I know there are several folks on this board that own their own planes. I've been thinking about going ahead and purchasing a C150 or 152. I've found several with mid time engines that appeal to me. I don't need a bigger plane, not much for family involvment.

Your thoughts and experiences of ownership vs renting would be appreciated. Rentals in my nearby area are very limited.

This project would be a couple years down the road, so no big hurry. Give me your thoughts.

Ed

 

I'd look for a Kitfox instead of a 150- my friends own 2 and there are some quite nice options for them- extended range giving you an endurance of 7.5 hrs@75kts (STOL wing) or 7 hrs@85kts (standard wing)
The plane has foldable wings so it can be towed and is small enough to be parked in a garage. (good for winter)
Thr Rotax engine will run on 95 octane unleaded or Avgas 100LL.
The new Kitfox is available as a taildragger and with a conventional 3pt landing gear.

If you have the time and the shop you can build it yourself and do all the maintenance which does cut some costs and will let you know it was done right

AlpineRAM

 

the Kitfox is a great airplane, only the company no longer exits , they went bankruptcy not long ago. I have been wanting to build a series 7.... I also hold a A&P license, last airplane I owned was a Cardinal RG , great airplane with good fuel burn and very comfy interior ,130 knot cruise. owning a airplane is not cheap.... especially if you buy one not in great shape and can be very costly at the next annual. one thing about a kit plane you build more than 50% of it , you do your own maintenance on the airplane. I just finish a boat restoration that is in my gallery, dont know how long I will keep it and start something else, there are plenty of Kitfox kits out there now for good price.

 

The Kitfox has always had an appeal for me, but the bankruptcy has me off that. My luck, I'd have every little piece except for the one only available from the manufacturer.

Like I said, still thinking. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Ed

 

To properly answer your question much more info is needed. For instance:
- What are you going to use it for? A time builder, cross country, just you and maybe one pax (or more) at times, only VFR, any night flying, etc?
- Where are you going to store it? At the airport, at home, etc?
- Do you have enough room to make a small runway on your property?
- About how many hours a year do you anticipate flying?
- Are you intending to fly every week/month, or is your flying going to tend to be a lot in just a short period of time every year?
- Are you intending to do your own maintainence?
- What sort of pilots licence do you have?
- Can you use any of the flying for a tax deduction?
- Do you have easy access to avgas? Or are you planning on using auto fuel?
- What is your budget for the initial purchase?
- What is your maintainence budget?
- Have you checked the cost of insurance for your experience, airplane type etc.
- Are you going to fly wheels only, or could there be any float flying?
- Do you want a fixed or a RG?
- Is a fixed pitch prop all you want, or would you like something a bit more complex like a constant speed?
- Do you want a taildragger (for real pilots) or one with sissy training wheels? (nose wheel)
- And many more questions ..............

 

There are alot of planes out there that would out perform a 152 and be alot cheaper to fly. Kitfox is a good plane and there are several for sale that are already flying. Sportpilot is out now and that would be a good way to go. You can get take a class and legally to the maintenance on the sport planes.

Check out this site. They list planes for sale.

http://www.barnstormers.com/

Rans makes several great kit planes that you can work on. I've owned 3 S-12's. They are a blast to fly, and I would buy another one right now if I had space.

http://www.rans.com/

 

Never mind for now. See post about new shop and you'll understand.

Ed

 

I understand.....

All hat, and no cattle.

 

I wish you hadnt of posted that! Now I have something new to save for!

 

I purchased a 64 , Cessna 172 about 10 years ago and have enjoyed every minute of flying it . My suggestion would be to hit Fun In The Sun in Florida next month and take a look around and then make up your mind if you can . I do not know how big you are but the 152's and 150 are small inside for anyone over 5, 10 our 160 lbs and would be over loaded with two 160 lbs guys and full tanks on a hot day in most airports . They are not what you call heavy haulers and the technology is a little dated compared to some of the newer stuff out thier now . Their is nothing wrong with them and they are nice planes as long as you stay with in their parameters , just do your homework and have a pre buy inspection done and title search done on anything you buy . Have you looked at a Tomahawk or Skipper or anything else . New pilots tend to look at the aircraft they train in when they go to buy and their are may fish in the sea . If you are looking for a nice 2 place aircraft I always say buy a four place . On long cross country's a two place has little room for baggage if you have a passenger . Before you buy do a lot of homework and like I said Fun In The Sun is were I would start . There are a lot of hidden expenses in owning a aircraft , annuals , Hanger fee's , avionics , general up keep and they are talking about user fees now . AOPA , EAA and every flying magazine known to man also add to the bill plus the price of avgas . My vote is stay away from ultralite aircraft if you value your life , I have lost three friends with those in the last 4 years . Some are better then others and a lot depends on the builder but I vote stay away . As for real airplanes having tail wheels that fight has gone on as long as the high wing low wing war and there is no clear winner . Faster is not always better either , I like to fly and getting their faster takes away from that . We will need more information on the airport you will be flying from and the type of runway and wether you will be flying for pleasure our business reason to help with your choice . Will it be kept in a hanger our outside and were do you live , do you need cabin heat ect. ect. ....

 

All of these are key. I love the 150/152. Also Arrows and Moneys. Great planes but there are a lot of other options for about the same amount that give better economy and performance. As John and Stan said look at what you want to do with it and how much you can spend.

Randy

 

what about buying a Giant Conveyor belt while your at it