The $25K Hamburger
I cant quite afford an RV-4 yet, but I would really like to pick something up in the mean time thats two place, similar (although this seems like a stretch) performance, and I prefer a tailwheel. (never flown a tricycle)
I was thinking I could pick up a Sonerai 2 for about half-price of the RV.
the performance is about half but i think it would be a good stepping stone to get me up in the air.
any thoughts?
Hi Richard,
First, thanks for your service. As a former Viper Driver I greatly appreciate what you do, and did.
80% of my customers want an RV but only have 25K to work with. I recommend:
1. RV-3. Arguably the best flying RV. If you intend to fly solo, it's a good option.
2. Cut expenses at home, car payment, cable etc. (Financing an airplane vice a car is cheaper in the long run/less depreciation)
3. Find a partner (s)
4. Buy something else. (see below)
5. Find a project and build, deferring the cost over time.
I have found some great airplanes under 25K for now happy customers. Contrary to popular belief and the
Kool Aid profusely distributed on this site, much by me, there are viable alternatives to the RV.
My favorites are in order:
1.
Thorp T-18. Why? Great airplane with arguably better control harmony than the RV. The more you explore, the more you'll like. I have about 200 hours in the T-18 and truly like it as well as many RV's I fly, maybe more. The Sunderland (folding) wing and S-18 option has very similar flight characteristics to the RV and can be trailered home. Great owners group, great support and comraderie despite being 1/100 the size of this group. Like PBS, I'm a member RU?.
http://thorpaircommand.com
2.
Mustang 2: A well supported excellent design with similar RV performance albeit with a Laminar Flow airfoil. Great performance although more like a Comanche, better above 10K. Equal HP M2's can easily compete speed wise with RV's or have a slight edge. Kits are still being made and they have a spirited Yahoo owners group. Find out more at:
www.mustangaero.com/
3.
Wittman Tailwind: Like the Marines, the Few and the Proud. Despite it's age and numbers, don't be fooled, the W10 Tailwind will match or exceed cruise speeds of any comparable HP RV for way fewer bucks. It is a fabric/steel tube and wood airplane but totally a hoot to fly. The Yahoo owners group is small, dedicated and very tight-knit.
http://www.google.com/search?q=witt...AHDh4D4BA&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1181&bih=596
4.
Vari-EZ/Long EZ: Another of my closet favorites. Limited in that it needs pavement and isn't STOL or I would own one. I have about 250 EZ hours when sharing a hangar with a V-EZ. Fast, light and amazingly budget friendly for the HP.
http://www.ez.org/resource.htm
5.
Pitts: You can't have this much fun for under $25K! There are currently three in Barnstormers for under 25K. Nuff said!
6.
Grumman AA-1: The only certified airplane on my list. The 150HP conversions can be found for under 30K and are almost always IFR capable and reasonably fast. They aren't the STOL/Acro machine the RV is, but not much else built by factories vice the Citabria are. There are many others out there in small numbers, BD-4, Sidewinder, Pulsar etc...
If I can help, let me know. Talking is free, email me offline anytime.
Smokey
[email protected]
Dues gladly paid in Iraq
Gladly paid to DR anyway...
PS: After 25 years of flying my two low budget RV's and one not so budget RV (HR2) I learned a little bit about EXP aircraft ownership. I have a small business helping people do just what you are doing, finding an RV or an affordable alternative. I built my original RV4 back in 96' for $22K, out the door, in the air, across the country. It was Spartan by any definition, but flew (and still flies) great. My current RVX came in under $30K minus paint and is in the same mold as my RV4. In the current marketplace searching for a $25K airplane and budget you are not alone. Some older RV4's are approaching 30K which reflects much on our current economy. RV's don't have to be expensive, people are just building them that way.