Good "In The Meantime" Airplanes?

[osxuser]

Cherokee 180, Cessna 177, Grumman AA5, '64 or later Mooney for four seaters

AA1B or later, RV-4 for two seaters.

[sprucemoose]

Originally Posted by Geico266

For that kinda of money you can buy a flyable, early slow build, RV-6 / 6A, have a ball flying it for a few years, sell it and get your all of your money back.

I agree with others that a 4 might be a good temporary airplane. However, I can't recall ever seeing a flying 6/ 6A in this price range. There was one advertised recently for about $69K and the response was, wow what a bargain.

[Bob Axsom]

I owned a Piper Archer II that I flew to work every day in LA. It was an outstanding airplane that I flew all over the country and Canada and Mexico but if I did not own it and use it as I did I would have rented and not flown very much during the build process. I built the plane to keep my costs down after retirement but it costs a lot to build one and maintain another one. I sold my Archer for for ~$50,000 after buying it for $52,000 and flying it for 22 years. I agree with the 172 recommendation if you feel you have to buy one.

Bob Axsom

[Kevin Horton]

Originally Posted by DevDad

I had also thought about getting a -4, and flying it for awhile before I even start my project.

The other option would be something like a Grumman or similar.

What is the mission?

The RV-4 and the Grumman AA5 you linked to are very, very different types of aircraft. The fact that you are considering both suggests you haven't really figured out what type of flying you want to do.

Before you drop a bunch of cash on an aircraft, you should do a bit of self-introspection and discern what exactly you hope to achieve with this aircraft. Then it should be much clearer which aircraft types are suitable.

[brayski98]

I had a piper warrior. My advice. Don't do it. Even being newer (1985) I spent a ton of money over 3 years just in annuals alone. My cheapest annual was $2800. It also took time to sell. Rent or buy what you want. I bought a -6A. Its an older one, but nice and it was $55k.

[rv9aviator]

I owned a straight tail 172 for 8 years and it was a great airplane, just slow. Maintenance costs were very low as was insurance. I sold it for $8,000 more than I paid if you don't figure the money I spent fixing it up which wasn't a lot. The Yankee AA1-B is fun to fly but two seats. A 150 HP version is a good airplane. I would stay away from anything with bladder fuel tanks if you want to fly cheap.
JMHO!

[jonbakerok]

Because that's what I've been looking for to fly while I build my 4. Oh wait, you're in Florida. Nevermind. But just remember I've got dibs on any 4-stroke Kitfox-4's that show up in Texas!

A Kitfox is about as fast as my Cherokee was and a lot cheaper to keep -- you can trailer it home and do your own maintenance. And it only burns about 5 gph.

After owning an experimental, I can't imagine ever flying certified again. Who wants to maintain a 30-year-old antique?

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by DevDad

I'd imagine that it's relatively simple to get right around what you paid for a $35Kish airplane.

Thoughts?

Mike

Only if it's experimental, and easy if it is an RV.

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by sprucemoose

I agree with others that a 4 might be a good temporary airplane. However, I can't recall ever seeing a flying 6/ 6A in this price range.

There have been several bought and sold in the $38 -$50K range. You just have to know where to look.

[penguin]

I bought an RV-6A, and have had a ball flying for the last 5 years!! That's the problem, you spend more time flying/maintaining/upgrading your I'll-just-get-something-while-I-build-the-RV airplane that progress on the 'main' project slows down. A 172 might not be a bad choice either - I would suggest something that is easy to sell when you need the money to finish off the RV-7.

Pete