So, in keeping with debating another new topic....

I’m contemplating buying another plane...I want something that will make a good “old man’s airplane”. I live on a grass strip, do some short commuting by plane, but also want to be able to go land on rougher strips (dirt, grass, etc.), want IFR capability, ability to haul 3 or sometimes 4 people if 2 are smaller.


I started out thinking about another V-tail (it’s a really good “back country” plane, loaded and operated correctly), but the more I thought about it, I’ve always wanted a 195, since I earned my license back in 73 by helping restore one. I’ve done some instruction in a 180, and really thought it was a good plane, and flew an amphib 185 for a while.


I’m going to keep a Baron for long cross countries, and the Six for acro/formation, but still wanting to have a tail wheel plane that is usable...that potentially will end up being my only plane after I retire...


thoughts?

Stan, I like to think I'm too young for my 'old man' airplane, but I've been looking hard at that early model 185 listed here, drooling, and thinking about my 'forever airplane'. Something like that, properly equipped and with a float kit, would do just about anything you'd need to do.

My neighbor has a 195 and says the flaps are for decoration only. They add very little drag and it is a poor short filed plane.

Same thoughts here. I've already decided for me that plane will be a bearhawk, just not sure when I'll start building it for the completion to coincide with old-man phase.

I'm done with factory-built planes, this D95 is a fine plane but it will be my last one of those. Too much hassle.

I have an A185F with 1400hrs IO520 recent paint and interior. If you are interested and want to take a look, I'm in Maryland. I plan on selling it sometime early next year as I have another one.

Andy

CK, I would *like* to think that, but I’m seeing the end coming in the not too distant future. I would really like a plane that I can maintain myself, that will fit in my hangar at my house, that won’t cost a bunch to operate (once I quit working, I gotta be careful financially), and that is relatively simple and practical.

I also want it to be able to go out West (I’ve spent enough time out here to know that I just love being by myself out traipsing around the back country in a plane)...(and it’s gotta be able to land at Grommet’s strip.....)


I can see my last few years spent cruising around (LOP of course....) the West, just enjoying it...



stan

I've owned both, 195 and a 185. The 185 is much better on short fields but the 195 has more "cool" factor. People will go out of their way to take a look at a 195. And like Scott said: 195 flaps don't do much.

already built ones come up for sale now and then, most of them have O-540's although it looks like this one is a 4-cylinder...

http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_ ... place.html

Stan - that 195 that Neal listed prompt any of this?

Man, that is one great looking plane!

already built ones come up for sale now and then, most of them have O-540's although it looks like this one is a 4-cylinder...

http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_ ... place.html

uh............................................

Stan, the 195s, Staggerwings, etc all seem to be tinkerer type aircraft.. always needing something.. fly a little, tinker a lot.. they are not a roll 'em out of the hangar, fly 'em and roll 'em back in type.. Stick with a flat engine 185 or good 180. I like the 180 over the 185 for their feel, but the 185s room sure is nice.. Picking something today, it would be the 185, later built the better, depending on condition like everything else. I've found that my T-6 is way more usable than the 195s, etc. That 1340 is like a 540 Lycoming for reliability, with the 985 more like a 360.. good engines.

Nathan, I tend to agree. The 195 has a “cool” factor, but I tell you, last year when I had the V-tail, I was impressed with how nice it was to have a plane that you could just pull out of the hangar (or untie...) and preflight, get in and go...and not have any “work” to do.


I *can* tinker, but I prefer flying.


(I agree, the T6 is surprisingly easy on the maintenance. I’ve had it over 20 years now...much longer than I kept anything else...)

I think I stared at this one every day until it sold.

Very appealing.

http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=88087&hilit=180