Brian Austin
En-Route
So I'm looking through my latest copy of Sport Aviation, thinking "I could build that...or that...hmmm, even that". Last night I was doing some window shopping, thinking "I could buy that...or that....hmmm, even that".
So what to do?
Early next year (2006), I'll be set up to go purchase my first plane. I've already started shopping, of course (do any of us really STOP?), thinking and rethinking about different factors. I know some people wake up in the morning, know EXACTLY what kind of plane they want to own and buy it. I'm not one of those people.
The basic mission profile: 2 people 90% of the time, a couple of pieces of luggage, my flyrods (duh, yes, you HAVE to take all of them), 5 hours fuel for about 3 hours flying time (bladder limit, really), good short and rough field performance, 110kt to 150kt cruise, age not a factor, VFR flying mostly but IFR certified so I can get my IR in it later. I'm not setting a budget now, as you'll see.
If I spend less than $25K, I can probably just write a check for it (yeah, no payments!). Anything over that and I'll just make a healthy downpayment and keep the rest as reserve/upgrade account.
To add to the mix, I'm fairly handy and could build something, even from plans. I've thought about just getting a 2-seater taildragger for a timebuilder while I build my dream plane (a Bearhawk at the moment). Or I disregard the purchase and go straight for the build while I continue to rent. Or I disregard the build altogether, spend it all on nice C182 and call it good. Or...sigh.
So many variables and options!!! Do I buy a plane for getting into the air but not really long term? Or do I just get what I THINK I want right away, comfortable in the fact that I'm purchasing for 10+ years at least? Someone posted a nice thread (Rich?) on "how did you find your plane?"
My question is: "how did you decide your plane was the plane you wanted at the time?"
So what to do?
Early next year (2006), I'll be set up to go purchase my first plane. I've already started shopping, of course (do any of us really STOP?), thinking and rethinking about different factors. I know some people wake up in the morning, know EXACTLY what kind of plane they want to own and buy it. I'm not one of those people.
The basic mission profile: 2 people 90% of the time, a couple of pieces of luggage, my flyrods (duh, yes, you HAVE to take all of them), 5 hours fuel for about 3 hours flying time (bladder limit, really), good short and rough field performance, 110kt to 150kt cruise, age not a factor, VFR flying mostly but IFR certified so I can get my IR in it later. I'm not setting a budget now, as you'll see.
If I spend less than $25K, I can probably just write a check for it (yeah, no payments!). Anything over that and I'll just make a healthy downpayment and keep the rest as reserve/upgrade account.
To add to the mix, I'm fairly handy and could build something, even from plans. I've thought about just getting a 2-seater taildragger for a timebuilder while I build my dream plane (a Bearhawk at the moment). Or I disregard the purchase and go straight for the build while I continue to rent. Or I disregard the build altogether, spend it all on nice C182 and call it good. Or...sigh.
So many variables and options!!! Do I buy a plane for getting into the air but not really long term? Or do I just get what I THINK I want right away, comfortable in the fact that I'm purchasing for 10+ years at least? Someone posted a nice thread (Rich?) on "how did you find your plane?"
My question is: "how did you decide your plane was the plane you wanted at the time?"