I've owned my Cessna 120 for a bit over a year now, and while fun, I realized the performance just isn't where I want it with two people on board. I'm looking at moving up into something sportier than the 120 with two seats. The big driver is capex - this is a fun plane and I'd be searching for a flyer less than $40K (doesn't have to be a beauty queen at that price). After having dipped my toes in the certified world, experimental is desired but not a hard requirement. Basic VFR equipment is absolutely fine as well.

Not in a hurry to move, as doing so would necessitate selling the 120 first. Curious what all is out there before diving into my first choice of an RV-4.

Look at a -6 or -7, not a -4. In my opinion, an RV4 is single-place airplane with a spare seat. If you have a regular flying companion, you'd better make sure they like sitting in the back. I've spent a few hours in the back of a friend's F-1 Rocket (a modified -4), and it's not a good way to travel. Can't see the instrument panel or out the front, there's zero baggage space, and the back seat is behind the yaw axis, which makes for some nauseating side-to-side motion.

I had an RV-4 for years and traveled all over the country and the kids loved riding in the back, when my wife started flying with me more is when I decided to get the Bonanza, and by far the Bonanza is a better traveling machine. If I had a runway behind the house I'd still have the 4. I did just buy a Clip Wing Cub with an O-200 and will say for local flying it's my favorite plane.

I totally disagree. I've owned 2vRv-4s and 2 Rockets. The backseat of a -4 is for sub 180# people and smaller is better, but it is a truly fantastic airplane. The Ticket is for sub 200# pax but the baggage space is Huge! I can do 2 roller bags, a duffel and a fullize guitar. You have to watch the the weight in back, but we fly all over the lower 48bin the Rocket. My back seater is petite but I've ridden in the back on some fairly long flights. With me at 220 in the back baggage is pretty limited.

Both are amazing airplanes. But an RV-6 is also a great airplane.

Can a good RV be had on that budget?

I was thinking Kitfox or Rans could probably be found for about that money.

This is a good question. I've seen VFR only RV-4s pop up below my limit, although admittedly at the time I didn't look close enough to see if they were just flying projects. I'm not familiar with the market for the other models but everything mentioned in this thread is going on my research list.

A Citabria! Skip the 7ECA, and find one with an O-320 on it (A 7GCAA, 7KCAB, or 7GCBC, although a GCBC is probably outside that price range).

Citabrias in that range seem to be nearing the point that they need a lot of work. Ive been daydreaming about them and browsing lately. $55k or so seems to be a sweet spot.

Mooney M20C or E with the J bar and hydraulic flaps. In my opinion it's the cheapest certified 4 seat plane to own per mile. Most of them will do about 145knots on 7 to 9 GPH. Some faster and some slower, but that seems to be the average. Useful load of 950 to 1000lbs, and a range of around 850 to 900NM. VFR ones can be bought from around 35 to 50k.

What is it that you’d like to improve with two aboard? If it’s climbing too slow, you might think about getting a new prop. My 140 climbed 1000 fpm at gross, but didn’t go too fast after that.

For better traveling in that price range, consider a Grumman AA-1 or AA-5. For better payload, a Pacer. For easy resale, a Cherokee 140. Looking at Barnstormers today, there are a lot of rag wing Pipers for sale under $40k: Clippers, Pacers, Super Cruisers, and a Colt. Not all of those would be an improvement over a 120, but some would.

Have ever looked at the Thorp T18's? Thorp was a very talented airplane designer. He designed the T18 to be easy to construct so it has a boxy or sawed off look to it. I've seen them at KOSH but never flew one. They're similar to an RV6 but not as pretty.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorp_T-18




This is a good question. I've seen VFR only RV-4s pop up below my limit, although admittedly at the time I didn't look close enough to see if they were just flying projects. I'm not familiar with the market for the other models but everything mentioned in this thread is going on my research list.

I have a climb pitched McCauley (46”) on a C85 and the closest I’ll get to 1000 FPM is solo on a cool day. Extreme example, but a couple weeks ago with me and a buddy, full fuel but nothing in the back (probably about 1400 lbs TOW), departed a 900’ elevation airport with an OAT of about 95 dF. Based on time to climb from liftoff I calculated my average climb rate to be just at 200 FPM, having climbed full throttle at 80 MPH indicated for engine cooling.

I knew this would be the case buying an 85hp plane with metal wings, I’ve just determined I’m looking for something a bit faster in climb and cruise. Takeoff performance would be a bonus; I’ve had to turn down flights to some cool fields because I may not be able to get back out.

This is interesting - at first glance it looks like an RV-6 but without the badge markup.
I’ve heard these can be a handful on the ground due to the short wheelbase, do you have any experience with them?

This is interesting - at first glance it looks like an RV-6 but without the badge markup.
I’ve heard these can be a handful on the ground due to the short wheelbase, do you have any experience with them?

Hi Dan-

Stuart previously mentioned a Piper Pacer. If you find a good one, it should still be within your price range, and a 150 hp Pacer offers a lot of bang for the buck, in terms of both fun and performance.

Regards,

Bob