What's the best first used single to buy and keep?

[Bokomoko]

Folks,. .I'd like to buy my first airplane, a single engine, and would like to know, from some experts and owners, what's the best and cheapest (costs in general: maintenance, fuel consumption vs. flight time, parts, payload with 3 or 4 pax for a 3-hour flight, etc.) used airplane to buy and keep, a C172, a Piper Archer or an Arrow 200?. .Thanks in advance.

[IanSeager]

If you are thinking 3/4 people for a three hour flight I'd suggest lookiing at a C182...but then I am biased.. .Ian

[A and C]

The C182 is no doubt a very good aircraft (and i have a 182RG for sale)but i,m not sure that it would be a good first aircraft , i would go for a fixed gear and prop aircraft.

My first aircraft was a DR400-140 the running costs were quite low but it struggeld a bit on the range with 4 people.

I wold advise the following for the first time aircraft owner PA28-181, C172 ,TB10 and if you can keep it inside a hangar Robin DR400-160 or 180.

[M14P]

Koliber 160A. New with a warranty so no hassles there but can be had for the right side of £60k. Not the fastest but you can land almost anywhere and it's really simple so there's less to go wrong. They fly quite well, too and have a great view for sightseeing with your folks!

My favorite bit - a really flattering undercarriage so you get a greaser almost every time. Fab for impressing your mates.

That said, if you are looking second hand and you want to stay 'mainstream' the PA28s and C182s are good aircraft but are generally more expensive to operate.

[ 22 January 2002: Message edited by: M14P ]</p>

[Code Blue]

One you can (barely) afford to run? :)

A and C: just out of slightly less than idle curiosity, would you be kind enought to email some info on your 182RG?

Rgds. .CB

[Mister Gash]

It’s always going to be a trade-off in terms of cost V performance.

I’ve been involved in an Arrow for a few years now and, if your cost-sensitive, wouldn’t consider it as a first-time buy. It performs reasonbly well fully loaded and is an excellent touring and instrument platform, but constant speed prop and restractable gear are going to cost plenty of cash over the years. (Fuel consumption varies between 10gph at low level and 8gph at higher altitudes.)

A and C gives good advice: stick to fixed gear and non-wobbly prop. C172, though limited in terms of payload, would be my choice from your shortlist.

Gash

BTW, none of the aircraft you mention will take FOUR pax :)

[ROLLER STAMP]

HAVE A MOONEY 201 1980 FOR SALE.MUCH FASTER THAN THE ARROW & ON LESS FUEL.ITS ON THE N,REG SO NO EXPENSIVE CAA FEE,S ON C OF A RENEWALS.IT COMES WITH THE TRUST TO.£60K & YOU CAN FLY IT AWAY.. .E,MAIL ME YOUR DETAILS & I WILL GET BACK TO YOU. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">