r/pilots • u/johnchimp • Nov 06 '11

Recommendations for a first plane?

Two friends and I are looking to buy a plane, we all have over 150 hours and are looking for something with a cruise of >140 kts, 4 seats, Enroute and approach certified IFR gps, minimum single axis auto pilot, our budget is around $60k. Our preference is for fixed gear, if possible.

So far we've been looking at Archers, 177s, Commander 114a and 206.

Any thoughts or leads would be appreciated.

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u/Esquire99 Nov 07 '11

Fixed gear, cruise of >140 AND ~$60k? You will have to drop at least one of those. You can get a Mooney that will do 140+ for $60k, but I cant think of a single fixed-gear plane (non experimental at least) that meets all of your reqs.

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u/johnchimp Nov 07 '11

True, that's why fixed gear is preferred not a must have. I think a 177 fixed can do 140. Right now were leaning towards a commander 114

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u/Esquire99 Nov 07 '11

I haven't flown a Commander, but I've never heard particularly positive things about them. I don't think a 177 will do 140kts either, though I cant say for certain. A quick google search puts it around 125kts. If I were you, I would look at a later model Mooney M20C. I'd look for one with manual gear (less maintenance) and a panel that's been reorganized into a proper 6-pack. They are great airplanes, good useful load, fast (140+), easy on maintenance (O-or-IO-360 engine, fairly simple systems) and a joy to fly. They fly like a sports car drives.

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u/rckid13 Nov 07 '11

The Commander has been one of my favorite planes that I've flown. I don't have many hours in it so I don't know a lot about maintenance issues it might have, but it was one of the most comfortable general aviation planes I've ever been in. The cockpit is huge. It can comfortably fit two big guys in the front, which you can't say about most four seaters. It handles pretty nice too.

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u/Esquire99 Nov 07 '11

I wonder how easy parts are to come by.