splash333

So I know its been mentioned that buying a plane to to train in could be the most cost effective route and I had some questions. So first for someone who wants to become a pilot would you recommend this route, what type of plane would you recommend buying for someone looking for the cheapest possible option. I'm assuming an ifr 152 or 172, but really don't know that much about it so I'm looking for your expertise. How much could I expect to pay for training this way? I know there's tradeaplane, any other good place to look? I'm also assuming I could sell the plane after I get done with training, would it depreciate a lot? Any advice appreciated

l1011

152,172,or cherokee would all be good choices. I would recomend a IFR certified citabria simply because flying tailwheels are a blast and if you start out in a tailwheel it makes me you a better stick and rudder pilot as you learn these skills from the start. If you look carefully you can usually find a deal in a old citabria on barnstormers. This is what I did and it worked out well for me, but, everyone is diffrent so do what is best for you. One draw back is it can be a pain to get an examiner that will do checkrides in a tandem place tailwheel, they are out thier if you look hard enough.

DirectTo

A 150/152 is probably the cheapest route you could go. Even an IFR equipped one is still available pretty cheaply, and maintenance on them is simple with plenty of parts available. They also burn very little fuel compared to their counterparts.

Controller, trade-a-plane, barnstormers, all are good resources. Also check inside your local FBO for local sales.

Depreciation can depend on a variety of things. Same with purchasing. A high time engine will cost you less to buy, but you run more of a risk of needing major engine work or possibly and overhaul. The lower time engine will be more expensive to purchase initially (all other options being the same), but will arguably require less maintenance along the way.

Consider that you will need probably 250-300 hours to get all of your ratings, a mid-time engine won't be as expensive to purchase, but you won't put so much time on it as to really depreciate the value when you go to sell it. Just remember you'll need to go elsewhere for a complex/high performance/multi addon.

mtbthis

Buying a plane to train in? So hiring an instructor to train you in your plane? Sounds awesome. Wish I could have done that. MY question.
Do you have to keep this plane up to 135 standards because you are scheduling and paying someone to teach you? If so, have you taken those costs into consideration?

HSLD

No. Owning and training in a private aircraft that's not used for hire does not require a 135 certificate. You will want to talk to your aviation insurance company to see if there are any special requirements for instruction per your policy.

splash333

any thoughts on what to expect as far as insurance?

I also looked on ebay, it seems like there might be a possibility to get a good deal, but not sure really what to look for as far as what a good deal is? What are the main things to look for?

How important is the age of the plane, I mean I don't really care I just want the cheapest that will do the job and hopefully be able to sell it for something when I'm done.

Would I be able to get something decent for $15000?

does anyone else have any thoughts on the citabria, I like the idea of a tail wheel, here's one that seems nice, but too much money. American Champion Citabria | eBay

l1011

I think you could find a little better deal than the one on ebay, plus this one is not IFR certified so you would not be able to do your instrument rating in it. One other thought, be careful buying airplanes that have spent much time in florida or other costal areas as corrosion seems to be an issue in some. Also the older citabrias have a wood spar wing, spruce I think, It is very important to have this spar inspected before purchase because replacing with the new metal spar wings are not cheap. The prices are on the American Champion website.

As a cost comparison I bought my 7GCBC for 30K. It had a mid time engine with the constant speed prop STC, IFR certified with GNS430 and very solid. Before I purchased it I looked at a few 7ECA models in the lower 20's that were solid but non IFR and lower time. These have the smaller engine and no flaps.

bcpilot

Buying a plane & doing flying in your own plane is not a bad idea, in fact a very good one.
But it may not be the cheapest way to do your ratings. The flight instruction from a good flight instructor, parking, insurance & maintenance costs can build quickly & add up to more than it would cost you at a regular rental FBO. Also don't forget that there could be unexpected repairs from a hard landing, bird strike or anything else.

Another SMART option is do your private in an FBO or a local Flying Club & then buy your own plane. By that time, you will know if you like flying & it is for you.

Don't buy a tail wheel just because it is cheap, the availability of instructors is less & the cost of flight instruction will be more in a tailwheel. There was a thread not too long ago about the guy who was looking for a flight intructor in his tailwheel. That person took so long to get a SOLO & the cost was many times more than a private with tail wheel endt would have cost..... I think it was either APC or Pilots of America forum.....

Fly a tailwheel first & then decide if it is for you....

I know this is not something you may want to hear but this topic has been discussed quite too many times....

Learn from other people's mistakes & Evaluate all the options before you take the plunge.

l1011

What part of the country are you? If you are anywhere near The Appalachians Pm and I can put you in touch with a couple diffrent great tailwheel instructors and an examiner who will do tandem place checkrides. I do agree with the previous poster that you should take an intro flight in both aircraft types and see which you like best before making a leap into ownership.

USMCFLYR

I knew some guys in college that had a very nicely (for the time) equipped C-172, dual navcomm, digital DME, 3 programmable comms/nav, etc.... (remember I said this was a long time ago) - - - but they leased back to the FBO who took care of the hangaring, maintenance, scheduling, etc....
They got first pick for scheduling of course, and wouldn't let PPLs train in it, but otherwise it was always booked solid for Instrument training and x/c flying by the other CFIs and students. I'm not sure what the insurance deal was or what other specifics there were with lease-back, but it certainly sounded like a great deal then and I wished I had had the opportunity to go that route.

USMCFLYR