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Not an owner, but looking...

D

Det-X6

New member
Hello all,
My name is George and i'm new here. Currently working on my PPL but was looking to purchase my first airplane. from comparing the different aircraft models and types to my budget, came down to piper arrow or commander 112. Was looking for something that would fit 4 people comfortably since i have a small family, and not everyday that i would be buying a plane, so i thought buy one and grow in it along with the family. I would love to get a commander since it is roomy and comfortable inside with its wide cabin, BUT my main concern is finding replacement parts like (instrument panel cover replacement) when things do break or wear and tear.

Also i have not flown a commander which i would love to try out if possible, before i make a final decision if someone has one in NJ that would like to go fly :) thanks
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

George a bunch of us in NJ and vicinity. Where are you located , roughly ?
This coming weekend is the annual commander fly-in in GA but I see no reason why someone couldn't show off their Rockwell after that. I am

Parts - some parts like skins are harder to come by but not nearly as hard as you would think. Most parts are shared across pipers and common vendors. 18 yrs flying mine.
No issues.

I am based in KABE - not that far
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

I am sorta in your shoes, except I bought my Commander already. Student pilot still but I purchased a Commander for the reasons you listed.

This forum is a wealth of information, very knowledgeable people and the plane has a great support system. If you are looking for a plane contact Judi at http://suncoastaviation.com
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

Yeah thanks, i know i been looking around for something reasonable within my budget.

JamieK said:
I am sorta in your shoes, except I bought my Commander already. Student pilot still but I purchased a Commander for the reasons you listed.

This forum is a wealth of information, very knowledgeable people and the plane has a great support system. If you are looking for a plane contact Judi at http://suncoastaviation.com
Click to expand...
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

So what is your budget?
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

For first airplane, around 40K.
i know it is hard to find something decent in that range, but i have seen 2 that were close to it. and 112 would probably be within that range.

wab003 said:
So what is your budget?
Click to expand...
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

112 for 40k?

I would be VERY cautious about looking for any plane type that is at the bottom of a typical price range. Your 40k can turn into 65k real quick - especially if you do not work on it yourself.
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

$40k will get you a plane you will need to sink another $40k into.
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

There is cost of acquisition and then there is OPEX.

You will spend ~$2K for the inspection part the annual.
Anyone who is doing it for $800 is doing it primarily themselves

Your TCO - annualized :
Annual -
- insurance
- hangar
- misc tear & tear
- variable - OPEX

+ Investments (ADS-B compliance, etc etc).


Assume you're buying a $100K airplane.
If you spend $40K to get it - someone didn't put in $60K of regular maintenance investment in it. - It has now deteriorated - and being "priced to move".

Figure out what that will cost you ..

Same thing btw - I wouldn't buy a $250K Piper Malibu.


$40K - is a very well maintained Cessna 152 .
 
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Re: Not an owner, but looking...

I'll take you for a ride at N51 anytime.
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

Call Judi ...
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

Det-X6 said:
For first airplane, around 40K.
i know it is hard to find something decent in that range, but i have seen 2 that were close to it. and 112 would probably be within that range.
Click to expand...

Well, if you look and end up scaling the budget up a bit, I can get you in a well maintained 112A with modern avionics and a lower time engine for 65K. No deferred maint. Annual in August and needs no up front maintenance investment.
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

Everyone on this board will tell you that if you can get Bill Bailey's y-maintained 112 for $25K more than a run-out, over-worn 112 for $40K, that is a bargain at twice the price. Go sell Cutco Knives for a year, or apples on the corner, something, anything. You'll save the difference the first year in a hearbeat. Ask Bill to throw in 5 hours of "familiarity flights" (he will, I'm sure) and you'll have the benefit of flying with one of our best pilots as well. You cannot go wrong on this deal.
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

N4843W said:
Everyone on this board will tell you that if you can get Bill Bailey's y-maintained 112 for $25K more than a run-out, over-worn 112 for $40K, that is a bargain at twice the price. Go sell Cutco Knives for a year, or apples on the corner, something, anything. You'll save the difference the first year in a hearbeat. Ask Bill to throw in 5 hours of "familiarity flights" (he will, I'm sure) and you'll have the benefit of flying with one of our best pilots as well. You cannot go wrong on this deal.
Click to expand...

+1 on this. Nice autopilot and very nice avionics. Bill's Commander is one of the very few I'd be perfectly comfortable jumping in and flying across the U.S. without a concern.
 
Re: Not an owner, but looking...

+2. you don't get a better well maintained 112A anywhere than Bill's! clean, nicely improved, great panel.
CNX480, GTX330ES, WX500, JPI, PMA8000 Audio, STec60-2 a/p w/alt. hold. In 2016 new Aspen 1000 w/SVT and ADS-B upgrade...

Judi
 

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Re: Not an owner, but looking...

Lets put it in perspective - that avionics stack

- CNX480 - $4K + install
- GTX330ES - $1500 + install
- WX500 $4K + install
- PMA8000 $1500 + install
- STEC60 + Alt hold - $15K
- Aspen EFD1000 + SVT + ADSB - $10K

Thats $30K worth of excellent avionics , installed already in a clean airframe.

Even a $40K neglected airframe will need some (most of these avionics) and they will cost ~$40K+ to buy and install.

I wish I had an option like this when I bought my plane. I don't want to give you the shock value to having to do these installs yourself ($$) + downtime + integrating the systems while doing gremlin exorcism.

My advice to new owners - these are complex airplanes. Please look at a partnership opportunity if you don't want to go it alone.

But if you end up buying a neglected airplane because the price was right you had better be an A&P. it will be HARD to bring it to snuff. YMMV.

Else you're better off with a simpler airframe like a c172. You can fix that with a 2x4 ..
 
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Re: Not an owner, but looking...

I would have jumped on his plane.
 
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