What is the status on cheaper aircraft for the Sports pilot?

A lot of us can not afford the $100K+ aircraft. Even Taylor is a bit too
expensive at $54K. When can we expect to see something in the $15 to 25K
range?

I will note that I am seeing a lot of used aircraft in that range. I gather
that the market is a bit depressed still.

you are expecting new at 15-25K?
we don't even get new gliders at that price..
or even a cheap car..

and you want a certified airplane at that price?
I've seen powered parachute trikes run that much..

you will only find used in that price range.. and now even J-3 Cubs are over
$30K

BT

"N9NWO" wrote in message
...
A lot of us can not afford the $100K+ aircraft. Even Taylor is a bit too
expensive at $54K. When can we expect to see something in the $15 to 25K
range?

I will note that I am seeing a lot of used aircraft in that range. I
gather
that the market is a bit depressed still.

: you are expecting new at 15-25K?
: we don't even get new gliders at that price..
: or even a cheap car..
:
: and you want a certified airplane at that price?
: I've seen powered parachute trikes run that much..
:
: you will only find used in that price range.. and now even J-3 Cubs are
over
: $30K

Here is a 1966 Cessna 150F for $18900
http://www.aso.com/aircraft/86497/

And a 1957 Cessna 172 for $29500
http://www.aso.com/aircraft/85467/

And a 1971 Musketeer B19 Sport for $24500
http://www.aso.com/aircraft/85084/

: you are expecting new at 15-25K?
: we don't even get new gliders at that price..
: or even a cheap car..
:
: and you want a certified airplane at that price?
: I've seen powered parachute trikes run that much..
:
: you will only find used in that price range.. and now even J-3 Cubs are
over
: $30K

Here is a 1966 Cessna 150F for $18900
http://www.aso.com/aircraft/86497/

And a 1957 Cessna 172 for $29500
http://www.aso.com/aircraft/85467/

And a 1971 Musketeer B19 Sport for $24500
http://www.aso.com/aircraft/85084/


I do not believe any of these would qualify as NEW
which is what the original poster was looking for..

and I'm sure the Musketeer and 172 would not qualify for a Light Sport
Pilot.. which the original poster was looking for.. because they have 4
seats

BT

On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 23:21:12 -0500, "N9NWO"
wrote:

A lot of us can not afford the $100K+ aircraft. Even Taylor is a bit too
expensive at $54K. When can we expect to see something in the $15 to 25K
range?

You can probably get a Garmin 430, audio panel and transponder for
that. Installed, too! Good start.

Seriously, there are many good older planes that are available, and
prices are actually starting to increase for these and will continue
as long as people are willing to pay. Saw a $22,000 Ercoupe the other
day that probably couldn't sell a year ago for $16K. As with
everything else, you need to be very careful now that this new
"feature" has been tagged on an airplane.

"N9NWO" wrote in
:

A lot of us can not afford the $100K+ aircraft. Even Taylor is a bit
too expensive at $54K. When can we expect to see something in the $15
to 25K range?

I will note that I am seeing a lot of used aircraft in that range. I
gather that the market is a bit depressed still.



For that price, your gonna have to build it, or buy something 50+ years
old, or buy something that the wing fits into a duffle bag grin).

With very carefull scrounging you can build a Sonex for $15-$18K
(www.sonex-ltd.com) or a Zodiac 601XL for about 20-25K, but you will also
invest 2-5years of your free time.

ET

A lot of us can not afford the $100K+ aircraft. Even Taylor is a bit too
expensive at $54K. When can we expect to see something in the $15 to 25K
range?

I will note that I am seeing a lot of used aircraft in that range. I
gather
that the market is a bit depressed still.


I gotta ask, what makes it so you cannot "afford it".

What sort of up front, and monthly, budget for this activity do you have,
and how much flying fo you plan to do.

: A lot of us can not afford the $100K+ aircraft. Even Taylor is a bit too
: expensive at $54K. When can we expect to see something in the $15 to
25K
: range?
:
: I will note that I am seeing a lot of used aircraft in that range. I
: gather that the market is a bit depressed still.
:
:
: I gotta ask, what makes it so you cannot "afford it".
:
: What sort of up front, and monthly, budget for this activity do you have,
: and how much flying fo you plan to do.

It is called a wife who says no damned way!

Face, most of us do not drive $50K+ cars. Yet that seems to be the starting
point for aircraft. Under $25K is just more "sellable", so to speak.

"Omega" wrote in message
news:wrsod.133446$HA.7798@attbi_s01...


: A lot of us can not afford the $100K+ aircraft. Even Taylor is a bit
too
: expensive at $54K. When can we expect to see something in the $15 to
25K range?

Very Unlikely
:
: I will note that I am seeing a lot of used aircraft in that range. I
: gather that the market is a bit depressed still.
:
:
: I gotta ask, what makes it so you cannot "afford it".

#1 Lack of economy of scale. Less of a problem for making the hardware but a
big problem in dealing with:
#2. Regulatory costs
#3. Liability costs.

Howard
Howard


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"Howard Nelson" wrote in message .com...
"Omega" wrote in message
news:wrsod.133446$HA.7798@attbi_s01...


: A lot of us can not afford the $100K+ aircraft. Even Taylor is a bit
too
: expensive at $54K. When can we expect to see something in the $15 to
25K range?

Very Unlikely
:
: I will note that I am seeing a lot of used aircraft in that range. I
: gather that the market is a bit depressed still.
:
:
: I gotta ask, what makes it so you cannot "afford it".

#1 Lack of economy of scale. Less of a problem for making the hardware but a
big problem in dealing with:
#2. Regulatory costs
#3. Liability costs.

Howard
Howard


I concur with Howards evaluation.

Though I think modern robotic manufacturing probably _could_ turn out
a 25K$ 172 class aircraft on an assembly line (with minimal avionics).
The question remains whether they would be able to certify and sell
it.

If a company successfully did it, they would devistate the market.
Emagine the guy with 100k$ to go on his Cessna financing. If you
consider the AN-2 an example of how the FAA would react to such a
rapid change in the market, it is unlikely that such an aircraft would
ever get certified (for any practical use) domestically.

If I was considering such an endeavor, I would look at certification
in another ICAO state, Brazil or Argentina perhaps. Not sure how all
the regulatory BS works with this, but I don't see any reason why you
couldn't build an Argentine (is that correct?) aircraft in a free
trade zone, certify it there with an Argentine inspector, and then
ship it to the US for sale. The aircraft could be tarriffed, but I
don't think certification could be denied without effecting
international trade agreements.

Or something.

-Thanks
-Matt