From Dream to Reality: Buying a Plane on a Budget (Mooney, Cessna, Piper Compared!)

[@ddthompson42]

I’m in process of buying a Cardinal B. Easiest decision ever: in my budget, fixed gear (insurance for retract is painful), four seats, and - with my bad back - no climbing over a wing and two doors. Hoping to make great memories as you have!

[@FlyingFA]

Hi Derek, this sounds great! Congratulations, I hope get delivery soon. I agree, fixed gear takes away a lot of headache. And those doors on the Cardinal are amazing. It definitely makes things a lot easier. No doubt you'll be making great memories soon. Wishing you lots and lots of happy hours flying!

[@JostleMedia]

I am a South African and aviation enthusiast. Thank you, you are my hero keep those videos coming

[@FlyingFA]

Thank you very much @JostleMedia, I really appreciate your comment.

[@FlightSimVRDad]

My Dad had a 235 that left great memories. Thanks for sharing

[@FlyingFA]

Thank you very much for your comment, much appreciated. It really is great shared experiences.

[@braaitongs]

I have been looking for a channel like this. I want to do my PPL here in SA.

[@tysonngubeni8545]

Such a great video! 😊🙌

[@i.r.wayright1457]

I have worked on both 235 and 236 Cherokees (among most all other Piper models) and the 235 has a better exhaust system than the 236. One 235 spent some of its life in Central America and when it was brought to me the first time, I was asked to fix five or six write ups. I got looking in the log books and some was in Spanish. "Un accidente." Well, by the time I was done I had over 30 discrepancies. Apparently it went into the jungle somewhere, based on the unusual leaves I found inside the left wing. I retired after 42 years in the business and the Cherokee series was by far the ones I preferred to work on over all the others.

[@FlyingFA]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience!

[@i.r.wayright1457]

@@FlyingFA Happy to, and if you have any questions or want a free opinion on anything, don't hesitate to ask.

[@MaxB50]

Really enjoyed your thoughtful approach to acquiring the right ride for the mission. Can’t go wrong with a 235 ! Greetings from South Florida !

[@FlyingFA]

Super, thank you @MaxB50 - appreciate your comment!

[@irgski]

Congratulations!

[@Wannabe_Aviator]

Excellent video!!! Well done very well made and contained all the info that that I was looking for. I fully agree that although it might cost double in the 235 to get from a to be vs a car, it’s far safer and in less than half the time. As well as being a USD based asset you will definitely get a return on your asset. Congrats once again with your aircraft! She is stunning! Blue skies and tail winds to you!

[@FlyingFA]

Thank you so much @etvd1, I appreciate your input that I could use in this video and you feedback!! Fair enough it is double the fuel in my example, but capex and insurance could somewhat be comparable; i.e. a high end car can easily insure >R 5k per month. But definitely safer considering the state of our roads in some areas. Just plan well, be sensible - especially with the weather, and good luck with your aviation adventure!

[@sicelogeorgeson7212]

Ohh well.. at last. Someone from 5 min from my house giving us a proper breakdown of the costs of owning an aircraft. My dream. Congratulations on your new to you toy and may you have many safe and enjoyable hours ahead.

[@FlyingFA]

Thank you very much Sicelo!

[@tonylam9548]

An Arrow is one of the slower retractable, cannot be much more than 10 kts faster than a good 172, especially a newer one with more HP. TBO for many engines (recommended) is 2000 hours. Unless it is commercial use. But, if your plane's previous owner stored their plane in the hangar in the winter for 3,4 months every winter, especially Lycoming, with the camshaft on top, expect some major bills at annuals well before it get to TBO, like corroded cams, a jug ...... Those planes used in flight schools that see at least couple of hours daily uses, some can actually reach 3000 hours easily. Ice protection such as weeping wings are heavy, and if those rubber boots need replacement, can be a nasty surprise.

[@FlyingFA]

Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for your message and insights Tony.

[@Vico649]

Low wing= landing in ground effect best. Also you see the spectacular view when turning for the short final.😅

[@FlyingFA]

Thanks @Vico649, these are great points. Its hard to do a 'bad' landing in a low wing and come to think of it turning final, or any turn opens up full view.

[@nhlakaniphosangweni6301]

Really useful content. Thank you for sharing. It’s very difficult to find South African specific cost estimates on KZbin, glad I found your channel. I’ll be sure to check out your other video. 👏🏽

[@FlyingFA]

Thank you so much for your feedback!

[@RaceMentally]

Very well done video. Thank you Planes you listed were cheap too. Like half the price in US So you paid $72k US?

[@FlyingFA]

Hi @RaceMentally, thanks for your comment and question. These are April 2022 prices when I locked in the sale and it worked out to $74k purchase, $ 12k refurb and $ 5k maint. So all in all $ 91k but arguably the refurb is optional. Prices have climbed in the last year and every aircrafts condition is different so it's hard to pin down, but I believe covid had spiked GA aircraft in the US alot. I found the following in the ballpark though: 1966 235 with low engine time and reasonable equipment for $80k out of Canada: www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/219506017/1966-piper-cherokee-235-piston-single-aircraft And this one 1964 at $ 106k in Florida: www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/214640541/1964-piper-cherokee-235-piston-single-aircraft They are both the older / shorter layout but equally capable to later models. At the same time there is a listing of $ 160k for a 1968 so very individual. www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/226347231/1968-piper-cherokee-235-piston-single-aircraft That first listing I posted looks very good though. Buy low, improve and sell for profit if possible is what I'm hoping for in the long run. All the best!

[@NicksStuff]

Have you gathered information on what it would involve to export it to the US?

[@FlyingFA]

No, I don't unfortunately. But I see many companies are in the ferry business to / from USA. avpay.aero/marketplace/product-category/experiences-services/aviation-services/aircraft-ferrying/

[@XOrionFE]

Nice video. I have been sort of stuck on getting a 182 due to my size. I am 6'2" tall and 260 lbs (yes I could stand to lose a little weight!). But that said, I always worry about feeling squished in many of the single engine low wing planes with only one door. Do you mind me asking how tall you are (and your weight if willing)? Or anyone else my size that is flying a low wing like this could comment? I flew a one hour flight in an SR22T which wasnt too bad but never in a Piper yet.

[@FlyingFA]

Great question @XOrionFE. I'm 6'04" / 1.84m and 220lbs - I was up to 233lbs and trying my best to get down to 187 at the moment, but that's just trying to be generally healthy and active again. Unfortunately life has a way of happening. Your point is valid. The 182 cabin and entry is for sure a lot easier and more roomy. I didn't mention it in the video, but for a long time the only thing I researched were 182s, I still have a document where I pasted all that looked great. My main issue were specs and price, they were priced so much higher, perhaps you'll have more luck finding options in your country. I would say though, go try out a 235. I've not felt cramped in the cabin, and you get use to how to enter / exit. Load rear passengers first, then pilot then front pax. My wife is also not small, so the useful load has a case to make for the 235. One makes the entry / exit work, especially if that's the only premium to pay for a 182... I haven't been in a SR22, but I think two doors already makes that easier. Honestly flying has been one of the key motivations to work on my health and weight. One of the nice thing of low wing is the visibility turning final as some people have commented. But all things considered, make sure you're comfortable and committed, these are not assets that you turnaround very fast.

[@XOrionFE]

Thank you for the insights. Really appreciated and yes, that last suggestion is key...comfortable and committed. Big decisions. Happy you found great fit for you.@@FlyingFA

[@patrickcoleman3]

Cheers from Australia and congratulations, did you ever consider a Cessna 210? a real nice plane to fly.

[@FlyingFA]

Hi Patrick! Thanks for your message. I would love a 210, in my opinion one of the ultimate GA planes. Just too far above my reach at the moment, but certainly something I would aspire to. They seem to go for at least R 3m / USD 160k. What is your experience with the 210?