Airplane of your dreams...

[undatc]

Ok so as I'm in an aviation college, one of the favorite topics of discussion at meals, besides your latest stage check blunder, is what airplane you want to own and why.  So I put it to you all, if you could own your own plane, personal use, what would it be?  If you have one now, whats in it, how'd you get it?

Personally I have a couple for different reasons.  1st up is a Cessna 195.  I love classic cars, and I think this airplane is like the old muscle car of airplanes.  Its big, has a huge engine, radial none the less, has a payload like none other, and on top of that with modern fuel tanks, has a range of almost 1200 miles.  Also the nice thing about these is that they are so old a lot of people dont want them, so price isnt to bad, about 95k for a fully restored plane.  Ive seen planes in need of a little TLC go for about 20k.

2nd for me is a Lancair ES-P.  Modern homebuilt (yea right), fast and pressurized up to about FL280 this is the perfect all around airplane.  Its comfortable, roomy, seats 4, 1200nm range and crusies at 270 mph.  Only down side is cost, homebuilt the kit costs ya about 120k, so retail on a fully built one probably close to 200k.  I spose this would be a good reason to get my IFR license so I could make use of the pressureized cabin eh?

What are yours?

[Frank N. O.]

Rockwell Aero Commander 112 or 114 or Cessna C177RG Cardinal II both from the late 70s.
My first and so-far only flight was in a '74 Cessna F177RG (Reims built, serial number 0122).

Frank

[AirtransRecon]

PT-17
Dehavilon Beaver.

Flew front seat in a Steerman a few years ago and fell in love. Everything in her cockpit just feels right.

KW

[chuckar101]

First would have to be the RV-9, with conventional gear.  There fast, light on the controls, and fairly cheap.  Second would have to be the Cessna Cardinal like Frank.  Never flown in one but love the look.

[Panzerrat]

I'd have to get my license first, but as to what I'd like?

How about a:
Beech Staggerwing.  Old school sex with wings.
PBY-5A Catalina.  Hey, where couldn't I go with this one.

Come to think about it, any warbird will do for me.

[switchtech]

Real world dream airplane is the Zenith Zodiac XL - and hopefully I'll be starting a build on one in the coming year.

Fantasy world.... a Gulf Stream G550.



jbs

[fireflyr]

Aero Commander 500B---the reasons are mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[tundra_flier]

Hmm...lets see.  It would need the following but not in order:

1.  1,000nm range
2.  150kt+ cruise at no more than 7gph.
3.  Aerobatic with light controls.
4.  Full fuel plus at least 2,000lbs usefull load.
5.  Homebuilt so I could work on and modify as I please.
6.  Take off and land in under 200ft with 31" tundra tires.

If anyone knows this plane, please let me know.  In the mean time I need to get going on my Bearhawk Patrol.   

Phil

[Mic]

Piper J3 first !
Then Mitsubishi A6M2 ...
Spitfire
Se5A
Spad 13
Nieuport 17

Well, must be easier to find a J3 somewhere !

[Panzerrat]

A Nieuport 17?!  You like dodgy wings, do you?

[switchtech]

Hmm...lets see.  It would need the following but not in order:

1.  1,000nm range
2.  150kt+ cruise at no more than 7gph.
3.  Aerobatic with light controls.
4.  Full fuel plus at least 2,000lbs usefull load.
5.  Homebuilt so I could work on and modify as I please.
6.  Take off and land in under 200ft with 31" tundra tires.

If anyone knows this plane, please let me know.  In the mean time I need to get going on my Bearhawk Patrol.   

Phil

Well, Phil, I think this is a case similar to "1) Fast, 2) Cheap, 3) Safe - Choose two"  -  though I suppose with enough money anything might be possible! 

jbs

[fireflyr]

Hmm...lets see.  It would need the following but not in order:

1.  1,000nm range
2.  150kt+ cruise at no more than 7gph.
3.  Aerobatic with light controls.
4.  Full fuel plus at least 2,000lbs usefull load.
5.  Homebuilt so I could work on and modify as I please.
6.  Take off and land in under 200ft with 31" tundra tires.

If anyone knows this plane, please let me know.  In the mean time I need to get going on my Bearhawk Patrol.   

Phil

Well, Phil, I think this is a case similar to "1) Fast, 2) Cheap, 3) Safe - Choose two"  -  though I suppose with enough money anything might be possible! 

jbs

I think a Columbia 400 would get 2 out of 3

[switchtech]

Hmm...lets see.  It would need the following but not in order:

1.  1,000nm range
2.  150kt+ cruise at no more than 7gph.
3.  Aerobatic with light controls.
4.  Full fuel plus at least 2,000lbs usefull load.
5.  Homebuilt so I could work on and modify as I please.
6.  Take off and land in under 200ft with 31" tundra tires.

If anyone knows this plane, please let me know.  In the mean time I need to get going on my Bearhawk Patrol.   

Phil

Well, Phil, I think this is a case similar to "1) Fast, 2) Cheap, 3) Safe - Choose two"  -  though I suppose with enough money anything might be possible! 

jbs

I think a Columbia 400 would get 2 out of 3

Or even the new Cirrus jet would get two for sure.

A VLJ with tundra tires?

jbs

 

[Frank N. O.]

Aero Commander 500B---the reasons are mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

What's the difference between a 500B and the Shrike? And is the 500B the one with the strange Concorde/Embraer style yoke handle?

I was searching for this low approach picture to ask how high you were compared to this: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0911730/L/
Before I found that though I found these two great liveries, I especially love the red/white one, and the black is just cool, it only needs red registration and you can play Blackbird pilot
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0896935/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0345452/L/

Before I found the low-level approach picture I found this picture that I suddently noticed was a RDAF Falcon!
I don't remember them doing any such stuff at the airshow I attended as a kid.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1071936/L/

Frank

[fireflyr]

Aero Commander 500B---the reasons are mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

What's the difference between a 500B and the Shrike? And is the 500B the one with the strange Concorde/Embraer style yoke handle?

I was searching for this low approach picture to ask how high you were compared to this: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0911730/L/
Before I found that though I found these two great liveries, I especially love the red/white one, and the black is just cool, it only needs red registration and you can play Blackbird pilot
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0896935/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0345452/L/

Before I found the low-level approach picture I found this picture that I suddently noticed was a RDAF Falcon!
I don't remember them doing any such stuff at the airshow I attended as a kid.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1071936/L/

Frank

The red Commander is a 500B with an added crewdoor and a Shrike nose----The turbine Commander over the beach looks to be about 5 feet in the air.