Sometimes there’s a lot to love in the path less traveled. In some cases, those birds can be the Avis Rent-a-Car of used planes, the number-two choice, like a Champ compared to a Cub. There are a couple of well-known models that are readily available and cheap to buy, and there are some oddballs you might not have given a second thought to, until you looked more closely. With all that in mind, check out our list of 10 great used planes that are not on everybody’s radar. The Skipper was conceived with the design goals of creating a low acquisition cost primary trainer with an emphasis on ease of maintenance and low operating costs. The flip side is, if you’re willing to fly a plane with older paint and a less-than-chic interior, you could save a huge percentage of the purchase price because of factors not directly related to the flyability or mechanical soundness of the plane. The Beechcraft Model 77 Skipper is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear general aviation airplane, originally designed for flight training but also used for touring and personal flying. Engine and prop are a critical part of that calculus. If you were to get a plane with unknown or unrevealed problems, you could spend a lot of dough getting it back up to snuff. And consider cost, too.įinally, the condition of the plane you buy is critical to the purchase decision. How much fuel it burns and how expensive it will be to maintain are equally important factors to consider.Īnother big question is, how readily available are parts? Interestingly, this is not always closely related to how old the plane is some older planes are easy to get parts for, and some newer models are tough. First, remember that buying the airplane is only part of the cost of owning a plane. There are a few other factors to weigh when you’re narrowing your search terms. A two-seater, many will find, fits the bill for shorter, fun flights or even for the occasional longer voyage. It’s no secret that pilots who have four- or six-seat birds overwhelmingly fly with a bunch of unoccupied seats. The original Beech Model 19 debuted in 1966. It had a 160-HP Lycoming O-320 and could carry four people in comfort, as long as they weren’t in a hurry to get anywhere. I could go even further and say that many pilots would be wise to consider a good used two-seater. The Beech Sport and Sundowner first appeared in the early 1960s, specifically the Model 23. You might want a used Cirrus SR22, but if your most common trips are going to be 400-mile jaunts or less, then you’d probably do just as well with a used, lower-cost and lower-upkeep model like an older Mooney M20 that will get you to your 250 nm destination a little later and with less room but for pennies on the dollar. Alternatives.īefore you start looking for a plane, it’s important to be clear about what you’re going to use it for. For those buyers who are willing to be 10 or 15 knots slower, there are excellent alternatives to the Bonanza, and sometimes that might mean an older Bonanza. Mid-’60s Bonanzas cost a lot more than late-’50s models do, and not just because they’re new but also because they’re faster. Sometimes this has to do with speed or utility. ![]() But in the case of the Skylane or Bonanza, there are alternatives that aren’t as popular or as pricey.
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