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.

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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. 

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With a design dating back to the late 1930s, the Ercoupe was designed with fun, safety, and economy in mind. The unique H-tail reduces the left-turning tendencies during takeoff while also minimizing the weathervaning effect prevalent in crosswinds. While the original Ercoupes lacked a rudder and rudder pedals entirely, this example has had them installed as an aftermarket kit, making the airplane a bit more familiar for newcomers to fly.

Despite its age, this is an airplane with plenty of life left. With only 2,264 hours on the airframe and 785 hours on the Continental C75 since major overhaul, the new owner can expect many years of trouble-free enjoyment – enjoyment that’s multiplied when the canopy windows are lowered for an open-cockpit flying experience. The original fabric wing covering has been replaced with metal, eliminating the need for costly $10,000+ fabric replacement in the future.

Remarkably, this Ercoupe includes all logs since new. So, in addition to receiving a well-maintained airplane with new windows, brakes, exhaust, fuel tank, and battery, the new owner will also have nearly 80 years of documented history to reference. The presence of every logbook is as much a testament to the fastidiousness of all the previous owners as it is a source of documentation. 

Inside, this Ercoupe has been refreshed with a new floorboard, new interior, and even a new, minimalist panel. The panel was designed to provide a clean, uncluttered look that compliments the airplane’s art-deco aesthetic while providing all the instrumentation necessary for fun VFR flight. The layout even provides ample space in the center for a tablet to be mounted in either a vertical or horizontal orientation.

It’s not every day that a classic icon of aviation’s golden age becomes available at a price less than that of many Harley-Davidson motorcycles. And it’s even rarer for such an icon to come in such meticulously maintained condition. But this Ercoupe checks all of the boxes and is ready to provide its next caretaker with an economical and uniquely vintage flying experience. Learn more about Ercoupe ownership here.

• 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. 

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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. 

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The Dart was unique from the beginning. Designed in the 1930s with the help of Al Mooney, it sported several different engine options, mostly 90-horsepower radials and the slightly more powerful Continental O-200 of Cessna 150 fame. With a fabric-covered wooden airframe, nicely rounded tips on the wing and horizontal stabilizer, and a jaunty stance on its tailwheel gear, it looks as though it’s enthusiastically anticipating the next opportunity to fly.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1948 Cessna 120

This particular Dart is especially unique. Rather than leaving the pilot with only around 100 horsepower and precious little excess thrust to clear departure-end obstacles, it has a one-time STC for a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320. This notable increase in power is sure to deliver bigger climb rates and bigger smiles alike, particularly as it’s fully stressed for aerobatic flight.

The Dart’s new owner will likely go many years without significant scheduled maintenance concerns. With only 1,000 hours on the airframe, 466 on the engine since major overhaul, and entirely new Polyfiber fabric installed in 2004, the most significant items have been addressed.

Although fewer than 100 Darts were produced, some 20 remain on the FAA registry today. So, while the type is indeed rare, a small community of owners exists that might be leveraged for ownership support. It’s not every day a unique and nearly pristine golden-age classic becomes available, and it’s especially rare that one comes up for a price on par with a new pickup truck.

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: 1946 Culver Dart GC appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Launched as a basic, budget version of the already simple Cessna 140, the 120 is almost identical to its compatriot. Identifiable by the lack of rear/side windows and flaps, the 120 is otherwise almost identical to the 140, and owners observe that the 140’s flaps offer little benefit, to begin with. This particular 120 has been modified with a metalized wing, which eliminates the need to periodically undergo the expensive process of replacing wing fabric at the cost of a bit of useful load.

One of the most attractive aspects of this particular 120 is the engine. What was once a basic Continental C85 has been upgraded with an O-200 crankshaft, providing a noticeable boost in performance. The engine has only 168 hours since major overhaul and has new Superior cylinders, magnetos, and a new alternator, checking some major maintenance boxes for the new owner.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1972 SOCATA MS.894A Rallye

Inside, this 120 sports custom leather seats and a simple yet logical panel layout. The original antiquated switches have been replaced with modern toggles and a push-button starter. Additional weight savings could be easily achieved by replacing the venturi-driven gyro instruments with modern digital gauges. 

A cheap and fun way to get into the sky, this docile and well-supported taildragger will provide its new owner with years of enjoyment at a price that’s little more than the engine overhaul it recently received.

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: 1948 Cessna 120 appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

First flown in 1961, the French SOCATA Rallye family has since been marketed under a number of different companies and names. From Morane-Saulnier to PZL to Waco, the same basic aircraft has had a bit of an identity crisis over the decades, but the general formula has remained the same – an all metal, tricycle-gear, 2-4 seat low wing airplane with nearly unrestricted visibility and fantastic slow flight and short field capability.

While early versions had only two seats with lower-powered engines of 100-150 horsepower, this particular Rallye is equipped with a 220-horsepower Franklin six-cylinder engine that has only 36 hours since major overhaul. Provided the Franklin is maintained only by experienced mechanics familiar with the type’s unique intricacies, it provides ample, smooth power and excellent climb performance.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1965 American Champion Citabria

Various Rallyes are equipped with control yokes and others with sticks. This example has the latter, which opens up valuable real estate on the panel. It features basic analog flight instruments with an updated Garmin GPS and transponder. 

Like all Rallyes, this one is also equipped with aerodynamically actuated slats that enable stable, predictable handling at low speeds and enable comfortable operation from short strips. Trailing-link main gear provides a plush ride over rough strips, and a 60-gallon fuel capacity provides range as well as the option to tanker fuel into remote areas with few refueling options.

For a unique yet proven airplane that provides open-cockpit levels of visibility and unlocks access to short, remote strips, this Rallye checks quite a few boxes on the “nice to have” list.

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: 1972 SOCATA MS.894A Rallye appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Designed for extreme operating efficiency, the diminutive Mite has only one seat mounted within a snug cockpit with a bubble canopy. Everything about the Mite is small, including the tiny retractable landing gear and the 65-horsepower Lycoming engine. But as the saying goes, small hinges swing big doors, and if you’re lucky enough to fit inside, you can expect to enjoy a 125 mph cruising speed. That works out to a stunning 2 mph per horsepower. Throttle back to 2450 rpm, and it returns a similarly stunning fuel burn of around 3.5 gallons per hour.

The long, thin wing of the 520-pound (empty) Mite performs equally well at low speeds. Original Mooney marketing material lists a stall speed of only 43 miles per hour, a takeoff distance of 290 feet, and a landing distance of 275 feet. Empty weight is listed as approximately 520 pounds, with a gross weight of 850 pounds. With a 15-gallon fuel capacity, useful load is approximately 240 pounds.

Any aircraft with a wooden airframe demands care and attention, and the Mite is no exception. Fortunately, this example was thoroughly rebuilt in 1997 and is in annual. Interior and paint are reportedly very good, and while the panel is relatively simple, it’s also tidy with a logical layout.

Few aircraft types offer the combination of economy, speed, and exclusivity as the Mooney Mite. And with only 94 actively registered on the FAA registry, few aircraft types will turn as many heads at fly-ins as the Mite.

• Learn more about the Mooney Mite here.

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

Editor’s note: To view a great air-to-air photo of the plane submitted by a previous owner, Cliff Tatum, visit this site and scroll to June 2017.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1951 Mooney M-18 Mite appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

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.