Hello all my name is Mike J. I have been interested in flying forever but, never had the time or money (mostly money) to be more than be interested. Over the years my son has also had great interest in flying he is now 18 and about finished with getting his Private license. He wants make flying a career and will be attending college next year (Embry or Liberty University). I am starting my flight instruction at present time.

My question ,to whom ever would like to give an opionion, is it worth purchasing a airplane for where my son and I are at present time? With the economy how it is would now be a oppurtune time to purchase a airplane?

If answer to the question is yes. What type of Beechcraft is the best for us? I have narrowed it down to Beechcraft because : I own a business with many types of equipment (John Deere and Caterpillar) and believe they are the best and Beechcraft seems to me to be the best. I love Bonanza 35's. Are we starting with our sights to high?

Thank you for reading this. Any advise would be helpfull. Mike J

Mike, welcome to BT and good luck with the training.

The consensus here is that renting is cheaper than owning but provides less personal satisfaction.

Assuming that you are initially thinking of a single engine aircraft, the Beechs have a wide variety of models, starting with the Skipper on the low end to the $700K Bonanza G36 at the upper end.

Many of the lower end models are supported by the Beech Aero Club.

The ideal airplane for you is determined by what you want to do with it (The Mission) but I suspect at this stage you aren't sure about that.

It is a good time to buy, though many here (including me) believe that prices are unlikely to recover on existing aircraft.

The Beech Musketeer / Sundowner (Baby Beech's) series make a nice, stable platform for learning and for IFR. Prior to my Bonanza's, I had an A23 Musketeer and really enjoyed it. More room and more stable than the C172 or the Piper 140. Upside is these can be purchased at very reasonable costs. Downside, smaller market when you get ready to sell. However, they are simple, strong, economical airplanes to learn and grow in.

Purchasing a trainer, learn to fly and build some time with it, then selling it when you get bored with it is IMHO the cheapest way. You can buy a cherokee, 172, or the cheapest (150 or 152) for very little money (comparatively). More importantly, you'll have a large market which will make it a quick sell when you are ready. I'll probably take flak for it, but I wouldn't buy a Beech product, IMHO. After both of you have licenses and sell the trainer you can buy a 35 or whatever Beech product you desire.

As Erik mentions, buy something for training and to fly for awhile after you get your PPSEL. At that point you might be able to define your mission for a future purchase. Having your license and some PIC hours will lessen the burden when it comes time to contact an insurance agent for a Bonanza.

John

As posted above I would by something simple, bullet proof, cheap and easy to train in. Then considering your mission later on, consider the mercedes of aircraft, the Beech.

I currently fly a 172; stay away from all the gadgets and get a platform that makes you learn stick and rudder skills, not video games.

Thanks Eric.

When I decided to buy a plane early in my training I chose a 172XP. The 172XP has the same benign and forgiving flying qualities as any other 172, but with a 195 hp engine and a constant speed prop, it performed just well enough to make it practical to fly for the first year after I got my ticket and to do some long trips to get some experience. It could carry 4 people with full fuel and it cruised at 125 kts. Another benefit was that when I moved up to a Bonanza I was already used to the constant speed prop. Others will tell you to buy a Bonanza and learn to fly in it, and I am not arguing that you couldn't or shouldn't do it. I'm just saying the 172XP worked for me and that I was glad to have those first 250 hrs in it before moving up to the Bonanza. It also helped with the insurance cost when I moved up.

Mike,

Curious what kind of business you are in?

Hi Mike

Farm Service. My business takes care of the Swine and Dairy industry in Northwest Indiana. Earthmoving and excavating for new farms, maintenance of existing farms including Manure Management (200,000,000 gallons per year). I have heard all the jokes about taking care of that much S***! But if you have a new one I have open ears

Thanks Martin sounds like good sound advise.

Like your comment on the video games.

I too think the Hawk could be a good choice; here's one I actually went and looked at; belongs to an older gentleman, in good shape but needs a new home badly. Though AP not advertised because its inoperative, apparently it only needs one servo repaired.

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 186059.htm?

Ha! No new jokes . We have www.equipmentlocator.com which is somewhat related via machinery.

+2.....