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. 

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1946 Erco 415-C Ercoupe 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.

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.

Over the decades, Luscombes have become known for two things: a simple, pure flying experience devoid of any extraneous weight or complexity and snappy, responsive controls that do precisely what the pilot commands – for better or for worse. Compared to many comparable types, the Luscombe is one you fly with your fingertips.

• READ MORE: 1946 Luscombe 8E and Mt. Rainier

This particular example is deluxe as Luscombes 8s go. It’s equipped with a peppy Continental C90 that has a new alternator and voltage regulator—a far cry from the bare-bones Luscombes that lack electrical systems entirely. In the past few years, the C90 has had the carb rebuilt and the exhaust replaced.

Elsewhere, intelligent mods abound. New inertia-reel shoulder harnesses keep you safe without restricting forward movement to peer to the right or left in turns. The brakes have been upgraded to dependable Groves, and the interior is clean and tidy

The panel offers a fantastic blend of simplicity and modern functionality. A modern Garmin radio and transponder comprise the avionics stack, and a uAvionix skyBeacon provides ADS-B out. Should the new owner wish to add a bit more functionality, the VOR receiver, mounted front and center, could be cleanly replaced with a modern, lightweight multifunction flight display such as the Garmin GI 275 to retain the vintage look.

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

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1947 Luscombe 8E appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

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.