Thanks to Sara Arnold, the IAC (International Aerobatic Club) and the EAA for inviting me to give a webinar. I had a lot of information I wanted to share.
Todays market is a great time to buy an aircraft. Prices are on the rise and good aircraft seem to be selling very quickly.
If you would like to hear the webinar for the first time (or an additional time), go to this link – https://www.eaa.org/videos/6255038347001
Interesting question I was asked. Should I buy a Cessna 150 or 172? A four place aircraft would be nice, but what about the extra cost? Is it worth it? And the question isn’t just about Cessna aircraft. It can also be about the Piper Tomahawk (or even the Cherokee 140) and the Cherokee 180 and a number of other aircraft. Actually, it can be about any number of aircraft. Do you want a two seat or a four seat.
Both aircraft are very similar when it comes to maintenance costs and fixed costs. Just because the 150 are smaller aircraft doesn’t mean they are substantially cheaper to own. If you think about the difference between these two aircraft…there aren’t many, except for size. The four place aircraft will have a bigger airframe and engine. But the basic components (and construction) are about the same. The same is true with the maintenance.
The initial purchase price can be lower for a 150, but many of the older 172’s are in the same price range. When you buy lower priced four-place aircraft, you are buying an older age, which could increase the maintenance costs.
The biggest difference will probably be in the fuel burn and the insurance cost. The fuel burn is about double in a four-place compared to a two-place aircraft. The insurance premium increases because of the extra liability with the two additional seats and the increase in hull value.
But really, do you really need the extra room and higher useful load? Don’t get your wants and needs confused. A Cessna 150 will do almost every thing a Cessna 172 will, but on less fuel and at a slower speed. I flew a Cessna 152 from Iowa to New Orleans. It was along trip, fun and kind of cramped, but it still did the job. I also know a couple that took their Cessna 150 and flew from Iowa to Mexico. They toured the country of Mexico for a couple of weeks. Never had any problems getting in or out of airports or worried about the fuel they could obtain.
And think about how many people fly with you on a regular basis. If its just you and your dog, the 150 will be all you need.
The final decision will depend on you personal situation, but don’t give up on a good two seat aircraft if that’s all you need.
The question came up about buying an aircraft that doesn’t have wheel pants (fairings). Is it really worth the money just to make it look better? Or is there more value to fairings than just looks.
My thoughts, of course, it also depends on the aircraft.
Wheel fairings or wheel pants do more than just look good. But some aircraft are designed with a landing gear that doesn’t support wheel fairing (trailing link gear like the Beechcraft Sundowner).
Fairings can also increase the cruise and flight performance of an aircraft. Although it is usually only one or two knots. While that is not much of a speed increase, any boost in cruise speed is better than nothing.
Wheel fairings can also protect the aircraft from being damaged from inadvertent rocks being thrown against the wings, cabin or tail surfaces. If you are flying from dry smooth or paved runways its probably a good thing to have fairings. If you are flying from dirt mud snow or worse, leave the fairings in the hanger. Same goes for unimproved strips. Rough terrain will just break the fairings into pieces.
Even though, if you think about it, this is probably where you need them the most. Because they also have a few drawbacks like they can be clogged with rocks, snow and mud. And they can be damaged by rocks and debris picked up on the runways.
Oh, and fairings get in the way when airing up those low tires and fixing a flat.
And those Cessna nose wheel shimmies, that can destroy a wheel fairing.
I guess it really comes down to the aircraft, how you are using it and where you are going.
But personally, I like the looks of most aircraft when they have wheel fairings.