Hi Everyone. I'm a DC-area based private pilot working on an instrument rating and looking into plane ownership. Basically I have a 3-5 year plan for plane ownership and am trying to learn everything I can about entry-level planes built by the big three (Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft) so that I can strike when the iron's hot once my finances are in order.

On the Beechcraft side of things, curious about people's experience with the Sundowner, Musketeer, and whether these are suitable first planes from a utility/cost perspective (oh and safety too). Speed is not a huge concern for me, and most flying would be local or light XC (like 200 miles).

I've got a good salary, but a young family so funds are always an issue. In all truth, partnership would probably be the best bet for me, but sadly I don't share well with others!

John,

Welcome to BT. Which airport are you using?
I trained out of KGAI and still get back there every once in a while and know the DC to well (I can give a long rant about why I left).

In the DC area, my suggestion would be to look at flying clubs or partnerships as a way to get your feet wet and limit financial exposure. I know you stated you do not play well with others, but a basic T-Hangar runs $500 or more a month. If you part the plane outside in a tie down the price is only $~175 a month; it is a toss up and opinions vary if this will end up costing you more in the end due to higher maintenance.

Tim

Welcome John....

Welcome John

How much weight/people would you be carrying on you flights?

I'd be carrying me wife and a very young but growing kid. So... 350 in human weight. In reality I'd probably do most flying alone or with one other. But I don't know if I can convince my wife to let me buy a plane that we all couldn't enjoy together.

Good point. I fly out of Freeway (W00) right in the SFRA, tiedowns are pretty cheap there but I do wonder about leaving the plane at the mercy of the elements. I so feel your pain on DC.

Welcome to BT John!

Good luck on the IR.

I lifted this from another thread
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=91521&view=unread#unread

I was too lazy to re type it all so I cut and pasted my response to the original poster:


You are many steps ahead of the "new guy looking for an airplane" - you've defined your mission, budget and timeline. You will do well at this if you can sprinkle in some patience and standing firm on what you're looking for.

Here's my story - similar to yours in many ways. Late life student pilot - started looking for a 172 or Sundowner to finish my training and work through IFR rating. Original missions personal transportation to visit college sons, extended family, pleasure flying. SWMBO a nervous passenger so 2 doors became a requirement. 850-950 usable load seemed to make sense as we tend to have a 3rd passenger at times and we pack heavy.

5 months of looking (yes it was exciting and exhausting all at the same time). I stuck to my list of must haves and had more than one deal fall through during pre-buy (be willing to walk away - I wasn't really interested in renegotiating price). Purchased a great Sundowner from a partnership that had lovingly been its caretaker and I have had ZERO maintenance issues to deal with. No squawks at annual - zero surprises. Recently has COMM 2 start flaking out on me though...

Our trips usually are of the 100 nm (each way) variety and I have to pick perfect days to take SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) or we drive for her comfort and me unwilling to have her never want to go again. We just completed a 366 nm trip to visit her mother this past weekend in Tampa FL. Making these "longer" trips makes me dream of the day that I move up, but for now I'm quite content hand flying along at 108 kts (average) burning 8 gallons an hour.

My mission has changed this year as we purchased a company and commuting by air saves about 3 hours per day (I'm usually down there one day a week). Last month my 36 year old COMM 2 decided to start working when it wants to so I have my plane scheduled for a panel upgrade at the end of May. IFR training has been placed on hold until I get the panel finished. Good luck with your search, take your time, be unwilling to compromise on the big things (its a buyers market) and enjoy how blessed we all are that we can even do this wonderful thing called FLYING.

To get some idea of the speeds you can plan on search tail # 5155M on flight aware. You can see my speeds (graphs or charts) for different altitudes.

See if this works:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N5155M

Welcome to BeechTalk!

Peace,
Don