Everyone,
I have a situation. I just finished pilot training in Oklahoma. We will be moving to Charleston SC in six months or so where I will be stationed next. I had about 90 hours before I started pilot training, and got about 170 more split evenly between the T-6 and T-1 (Beech 400) in pilot training. As soon as the paperwork goes through, I will have my instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings. So total time is about 260 hours or so with 170 hours in complex/retractable gear. My follow on assignment is the C-17, so I'll be getting more complex hours in the future.
I want to buy a nice four place (or larger) airplane that has decent fuel economy, and cruises around 200 mph or so (faster than that is also acceptable). I'd like to have a roomy interior for cross countries, and decent payload for people/baggage.
These are the airplanes I've been interested in: RV-10, all the velocity models, Piper Saratogas, the A36 Bonanza, the Cirrus, and the Diamond. The RV-10 seems like it would be one of the cheapest of the kit builts to insure, maintain, and operate. The velocity might be about the same, but I've never seen one, so I don't know about the interior space. The Saratoga and Bonanza would have the most room, but don't they burn a little more fuel at a little slower pace? The Diamond is definitely a little slow compared to the others, but probably the cheapest to insure, and some of the best visibility-plus it's a stick. Bottom line, I've got a lot of ideas bouncing around in my head and need some direction.
I guess my one main question is this: How did everyone decide on the RV-10? Did you look at any of the ones I mentioned when you were deciding? What are the advantages and disadvantages when compared with the other planes? I realize this is an RV forum, so the opinions are biased, but you all must have had these same questions before making your decision. A little help?
I apologize for the lengthy post, but I've been hoping for my own airplane for a long time, and don't want to regret my decision. Thanks in advance.
Nate
I have a situation. I just finished pilot training in Oklahoma. We will be moving to Charleston SC in six months or so where I will be stationed next. I had about 90 hours before I started pilot training, and got about 170 more split evenly between the T-6 and T-1 (Beech 400) in pilot training. As soon as the paperwork goes through, I will have my instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings. So total time is about 260 hours or so with 170 hours in complex/retractable gear. My follow on assignment is the C-17, so I'll be getting more complex hours in the future.
I want to buy a nice four place (or larger) airplane that has decent fuel economy, and cruises around 200 mph or so (faster than that is also acceptable). I'd like to have a roomy interior for cross countries, and decent payload for people/baggage.
These are the airplanes I've been interested in: RV-10, all the velocity models, Piper Saratogas, the A36 Bonanza, the Cirrus, and the Diamond. The RV-10 seems like it would be one of the cheapest of the kit builts to insure, maintain, and operate. The velocity might be about the same, but I've never seen one, so I don't know about the interior space. The Saratoga and Bonanza would have the most room, but don't they burn a little more fuel at a little slower pace? The Diamond is definitely a little slow compared to the others, but probably the cheapest to insure, and some of the best visibility-plus it's a stick. Bottom line, I've got a lot of ideas bouncing around in my head and need some direction.
I guess my one main question is this: How did everyone decide on the RV-10? Did you look at any of the ones I mentioned when you were deciding? What are the advantages and disadvantages when compared with the other planes? I realize this is an RV forum, so the opinions are biased, but you all must have had these same questions before making your decision. A little help?
I apologize for the lengthy post, but I've been hoping for my own airplane for a long time, and don't want to regret my decision. Thanks in advance.
Nate