Field plane What brand for cow pastures ?

[afterburn 549]

What is the advice for a "field plane "
From what I think I know a tail dragger is best ? Or is it ?
I almost bought one 2 months ago...but the seller did not have enough answers.
There are a LOT of planes for sale in the 20K bracket. (no cream puffs required )
What is the brain trust on the brand and type?

[Seahawk]

There are a bunch, mostly tail draggers.

I flew a lot in a Maule Maule Flight, Inc.

A guy in my first squadron owned one, an M5, that he kept at Gillespie Field in San Diego.

What a great airplane.

[gshase]

I have a C170 and I teach Tail Wheel Transition......Husky, Super Cub, Cub, Maule, 7AC Champ and Taylorcraft would all be good......Low and Slow works for me. What were you looking at?

[afterburn 549]

Just a couple different Tail draggers on ebay.
Yes just putt putt through the sky, no rush. A Moony would be nice..........but they like a real run way.
I just want to make the right choice the 1st time..
Some of these have know problems and AD list a mile long.....i have no clue.
So some advice from the "knowing" here would be good.

[Mark Henry]

Homebuilt or something bigger?
Friend built a Kitfox, his bud built a Zenith STOL CH 701, I like the zenith better.
Then I'd also like a cub.

Experimental vs Certified both have pros and cons.
Experimental you can do your own wrenching, engine options etc., but you put a lot of faith in the builder.
Certified you have to trust all that log time and you'll need a good AP at reasonable cost.

If you are retired I'd look for half done homebuilt and go over what done with a fine tooth comb.


How about a Zenith with a turbine?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yle0bNfmf0E

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

JI just want to make the right choice the 1st time..
Some of these have know problems and AD list a mile long.....i have no clue.
So some advice from the "knowing" here would be good.

This is a very interesting topic, one I have researched extensively. Before I explain my reasoning, ley me say that I would own an airplane today if my neighbor didn't - meaning I get to go fly in HIS plane for the price of gas, without any of the burden of plane ownership.

He owns a Super Cub.

You really have to ask yourself a few questions in order to solve the problem you are facing. Those questions will help you decide on what priorities, in order, are important in the aircraft. It is going to be your aircraft after all. This is my list and of course reflects my priorities:

My number 1 priority was the aircraft had to have a "stick". I have a fairly significant amount of flight time and 95% of it is in aircraft with a control stick. I prefer it.

Second was gentleman's aerobatics. I wanted a plane that I could put the world in different perspectives...nothing serious, no nine G pulls, just smooth upside down therapy.

Reasonable cruise speed. I define reasonable cruise as 120kts indicated.

Low wing and tandem seating. I wasn't planning on flying the family and I like the panorama when solo'ing.

Those were my must have's and trust me, there are very few choices. If I was to do this (and I was very serious about it: went to factories, EAA in Oshkosh a few times, helped build two airplanes, etc) it was apparent that Van's RV 8 was my plane.

https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv8.htm

I spent time in Redmond, few it a few times and was hooked. I simply had to be honest with myself and recognize there just wasn't enough hours in the day to fit in the requirements to fly safely with safe airplane.

That is why I fly with my neighbor off of his grass strip. Sorry for the ramble but I really believe that you have to approach aircraft ownership methodically. The right answer may not be the one you expected or want.

[afterburn 549]

I dont have time for more projects ,I am not scared of an EXP . Its just that most have a crappy idea in there somewhere..
Anything with a Turbine will be sky high?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

I dont have time for more projects ,I am not scared of an EXP . Its just that most have a crappy idea in there somewhere..
Anything with a Turbine will be sky high?

Turbine power is a different planet, AB, cost wise. My ultimate (read unobtainable) aircraft is the T34C, which I flew in primary in flight school - all in with baggage flights about 300 hours worth. The best little turbo prop there was.

You can buy used Van's - there are over 5400 flying.

[afterburn 549]

I actually was going to build a KR2 at one time.
But the helicopters called me back.
They are great- but distance is a problem for them.
We all have our drugs.
I just want a work truck that i can run dwn the street a 1oo miles and come back or maybe further on occasion.
it does not have to be pretty.
I do appreciate the inputs here .

[afterburn 549]

The Solar T62 are popular but thats 10G from the jump....
I would have one.....but..........I would have a T53L13 too! LOL
Its just not going to happen.

[widgeon13]

Get a Maule, hauls a lots, great short field capability and goes fast enough. Reliable and simple to fly.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Get a Maule, hauls a lots, great short field capability and goes fast enough. Reliable and simple to fly.

Yep.

https://www.barnstormers.com/Maule%20Classifieds.htm

There are some nice 30 - 40K airplanes in the link.

[cashflyer]

Cub or an Aeronca Champ.
No medical required. Both are cheap to fly.
Aeroncas are cheaper to buy, but the Cubs hold their value well.

Make sure the fabric is good. Professional recovering can run $25k+, easily.


My neighbor is getting ready to sell his NE-1 in a month or so, now that he has a biplane.
(It's actually an L-4 in NE-1 colors)

[Dantilla]

I will soon be selling the Beech Bonanza. Awesome airplane, goes plenty fast, yet gets in and out of surprisingly short runways, even handles dirt/grass very well. Big, comfortable cabin, lots of fancy avionics.

I had to throw a pile of cash at a business thing, and will be cash-poor for the next couple years.

I'm looking at Van's RV series. I rarely use four seats. An RV has near Bonanza top speed while using far less fuel. Designed to get in and out of short, rough places, capable of aerobatics, and far less expensive to maintain.

All around excellent airplanes.

[afterburn 549]

I have NOT ever seen a Maule for near 20K unless it was upside dwn somewhere.
And somehow and can not see a bonanza being landed in the hay field....can I ?
the wings would take a beating !

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Cub or an Aeronca Champ.
No medical required. Both are cheap to fly.
Aeroncas are cheaper to buy, but the Cubs hold their value well.

Make sure the fabric is good. Professional recovering can run $25k+, easily.


My neighbor is getting ready to sell his NE-1 in a month or so, now that he has a biplane.
(It's actually an L-4 in NE-1 colors)

I agree if your not in a hurry to get anywhere. I'd love to have a Champ for local flying. But the wife would never go for anything that slow. She only likes to fly in my Debonair when it means we can get somewhere faster.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

And somehow and can not see a bonanza being landed in the hay field....can I ?
the wings would take a beating !

The Bonanza was introduced in the late '40's when most airstrips were short and unpaved. They used the same runways as Cubs. Very stout landing gear.

[Dantilla]

Not my airplane, but a Bonanza playing around with a Husky in Nevada wilderness:

[cgarr]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Cub or an Aeronca Champ.
No medical required. Both are cheap to fly.
Aeroncas are cheaper to buy, but the Cubs hold their value well.

Make sure the fabric is good. Professional recovering can run $25k+, easily.


My neighbor is getting ready to sell his NE-1 in a month or so, now that he has a biplane.
(It's actually an L-4 in NE-1 colors)

Indeed, there are some nice Luscombes for sale out there too, either all metal or fabric wings.

I enjoy building them myself:

[Dantilla]

Another place where it's common to find Bonanzas: