New Pilot Buying Plane; Your input?

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

I know we have alot of pilots on this board and I am in the process of getting my pilots license and also buying a plane.

I'm planning on buying a plane through one of my companies with a partner who is also getting his license. My partner is a 911 guy too and he's done some homework on the type of plane we should buy and come up with this...

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_182

So if any of you Pilots can throw in your two cents about this plane or anything to do with the whole plane ownership experience, that would be appreciated. I'm not new to the industry by any means, but new to ownership and flying.

Thanks in advance,

Tim Hancock · 04-25-2008, 10:30 AM

Kind of depends on what you intend to use it for....strictly business/travel...Cessna = good.

Attending fly-ins with enthusiasts.... A Cessna tricycle-gear might end up being a bit plain vanilla after a while.

rouxroux · 04-25-2008, 10:31 AM

Rob, 182's are a great, stable platform, a nice "family truckster"...I have 2 questions about this plane: Why are you wanting to import it from the UK? What happened to the front wheel fairing? (that's a a bit "suspect" to me).

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

I think the plane is more recreational than anything, although it will be 100% business write off

This will likely just be a starter plane, but if I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it.

Not buying "this" plane, fyi.
Just looking at which plane to buy first and then will start the program of finding one.
My partner is the tech guy that will do all the due dilligence on our purchase; my only challenge will be keeping him on budget; ha, ha.

Thanks guys!

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

C182s are tanks. Very good, solid airplanes.

If you get "bored" with a plain vanilla C172 I'd look and see if you can find an RG. They're around.

In your neck of the woods, and if having extra room and seating for 6 is a consideration, look for a Cherokee 6 or a Lance. Both are fantastic airplanes and not terribly expensive to operate.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

i dont know much about planes, but admire those that fly and would like to do that myself someday....anyway an acquaintance of mine is an experienced pilot and has a 2 engine plane and i remember him telling me that he wouldnt fly in a single engine plane...is this a commonly held thought?

tcar · 04-25-2008, 12:09 PM

Get some hours under your belt before you go retractable.

MT930 · 04-25-2008, 12:13 PM

C-182 are hard to beat The 182 Turbo RG (Retract) is a very good plane for higher elevation operations this is the plane we use most for business in Montana. Cessna 206 is a fantastic plane for trips with the kids or fishing trips with the boys. We have always leased with the exception once. I find that we would have to spend 100 +Hours a year to justify the purchase. The plane's cost is not the real concern it's the recurrent hanger, maintenance & inspection costs. Make sure you are going to fly it enough. I have several friends who bought planes flew a lot at first and gradually stopped flying. They still have the same recurrent costs. It's a love I have had since I was a teenage boy.

$150-$450K is a lot collecting dust in a hanger. If you are going to have a partner and fly the plane a lot. I would buy the newest plane you can afford. Cessna is making both 182 & 206 planes right now except the RG 182. Just flew a new 206 Couple months ago they are very nice.

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

You guys are a great help thanks!

Zeke · 04-25-2008, 01:25 PM

I would buy the newest plane you can afford.

Kinda like a 911, eh?

Dave L · 04-25-2008, 03:13 PM

Im not in a position to buy a plane but I had a job in college that let me fly (co pilot but I flew a lot) a Cessna around for a summer. The experience was fun at first but after a while it became boring, kind of like driving your car in the world largest parking lot. A few years latter my dad also started down the road to getting a pilots license but also gave it up. If its a dream go for it but I would consider taking lessons, get some hours under your belt and then decide if its for you.

p911dad · p911dad's Garage

Picking a good partner in an airplane ownership is more important than the plane itself. A good partner, with good communication, following the rules and the agreements, making sure all the payments get into the bank account, etc. is critical to success. Make sure your partner is financially stable(like yourself) and set aside money for every hour you fly to eventually replace the consumables like the engine, prop, avionics, and annual costs like the annual itself and unplanned maintenance. Have a great partnership! Glenn

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Can't you pick up a used F-16 or something??

Tim Hancock · 04-25-2008, 05:17 PM

Rob, unless you are talking about spending well over 100k, you will obviously be buying used. I wouldn't concern yourself about model year as much as condition/time on current engine etc. A new 172 is not a whole lot different than a 30 yr old one when it comes to technology. Airplanes rarely make sense financially. If you want one, buy one, but don't be suprised if over the years you pump more money into it than you will ever get back out of it. I am fine with it, but don't let anyone fool you into thinking that you will not lose some money in the end. PM me and/or give me a buzz if you care to quiz me about mechanical issues as I am an IA/AP on the side.

Seahawk · 04-25-2008, 05:18 PM

Cirrus...the spam in a cans could not be more boring

There will come a time in your pilot time that fun is important.

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Have you ever thought about building one? Would this be an option for you?

Joeaksa · 04-25-2008, 05:37 PM

Rob,

Like Tim said, what are you going to use it for? How many people? How far are the flights going to be and so on? I did much the same thing back in the 70's and very happy that I did. Bought a C-150 with a partner to learn in, and after we both got our licenses traded it up for a C-177 Cardinal.

The C-182 is like someone else mentioned, the pick-up truck of the light plane world. It and the Piper Cherokee 6 are known for getting it off of the ground if you can get it in the cabin.

If its just going to be you and the wife then its fine, or the wife and one or two kids on a short jaunt thats fine. The C-182 hauls a good load but you really cannot fill every seat and go on a long trip unless everyone packs a 15 pound bag and that aint gonna happen with most wives. If its going to be you and the wife on longer jaunts, or your taking a camera guy looking for properties thats excellent. Also with the C-182 you could haul 3 people while looking for properties, but do not expect to fly 5 hours like this.

That said, for a starter airplane with a family, its a very good choice, just wanted you to understand the limitations. In your situation I would not get a C-172 as its really a 2 place airplane with a couple of back seats for your bags, pup or hunting/fishing gear. The C-182 will burn a couple of more gallons an hour than a C-172 but it will haul/hold a lot more. Its a pick up truck and you are paying for the utility. Up where you live thats a good thing.

Find an instructor and spend some time with them. What they teach you may very well save your life, so this is not a casual thing. One problem we have right now is that the industry is very short of pilots, so a lot of guys are getting hired out of flight instruction schools. Try to find an older guy who is not going to bail on you in the middle of your training because "Air Canada" just called and I am leaving tomorrow. Its a big problem now and hopefully you can find someone who will stick with you throught-out your entire training. If you need help, I know someone with TC and might be able to find some instructors for you.

One more thing. Start looking for a hangar... NOW. Hopefully you do not want to keep the plane sitting outside and can find what is called a "T-hangar" in your area for a reasonable price. I pay $170 a month for mine and its worth it for me as my airplane simply cannot sit outside. Being an 1940's vintage and covered with dope and fabric, it would fall apart in the AZ sun in a year. A Cessna is not in the same situation but hangaring a bird really takes care of them as opposed to tying it down outside. Second choice is a shade covered tie-down. I say start looking now as some places have a waiting list. My airport was 18 months. The one that is 15 miles SE of my location is a 6 YEAR waiting list, so find a place you like and put your name in the hat now if your location is that way.

You have my direct email. Get ahold of me if you want to or will help as possible here. I did what you are doing now and it turned into my vocation almost 40 years ago. Never looked back and I love what I am doing. Wish I was closer and had Canadian licenses, would be glad to fly with you guys and pass along some info.

Joe

pwd72s · 06:25 PM

In Canada? Look for a Cessna 180 tail dragger with STOL mods...(edit) My deceased "best buddy's" Dad had one back in the 70's...mods by Robertson aircraft in Washington State...I phreaked during some of the landings and takeoffs that plane made...

9dreizig · 04-25-2008, 06:19 PM

I tend to live my life by one creedo.. "If it flys floats , or uhm flaps" RENT IT!!!
On the other hand, the next plane I own will be a supercub.. with 180+ horses under the shroud and have tundra tires....

Joeaksa · 06:37 PM

Guys,

A taildragger is a wonderful airplane but for two beginning pilots would be a handful.

As well a SuperCub is not going to do what he wants it to do. Slow, expensive and not enough seats.

A C-180/185 on the other hand.... very nice airplane and would do what they want it to do, but as well takes a bit of special training to get used to, especially in crosswind situatoins!

Joe