"Michael Adams" wrote in message
t...
I am looking for some input on the least expensive airplanes to own. I've
heard so many horror stories about the $5000 or even $15,000 annual, or the
seat adjuster that costs $600, that I thought I would get some input on
this before buying. So I'm looking for low purchase price (used), low
repair and parts costs, and low $ per hour to run.

Michael

Least expensive is an older glider. $10K gets you something decent. If you
hook up with a club that has a winch for launching your major expense will
be gas for your car getting too and from...

If you just gotta have a noisemaker up front, your best bet is a low
performance homebuilt. You save in a couple ways - first the purchase price
will be lower, and, second, you can (can, not will) save on maintainance
since it is legal (but not always practical) to do your own maintainance.
And not every part has to be "certified".

Note: Ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Homebuilts don't get an annual
inspection from an A/I, they get a "condition inspection" from an A/I, A/P
or the original builder- here's the catch - if you do your own work and when
you get to the "condition inspection" and your friendly A/P opens up the
cowl and says "Who the @#$% was the moron that did this?" you are, as they
say, screwed. You really need to work WITH your A/P to avoid surprises.
And, you need to have YOUR A/P do an inspection before you buy for the same
reason - could be this is the first time ANY A/P has looked under the hood,
eh?

On the other hand, if you are a decent wrench and you are able to build some
trust with your A/P you will most likely save quite a bit on the
maintainance.

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
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