Advice on First Aircraft Purchase

morganjohn24 · #1 10-25-2016, 08:47 AM

So I'm about a year away from purchasing a flying aircraft. As such, I am trying to immerse myself in these boards so that I have as much knowledge, even if it's second hand, as possible. I was wondering what this board thought about a first aircraft for someone with a few hundred hours (including tail wheel, aerobatic, and multi time)?

I was originally considering a Pitts, but man those things hurt my back because the seats do not recline, and my stick and rudder skills are just not there yet for one. I'm sure I could learn with a good checkout, but I'm thinking something more comfortable might be better. Beyond that I was thinking an RV 3/4 or a cub. At some point down the road I'd like a rocket (or maybe a Model 12...then again who doesn't), but for now I want to look at aircraft that will allow me to build time and have some fun while I'm at it. Thanks everyone!

YellowJacket RV9 · #2 10-25-2016, 08:54 AM

From the Pitts to a Cub is a pretty good difference. I think you'll need to decide your mission, as they say. Do you want to go fast, slow, do loops, bring a passenger, fly x-country, etc? The RV series is probably best if you want to do a little of all of those things. The Pitts would be your all-out aerobatic machine at the expense of cross-country practicality, and insurance might be higher too due to it's idiosyncracies. And of course the cub is your low and slow local sightseeing plane. I'll bet you could get a great deal on an RV 3 or 4 and have a whole lot of fun.

Chris

turbo · #3 10-25-2016, 08:55 AM

RV 3/4 or a cub? not sure you have defined your need at this point. once you do that take a year or more to find the plane of your dreams. it is out there.

morganjohn24 · #4 10-25-2016, 09:28 AM

Sorry I should have been more specific on the mission. Eventually I'd like an aircraft that could hold a passenger, but for the first aircraft I don't know that I need it. The reason is that it is a little bit cheaper to purchase and insure a single seat aircraft (type dependent...a single seat Pitts likely more than an RV 3). I'd love something that will do gentleman's aerobatics at minimum, but it is not necessary. Cross country would be nice, but again not necessary, especially if it is a single seat aircraft. I believe a little bit of both would be the ticket for a first airplane (RV 4), but again I wasn't sure if folks thought the 4 would be too much to handle. At this point I've flown citabria, decathlon, and Pitts S2A.

I mention the cub just because it is the bookend for the "easy" tail wheel airplanes. In other words, I wanted to give a range from hardest to handle to easiest to handle.

Maybe I'm just an oddball that enjoys all airplanes for what they offer? I cub is very different than a Pitts, but I'm certain I enjoy both style's of flying. And I have done both as my grandfather used to own a cub.

jpowell13 · #5 10-25-2016, 07:26 PM

Lots of them out there. They fill the x-country role well and are aerobatic.

edneff · #6 10-25-2016, 07:42 PM

Like someone else said, you really need to define your needs or preferences better. There is no airplane that's perfect for everything. Some airplanes are only good for one thing. The RV's are a very good compromise, doing several things well.

Once you define your mission, the right airplane will become obvious and you can focus on one or two models.

pa38112 · #7 10-26-2016, 07:33 AM

It is very budget and experience dependent; and likely you wont like the reality of the answer, so will do what your emotions tell you anyway. But for what it is worth: my guess from the limited information provided is that your best first airplane is a Piper Tomahawk. It will get you flying relatively cheep. Is reasonable to maintain, and will allow you to take a passenger. Mid-length cross-country's are doable. And, despite what anyone else (who has never flown one) will tell you, they are a fun plane. I had one for 10 years and after owning a RV for a few years went ahead and bought another one for my twins to fly. They are seniors at Virginia Tech and love it. It can get into relatively short grass runways, has lots of space, and gets them to most of their destinations. I will probably upgrade them to a RV6 in a couple of years, but for now it is perfect for them. I also think I am a much better pilot from having flown one for 10 years. I find that the performance of an RV covers up a lot of piloting deficiencies that the Tomahawk would not have allowed.

Saville · #8 10-26-2016, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morganjohn24

Sorry I should have been more specific on the mission. Eventually I'd like an aircraft that could hold a passenger, but for the first aircraft I don't know that I need it. The reason is that it is a little bit cheaper to purchase and insure a single seat aircraft (type dependent...a single seat Pitts likely more than an RV 3). I'd love something that will do gentleman's aerobatics at minimum, but it is not necessary. Cross country would be nice, but again not necessary, especially if it is a single seat aircraft. I believe a little bit of both would be the ticket for a first airplane (RV 4), but again I wasn't sure if folks thought the 4 would be too much to handle. At this point I've flown citabria, decathlon, and Pitts S2A.

Ok you list some things that are nice but not necessary. What *IS* neccesary?

I mention the cub just because it is the bookend for the "easy" tail wheel airplanes. In other words, I wanted to give a range from hardest to handle to easiest to handle.

Actually I found the cub slightly more difficult to land than an RV-8 given that you fly it from the back seat and cannot see forward. But it wasn't anything massive.

Maybe I'm just an oddball that enjoys all airplanes for what they offer? I cub is very different than a Pitts, but I'm certain I enjoy both style's of flying. And I have done both as my grandfather used to own a cub.

I recommend you first pin down the "absolute must haves", if you can. Then you can start to worry about the trade-offs.

cderk · #9 10-26-2016, 08:13 AM

You need a 1980 Piper Archer II. Its a great all-around aircraft. And you're in luck I will have one to sell you as soon as my RV10 is complete

pierre smith · #10 10-26-2016, 09:31 AM

My stepson is going an annual on a Cherokee 180 and found metal in the oil screen in the sump and metal in the filter...yep, engine removal and at least a cam and 2 lifters.

Best,