Produced between 2009 and 2013, some 275 Skycatchers were built, and 171 examples remain on the FAA registry today. Designed as a lightweight, sporty evolution of Cessna’s past two-seat offerings, the 162 has a distinctly different feel.

In addition to generally lacking the tired, worn-out appearance of so many legacy models, the design itself is a breath of fresh air. The cabin is significantly wider and roomier than old 150s and 152s, with larger windows and doors. A technical bedliner-like material protects the cabin floor and walls, with a look and feel far nicer than the cracked plastics and faded carpet of yesteryear.

The sportiness extends to the flight controls in the form of dual “stokes” – combination sticks and yokes. Attached to the underside of the panel, these cleverly provide the feel of a stick without taking up valuable floor space. This provides larger pilots and pilots with limited mobility with easier cabin access compared to traditional side-by-side stick arrangements.

The panel is correspondingly modern. Rather than gyros, vacuum systems, and clunky radios dating back to the Nixon administration, the Skycatcher features modern Garmin avionics and a clean, intuitive panel layout. The right side of the panel tapers downward to provide more forward visibility to the passenger.

This particular Skycatcher comes with a new exhaust, ADS-B out, and new tires. It has only 1,352 hours on the airframe since new, with the same number of hours on the engine. With a 2000-hour TBO, the engine will likely provide years of reliable service before requiring an overhaul. Learn more about Skycatcher ownership here.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance and quickly calculate your monthly payment using the airplane finance calculator. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com. 

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 2012 Cessna 162 Skycatcher appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

A staple of the general aviation fleet, the Piper PA-28 series is among the easiest types to own. Plentiful spare parts, widespread qualified maintenance, and do-it-all flight characteristics make it a true Jack of all trades. Accordingly, it comes as no surprise that some 33,000 examples have been produced – and continue to be produced – since its introduction in 1960.

Over the years, the PA-28 has morphed into many subtypes and derivations. From the two-seat, 140-horsepower Cherokee 140 to the big six-seat, 300-horsepower Cherokee Six, the basic design spans a wide range of performance and capability. 

• READ MORE: Plane Facts: Piper PA-28s

This particular example is one of the most highly regarded engine/airframe pairings. With four seats and the 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360, it provides a fantastic blend of performance and economy. With only 2,465 hours on the airframe and 464 hours since major overhaul of the engine, it’s likely to provide its next owner with trouble-free flying for years to come.

While there are less expensive Cherokees out there, few combine a low-time airframe with such a nice interior and modern panel. With clean, neutral colors and intact trim pieces, the cabin presents well, particularly for a 58-year-old airplane. 

The panel has been modernized with some of the latest Garmin avionics. A GNX 375 provides GPS and transponder duties, as well as ADS-B in and out. This feeds data to a GI 275 HSI, and a GTR 200 provides primary radio duties. 

With this panel setup, the new owner could add a single GI 275 attitude indicator to completely eliminate the airplane’s vacuum system. This would add functionality, increase reliability, and save significant weight in one shot. 

Well maintained with current IFR certification and complete logbooks, this Cherokee provides a well-balanced set of strengths with well-known and well-liked flying qualities to boot.

• READ MORE: Flying Over An Egyptian Air Base

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance and quickly calculate your monthly payment using the airplane finance calculator. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale:1966 Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee/Archer appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Since its introduction in 1958, it has been a main staple of the flight training fleet, and nearly 24,000 examples were built until it was discontinued in 1977. Accordingly, parts availability and easily sourced maintenance expertise are virtually unmatched in the general aviation fleet. To owners of less common types, these benefits are not insignificant.

Among the various 150 subtypes produced over the years, this late-model example is visually defined by its modern-looking swept vertical stabilizer and large rear windows. This compares to earlier models that had large, straight vertical stabilizers and a “fastback” design that provided no rearward visibility. Early 150s also offered less volume in the storage area behind the two seats.

While relatively modern touches abound here, most of the features for which 150s are known and loved remain. Massive Fowler-style flaps with a maximum setting of 40 degrees enable short, steep approaches, the flight controls are fingertip-light and precise, and the published 122 MPH cruising speed comes at the cost of less than 6 gallons per hour.

This particular 150 has 5,860 hours on the airframe and 964 hours on the engine since major overhaul. The modern paint job is said to be in good condition and is sharper than much of the 150 fleet. The included wheel pants offer a few additional knots of cruise speed along with good looks.

The seller has not hesitated to invest in the maintenance of this 150. A new exhaust, flap motor, tires, and battery have been installed, and both the magnetos and carburetor have been overhauled. It includes complete logs, and has been owned by the same family for the past 33 years.

Inside, the interior has also been well maintained. The plastic interior trim is in decent shape, and the seats have a nice, retro look that is well-matched to the exterior paint. While it lacks some of the more advanced avionics available today, the panel is clean and intact – far nicer than the sloppy, crudely modified panels found in many 150s.

For an economical, easy-to-own airplane that works well as a trainer or as a fun escape to fly-ins and $100 hamburgers, this 150 will likely provide its next caretaker with many years of great flying.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1946 Erco 415-C Ercoupe

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance and quickly calculate your monthly payment using the airplane finance calculator. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com. 

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1975 Cessna 150M appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

An icon of general aviation, the legendary Beechcraft Bonanza was introduced in 1947 – the very same year this particular example was manufactured. Sporting a gleaming polished aluminum and bright red exterior that will turn heads everywhere it goes and the early Bonanza’s trademark V-tail, the classic aesthetics are unmistakable and legendary.

• READ MORE: Garmin Introduces Budget-Conscious Nav/Com Radios for Light Planes

While priced toward the upper end of the expected price range for early Bonanzas, this one justifies the premium with a long list of upgrades, inspections, overhauls, and STCs that demonstrate the current owner’s meticulous attention to detail regarding maintenance and care. From a new exhaust system to an overhauled landing gear motor and gearbox to a fully disassembled and inspected engine, virtually every component of this Bonanza has been gone through and refreshed, setting the new owner up for years of worry-free flying.

Inside, the new owner is welcomed by classic, art-deco style in the form of polished aluminum “piano key” switches and a throwover yoke that creates ample space for the front passenger. The current owner wisely modernized the panel with round gauges and instruments that maintain the original aesthetic. The GPS, radios, and transponder are positioned up high on the panel, making them easy to read and reach.

Photos reveal an engine compartment clean and sorted enough to win awards at virtually any airshow or fly-in, with the seller accurately describing it as “Oshkosh ready.” For any buyer interested in avoiding the restoration and sorting process entirely and skipping right to the part where they enjoy a museum-quality machine, this Bonanza provides a one-way ticket to vintage fun.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 2000 Micco SP-20

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance and quickly calculate your monthly payment using the airplane finance calculator. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1947 Beechcraft 35 Bonanza appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

A direct evolution of the 1940s-era Meyers 145, the Micco is a modernized version that entered production in the early 2000s. It incorporated a far more powerful engine than the original Meyers – the 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360 – which returns a cruise speed of around 140 knots. In addition, the IO-360 has a TBO of 2,000 hours, beating many comparable engines by hundreds of hours.

• READ MORE: This Incredible Plane: Meyers/Aero Commander 200

Standing tall on the ramp, the Micco’s canopy slides backward to allow easy entry. The airframe is a tubular steel frame wrapped in aluminum skin, a design that provides some additional peace of mind when it comes to crashworthiness. Inside, a clean and orderly panel and King radio stack are a far cry from many of the typical aircraft offerings at this price, and the combination of control sticks and the tailwheel configuration create a far more interesting and fun flying experience. 

With only 15 examples on the FAA registry, the SP-20 is sure to attract attention on any ramp. Fortunately, while production ended years ago, the Meyers Aircraft Owners Association provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise that carries over to the Micco, making ownership just a bit easier.

For a thoroughly modernized version of a rare classic with great looks and remarkably low hours on both the airframe and engine, this unique find might be just the ticket.

Learn more about the Micco SP-20 here.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance and quickly calculate your monthly payment using the airplane finance calculator. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com. 

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 2000 Micco SP-20 appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

The Piper J-3 Cub defines grassroots simplicity. With a bare minimum of creature comforts, a sparse instrument panel consisting of only six gauges, and no electrical system, this example is perfectly representative of the type. Fortunately, it has been carefully updated and refreshed without affecting this simplicity. 

Already decades newer than many Cessnas and Pipers flying today, this 1974 example has flown regularly over the years, logging a total of 4,157 hours on the airframe and 668 hours on the 65-horsepower engine since major overhaul. Critically, the airplane has always been hangared, and the fabric was replaced in 1994, most likely putting the next fabric replacement many years into the future.

• READ MORE: What Color is Your Cub?

This particular Cub includes some pedigree. Once owned by famous airshow pilot Mad Dog Watson and the subject of a similarly famous painting, it blends classic style with a bit of history. Jump on the opportunity to add your own chapter at AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance and quickly calculate your monthly payment using the airplane finance calculator. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1974 Piper J-3 Cub appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.