What type of small Aircraft should I buy?

Question

I'm looking into different types of small aircrafts to consider purchasing. My idea aircraft probably doesn't exist but it would cruise at about 200 mph, have a range of 1200 miles and hold about 6-10 passengers.

The Cessna 182 is fairly close in that it holds 4 passengers, cruises at about 150mph and has a range of around 1100 miles.

Is there a slightly bigger, faster plane that's not super more expensive? Possibly a twin engine maybe?

Thanks

Answer 1

-The adam aircraft a500 has a cruise speed of around 265mph, it seats 6 passengers, has range of 1150 miles and its a twin engine prop (i was unable to find a price).

-The cessna 336 and 337 skymaster is 2 engined prop with a range o 764 miles, seating for 5, and a top speed of 200mph. I'd imagine you could get one for a price comparable to the cessna 184.

-The beechcraft baron is a twin engined prop that seats five, has a top speed of 233 mph, and a rane of 1,148 miles. couldn't find a price on that either.

-the cessna 310 seats 5 plus 1 pilot, has a range of 1,440 miles, a top speed of 238 mph, and is also a trin engine prop. I'm sorry but I'm not sure of price for this one either, but i don't think it is too much.

Answer 2

For a single engine piston aircraft able to seat 6 you could look at a Cessna 206 or 207, The 206 can seat six, the 207 is a later design that stretched the 206 frame, added a seventh seat and enable an additional 200lbs. payload. Piper Saratoga and Beechcraft Bonaza also seat six. The Pipers are a bit faster with their retractable gear, and are a low wing design, as is the Beechcraft Banaza.

If you wanted to move into the twin engine piston market some options would be a Piper Seneca, Beechcraft Baron, or Ceesna 310, 402.

Single engine turbine options would include a Ceesna Caravan, but that would fall into the "super more expensive" catagory as you put it, as well as a twin turbine like a Beechcraft King Air.

Answer 3

'TOGA

Answer 4

You have a bunch of good answers already.

I am reminded of hangar talk about the Piper Comanche.  The story is that they will go 180 mph and burn 8 gph.  I bought one a long time ago and I can confirm that they will go 180 and burn 8 gph, the problem is that they won't do both at the same time!

Answer 5

To get something with that speed, range, and capacity for the price in the neighborhood of a 182 doesn't exist.

6 passengers is the upper end of single engine piston planes.  To get in the 170-180 knot range with that many passengers requires either a twin engine or a turboprop, both of which are likely to be between 2 and 8 times the price of a 182.

A Cherokee Six will give you six seats and a reasonable price, but you won't get the speed or range.

A Baron B58 or Bonanza A36 matches your speed and range requirements, seats 6, but you're beyond twice the price of a 182 now.

A Cessna 421 cruises a bit faster, has the range, seats 6-10, and costs about 5 times more than a 182.

Then you get into turboprops and the price just goes up...

Answer 6

1200 miles for 6 or more, you in buisness class jets- Chanllenger 600, facon 20/90/2000, G-III, lear 45.. etc

A single engine turboprop- such as a pliatus 12, has pretty close range, and can take about 6, but like any a/c you trade pax for fuel.

You cant get 1100 mile in 182 with 4 ppl, more like only about 500.

A king air can take about 6 also

Answer 7

If you're peeping the King Air, you can go with the smallest, the C90.

The following others should get the job done... someone correct me if I'm wrong:

Queen Air

Cessna 310 (5 pax.)

Cessna 340 (5 pax.)

Cessna 402

Cessna 404

Cessna 414

Cessna 421

Piper Aztec (5. pax)

PC-12

Really dont know what your price range is, because 182s range from 40-odd thousand to $200k +

But I'll say 100k then.... going up to about 115k.

Out of the above, only the 310, Aztec and maybe the Queen Air would fit the budget.

You can get less expensive aircraft but depends on whats more important to you... I'd assume capacity is more important than range.... etc

Answer 8

A Piper Lance (aka Saratoga) will come close to the performance and load characteristics you are looking for, and they are available in pretty good condition for prices similar to those of the C-182.

Another airplane that occurs to one is a Beechcraft Queen Air.  It is the piston-engine predecessor of the King Air, and they are available in good shape for prices comparable to the higher-priced C-182s.  I occasionally fly a Queen Air for a local company and it is a dreamboat!  I love the old Queenie.  They are considered a pretty advanced twin, and you should get as many multi-engine hours as you can, and/or hire a professional pilot.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I am partial to the Cessna Caravan, a single turbo prop aircraft.

Compared to your needs,

Range is a little short at around 900 nautical Miles

Cruise is also a little low at 184 KTAS.

However it easily seats 8 passengers and can be configured for 12 (plus pilot co-pilot.)

Also with the trusty PT6 engine it is one of the two aircraft certified for commercial use over water past gliding distance to shore. Lastly you can configure it with amphibious floats to give yourself even more cruising options.

Price used without amphibs probably around $1,500,000 USD

If you are twin certified, then the Beech Baron 58 may fit your needs.

It clocks in at 990NM range.

Cruise speed of 208KTAS.

But it only seats 5 passengers.

However it is about half the price (used) of a Caravan.

Hopefully you are looking at a 1200 statute mile range, then these are close with the Caravan at about 1050 and the Baron at around 1140.