Category Archives: EAA

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

RARE BRITISH AIRCRAFT AMONG CLASSIC JETS COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

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RARE BRITISH AIRCRAFT AMONG CLASSIC JETS COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

British Meteor, Venom, and Vampire to join U.S., Canadian, Soviet jets at event

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (December 14, 2017) — Some of the oldest jet aircraft in existence will be flying over the flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 as the world’s largest fly-in convention brings together a rarely-seen gathering of these early jets.

The 66th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The event annually welcomes more than 10,000 airplanes and 500,000 people from 80 nations to celebrate the history and future of flight.

Among the airplanes expected to participate is a rare British Meteor, currently the oldest flying original jet in existence, which will arrive from the United Kingdom. British Venom and Vampire jets will be part of the gathering, as will American designs such as the T-33 “Shooting Star” and F-86 “Sabre,” as well as a Soviet-era MiG-17.

“Classic jets have been part of the EAA AirVenture warbirds lineup for a number of year, but to include rare British aircraft such as the Meteor, Venom and Vampire makes the 2018 gathering even more special,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Many people have never seen some of these jets fly in-person, which is why bringing these airplanes together is another reason EAA AirVenture 2018 is a can’t-miss event for aviation fans.”

“Oshkosh is known as the place where everything that flies is welcome and is appreciated by attendees, so to bring these rare jets to the AirVenture flightline is among the highlights of our odyssey to save, restore, and fly these magnificent airplanes.” said Marty Tibbitts, President of the World Heritage Air Museum of Detroit, Michigan, which is bringing the British jets to Oshkosh in 2018. The museum’s mission is to rescue military jet aircraft from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s.

Other early jet aircraft will be coming from members of the Classic Jet Aircraft Association as well as private owners throughout North America. These enthusiasts are encouraging all owners of vintage jet aircraft to fly to Oshkosh in 2018 to make this reunion one of the largest ones even undertaken.

“The opportunity to be a part of the air shows and programming at Oshkosh is one that all classic jet owners should attend,” said Zach McNeill, Classic Jet Aircraft Association president. “These airplanes have unique histories and so many individual stories. The best place to share them is at Oshkosh, where worldwide aviation fans are eager to hear and appreciate more about these airplanes.”

The F-86 and T-33 aircraft communities are also urging their members to bring their aircraft to AirVenture, where they will participate in the daily air shows, displays on the Boeing Plaza main showcase ramp, and up-close presentations as part of the Warbirds in Review program. Complete details, including air show participation, will be released as they are finalized.

“We’re looking to create a reunion of these legendary jets at Oshkosh that is rarely seen by the public,” said Paul Keppeler, who owns and flies both a T-33 and F-86 jet aircraft. “There is something about being part of the Oshkosh experience that creates unforgettable moments, and we want as many of these jets as possible to be there this coming summer.”

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.

 

RARE BRITISH AIRCRAFT

AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT TOTALS DROP TO HISTORIC LOWS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT TOTALS DROP TO HISTORIC LOWS

EAA safety efforts contribute to steady decline while flight hours increase

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (November 16, 2017) — Fatal accidents in experimental category aircraft, particularly amateur-built aircraft, continued their decline during the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2017 fiscal year that ended September 30, falling to historic lows.

For the 12-month period from October 1, 2016, to September 30, 2017, fatal accident totals in amateur-built aircraft were down 18 percent to just 27, compared with 33 during the 2016 fiscal year. That continues a four-year trend that has seen a total drop of 47 percent in fatal accidents, despite an increasing amount of flight hours each year over that period. The specific totals compare to 40 amateur-built aircraft fatal accidents during the 2015 fiscal year and 51 in the 2014 fiscal year.

In addition, fatal accident totals for the experimental category overall, including racing aircraft, those used for exhibit only, research-and-development, and some types of light-sport aircraft, dropped as well. Total fatal accidents fell from 49 to 45 during the 12-month measurement period ending September 30, 2017. The final figures are nearly 25 percent below the FAA’s “not-to-exceed” goal of 59 fatal accidents for that period.

“These are historic lows for fatal accident in amateur-built aircraft and this continuing trend is a credit to everyone who is focusing on safety,” said Sean Elliott, vice president of Advocacy and Safety for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), who highlighted these figures at the FAA General Aviation Safety Summit in late October. “The overall fatal accident numbers remain much lower than other recreational pursuits, such as paddle sports, skiing and snowboarding, and driving all-terrain vehicles. Statistics even show that being involved in a fatal amateur-built aircraft accident is less likely than being killed in a lightning strike incident.”

EAA has worked closely with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board on recommendations to reduce fatal accidents, including through participation in the FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee that EAA co-chairs. The EAA focus has also included the Founder’s Innovation Prize competition that seeks innovations to reduce loss-of-control accidents in amateur-built aircraft; a focus on transition and recurrent training; and use of an additional safety pilot during initial flight testing in amateur-built aircraft.

“These efforts build upon EAA’s longstanding Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor programs, and additional safety materials available through EAA’s flagship Sport Aviation magazine,” Elliott said. “Further reducing the accident totals is a continuing challenge, but one that is foremost as part of EAA’s mission to grow participation in aviation.”

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.

EAA-2017-45, For more information, contact: Dick Knapinski, EAA Communications, (920) 426-6523  dknapinski@eaa.org