Buying a Cessna 150 to build time
 

I am interested in buying a 150. In theory I'd buy it, fly it like crazy for a few months, then sell. All in hopes to have no maintenance issues and only plan on flying for 200-300 hours. The cheapest 150 around to rent from a flight school is $87 an hour so if all went to plan it would work out well. I know nothing in aviation goes to plan but i can still hope. Any suggestions, previous experience with this, or ideas would be appreciated.

I'd look at a twin Apache that has the STC for auto gas. Still won't cost much to buy. Should hold it's value and then you'd log multi time instead of SEL time.

Looking to build hours for a job? This is what I was told to do once by a CFI. Buy a 150, fly the hell out of it, sell it. Good luck dude! Wish I had something more intelligent to say. The buying of an Apache I think is so so. If you have a maintenance issue now your plan has just backfired. I wouldn't totally poo poo the idea of buying an Apache, but I'd personally build my multi time through an FBO with a relatively cheap, but safe twin.

Keep us posted! Come fly by my home 'drome if you do!

Aircraft Purchase
 

I have been an aircraft owner since 2008, included in the list of past A/C was a 1967 Cessna 150 and I have a PA-23 now...PM me if you have questions about cost, etc. I would encourage you to find a Cessna 150 with the unleaded STC from Petersen or EAA if you have access to E zero fuel at a local airport.

Twin time would be MUCH better. They are more expensive though..

Why don't you just get a flying job to build time? It'll look better on a resume.... I don't grasp the advantage of buying your own plane and flying the hell out of it.

Aircraft ownership always sounds great until the first maintenance item pops up. Whether it's an unexpected AD (nothing wrong with the aircraft, but a mandatory inspection, part change, limitation, etc, crops up), or you have an annual inspection. It's very common for someone to think they have a complete pre-buy inspection, think they're free and clear, and then find the first annual runs a thousand, five thousand or more.

It's not realistic to think of owning an airplane, putting in fuel, and flying cheap. Your maintenance costs should always be factored (at a minimum) as being the same as fuel. If you're burning six gallons of fuel at five dollars an hour, then you should be planning on setting aside 30 dollars an hour for maintenance, minimum. That's if nothing serious goes wrong. Need a jug replaced, there's 1200 for the jug and around 1500 to 1800 total for the jug and replacement. Radios no good? Big bucks.

So there's sixty dollars hourly. Not too far from the 87 you're being charged for rental. You're carrying insurance? Rates vary, but if you're spending a thousand or fifteen hundred for that insurance, and another five bucks an hour to your hourly cost (you're flying 300 hours, right?). Sixty five an hour, now.

Hangar at 200 a month, used for 3 months, six hundred bucks. That's two dollars an hour, so sixty seven now. You're still saving something, but nothing has gone wrong yet, you were miraculously able to find a hangar, you had ample experience and your insurance was cheap, and you're operating in a mythical world where everything happens in your favor.

Ownership can be a great thing if that's what you want to do. Being able to get into the airplane overnight isn't likely to happen, and don't plan on being able to sell it right away. You might, or it might go a year or two without a buyer. Factor that into your decision making, too.

Anytime "if" becomes a crucial part of the equation in aviation, see the red flags. In this case, when you're planning to fly with no maintenance issues, there is your red flag.

I just rented a C150 dry for $30 an hour, ran car gas in it only, so the total hourly cost was about $50 an hour. Check local laws, but you may also be able to get 87 octane gasoline from a farm coop for it. Make sure it is ethanol- free, filtered gasoline. My advice is to advertise around town for a rental 150 and let someone else do the owning for you. The reason to buy one would be you cannot find a rental, or you always wanted a 45 year old VW beetle that also flies.

I agree w/most everything that has been said, especially the advice from JB. A few more noteworthy items... Aircraft ownership is a combination of what are commonly referred to as Direct and Indirect costs; either one can "get" you. In the case of a C-150, it would likely be the indirect costs or unanticiapated maintenance issue. Even if you bring in a buddy with an A&P, parts are still a huge consideration. In the case of a Learjet, initial aquisition might not be an issue though direct costs such as fuel might prove to be a burden. It all depends on ones individual situation. Bottom line an aircraft can cost you plenty, whether you fly it or not. Another advantage of renting is that once you turn in the keys your obligations are over; unless you wrecked it... You will pay even more for insurance if you plan to use the aircraft in any way for flight instruction; other than a checkout, FR, IPC, Etc. for yourself. Also remember, many of us flew the heck out of them when we were essentially kids; most of us are somewhat larger and heavier now, something to consider especially as you have the 1600# GW. All said, I love 150's and think it might well be a good idea, if you are prepared for it. If it works for you, you might even want to keep it. I have known many folks that hang onto their 150's for various reasons. Good luck

Buying a 150/152 to build time is a gamble. I know two people that did this.

One bought it as soon as he got his private, did his instrument, and time building for commercial + some time building after commercial, and 9 months to a year after he sold it, and said he pretty much broke even with repairs because he was able to sell it for a little more than he bought it for.

The other person I know that did this, got really screwed. Ended up having to replace the radio within the first month of owning it, and then in the middle of the time building needed to get the engine overhauled, and it was only about half-way to TBO. And now he's trying to sell it.