I did my PPL in three skippers. They are nice and light on the controls
and don't have any really nasty habits (they can even be used for spin
training, although it takes a bit of work to make it spin). It does have
a T tail, so you might have to get used to not having any pitch authority
at low speeds, but if you let the plane fly itself off the runway that
should not be a problem. They are solid aircraft, and having the two
doors with a low wing is nice. The only maintenance thing I recall seeing
as a recurrent problem was the ABS wingtips were perennially cracking.
Also, the fuel selector is a simple both/off selector and if the fuel
vents are misaligned you can get an uneven fuel burn from the two tanks.
As I recall, the climb wasn't all that bad. The Sundowner I flew after I
got my PPL had less climb at max gross. Even over gross on a hot day in
New England, the skipper did OK in the climb. Full fuel doesn't leave
enough remaining useful load for two FAA adults, but the plane performs
fine there anyway. In fact, I was over max gross by about 25 lbs for my
PPL checkride because the previous person had filled the tanks the night
before (I made the DE aware of it and we flew anyway). At 90kts, you
won't get anywhere in a big hurry, but it is a great plane for training,
relatively local travel and low and slow touring.



Dave wrote:

I posted before about buying an inexpensive aircraft and got good
information from this group - thanks. I've been looking locally,
Philadelphia area, for a good aircraft in the $30k range. I found a
very nice Skipper for less than my budget ~ 27k. I never considered
one before. I flew it earlier today and I have to admit that I
enjoyed it.

The limitations of the skipper are slow, doesn't have much useful
load, doesn't climb real well, and Beech parts are expensive. On the
plus side, Beech quality, modestly IFR with a 155, garmin audio panel,
garmin VFR 250, intercom, low time, 2000 hours, recent engine, 400
SMOH, very good paint/interior, 6 GPH, excellent visibility and unlike
the rental fleet - everything works!!
I've been thinking hard about what I really need. Most of my trips
are less than 200 miles so the lack of speed and range are not
problems. I almost always fly solo so the weight limitations are
okay. I have my IFR rating but I intend to use it for VFR flights and
to maintain currency for IFR (I can rent more capable planes if I
really need to).

If I accept all of the limitations, are there any problems with these
little ships? I haven't found any crazy ad's or sb's. Are there any
odd problems with handling? For my first aircraft, I'd like something
that isn't going to drive me nuts with repairs.

Thanks
Dave

--
--Ray Andraka, P.E.
President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
email
http://www.andraka.com

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin, 1759