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:



deHavilland Beaver:



Cessna 206:

[Catmando]

B52.JPG

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.... but.... What do you want to do with it?

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

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

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

Just remember though...

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

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

Beaver will need about 20 gal/hr!!

Cost adds up quick, and then there is insurance..... 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... but then most of us on W/T understand the selective priorities we operate with! Kinda like the B.O.A.T. acronym.... "bring out another thousand"... but hey if ya got it.... ya got it!

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?" "Start with a large one...."

[tx_bhp]

1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC
100_0092.JPG
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]

B52.JPG

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. 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!