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From: wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re:  Grounded and don't like it
Message-ID: <75@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Sep-84 11:35:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.75
Posted: Tue Sep  4 11:35:06 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Sep-84 03:45:47 EDT
Organization: Boeing Aerospace, Seattle
Lines: 36


>  I am flat broke ($), a licensed pilot, and need to fly.

>  I have mixed emotions about Ultra-lights. I could afford one, but don't
>  know if I want one.

>  Is there a plane I could buy that would not break my bank?

Aw, come on.  If you can afford an ultralight, there is any number of
good used airplanes you can pick up for the same money.  New ultralights
(from what I've heard, you're better off buying a used snake than a
used ultralight) cost around $6000-$9000.  I just bought a 1965 Cessna
150 with a nearly new interior and paint for $6000.  The engine is rather
high time (400 hrs to recommended overhaul) but  it will take a long
time to reach the overhaul point, which, after all, is a RECOMMENDED
value- with good compression, etc, it will last a long time.  My gas
cost last month was $120- and that was avgas, I've got the autofuel
STC but haven't  worked out an easy way to get car gas into it.
$120 for 15 hours of flying...that's not too bad.  Admittedly, I pay
a bit more per month than I would an ultralight... tiedown, etc.
Insurance would be your option, but personally, I would not like to
own any flying machine worth $6000 without having some insurance on
it.  My maintenance costs are negligible... I have an A&P buddy who
owns a single-seat homebuilt, but likes to take his daughter flying.
We've worked out a trade.  Ultralight Vs. 150 is an interesting
trade- low hourly cost vs 100 Mph cruise, low maintenance vs the
ability to take a friend, etc.

Take a look in trade-a-plane, you'll see a lot of 150s at prices from
$4000 up.  Get a partner (or two) and both your buy-in cost and 
monthly costs will be pretty low.

			    Ron Wanttaja
			    (ssc-vax!wanttaja)