul is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 40
Default What Interim Plane Should I Buy?

Just beginning the order process to get in line to build an RV 10. Will be a long time before its in the air, so I'm seeking recommendations for what to buy & fly in the meantime. Here's my typical mission: Fly with my 2 kids, my dog, 100lbs of luggage, and tanks filled to tabs (50 gallons?) from U42 in Utah (high DA over mountains) to places like Phoenix or Oceanside CA (its fine if we have to stop once for fuel to PHX or OCN). So, I need at least 900 lbs of useful load (this would also include the weight of the gas), but 1000lbs or 1050lbs is ideal. I strongly prefer having AC but could survive without it. I will train IFR in this interim plane, so it needs to work well for learning IFR. Budget: ideally around $150k or less, but I would consider up to $250k for something epic. Must have 4 seats (5 is ok too ... lol this is starting to sound like a G3 Cirrus 22T except those are more than $250k and they have slightly less useful load when it has AC which I want). Many of my flights will be just me or me and 1 other person, so it would be nice to have good speed and performance (GPH) by not hauling a station wagon w/6 seats (4 of which would often be empty) like a Cherokee 6 300 (those are hundreds more useful load than I need). I don't like (and won't consider) high wing aircraft, so that limits it a bit. Needs to be a certified plane (no experimental for this first round). Other things I may have missed that would help you recommend, just ask. I'm a new pilot, and with all I've read about fixed vs retractable landing gear, I strongly prefer fixed. Thx!
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  #2  
Old 08-03-2020, 07:40 PM
txnbuilder txnbuilder is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 66
Default Mooney!

How about a vintage Mooney? (that's what I did!)

My 1969 M20C will do 135KTAS on just under 8GPH and 140KTAS on around 9GPH at 8000'. With 52 gal capacity, you can easily do Phoenix or Oceanside in one hop (but your kids may not!).

Useful load varies a bit depending on installed equipment, but it's right at 1000lbs. We've been to Oshkosh a few times with 2 adults, an almost-adult teenager, and about 200 lbs of camping gear, and still managed to be 20 lbs under max gross.

I bet you can find a very decent one for half of your $150k budget.
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  #3  
Old 08-03-2020, 07:50 PM
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Dbro172 Dbro172 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Fargo, ND
Posts: 1,073
Default Super Viking

The Bellanca Super Viking is GREAT and fits your description; there are a few very nice examples on trade-a-plane right now, which is not real common. Of course once you fly it you may never want another plane. give me a call if you’d like to chat about it or any of those listed. 701-five6one-631four. Highly undervalued, definitely within your budget.
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EAA Tech Counselor
RV-9A #92103 - N803DK
G3X, Superior XO-320, Dual Pmags, Catto 3B
www.mykitlog.com/dbro172/

1974 Bellanca Super Viking - N16AW - Flying
RV-8 #83565 - N184DK - building
1968 Mooney M20C - N6801N - Sold
1956 C-182 - N744W - Sold

Last edited by Dbro172 : 08-03-2020 at 07:54 PM.
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  #4  
Old 08-03-2020, 07:55 PM
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Carl Froehlich Carl Froehlich is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,596
Default

None. Build the 10 and fly the Friendly Skies when you need to travel.

The RV-10 is the premiere plane in the sky - don’t do anything to delay finishing it.

Carl
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  #5  
Old 08-03-2020, 07:57 PM
txnbuilder txnbuilder is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich View Post
None. Build the 10 and fly the Friendly Skies when you need to travel.

The RV-10 is the premiere plane in the sky - don’t do anything to delay finishing it.

Carl
...yeah, hard to argue with this...
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  #6  
Old 08-03-2020, 08:09 PM
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rvanstory rvanstory is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New Braunfels
Posts: 299
Default

I am building an RV-10 (expecting 1st flight this month!) I currently fly a Mooney M20J and think it's one of the best values on the market. I have NEVER had a C.G. issue and have 920 lbs useful load capacity. (Not as good as RV-10, but should handle your missions). I have a Lopresti Cowl and fly R.O.P. at 11.5 GPH @ 162 KTAS or L.O.P. at 8.5 GPH @ 150 KTAS. It's a great IFR platform too. I am a Mooney "J" model fan and highly recommend for your interim needs. You can find some nice ones for about $120K.
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  #7  
Old 08-03-2020, 08:15 PM
Jpm757 Jpm757 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sherman, CT
Posts: 794
Default

Find a nice Cherokee Six.
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RV6 #20477 completed 1991 sold.
RV7 #72018 N767T first flight 11/21/2017 350+ hrs.
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  #8  
Old 08-03-2020, 08:21 PM
xblueh2o xblueh2o is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SF East Bay
Posts: 852
Default

I was reading along and thinking you were describing a 182 until you said no high wing. So, buy a Piper Dakota then. The low wing version of the 182.
Fixed gear, constant speed, big bore 6 cyl engine that is not working hard. Pretty much the same set up as a 10.
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RV-8 with the Showplanes Fastback conversion
Emp completed except for glass work
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  #9  
Old 08-03-2020, 08:23 PM
Scott Hersha Scott Hersha is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 1,558
Default

Get a partner (or two) and buy a Baron or King Air. The airlines are much cheaper, but who wants to do that in a COVID world???
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RV6/2001 built/sold 2005
RV8 Fastback/2008 built/sold 2015
RV4/bought 2016/sold/2017
RV8/2018 built/Sold(sadly)
RV4/bought 2019 Flying
Cincinnati, OH/KHAO
JAN2020
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  #10  
Old 08-03-2020, 08:25 PM
golfmogul golfmogul is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 40
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by txnbuilder View Post
...yeah, hard to argue with this...
I can't even begin building the RV 10 for 6-7 months, at which time I can begin doing the empennage with Synergy Air in Eugene, then continue right into the QB kit with their help b/c it should be there by then. After that, its still many months before I can fly that plane, which means my new PPL skills stagnate for 18+ months w/out a plane, OR I rent, OR I buy an interim plane (what I'm going to do) & keep flying, taking some short XC trips on my own & w/my kids, and getting IFR certified while I wait to begin the build & in between build weeks I'll spend in Eugene (away from my home). But I get what you are saying - focus my time on the build as much as possible, which I'll do.
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