Can’t help feeling we are being played here.

ya think?

Have I got the perfect plane for you:

Practical:





Canopy open in flight:




No one will laugh at you, because like all serious airplanes, it has retractable gear!

Keeping it long term?

Well, given the speed and the thrifty fuel consumption, any flight in the M18 qualifies as long term...

Thank you for the advice (except for the doubters .. shame on you).

I don' think I can afford a T-6 (yet, but I have ideas)
I don't even think I can afford a Cub.
The Mooney is comical (and hard to find)
So right now a KitFox sounds the best.

• I can take the doors off
• I can fly cheap
• I can get floats
• I can add all kinds of experimental avionics, and not pay certified prices

But I cannot do aerobatics (sadness).

Does this sound like a good plan given my new economics?

Don’t overlook any of the Rans airplanes. Everyone has gone nuts over the S-21.

RANS S-7.

Butch

If you want a brand new RV-12is, our school will have 2 out the door this school year. I can fix you up with a Dynon package that includes an altitude select autopilot.

Okay, I'll take the bait. (your original post was....shall we say....."unusual"....or perhaps I missed the joke...which I have been known to do).


If I read what you wanted:
-less than $30K purchase price
-ability to have door off ("wind in my face"_
-acro
-"occasionally go places"




Honestly, I don't think that exists.

(personally, I hate the answers given when someone says "I have 'x' budget", and the responses are 2X or 3X or even 5X...so, I'm trying to give answers that realistically fit your budget).


So...there are airplanes out there for less than $30K, good ones...but you will compromise some other things (acro, speed, open door).
-Champ, world of fun....slow, can open the window, but can't fly with the door open
-occasionally J-3. Even slower, have to be *real* careful to not buy a flying basket case.


There are "slightly more expensive" airplanes. Up the budget to 80K:
-Bird Dog. L-19...one of my favorites (yes, I have access to one). Fly with all the windows open, slow, wonderful control feel, tailwheel, class. No acro.
-some of the RVs....advantage to speed, but be cautious with acro....and you have the issue of "build quality". Some are great, some not so much. If you get serious, there are a few guys around who really know them well.
-170..classic, speed, fly with windows open, essentially a tailwheel 172.
-182...probably the most "bang for the buck" you can find in GA. Relatively good speed, fun to fly, useful...no acro, no flying around with the canopy open.




Unless you have a buddy with a T6 that is going to let you fly for just gas....I'd strike that one from the list. I've owned a couple of them...they brought well over a $100K 20 years ago. They aren't cheap to fly/own. They are a bunch of fun, though...acro, open canopy, formation, class. A T-6, or a L-19....the two most "practical" warbirds out there, and the most "bang for the buck" in that category.


Good luck...."all of aviation is a compromise"

aaaannnnndddd........



I may have been, shall we say......."fooled".



viewtopic.php?f=2&t=167170

Akro only if really brave.... Multi Engine "Safety"....


Or... This Twin, and you can fly with the doors off.... and pick up some weekend work!


Probably looking for economy, after losing the Big Iron...


Maybe settle for this though...


That was my first plane...soloed at 3...

Brannigan; again, perhaps?

Here you go “Randy”

https://www.ebay.com/itm/aircraft-fusel ... SwWBFdh40W

Btw, how much for those mink seat covers? Ask your accountant what he feels is a fair price. I’m offering maybe some pretend money for your pretend jets seat covers. Let me know ASAP so I can color coordinate!

Uh huh.

Exit, Stage Left.

That budget is tough to work with. Check out the Zenith used market for low and slow. That get's you into some off airport flying too, a totally new world !

Not sure what these go for but it also seems to check all the boxes except travel-

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=172826&view=unread#unread

I don’t actually consider this an airplane, but if you really want to be cheap.......