Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Talk about airplanes! At last count, there are 39 (and growing) FAA certificated S-LSA (special light sport aircraft). These are factory-built ready to fly airplanes. If you can't afford a factory-built LSA, consider buying an E-LSA kit (experimental LSA - up to 99% complete).

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azsportpilot
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by azsportpilot »

John Sarra CFI-S
1946 Aeronca Chief

-Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never left one up there!
zodiac flyer
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by zodiac flyer »

Joey,
you are correct, there were issues with the Zenith 601 XL's, wings falling off are not a very nice scenario. Since the upgraded wings, there have been no
more planes coming apart, to the best of my knowledge. The value of the 601 XL has been in the toilet ever since, precisely the reason I was able to purchase a factory built, 400 hour aircraft with a certified Continental 0-200, and a Dynon glass panel, garmin avionics equipped SLSA 2006 aircraft for $35,000. New price was approximately $100K
I love to fly, and it doesn't get much cheaper than 5 gallons per hour, auto gas capability, $900 annual full coverage insurance, doing my own condition inspections. I have no regrets and feel safe flying my 601XLB.
Dave N601XP
HAPPYDAN
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by HAPPYDAN »

Even includes US Air Force markings and Normandy Invasion Operation Overlord ID bands. Add a few 50s and she would be a real Hotshot!
LarryT
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by LarryT »

I am finishing my light sport license and I too have been trying to find a plane I
Can afford. I am looking at the Challenger. The issue I have heard about is that
You have to stay on the rudders because of the shorter rudder. The new Challenges
Have a 10 inch taller one that requires less rudder input. My question is: can you
Put a new tail section on an older challenger?
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Warmi
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by Warmi »

I am in the same boat - basically not too far off from finishing my license and slowly looking for a plane. My hard limit is about $140 K but I do want to get a new plane so it pretty much rules out Tecnam, Flight Design, Remos etc ...
Currently looking at Evektor Harmony , Foxbat A22LS and Arion - all of these are reasonably priced - yeah, I know, very wide range of performance envelopes :-) - and yeah, my mission is currently undefined ( basically , having fun ) so need to try each one in turn and see how they feel.
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
roger lee
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by roger lee »

You can buy a really nice used Flight Design well within your price range. Since most are well taken care of and hangared it should be in great shape and well equiped and standard with a parachute.

There is a really nice 2007 CTSW low hours well equipped one in Phoenix, AZ right now. I just did the annual, hose change and transponder recert on it. The owner is 92 years old and time to quit. He's only asking $68K. If I was looking I would buy it.
Roger Lee
Tucson, Az.
LSRM-A, Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
(520) 574-1080 (Home) Try Home First.
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FastEddieB
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by FastEddieB »

Not for everyone, certainly, but I love my Sky Arrow.

I think a new one is in the vicinity of $110k. That would leave a lot left over for fuel!
Fast Eddie B.
Sky Arrow 600 E-LSA • N467SA
CFI, CFII, CFIME
[email protected]
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MrMorden
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by MrMorden »

roger lee wrote:You can buy a really nice used Flight Design well within your price range. Since most are well taken care of and hangared it should be in great shape and well equiped and standard with a parachute.

There is a really nice 2007 CTSW low hours well equipped one in Phoenix, AZ right now. I just did the annual, hose change and transponder recert on it. The owner is 92 years old and time to quit. He's only asking $68K. If I was looking I would buy it.
I'm with Roger on this. If I was looking I'd have snapped up the CTSW he mentioned, it looks perfect. Or if you don't like the CTs you could find a great Sport Cruiser, Sting Sport, or whatever you wanted in your range. New plane smell is not worth tens of thousands of dollars!

I'm curious as to why you want a new airplane? The depreciation on a new airplane is atrocious, and airplanes, unlike cars, see very little relative use on an annual basis. Property taxes are also higher if your state has them (mine does). I bought my 2007 CTSW in 2013 for essentially half of the new price, with 114 hours on it. It basically sat unused in a dry hangar in Nebraska until I rescued it and put it to work. I got a new airplane at a used price, and that is not unusual for LSA in general.
Andy Walker
Athens, GA
Sport Pilot ASEL, LSRI
2007 Flight Design CTSW E-LSA
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Warmi
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by Warmi »

MrMorden wrote:
I'm with Roger on this. If I was looking I'd have snapped up the CTSW he mentioned, it looks perfect. Or if you don't like the CTs you could find a great Sport Cruiser, Sting Sport, or whatever you wanted in your range. New plane smell is not worth tens of thousands of dollars!

I'm curious as to why you want a new airplane? The depreciation on a new airplane is atrocious, and airplanes, unlike cars, see very little relative use on an annual basis. Property taxes are also higher if your state has them (mine does). I bought my 2007 CTSW in 2013 for essentially half of the new price, with 114 hours on it. It basically sat unused in a dry hangar in Nebraska until I rescued it and put it to work. I got a new airplane at a used price, and that is not unusual for LSA in general.
Well, one of the reasons is that I get to pick and customize most everything about the new plane :-) but more importantly, I have no relevant experience to be able to even asses if a plane is in a good condition , no idea what to look for , what to avoid.
And frankly, purchasing a plane is not a rational decision to begin with :-) but ultimately, yeah, I may actually consider buying a used plane once I do my research .
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
RTK
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by RTK »

Warmi, if you have interest in a new plane under $140K, drop me a PM. I'm partnered on a high-wing LSA and you'd be able spec the aircraft as you'd want and still have about $10-15K left over from your $140K budget. The aircraft is an all carbon-fiber aircraft with spacious cabin and ballistic parachute. But if you need to tie-down outside, this may not be for you as the composite airframes should be hangared.

Having said that, I did purchase a SportCruiser for my very own. All metal construction, so it can live outside (which I have no choice given the lack of available hangars in my area). LOAs are near impossible to get (currently), so any customizing of the avionics will require going E-LSA. But it's a proven airframe design, and I was able to acquire it at an extremely compelling price.

With regards to the CT Roger had suggested - that's a great price on a CT with a proven airframe, especially with an A&P that knows the aircraft well. I know you wanted new, but that would be worth considering.
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MrMorden
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by MrMorden »

Warmi wrote: Well, one of the reasons is that I get to pick and customize most everything about the new plane :-) but more importantly, I have no relevant experience to be able to even asses if a plane is in a good condition , no idea what to look for , what to avoid.
And frankly, purchasing a plane is not a rational decision to begin with :-) but ultimately, yeah, I may actually consider buying a used plane once I do my research .
It's standard practice for a purchaser of a used aircraft to have a "pre-buy" inspection performed by a mechanic of his/her choice. This is usually somebody familiar with the type being purchased, who knows all the quirks of that aircraft, and what to look for. That way each buyer is not required to be an expert, an engine specialist, and a structural engineer just in order to buy an airplane.

Expertise can't be faked, but it CAN be rented! :D
Andy Walker
Athens, GA
Sport Pilot ASEL, LSRI
2007 Flight Design CTSW E-LSA
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Warmi
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by Warmi »

Yes,it does make sense - I think I actually even watched a video by drseti, I believe , about that very subject , detailing pre-buy inspections etc ... The thing is , say I find a decent Sting 4 , how do I find a mechanic familiar with Stings series of planes to begin with :-) ( Rotax mechanics is not enough )
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
RTK
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by RTK »

Best thing to do is to find a forum with Sting fliers and see if they can recommend an A&P. While there are many Rotax A&P out there, some are better than others, especially with certain airframes.

If you ever decide to go with a SportCruiser, I can recommend a couple of places - one was the main importer/distributor up until this year and is out of Addison, TX, and the other is a LSRM-A and CFI out of North Florida who flies and teaches a Sting himself, but has well over 800 hours flying a SportCruiser. The guy in Florida does impeccable work at reasonable rates, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone.
Mark Gregor
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by Mark Gregor »

The new Tecnam Sierra MK2 is close to the $140,000 mark with dual G3X.

Give me a call if you want to discuss!

Mark Gregor
Tecnam US Inc.
507-327-9465
TimTaylor
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Re: Searching for an inexpensive aircraft

Post by TimTaylor »

That's a beautiful airplane.
Retired from flying.
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