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Morning All! New pilot (125-hours, VFR, HP endorsement) struggling with the prospects of picking the right plane to purchase, based on size of my family (height & weight...only 4 of us), speed, mission, etc. Love some feedback and expertise from the group. Thought I'd go with a 6/300 fixed gear...but really only has 4-useful seats? Now thinking about a V35, knowing ONLY 4-seats will ever be available but picking up the extra speed and lower fuel burn. 6/300, Turbo ...
Frank Obrien
Sep '20
Don’t know the size of your pocket book? You might want to look at a Cessna 206. Big but not that much more difficult than a C172. Essentially a big C182.
I am 56, with flexibility for PPL training. I live in the Seattle area where expedited training may not be as easily done in a short period of time. I am considering arranging an accelerated PPL training course in the Phoenix or Tucson area where I could fly every day over a 30 +/- day period to obtain my certificate (Feb-Mar timeframe)My mission would be to generally fly missions between 300-550 nm with longer trips up to 1200 nm a couple of times per year. I am considering ...
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Frank Obrien
May '18
If you can afford the time I would recommend intensive training. You can get stale and go backwards trying to live your life while training.
I bought a Cessna182 and then a Cessna 400 (Columbia) after training in rental 172s. (Continuous problems with different aircraft set up differently and 100 hour maintenance blockages.). So if you can afford your own plane I would do it.
The 182 was more complicated than the 172 but the main issue is a constant sped prop. You get the hang of it quickly. It was what I got my ppl and ifr in. Then I moved into the Cessna 400. If I had to do it over I would of got the Cessna 400. Faster but way easier to fly than any of the 172s and the 182.
A plug for the Cessna 400: it has a much better safety record than the Cirrus until recently when Cirrus started its safety training program. Stalls at a lower speed, has speed brakes, has a utility catagory (means the wings are about twice as strong as Cirrus’) my 2008 came with G1000W when the same year Cirrus has dual G430s that are close to being unsupported by Garmin. The plane was about $50,000 less than a comparable 08 Cirrus. I would be happy with a Cirrus the parachute would great in mountainous terrain where you are. The maintenance on the chute,when amortized, would be close to a $2,000/year expense.
My vote is to train in the plane you will be flying. God bless and God speed.
I bought a Cessna182 and then a Cessna 400 (Columbia) after training in rental 172s. (Continuous problems with different aircraft set up differently and 100 hour maintenance blockages.). So if you can afford your own plane I would do it.
The 182 was more complicated than the 172 but the main issue is a constant sped prop. You get the hang of it quickly. It was what I got my ppl and ifr in. Then I moved into the Cessna 400. If I had to do it over I would of got the Cessna 400. Faster but way easier to fly than any of the 172s and the 182.
A plug for the Cessna 400: it has a much better safety record than the Cirrus until recently when Cirrus started its safety training program. Stalls at a lower speed, has speed brakes, has a utility catagory (means the wings are about twice as strong as Cirrus’) my 2008 came with G1000W when the same year Cirrus has dual G430s that are close to being unsupported by Garmin. The plane was about $50,000 less than a comparable 08 Cirrus. I would be happy with a Cirrus the parachute would great in mountainous terrain where you are. The maintenance on the chute,when amortized, would be close to a $2,000/year expense.
My vote is to train in the plane you will be flying. God bless and God speed.