Airplanes?

[bae]

I suspect some of y'all have pilot's licenses. And aircraft.

Let's see what you have, and why!

I'm going to finally buckle down and learn for real this year. And then think about what sort of plane to get/lease/share.

I'm currently thinking of these sorts of things:

Aviat Husky:

http://www.greywolfphotography.com/_img/howitsdone_dave.jpg

deHavilland Beaver:

http://www.musclepricecars.com/muscleCarImages/dehavilland_DHC2beaver.jpg

Cessna 206:

http://www.alaskaairtaxi.com/photos/10-4-04/cessna206a-450.jpg

[Catmando]

17161

highly recommended. its little heavy on fuel use though. on the flip side it sleeps six, complete with a microwave.

[mooseman100]

I am not a pilot, but have flown in all of the planes you listed while hunting, with both wheels and floats on all of them. The Beaver is an awesome plane, amazingly strong. I have been very unimpressed with the 206, seems to take a very long runway or body of water to get it airborn. The Beaver also needs some room. The the Huskys I have flown in have been able to get in and out of tight places. Had a 206 once in camp in BC and a Husky. We got fogged in and could not take the 206 to fly under teh clouds due toe valley being too narrow to turn the 206 around of the fog lowered during the flight. The Husky was no worries. Flew out and followed the followed the river and landed on the highway.

[RobbieB]

All of these planes are awesome workhorses....:finger: but.... What do you want to do with it?

Just you and a friend? :sly: Going fishing up a river to a small lake or gravel bar...or hunting? Try the Husky or its predecessor the Super Cub.:yup:

You and 2 to 3 friends.... going to fish camp for a week.. good access to semi improved runways? Go with the 206....:wink:

Same 2 or 3 folks for 2 weeks ina moose camp AND flying out game.. :biggrin: .Beaver all the way!

Just remember though...

Cub/Husky will run 7 to 10 gal/hr on aviation fuel (over $4.25 @ gal here):cry:

206 will run about 14 to 16 gal/hr (depends on how hard ya run it):scared1:

Beaver will need about 20 gal/hr!!:scared:

Cost adds up quick, and then there is insurance.....:eyecrazy: Nah I wont go there!

Just my 20 years of Alaska talking here....

[Netpackrat]

My brother and I both have our PPLs; he's also multi-engine rated, but I'm barely past getting my ticket. Haven't flown as PIC in years, but now that my brother is back in AK permanently, I expect I will be doing a lot more flying than I have the last few years. He's got a Citabria 7ECA with an O-290D2, and it's a sweet flying airplane.

[Charl13]

This thread makes my mouth water. I've been wanting to pursue a PPL for a while now but honestly need either more resources or more reason! (both maybe??)

To those who already have it - what are your primary uses? Hunting? Travel? Adventure? Practicality? Making money? Spending money?

Pray tell

[RobbieB]

There is "nothing" practical" about private planes...:bigeyes: but then most of us on W/T understand the selective priorities we operate with!:yahoo: Kinda like the B.O.A.T. acronym.... "bring out another thousand"... but hey if ya got it.... ya got it!:finger:

Making money with airplanes is possible but lots of challenges... a sage old aviation entrepreneur once stated "Do you know how to make a small fortune in aviation?" :scared1: "Start with a large one...."

[tx_bhp]

1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC
17170
PPSEL&S, A&P w/IA. Not my plane, trade maintenance for flying time. Everyone should know how to fly. Have worked on all the planes the OP suggested. Drool over a new CubCrafters Top Cub on amphibs. Someday! For what I would use it for a Cessna 206 would be more practical.

[JeffC]

I am not a pilot, but have flown in all of the planes you listed while hunting, with both wheels and floats on all of them. The Beaver is an awesome plane, amazingly strong. I have been very unimpressed with the 206, seems to take a very long runway or body of water to get it airborn. The Beaver also needs some room. The the Huskys I have flown in have been able to get in and out of tight places. Had a 206 once in camp in BC and a Husky. We got fogged in and could not take the 206 to fly under teh clouds due toe valley being too narrow to turn the 206 around of the fog lowered during the flight. The Husky was no worries. Flew out and followed the followed the river and landed on the highway.

I have a multi-engine instrument license and have flown and flown in a lot of different planes over the years. I disagree with your observation on the 206. It is a true workhorse *light* aircraft and truly cannot be compared apples to apples with a Beaver. A Beaver is orders of magnitude more expensive to purchase, maintain and run.

Aircraft are much more diverse than handguns and rifles as they truly are purpose built. IMO, the 206 is the Glock of light aircraft. It ain't pretty, it doesn't go very fast, but it will carry just about whatever you can put in it.

My personal preferences run into the high and faster type of aircraft and my two favorite planes (that I have owned) are both Beechcraft. One was a Bonanza and the other was a twin-engined Duchess. Both great airplanes and both beyond my current means.

-jeff

[TrojanSkyCop1]

17161

highly recommended. its little heavy on fuel use though. on the flip side it sleeps six, complete with a microwave.

Damn, that's the platform I would've pursued had my depth perception deficiency not rendered me eligible for USAF pilot and navigator training. :crying::bigeyes: My all-time favorite warbird (the Douglas SBD Dauntless and P-51 Mustang are my #2 and #3 respectively); nothing says "Don't f*ck with the U.S. of A." quite like the BUFF on a carpet-bombing raid!

[Netpackrat]

So they are, sorta like a Boat, a hole in the air where you throw all of your money? :laugh::laugh::laugh:

They are a machine for turning one hundred dollar bills into noise.

[NoBucks]

This thread makes my mouth water. I've been wanting to pursue a PPL for a while now but honestly need either more resources or more reason! (both maybe??)

To those who already have it - what are your primary uses? Hunting? Travel? Adventure? Practicality? Making money? Spending money?

Pray tell

A friend of mine in Nebraska was a P-51 pilot in Europe during the late unpleasantness there. When he came home from the war, he didn't have anything except what he had earned in the war. He used his savings to buy a cropduster. From there he built his fortune to the point where he, at age 80+ has a 50,000 acre ranch, a nice house, and two airplanes, housed in a large hangar on his property. The hangar also houses a number of other toys, including his RV. I don't think he flies anymore, and the cropdusting didn't earn him his entire fortune, but the cropduster provided the seed money from which he was able to branch into other money making ventures. Plus, he flew for a living and he was his own boss.

Of course, that was in the 1940's and 1950's. I don't know what the money making opportunities are anymore in cropdusting, but it sure does look like it's fun!

[bae]

To those who already have it - what are your primary uses? Hunting? Travel? Adventure? Practicality? Making money? Spending money?


My interests are based in practicality. I live on an island offshore the US mainland, that takes about an hour to get to by boat. However, from the small airstrip in our village here, it is mere minutes to be at several useful airstrips "over there in the US", including one that is a short walk or $5 cab ride to the nearest good hospital.

And my mother is getting up there in years, and spent about a month last year over in that hospital. It was an all-day affair to get over there to visit, the couple of times I hopped a ride in someone's plane and I was there in 30 mins.

So I was thinking it'd be real handy to be able to get to/from that hospital, and the nearby grocery store/feed store/... without spending a day or two of travel time.

Up to now, I've just been bumming rides, or chartering planes, which is probably, when you do the math, more practical than flying myself, but the temptation is strong to be self-sufficient.

[Mayflower]

I don't know what the money making opportunities are anymore in cropdusting, but it sure does look like it's fun!

Boy does crop dusting ever look fun. We have the cotton on this farm dusted by a local pilot/plane, he does a good job of not hitting the house with his over-spray.

I like it when they fly UNDER the power lines!

Not sure a crop duster would be a very practical plane... but man can they turn.

[NoBucks]

Mount some guns like the Colombians do, and it could be a poor man's A-10.

My favorite crop dusting encounter was when I lived in SE Colorado. I was driving East on Hwy 50 and I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I turned to my right, and there was a crop duster about 50 feet from me, going the same direction, matching speed with my car, flying at a lower elevation than I was driving! Near the end of the field, he accelerated, then banked over some power lines.

[Coach]

The G used to let me ride in these all the time. They never would let me drive, though...:grumpy:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r15/Nthre05/Huey.jpg

[EDELWEISS]

Does JUMPING OUT count?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Bbmf_dc3_at_kemble_2009_arp.jpg/800px-Bbmf_dc3_at_kemble_2009_arp.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Bbmf_dc3_at_kemble_2009_arp.jpg)

As for flying I dont expect I'll ever have a license, its just not that high on my list. Its there but other stuff keeps getting moved ahead. When I was younger (much) I toyed with the idea after reading an article about 2/3 scale WarBirds powered by VW engines. I figured that was the only way Id ever get to fly a BF109 or P51.

30 some years later and I still remember this commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NLxZvdwBXs

[JeffC]

My interests are based in practicality. I live on an island offshore the US mainland, that takes about an hour to get to by boat. However, from the small airstrip in our village here, it is mere minutes to be at several useful airstrips "over there in the US", including one that is a short walk or $5 cab ride to the nearest good hospital.

And my mother is getting up there in years, and spent about a month last year over in that hospital. It was an all-day affair to get over there to visit, the couple of times I hopped a ride in someone's plane and I was there in 30 mins.

So I was thinking it'd be real handy to be able to get to/from that hospital, and the nearby grocery store/feed store/... without spending a day or two of travel time.

Up to now, I've just been bumming rides, or chartering planes, which is probably, when you do the math, more practical than flying myself, but the temptation is strong to be self-sufficient.

BAE - depending on your financial situation, you'd be hard pressed to find a more practical solution than a used Cessna 182. They are the pickup truck of the sky. It has fixed gear (low maint.) and a constant speed prop. The wing loading is heavy enough for a comfortable ride and it WILL fly with 4 people and bags.

Fuel will be in the 12-14 gph range depending on model and the older ones with the IO-470 engines are basically bullet proof. It is also an easy airplane to learn how to fly.

One caveat, stay out of weather. Just ask John John Kennedy how that works for new pilots. Get some hours then get your instrument rating.

-jeff

[bae]

The aircraft company I referenced in the link is in Arlington, Washingtion..

That looks like a very interesting option indeed, I will definitely check them out. I love the idea of having built the thing myself.

[clintofio]

BAE - depending on your financial situation, you'd be hard pressed to find a more practical solution than a used Cessna 182. They are the pickup truck of the sky. It has fixed gear (low maint.) and a constant speed prop. The wing loading is heavy enough for a comfortable ride and it WILL fly with 4 people and bags.

Fuel will be in the 12-14 gph range depending on model and the older ones with the IO-470 engines are basically bullet proof. It is also an easy airplane to learn how to fly.

-jeff

bae- I second the C-182 as your first airplane. It's one of the few models that's good to train in, but has enough utility that you're not immediately looking to upgrade it. It's a solid IFR platform too and would be a great grocery getter to and from your island. There are some steals out there on the used market right now too.

I will probably end up with a 182 for utility transportation around my region, and an RV-8 when I just need to get myself somewhere fast and have a little fun along the way.

[bae]

bae- I second the C-182 as your first airplane. .

That's probably the most "practical" immediate option, there are a few of them at our field, and some of them often have partnership shares available.

[clintofio]

That looks like a very interesting option indeed, I will definitely check them out. I love the idea of having built the thing myself.

The Glasair is a solid option, but keep in mind it's really a 2-seater. The C-182 is truly 4 adult capable, which would be handy if you had to transport your mom/wife or whoever for medical needs. Also, the taildraggers cost a bit more to insure and can limit who is allowed to fly and instruct you in your plane. If you go the Glasair route and want to train in it, make sure you have access to an instructor with good tailwheel time and Glasair experience or you may be SOL. Almost all instructors can teach in a C-182 which will make your initial and ongoing training much more convenient.

[clintofio]

That's probably the most "practical" immediate option, there are a few of them at our field, and some of them often have partnership shares available.

I've seen really good success with partnerships. That would be a great way to get in the game. If you're the new guy partnering up with experienced pilots just offer to pay for the increased cost of insurance (it will only be like $200-700 probably to add a green pilot to a policy with experienced guys). Partnerships with 2-4 people seem to work best as it gets dumb over 5 (additional insurance costs, complexity, conflicts).

[Netpackrat]

The old saying is if you want to build, build; if you want to fly, buy.

[Coach]

[QUOTE=EDELWEISS;1238498]Does JUMPING OUT count?
I talked to an older gentleman at church once. He was in the 82nd in WWII. The first time he ever SAW an airplane in his life, they made him jump out of it. I asked him how many jumps he made. He said, "Three. Sicily, Normandy, and Holland."