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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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Cessna 150s and 152s run the gamut between $25,000 basketcases in need of paint and engine overhauls on up to better-than-new, museum-quality examples with six-figure prices. While trending toward the upper end of the price range, this 152 has a lot going for it. Not only have many parts been upgraded—it’s been meticulously maintained and flown an average of 200 hours per year for the last five years.

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Among the various modifications, one of the most notable is the complete removal of the vacuum system. In its place are two AV30s, a Garmin Aera 660 GPS, and a Garmin GTX345 transponder with ADS-B in and out. A new nav/com and dual USB ports complete the refreshed panel, and a Tanis preheat system ensure cold weather doesn’t bring your flying to a halt.

A total of 1,134 hours since major overhaul on the Lycoming O-235 means the engine is approximately halfway to TBO. This equates to many years of flying for most owners. Additionally, the last five annual inspections have been performed by Poplar Grove Airmotive, one of the most renowned maintenance facilities in the Midwest. 

For a simple, proven airplane that has been extremely well sorted, thoroughly updated, and flown regularly, this 152 is tough to beat.

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: 1979 Cessna 152 appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

First flown in 1991, the Model 4 improved on the preceding three Kitfoxes by utilizing a laminar-flow airfoil and improved flaperons. The Model 4-1200 was the final version of the Model 4 and added a strengthened airframe that increased the gross weight significantly to 1,200 pounds. The -1200 also incorporated a larger rudder and vertical stabilizer for improved control authority.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1965 Cessna 150E

With 7,363 hours on the airframe, this particular Kitfox has seen significant use, but it appears to have been very well cared for. With no reported damage history and an airframe and fabric rated at 8/10, it appears to be a well-sorted and well cared for example with plenty of life left. 

Kitfoxes are available with a variety of engines, and this example sports a four-cylinder Jabiru. One Kitfox owner with the same setup reports a 95 mph cruise speed while burning only 3 gallons per hour. The same owner reports seeing healthy climb rates of 1,200 feet per minute. 

Unlike many aircraft types, the Kitfox has foldable wings. This enables the airplane to be tucked into a small corner of a standard aircraft hangar, presenting the option of subletting a section of another renter’s hangar for relatively little rent. Alternatively, the excellent short-field performance opens up the possibility of landing in a large backyard and using a standard car garage as a hangar.

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

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First flown in 1946, some 3,700 Super Cruisers were manufactured between 1946 and 1948. It resembles a slightly larger Piper Cub, with a fabric-covered steel tube fuselage and tandem seating. Unlike Cubs, however, the Super Cruiser may be flown solo from the front seat, where the pilot can enjoy substantially greater outward visibility. In back, the wide seat was designed to accommodate two passengers side-by-side.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1964 Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser

This Super Cruiser comes equipped with a 115-horsepower Lycoming O-235. With a 2,500-hour recommended time between overhaul (TBO), this engine–flown only four hours since the recent major overhaul–will likely provide its new owner with decades of reliable service.

Similarly, the airframe is said to have been given a museum-quality restoration by a professional restorer. This effectively results in an airplane that’s as good as, or perhaps even better than new, for far less than any factory-new aircraft available on the market today.

Inside, the restorer kept the panel true to its vintage design, utilizing ivory-colored gauges and grouping a modern radio and transponder in a small central stack.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1969 Cessna 172K Skyhawk

This Super Cruiser’s asking price is little more than the cost of the airframe restoration and engine overhaul. But it’s available now for $89,000 on AircraftForSale, without having to wait a year or more for such services to be rendered.

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

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1947 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Built between 1958 and 1962, some 2,100 examples of the Skylark were produced. This relatively high number, combined with a great deal of commonality with the popular 172, makes sourcing parts and qualified service straightforward. Additionally, a number of modifications, such as STOL kits and even tailwheel conversions, are compatible with the type.

• READ MORE: Cessna 175 Skylark

The Continental GO-300 engine produces 180 horsepower, and while it does have a slightly lower time before overhaul (TBO) than comparable engines at 1,200 hours, multiple options exist for engine upgrades. Many owners, faced with the prospect of a $35,000+ engine overhaul, opt to source a used, midtime Lycoming O-360 or Continental IO-360 as an alternative. Such a modification would make this aircraft a budget 182 in many ways.

Inside, the panel is exceptionally clean and well laid out. The vacuum system and instruments have been removed and two Garmin G5s have been installed in their place, increasing reliability and reducing weight and complexity. Unlike many aircraft of the era, the radio stack is positioned up high in the pilot’s field of view. A modern transponder with ADS-B out ensures class B and C airspace remains within reach.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1969 Cessna 172K Skyhawk

As it stands, this Skylark is a lot of airplane for the money. With an engine upgrade, a tailwheel conversion, and tundra tires, the value could easily increase to well over $100,000, making it an attractive canvas for future modifications.

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

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1958 Cessna 175 Skylark appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

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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.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1973 Bellanca 7KCAB Citabria appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.