buy plane or get instrument rating?

Hi Matt,

I was in your exact situation about two years ago. I bought the
plane, then
got my rating in it. In a lot of ways, these are two separate issues.
Pursuing a rating is a good way to improve your piloting abilities
and fly on a regular basis (never mind whether you'll actually use the
rating). Likewise, owning a plane has its own rewards. But...would I
do it again? Tough call, here's why...

If you're wealthy beyond your dreams, skip to the next paragraph. A
combination of cash on hand and likely insurance costs meant that when
I was in your shoes I couldn't afford much more than a trainer, a
PA28-140 in my case. However, now I'm starting to get step-up fever.
Unless you're content to cruise around at 110 KTAS at a few thousand
feet all day, you may find yourself in a similar position. IN
GENERAL, ownership is rarely break even and most owners prefer to
remain in blissful ignorance. In my case, with the hours I fly, I'd
have been better off renting and accumulating savings these last two
years as I'd have had enough cash on hand to buy something more
capable now. That is, I'd probably buy again, warts and all, but I'd
probably wait another year or two so I could get something that would
likely keep me satisfied long term.

If you DO buy, it's fairly important to get decent avionics if you're
going to pursue an IFR rating, otherwise you'll have to switch planes
for some of the training and the checkride. Check the IFR test
standards for what you'll need (generally,a way to shoot an ILS and
two non-precision approaches). Likewise, if you think you'll want to
add commercial privileges, a retract is nice to have but easier to
work around.

Unless you're wealthy, particular about radios or have long-term
plans, DON'T buy a plane with so-so avionics and add radios to get it
up to snuff. I did that, it hurt. Yes you'll recover some of that on
resale, but usually only $0.30 on the dollar on a good day.

While you're thinking about it, go ahead and start IFR training, it'll
be a few lessons before you really need particular radios, etc.

Best of luck...

mark

"Matt" wrote in message . com...
Hi everyone. I have about 100 hours in 150's and 172's. I am thinking
about getting an instrument rating and buying my own plane within the next
few years. Should I go for the instrument rating first? I was thinking
this might help me build some more time, and the instrument rating would be
looked upon favorably by insurance companies when the time comes to buy.
Or, should I just buy the plane and fly it to get the instrument rating? I
am considering a 172.

Thanks for all advice!

Matt