As the title implies, I'm looking at buying a cheap, single-engine, piston to build time in. The C150 is a great option due to low purchase price, low fuel burn, and low mx. However, most do not have ADS-B out. As a pilot located in Florida, most of the places I would fly too are located within mode C veils or class Charlie airspace.

My question: Is it worth it to purchase a mid-time C150 for about $18-20k only to then have to spend an additional 25% of the purchase price updating the transponder for the upcoming 2020 mandate? Particularly if my goal is to build a few hundred hours and then try and sell it shortly thereafter?

Would appreciate anyone with experience in this area of ownership.

Put in the Garmin GDL 82 and you won’t need to update transponder.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/540911

ADSB OUT won’t cost you $5K in that airplane. Couple $k at the most. Best the seller up a little and you can probably negotiate away half that easily. Then you’ll recover the rest when you sell.

From an C150L driver to you. Make absolutely sure you have a knowledgeable pre-buy, especially if the plane spent time in Florida.

A borescope of the engine is absolutely mandatory. I inspecting person doesn't have a borescope that person's opinion is worthless.

Corrosion can quickly render an airframe worthless. An undisclosed lien likewise.

My plane has been in continuous upgrade since I purchased it, that has been my prerogative. It has served me well. I have put just short of 1,000 hours on it. It does exactly what I want.

If you're spending $20K on a 150, it should have ADS-B

With some looking, you can buy one for $10-12K. As noted, the GDL-82 is $1800 plus install - but do find a 150 with a 21st century transponder.

But I generally reject the premise you need ADS-B. yes, it's a little inconvenient, if the goal is inexpensive flying/timebuilding you can make it work.

Or just get an old champ with no electrical system and you're exempt

Rylan, what is your overall mission for the plane? Are you looking for something to fly mostly solo for the express purpose of time building? Or do you want to take your spouse along for long weekends and use the plane for cross country trips? What is your realistic budget?

A C-150 is a great cheap time builder or trainer. But not the best 500nm cross country plane. You might be better off looking for a nice decent C-172 or PA-28 or the like to find a happy medium. Easy to fly, relatively cheap to maintain and fly, but 4 seats, more power, and a bit faster. The entry cost might be a bit more but you will still have great resale value and you will have more plane that will do a bit more. Heck if you can find a partner or swing it yourself look for a great C-182... its a slippery slope my friend you will probably buy a V-tail bonanza by the time we get finished with you LOL. BTW I think the V-tail bo's are a great value overall, but they will cost you more than a C-150.

Find a partner and cut the costs in half... For what its worth I agree with what others have said I would not spend more than 15k on a C-150.

Simple solution is to buy a $100K Cessna 150. Then the ADS-B upgrade is only 2 or 3 percent of the purchase price.

Mike C.

Simple solution is to buy a $100K Cessna 150. Then the ADS-B upgrade is only 2 or 3 percent of the purchase price.

Mike C.

Will you still be building time in 2020?

Sell it in 2019 with the selling price reflecting no ADS-B. If you’re worried about shelling out extra cash for the upgrade on purchase, may be easier to just “take a loss” on sale.

Or buy an even more inexpensive option if/when it comes out...

Would love to pick your brains sometime about ownership. Would you say that your 150 has required constant upgrades just to maintain airworthiness? Or were you upgrading the plane to fit your particular mission.

Simple solution is to buy a $100K Cessna 150. Then the ADS-B upgrade is only 2 or 3 percent of the purchase price.

Mike C.[/quote]

Mike, you have solved my dilemma. Thank you

I appreciate the response, Pete. I'm primarily interested in starting off with a single-engine, non-complex aircraft. After I get a couple hundred hours under my belt, I'd consider selling to upgrade to something bigger and faster. (Enter the V-Tail Bonanza)

My mission right now is primarily flying myself and my wife across the state of Florida. We have various friends/family scattered throughout the state, and a small plane would be a great tool to see everyone for day trips and weekends. Average round trip flight distance would be 200-300 miles. I don't see myself regularly needing to fly more than 1 other person, but the extra speed and payload of a 4-seater would be nice.

My budget would probably be considered small to many of the pilots on here, but I'd like to keep my monthly fixed costs as close to $500/month as possible. The C150 seems like the kind of airplane that could easily fit that budget with plenty of wiggle room. 172's, 182's, PA-28's all would stretch that budget more....and that's prior to any operating expenses. I'm a brand-spanking new pilot, so I'm about as green as it gets when it comes to airplane ownership. I'm grateful for the insight of everyone on this forum!

If you can find one to purchase in your budget and is in good shape, this should work fine. I had a 152 with a partner for a few years, and it was nearly trouble-free. I believe our MX, besides annuals and oil changes [did those ourselves], we bought a set of 8 spark plugs and had to have the directional gyro overhauled. Oh, our Hobbs meter died, I think that was maybe $35. Tie-down fee and insurance, and that's it. About as "inexpensive" as flying can get for a couple guys who are not A&Ps.

Sold it for about a thousand less than we paid for it. A 150 should be about the same, I would have to think. Ours had been well-maintained by a private owner before we owned it.

Owning a C-150 or A36 no matter. If a $2500 hit is going to be troublesome, you probably should consider other options. Partnership comes to mind.

You gotta have a plan for the hits, but that doesn't mean just shake the couch cushions and find $2500.

A 150 on tiedown can sit for 3 months while you get the $2500 together.

Oh and since you're already in Florida .. buy a florida plane. Nobody else wants them due to corrosion, real or perceived.