Category Archives: aviation market

Which aircraft is best for a “wanna be” Pilot

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Which aircraft is best for a “wanna be” Pilot

Q. I am a pilot “wanna be” that attended your “Which aircraft is best for you” seminar.  After a week of seminars and walking the flight line at the fly-in, I am convinced that buying an aircraft probably makes the most sense for me.

Which aircraft is for me?  I was originally thinking of a Cessna 150 (I am the ‘stable’ personality you mention in your book with a little bit of the ‘driver’ mentality too), but I need to haul two people weighing probably a combined 430 pounds, so I think a 150 might be pushing it a bit.

I found an ad for a 1971 Cessna 172, 6300 TT, 2200 SMOH, and was looking for feedback so I wouldn’t get taken to the cleaners.

I would appreciate any help you can offer since I am completely new to this (the story of the $5,000 airplane definitely made me curious).  I do not have my heart set on any one plane, just the ‘being up there’ safely on a tight budget.  Looks are not that critical either.  I just want to fly whether it is ugly or not.

A. Nice to see you “wanna be” not only a pilot, but an owner too.

As you probably figured out in my presentations and columns, I am a Cessna 172 fan. The 172 models are one of my favorite aircraft. It is hard to buy a bad one, but there are a few considerations.  In your situation, the Cessna 150 would probably not be a good choice because of the weight requirement.  A Cessna 172 is a better aircraft especially when used as a two person and baggage machine.

The 172 costs slightly more than the 150 to own and operate, but it is still one of the most economical aircraft around and is also a great trainer.  Cessna did not reintroduce the 152 when they started back in production in 1997.  They introduced the Cessna 172 because it has more flexibility.  The 172 can perform as a trainer and a cross-country aircraft.  It offers more pilot opportunities and comfort than the 150.  The 150/152 models can perform almost all the feats of the 172, except for speed, load and number of seats.

Book prices are just a guideline.  It will probably be difficult to buy an aircraft like this for the book price, but at least it will give you a starting point.  I would think that the engine could make it a few hours more before needing an overhaul.  I would hope it would make it through your training.  In that time, you could put away a few bucks for the new engine.  Adding a lot of new equipment or new engines will not be a direct dollar for dollar recoup.  You will need to fly the aircraft a number of hours (probably 500 or more) to wear off a few of the “new” engine.

which aircraft

WOMEN AVIATORS WORLDWIDE TO GATHER FOR WOMENVENTURE AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Activities begin on July 24, major highlights on July 26
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 12, 2017) — For the 10th straight year, the opportunity for women who love aviation to build camaraderie and open doors to mentorship and participation once again comes to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, as WomenVenture activities will take place during the week.
The 65th annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fly-in convention will be held July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. WomenVenture is presented by The Boeing Company and supported by Glasair Aviation, Women in Aviation International, and The Ninety-Nines Inc.
Beginning in 2008, WomenVenture has offered the opportunity to bring together women aviators from throughout the flying community. The activities are designed to encourage participation by women in aviation, as less than six percent of all pilots in the U.S. are female.
“WomenVenture is a tremendous experience for women, particularly as it comes during the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration at Oshkosh,” said Kelly Nelson, a pilot and executive editor for EAA publications. “These activities can be a springboard to motivate other women to get involved in aviation, either for fun or as a future career, as we’ll present activities that motivate, inform, and inspire.”
The schedule includes:
·         Monday, July 24, 5:30 p.m. – The inaugural WomenVenture social, presented by Endeavor Air. This kickoff to the 10th annual WomenVenture schedule invites all women to meet and connect in a fun atmosphere of an ice cream social. Preregistration online at EAA.org/WomenVenture is appreciated.
·         Tuesday, July 25, 6 p.m. – Aviation Appreciation dinner at the EAA Nature Center, sponsored by The Ninety-Nines. Speaker is around-the-world pilot Adrian Eichhorn. Advance tickets required ($30 each), available at www.99soshkoshdinner.com.
·         Wednesday, July 26, 7:30 a.m. – Women in Aviation International’s Connect Breakfast at the EAA Nature Center. Speakers are Vintage Aircraft Association president Susan Dusenbury and EAA Warbirds of America president Connie Bowlin. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 on-site, available at www.wai.org.
·         Wednesday, July 26, 11 a.m. – Annual WomenVenture group photo on AirVenture’s showcase Boeing Plaza.
·         Wednesday, July 26, 11:30 a.m. – The WomenVenture Power Lunch at Theater in the Woods. Tickets are $5 each and pre-registration for this lunch is required at EAA.org/WomenVenture. This year’s speaker is Dr. Janet Lapp, a flight instructor who is also a renowned teacher and author, and the creator of the Emmy-nominated CBS health series “Keep Well.”
As in past years, a limited-edition WomenVenture T-shirt is available to all women who participate (while supplies last). Those T-shirts can be obtained at the AirVenture Welcome Center on the AirVenture grounds beginning on Monday, July 24. Women are encouraged to wear the T-shirt for the July 24 group photos to show the collective strength of women in the flight community.
In addition, women are invited to the Welcome Center to sign the WomenVenture logbook any day during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA. 

NEW EAA DVD SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY ON AIRCRAFT PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

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EAA-2017-16
For more information, contact:
Dick Knapinski, EAA Communications
(920) 426-6523
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW EAA DVD SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY ON AIRCRAFT PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Certificated aircraft owners benefit from latest in EAA’s famed how-to video series
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (April 13, 2017) — A new how-to video from the Experimental Aircraft Association gives certificated aircraft owners a better understanding of preventive maintenance and ways to save money by personally completing some of the tasks.
Aircraft Ownership: Understanding Owner Preventive Maintenanceis a multi-part video series combined on one DVD. It shows certificated aircraft owners how to legally maintain an aircraft in accordance with FAA preventive maintenance regulations.
“There are many tasks that a certificated aircraft owner can do that are completely legal under FAA regulations and will save money,” said Charlie Becker, EAA’s director of chapters, communities and homebuilt community manager. “This DVD will help those aircraft owners plan maintenance and have confidence in what they can do themselves and when to go to the next level.”
More than four hours of video are organized in easy-to-follow categories, so a viewer can find exactly what is needed. Included are extensive discussions of the legal and technical requirements, plus dozens of hands-on demonstrations with step-by-step guidance on basic preventive maintenance projects.
The demonstrations include such areas as:
·         Landing gear and tires
·         Safety wire and cotter pin replacement
·         Hydraulic fluids
·         Safety belts and seat parts
·         Landing and position lights
·         Spark plugs and batteries
·         Fuel and oil screens and filters
The video segments are hosted by Dick and Bob Koehler, EAA SportAir Workshop instructors, who each hold Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certificates with Inspection Authorization (IA) privileges. Their vast knowledge and teaching skill provide the knowledge and techniques needed to perform basic preventive maintenance procedures.
The DVD is available at EAA.org/shop for $36.95, with special discounts for EAA members.
About EAA

EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 200,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.