Well...it is isn't a Beech but it is a brand new 2010 Archer III. I'm on vacation from my day job and got a call a few days ago from a friend who sells Pipers for dealer. He asked me if I would like to deliver a brand new Archer (with G500 installed) with the owner from Vero Beach to Boston. I have about 700 hours in a 1999 Archer III and about 1100 total hours in Archers so it will be like visiting with an old friend. The owner has 3 hours fixed wing time and 50 hours rotor time so it should be a great experience for him. Got down here late last night and the closing is scheduled to occur shortly. Then its up the coast we go! Might spend the night in Chapel Hill, NC. I'll take some pictures lest many of you accuse me that it never happened.

-Neal

Cool days ahead. Look forward to the updates.

I think it was a pretty smart move by Piper to put the G500 into the plane to bring the price down from 'outright insane' to 'somewhat less than outright insane'. What do they offer as autopilot for the Archer these days ?

yea, take some pics and post if not too busy. An archer is a nice stepping stone to the bonanza (if the new owner is listening).

Neal,

I know you're a Dookie, so it's nice to say you're going to spend the night in Chapel Hill. That's where all the Dookies go to escape the ugly girls and stripper parties anyways.

If you go, please say hello to Top of the Hill for me.

That being said, I'm actually pulling for Duke in the tourney. Gotta support the ACC.

... $300,000 for the privilege to own a new plane that carries 2 or 2.5 people at 120 kts.... Hopefully, the G500 is really really pretty.

Tripp, Tuesday is definitely a good night to hit Top of the Hill! And 411 West for dinner. Very sad that Carolina went from #1 last year to not even making the tournament this year.

Florian, autopilot is the Stec 55x.

Arlen, not my place to defend or disparage someone financial decisions but everyone is in a different financial place and has different desires and needs. The Archer is a perfect first plane to learn to fly in however and the owner of the G36 that I fly around in bought a 1999 Archer brand new to learn to fly in as well. It served him well for 7 years before moving up to the G36.

-Neal

Neat. Sounds like a good package.



It is no different from paying $600+k to buy a new G36 that carries less and is no faster than a 1984 model retrofitted with a G600, 530W , dolled up interior and Stec55x. Still, I don't begrudge anyone who makes that decision for himself.

There are people who buy new aircraft and people who buy used aircraft. The latter group needs the former for their supply.

The new Archers are btw. about 10kts faster than the old ones (LoPresti cowling, some fairing cleanup, no ADF antenna). As you are still in the break-in period, you'll have a chance to run the plane at 75% all the way through and should be able to get some meaningful numbers over the long distance travelled.

UL is 870lbs, with full tanks that is 3 200lb lard-asses in the cabin. If you really need to fill 4 seats, you fill the tanks to the tabs (17gal) each to gain 80lbs. Show me the new <200hp aircraft that does any better.

I personally think they should bring the Dakota back, with a similar avionics package and cleanup. But wthdik.

Neal,
You're absolutely right; that was my own personal bias coming through....based on my own situation.....didn't mean to sound so judgmental.

I bought a new plane once; I suppose it's kinda like buying a new car ----> if you can afford it and it's what you want and you don't mind the big depreciation hit, then it's good. BTW, I wouldn't buy another new plane.....but that's just me.

IMHO, had I bought a 1984 model in 2008 when I bought my 2008 model, I'd have lost more money on the 1984 model as of today than my 2008 model.

Hey Jason -

I'm not trying to bait you with this question, but I'd love the see the numbers associated with that comparison, if you're willing to share.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying this applies to TODAY. Prices on all planes have dropped significantly in the last 2 years. I don't know what will happen in the next 2 years.

Early 2000 M.Y. airplanes were asking $500K to $550K in 2008. Now they're asking in the low 3's and there are a lot of them and I don't see them selling.

I'm sure you got a deal on your Bo compared to what the asking price would've been 2 years ago on it. Do you understand what I'm saying? I'm not saying that what I experienced in the last 2 years is what one will experience in the next 2 years.

Buying a 2010 Bo now for example is probably not a better deal than buying an older one now. Prices have dropped a lot compared to when I was looking. Buying a 6 pack Bo when I was looking was saving me not even $50K over a G36. That's why I bought a G36.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying. But, to complete the thought, you're seeing an early 2000 A36 listed for $150-200K less than two years ago, so what would you expect your 2008 to have depreciated in those two years from the time your bought until today (not counting your TAT upgrade, etc.)?

Honest question.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying. But, to complete the thought, you're seeing an early 2000 A36 listed for $150-200K less than two years ago, so what would you expect your 2008 to have depreciated in those two years from the time your bought until today (not counting your TAT upgrade, etc.)?

Honest question.

an archer was my stepping stone to my bonanza.nice airplanes.
but,i would never go back......