What is the cheapest flyable aircraft I could buy???

[gabemcg]

Then again, I know nothing of airplanes... I just want to buy a plane, and learn to fly it...

I'm thinking...

Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me" playing as I fly a date to a romanitc getaway...

Really I need nothing more than a 2 seater single prop plane that flys and won't crash (unless it's something I f*cked up....

So far the best I've been able to find (with minimal searching) is $19,000+

I think this is a little out of my price range, If someone knows about a diffrent kind of plane or a different place to look that would put me in the $5000-$15000 range, I would be very appreciative...


I might just be dreaming tho...

 

[MrChad]

Do you have a pilot's license? Shouldn't you worry about that first BEFORE you buy a plane?

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: MrChad
Do you have a pilot's license? Shouldn't you worry about that first BEFORE you buy a plane?

negligible

just get the plane and read the owners manual...you'll be ok

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I think you should definately look into flying lessons before you decide to buy a plane and learn to fly on your own. I don't think a How to fly for dummies book is a good idea.

 

[gabemcg]

I'm obviously going to get piolot's training/licence... I just think that what's the use of paying a bunch of $ for lessons, If I don't have a plane??? Also, I could probably save some money on lessons if I used my own plane...

 

[Czar]

do they even let you fly without a license?

 

[Looney]

Is 'cheapest' something you really want to be aiming for when it comes to flying?

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: Looney
Is 'cheapest' something you really want to be aiming for when it comes to flying?

this man makes a good point :thumbsup:

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Looney
Is 'cheapest' something you really want to be aiming for when it comes to flying?

 

[aphex]

Stick with the 152... I used to fly a 152 that was built in 83 or 84 and it was a beaut

 

[Biggerhammer]

You might look into an ultralight. Smaller, muchmuchmuch cheaper, no pilot's license required (I think). Not as sexy, but if you want to make up for that, spend the 20 grand that you'll save by not buying a light plane

 

[Ornery]

These look cheap AND relatively safe.

 

[CaptnKirk]

First - old planes can quickly become a pilots worst financial nightmare.

With that said there are a couple 'Old Planes' that have proven to be quite durable:

Piper Cub, J-2's & J-3's
They're been around since the late 1920's & many are still airworthy & available.

Erocoupe
End of WWII plane produced in the mid/late 1940's ( 1946 - 1950)
The 'Pinto of the Sky' - many still in service today.

Lots of crap out there, buyer beware

Newer types of light aircraft are available, especially 'Kit Planes' based on Ruttan's
Veri-EZ designs from the late 70's & 80's Long EZ

Tom Jewett designed the Quickie Q2 while working with Rutan in the late 70's
(I worked with Tom on the B-1 Bomber back then)
They were working on the original concept plane the VariViggen at the time.

Canard Pusher planes are quite easy to fly & have a pretty good safety record,
except where the builder didn't know sh1t from shinola - and screwed up bad enough to kill themselves
(like improper splicing of the wing spars or inverted flight)

The only flyables that I know of that technically don't require a pilot's liscense are
the 'Ultra-Lights'

Have fun - don't hit the ground too hard.
If you can walk away from any crash . . . it was a good landing.

 

[skyking]

manufactured airplane? Probably a chief or a champ. 65 HP, no electrical system to maintain, stone simple. The only drawback is the fabric covering.
The Piper J-Planes are more of a cult plane, and tend to go pricey.
You can get a project that needs redone, put on the latest stuff, and it will store outside OK.
If you live in a crappy weather place, then consider the 150. Their big drawback in terms of weather resistance:
Cessna did not apply zinc chromate primer inside those planes. When you get a prepurchase inspection, make sure special attention is paid to the gearbox area. It is a home for corrosion. If you get one, spend the money each year or so to apply a preservative oil treatment inside the wings, tail, fuselage.

 

[Ornery]

• Videos!

 

[crab]

You can't afford it.

 

[crab]

That was easy.