Buying an airplane - looking for advice

[Sambo11]

If you're looking for a tail dragger a 180 is a good choice. You see quite a few in Alaska with tundra tires but you should know there's alot more involved with flying and owning a 180 compared to a 172.

I've flown both and prefer flying the 180 better. It's bigger faster and for me all around more fun to fly. After they're in the air they feel and fly similar. It's the getting there and back down that seperates them and vastly at that. 172's are great first planes which probably explains why they have made more 172's than any other plane, ever. A 180 would'nt be the best choice to own as your first plane as well as learn to fly in. I don't think I would ever want to own the tail dragger I'm going to learn in. They tend to take some pretty hard landings while learning.

 

[deaner]

Thanks for the advice guys. I never even thought about the abuse the plane is going to take while I am learning. That is probably a good idea to get my license in a 150 or 172, and then probably look at buying a 180 sometime after.

 

[H2SNOW]

I have had the bug for years ..growing up flying around in everything from the Caribou,Single Engine Otter, Beavers, 172s, 206s, Maules, Super Cubs and 185 Skywagons, mostly all on floats... and numerous trips too many to count in Hughs 500s, Hiller 12 Es, Robertsons,and Bell 204s .....as a kid I had the joys of laying in the bellies of these things gawking out the glass looking at the scenery as my old man was and is a miner and Mom was a camp cook in the remote wilderness of Canada's Yukon Territory

when my KW is paid for it will be sold and I then will and always said it will be a nice little Cessna 185 float plane ..puddle jumper and for a cooll buck 40 or soo you could probably find a nice ....65-78 well looked after single prop 3 plus pilot seater to get you in and outa the best fishing holes around ..have fun and good luck

 

[priest lake rmk]

My buddies new Daimond is a very nice plane but a little pricey.