First flown in 1944, the Aeronca Champion—commonly called the “Champ”—was designed to compete with the Piper J3 Cub. Like the Cub, the Champ utilizes a fabric-covered, tubular metal fuselage and a small four-cylinder Continental engine. This particular example has a 75-horsepower Continental A75 with only 281 hours since major overhaul.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1997 Kitfox IV-1200

The 3,382-hour airframe has been similarly freshened up, with new covering installed in 2010. Given the longevity of modern fabric systems, this is likely to last for decades before requiring replacement. Such improvements should be taken into account when shopping around, as a complete recovering will cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Inside, things are simple. A basic VFR panel greets the pilot, who, unlike the Piper Cub, may sit in the front seat when flying solo. This provides far greater outward visibility and feels considerably less claustrophobic than the Cub.

Perhaps best of all, enough Champs were manufactured over the years that parts are readily available. Additionally, owner groups provide a fantastic community and friendly support as they welcome newcomers into the fold.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1947 Aeronca 7AC Champion appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

• READ MORE: American Champion Citabria, Super Decathlon, Scout

With docile ground handling, the Citabria is often used as a tailwheel trainer and is a fantastic way to get into tailwheel flying. In the air, the fun doesn’t stop, as the 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320 sports an inverted oil system that enables extended aerobatic flight. 

This particular Citabria has undergone extensive renovations, including new engine components, rebuilt landing gear and brakes, and an entirely refreshed interior with new carpet, upholstery, and headliner. Perhaps most significantly, all fabric was replaced in 2001 with Polyfiber—a job worth tens of thousands of dollars that will likely last for many decades.

With 1,115 hours on the airframe and engine since major overhaul, the airframe time is relatively low, and the engine is halfway to its 2,000-hour TBO, which should also provide many years of trouble-free ownership. With no damage history and complete logbooks, this Citabria looks to be an exceptionally clean and well-sorted entry into fun aerobatic and tailwheel ownership.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 2004 Maule MXT-7-180A

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

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Pilots interested in a unique experimental biplane should consider this 1986 Stolp SA-100 Starduster, which is available for $25,000 on AircraftForSale.

Introduced in 1957, the SA-100 is a single-seat, fabric-covered biplane with a tubular steel fuselage. Presently, 27 examples are actively registered in the U.S., making it a rare and unique sight at most fly-ins but with an owner community that’s large enough to engage with for support.

• READ MORE: STOLP SA-100 “STARDUSTER”

Originally designed around a 125 hp Lycoming O-290, many including this one have been upgraded to more powerful engines. Sporting a 150 hp Lycoming O-320, this example should handily exceed the already healthy 1800-foot-per-minute rate of climb reported by owners of the original version. More importantly, it’s far easier to source parts and maintenance for the O-320 than for the older O-290, making ownership significantly easier.

Inside, the lone occupant is presented with a charmingly vintage aesthetic. Devoid of any modern color screens or even radios, the simple panel resembles that of a World War II-era biplane. Some modern functionality has been added, however, in the form of an electrical system, G-meter, and cylinder head temperature gauge.

With a midrange engine time of 890 hours since major overhaul and a total airframe time of only 625 hours with no known accident history, this Starduster offers a massive amount of open-cockpit aerobatic performance for the dollar.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1986 Stolp SA-100 Starduster appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Pilots interested in a classic cross-country machine with vintage style should consider this 1947 Beechcraft Bonanza, which is available for $64,500 on AircraftForSale.

With the classic V-tail and the small triangular third cabin window, this Bonanza is unmistakably one of the early models but has been updated with a more contemporary paint scheme. Claimed to have always been hangared in a dry climate, the presence of corrosion is less likely than in other examples. To remove any doubt, the seller will provide a fresh annual inspection to the new buyer when the sale is complete.

The VFR panel is relatively basic in function, but what it lacks in IFR capability, it makes up for in retro style. Both the panel and glareshield are color-matched to the exterior paint, and the classic polished piano keys have been retained to maintain the airplane’s original, authentic aesthetic. While the radio stack is modest by modern standards, the radios and transponder are arranged in a neat stack that is more straightforward to update compared with other aircraft types. 

Under the cowl, this Bonanza’s 6-cylinder Continental has been updated with a 60-amp alternator to handle the addition of future electrical equipment or accessories. The engine has 925 hours since major overhaul, and the original propeller has been replaced with a hydraulic Hartzell, making future maintenance and parts sourcing far easier.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

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

Pilots interested in an economical, fun-to-fly four-place aircraft should consider this 1957 Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer, which is available for $64,000 on AircraftForSale.

Derived from the PA-20 Pacer taildragger, Piper’s PA-22 Tri-Pacer adds tricycle gear for surefooted handling in crosswinds and notably less expensive insurance premiums. Purists love Piper’s robust, fabric-covered tubular steel airframe, reasoning that it is superior to the stressed-skin aluminum fuselage construction utilized by Cessna and Beechcraft. The steel cage is said to provide better protection to occupants, and the fabric covering can make both inspection and repair easier than aluminum counterparts.

Equipped with a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320 and a left-side rear door, the Tri-Pacer is equally happy bringing friends and pets along as it is toting camping equipment for weekend adventures. Although this particular example doesn’t have a rear seat installed, Piper parts are plentiful and not overly expensive compared to many other types. Beefy bungee-cord-equipped main gear holds up well to rough runways, and vortex generators provide crisp, responsive handling.

With only 2,650 hours on the airframe, 815 hours since the major overhaul of the engine, and only 355 hours since new cylinders were installed, this Tri-Pacer is poised to provide its next owner with many years of economical flying. Perhaps best of all, the fabric was replaced with Ceconite in 2003 and repainted in a classic scheme—a job easily worth over $40,000 alone.

But the owner didn’t stop there! A look inside reveals a completely new interior that was installed in 2016, including fresh soundproofing for a quieter, less fatiguing cabin environment. In addition to fresh carpet and upholstery, the panel is in outstanding shape, free from the ugly cracked and weathered plastic trim pieces that are so commonly found. A set of AV-30 digital gauges replace the heavy vacuum system, a Stratus ESG transponder provides ADS-B out, and a Garmin Aera 660 GPS is neatly installed in its recessed panel mount.

At $64,000, this Tri-Pacer is more expensive than many examples, but with over $40,000 in new paint and fabric and many thousands of dollars in new cylinders, updated interior, and advanced avionics, it seems to be an exceptional value that will likely provide decades of economical, trouble-free ownership.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1957 Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

• READ MORE: CubCrafters Unveils Infrared System for Backcountry Safety

Climbing access is made easier with doors on each side of the fuselage, and because the Legend Cub’s fuel tanks are in the wing, a solo occupant has the choice of flying from the front or rear seats. Because it uses the same basic airfoil as the original Cub, flying and handling qualities are largely unchanged…but the 120-horsepower Jabiru engine and Sensinich composite/wood prop provide far more thrust than the original Cub engines, adding a comfortable safety margin when taking off from short strips and clearing departure-end obstacles.

Inside, this Legend Cub has been equipped with modern Garmin avionics, including a panel-mounted Aera GPS and ADS-B in and out capability. An SL40 radio and CHT monitor round out the clean panel, and an intercom enables clear conversation between pilot and passenger.

As an experimental aircraft, this airplane enables the owner to perform their own maintenance. Best of all, the new owner can enjoy peace of mind that it was built with proper attention to detail, as it won first place in the 2009 Experimental Cactus Fly-In.

Pilots interested in the flying experience of a 1940s-era Cub with the benefits of modern materials and technology should consider this 2008 American Legend Cub, which is available for $60,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 2008 American Legend Cub appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

• READ MORE: The Marvelous Mooney M20

While Mooneys have the reputation of being a bit more snug on the inside than other types such as the Beechcraft Bonanza and Ryan Navion, tall pilots report ample head and legroom. Additionally, the F model incorporates a longer cabin than earlier Mooneys, opening up additional space behind the front seats for passengers in the back. This example has been updated with plush, reupholstered seating.

Up front, the panel has been updated accordingly. Unlike earlier Mooneys with disorganized, seemingly random panel layouts, this example incorporates a neat, traditional six-pack layout to ease your instrument scan. A UAvionix AV-30 digital primary flight display provides at-a-glance flight information, while a Garmin radio stack and Electronics International engine monitor displays provide a thoroughly modernized flying experience, whether flying VFR or IFR.

With a mid-time engine, sharp paint scheme, and even an autopilot, this Mooney is well-equipped to provide its next caretaker with years of fast, efficient cross-country flying. Pilots interested in big-engine speed with small-engine fuel burn should consider this 1966 Mooney M20F, which is available for $79,500 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1966 Mooney M20F Executive 21 appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Read about the Cessna 120 and 140 in detail here.

Equipped with a smooth and quiet 85 hp Continental C85 that sips fuel at a rate of roughly 4.5-5 gallons per hour in cruise, operating costs are minimized. Only 176 hours have been logged since the last major overhaul. Additionally, this example has had its fabric wing converted to metal covering. At the expense of some additional weight, the result is a wing that no longer requires fabric inspection or a costly $10,000-plus fabric replacement. Robust spring-steel landing gear rounds out operating economy, with no bungee cords or shock absorbers to maintain or replace.

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This example comes with a clean panel, shoulder harnesses, wingtip strobe lights, matching wheel pants, and timeless paint scheme. 

Pilots interested in a classic taildragger that’s as easy to fly as it is to own and maintain should consider this 1946 Cessna 120, which is available for $39,500 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

The post Bargain Buys on Aircraft For Sale: 1946 Cessna 120 appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.