What is the best Airplane to get right now?

Question

I just got my pilot license and i wont a really nice airplane but sort of on the cheap side. What is the best airplane for me to get right now?

Answer 1

I know where you can get some MD super 80's cheap.

Answer 2

Late 70's/Early 80's Cessna 172.  They fly great even though they are 30 years old and are some of the best planes in the industry.

Answer 3

You need to be a little more specific in your question.  What is your budget?  What type of flying will you be doing?  Do you need 4 seats?  Do you need the ability to carry 2, 4 or 6 people?

So answer these questions and then decide.  But you can buy a Cherokee 140/150/160 for 25K to 35K, 4 place, will carry two adults, can go a few hundrend miles between legs and travel around 140mph.  

If you need to carry 4 adults consider the Cherokee 180, a good one will run 35K to 50K.

If you need 6 people the Piper Cherokee Six, you can get an older 1960 vintage for around 75K.

You can also go with a Cessna 172, 4 seats but will carry 2 adults 4 if you limit fuel, 35K to 200K depending on year and avionics.  The Cessna 182 a true 4 place aircraft, good speed, good useful load, an older one 60K upto a few hundrend thousand for a later model.

All in all you need to decide what your flying profile will be.  If you looking to go up build hours towards more ratings then there is nothing like a little Cherokee.

Answer 4

start out with something small like a 747...

Answer 5

As your instructors and fellow students have been telling you all along, now is not a good time to buy an airplane.  You need to fly rentals for a couple of years, try different types, and read everything you can get your hands on about airplanes, engines, operating costs, fixed costs, avionics, and the airplane market.

Also, I am sure you know that "on the cheap side" means $25,000 to $50,000 plus $2,000 to $3,000 per year realistic ownership cost.  So take some time to make sure you know what you are asking for first.