New PPL 114b as first plane vs da40

S

Southbysouthwest

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Hey everyone, apologies if this is a repeated question but wanted to get on here for some opinions on commanders as I never thought to look at one until I saw one taxing ahead of me on a cross country solo recently. I wish I could of stopped and talk with the owner but it really peaked my curiosity and now I am here.

Anyway long story short just about done my PPL here in Canada and thinking about renting for another year to build some time, likely another 50-100 hours of renting and I also want to complete a night rating as well, then begin the search for my first plane to purchase and do my IR in. I am the type of person that tends to research future big purchases really well, then with some background info start to find owners and people with experience to talk to about them and be ready for when the time comes to purchase, hoping to make the purchase around late fall 2026 to spring 2027 if all goes well.

Up until this point I was really set on a da40 pre g 1000, had the chance to fly one with a gentleman that hangs around the flight school I go to for a couple hours earlier this summer and it felt like a rocket ship compared to a 172 and a real joy to fly, my main reasons why I was leening towards it, its a more modern airframe for the price, amazing view, safe and simple airframe and one that you can upgrade avionics in pre g1000, only draw backs for I see are useful load, bubble canopy and the KAP 140 not having a retrofit solution and also a tight panel making upgrade choices limited.

Anyway I was wondering if you guys could give some insight on 114b's or if anyone on here has da40 experience to compare too.

I looking preferably for a post 1990 114b models, general budget?
Common things to lookout for? That are airframe specific
Safety of the handling charatistics of the plane for a new pilot and any well known things that get pilots into trouble that are specific to the airframe. Should a new pilot avoid this airframe all together?

Any tips for insurance with it being a new pilot and retract aircraft/HP? I might add my super long term goal is to hopefully own a pressurized piston or SETP in the longer future.

I will add my typical 80 percent mission will be 400 mile max cross country trips to visit college friends on weekends, with 2-3 passengers and to just cruise VFR around boring holes in the sky for now and maybe work on IFR proficiency but nothing too crazy.
 
I think that as SEL complex airplanes go a 114B is a really simple airplane to fly - IO-540 engine is bulletproof, the systems are simple, and probably the easiest airplane to land that I can think of. I've owned mine for 7 years and although I have a lot of experience, my son started flying mine right after he got his PPL and he was only 24 years old at the time.

I think obviously you may have some insurance surprises (as in high premium) but as far as flying, these airplanes are really pretty straight forward airplanes to fly.
 
You wont find a more comfortable traveling SEL than the Commander.
 
Hi SbySW. I (until recently) owned a Commander 112 out of YKF and flew about 600 hours on the airframe but also have significant time in the DA40. Both excellent aircraft and now that I have sold my Commander I will likely be renting a DA40 but if making a choice I would choose the Commander for stability and cabin space. The DA40 was also a lot of fun to fly but so hot in the summer and the enclosed cowl makes them a hot start monster.
 
Thanks for the responses everyone.

One last question. Why do the useful loads vary so much on 114b s anywhere from 880 to 1200 lb other than usual additions such as ac or o2 any tips to look for when trying to find the 1150 plus lb useful load planes
 
Some of them also had a "FIKI" system (weeping wing) available and the fluid and equipment adds weight.
Do yourself a huge favor though...Get the factory air!
 
brhoad said:
Some of them also had a "FIKI" system (weeping wing) available and the fluid and equipment adds weight.
Do yourself a huge favor though...Get the factory air!
Click to expand...
I would agree …but in Canada …. he might not need the “air” :)

HA! It’s cold up in that country a lot of the year!

Otherwise, I fly my commander 200-400 hours a year and I cannot say enough good things about the platform, the community, the comfort, the simplicity (I agree it’s by far the easiest landing and easiest flying hipo/complex of any i’ve ever flown/been in), parts availability and more-so the knowledge within this group (and their willingness to help). For me, it’s not the first 4 seat single engine I owned …but it was the 3rd or 4th (in 3-4 years I went through the first 3 before I found this one/my last one) I picked up ..looking for the right one to be my “LIFER” single-engine 4 seat airplane … and it’s definitely gonna be the last one, because it is such a great X-Country airplane and I pretty much fly east of the Mississippi, From Upsate NY to WI,MN, to KY, TN, OH, WV, AL, GA, Florida, Bahamas, etc … and in that kinda target geographical range … I couldn’t hope for more at the price point (purchase & annually) of a Commander … I opted for the 112-TC as it’s similar in performance overall when you consider the up-high flying …to a 114 which is what I had planned to buy .. but there simply weren’t hardly any 114’s available when I was buying that didn’t either need fall paint/interior …or at or near TBO and I wanted something I could buy and fly … fairly immediately.

If you want to fly one … and get anywhere near the Eastern US/Midwest … reach out anytime, I’m happy to come meet up with ya and take you out flying in my 112-TC at least!
 
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