Is there a more affordable to acquire and maintain GA, Piston powered aircraft than the Cessna 150 Commuter?

Question

I do not make much money and what I do make goes to a sizable mortgage and utility bills...but I want to fly!

My local airport provides very affordable tie-downs and is across the street from my abode. Flying for me will be far more expensive than inconvenient. I have fixated on the Cessna 150...perhaps I am overlooking an even less expensive GA aircraft?

Answer 1

The C-150 is one of the cheapest to own. Don't just think about the cost of purchase, cost of continued ownership can be pretty high for any plane. Other potential choices are: Piper Colt, or Pacer, Grumman AA1, Beech B19, Stinson 108, Taylorcraft BC12D, Aeronca Champ, Ercoupe 415. Many of these planes are old, and out of production. That makes them fairly cheap to buy, and a bit more to maintain.

Look at total cost of ownership, not just purchase price. It's a much different animal than car ownership.

Answer 2

The 150 or a 152 is a good airplane, but a bit small. If you are just looking to buy one for training, then that's fine. If you want to look down the road, where you might want to fly to a destination AND take people along, I'd go for a Cessna 172.

Along with the 172 in the four-seat, single-engine airplane category that would be inexpensive to own, there is also the Piper Cherokee family ( the trainer was called the Warrior, I believe), Beech Musketeer (also known as the Sundowner) and perhaps a Mooney M20.

Cost for a tired trainer is around $20,000 and for a low-time, well maintained airplane is closer to 40,000 or maybe 50. A new C-172SP from the factory, is around 250k (because they all are sold with the Garmin G1000 cockpit now.) A ten year old Cessna 172 will be between 70 and 90k to buy.

All have their strengths and weaknesses. Plus, the fair price for each one is determined by the avionics inside, how much time is on the airframe and engine, if there is a damage history and overall condition of the paint and interior.

There are many options out there to look into (Trade a Plane, internet obviously) and buying an airplane is more like buying a house then buying a car. You have maintenance fees, tie down fees, engine overhaul and then the general cost of repairs when needed.

Personally, I wouldn't go for the 150, except to learn to fly. Even then, a 172 or any of the other airplanes I mentioned (there are more, but these were the popular ones) would be a better bet.

Get all the info you can before buying anything!

Answer 3

Well, when I learned to fly, we had 150's, 152's, 152 II's, 172P, and 172SP's, and the SP's definitely were the most reliable, by far.
Sure, the payment would be $6-700 a month, but the 150 would only save $200 a month, and is 20-40 years older. Besides, the maintenance for the 150 will make it about the same cost.
As far as I know it, The 172SP only has about 1 minor problem every 250hours, and in 3500 hours, has had no major problems, and its still a tight aircraft.
Its going to cost you pretty much the same for a 172sp per mile as a 150, as long as you keep the speed down. Maybe less, because an IO-360 can last far longer than a O-200 if it is run softly. Both engines are about 6.75 an hour if you divide the OH cost by the recommended TBO. The newer IO-360 is more reliable by far.
I dont really have to tell you about the weight benefits.
You do get much better instruments too, and I really like that!!! ooooh baby, IFR gps and autopilot! hell ya!

Seriously, dont overlook it. The only thing that might be better may be a Mooney M20 (because it can cruise at 175kts and 11gph, and you can get one for $40-60k)

Answer 4

Ok seems everyone here is a HIGH Wing fan.. I'll offer up another worth looking at.

Piper Cherokee 140/160 about the same in maint. costs if not less and about the same to aquire. Faster, bigger, better
Just another opinion but dont rule them out.

Answer 5

You need to look into the Sport Aviation category like the Kit Fox. Affordable, easy to maintain and new, not forty years old.
http://kitfoxaircraft.com/
If you lack the space or the skills to assemble the kit, there are people that will do it for you.

Answer 6

Uh, dogzilla, a used, 2001 172 SP is about 135,000 dollars. That thing is more expensive than my 411. I think you haven't been reading all of MM's posts.