Aviation BS and Photo Thread

This maybe the first time I've heard or read of anyone saying anything resembling praise about the GO-300. Anything's possible I suppose. I was away from the GA scene for about 18 years flying commercially. Been back at the small stuff recreationally for the last 6 or so years, and having a blast with it, but I digress. I'm in agreement with what @ToyotaDriver says about cost and parts availability to maintain the geared 300. If you like the engine, and aren't adverse to tail dragger, the 170B, and Aeronca Sedan with the O-300, I think, are good choices, and fairlyifairly line with your price point. Might be worth hitting up some owner forums, or AMO' s to find out about the cost of operating and maintaining. Even something like a Champ, or 7GCBC, which I pick because I've got some time in both, are good choices if you're not opposed to tandem seating and fabric covering. Piper's are nice, but Cubs, Super Cubs, and Super Cruisers come with a high price tag. Aeronca's and Citabria's can be found at better prices, and I find the wider cabin, lighter control feel, and the much more refined trim system, make them a nicer plane to spend time at the controls. One pilots opinion for what it's worth.

 

I’ll check into cost of operation and cost of maintenance but it’s not a major concern.
Dad looked at the Champ, he really liked it but the wood spars killed the deal.
Really if we could get into a 175 for a decent cost (20 or so) we would be fine doing an STC engine swap down the road.

We’re not adverse to a tail dragger but dad is concerned about me learning to fly in a conventional plane vs a tricycle gear system.

 

Mine from the SD flyover.

 

This was without a doubt the coolest "I rode with the Thunderbirds" video I've ever seen

https://youtu.be/p1PgNbgWSyY

 

definitely.

 

Here’s the advice I’ll give you, sell whatever you have to and dive in head first. Two years ago I turned 30, getting my license has been something on my list since I was a kid, I knew if I didn’t do it then, it would get increasingly harder every year.

I sold my KTM and Scrambler, took lessons 3-4 days a week. Studied my ass off and was ready for the checkride in under 4 months. It was worth it, I learned much faster and spent much less.

After I got my license I sold my Tacoma and bought a 46 C120. I borrowed/shared my moms car for over a year until I saved up enough for a down payment on another Tacoma (just bought a gently used 2015 last month!). Now I’ve got my license, my bird and my Tacoma! It was worth every bit of the sacrifice!

 

Nice bird. Looks like intermediate terrain tires on it? That was kind of one of those Ron Burgundy statement questions.

 

Beautiful plane, but you left the tail out of the picture I've always liked the rounded tail on the earlier Cessnas

 

Hopefully when this whole pandemic thing goes away and people start flying again (I keep my job) I am hoping to buy a C140 or C170 someday myself! Nice work making a plan and sticking to it. I'm glad it paid off for you!!

Me too. I'm a big fan of the classic round tail.

 

Ha. They are in fact the AeroClassic 8.50x6 tires. They are the smallest tundra tires you can buy at 22”. And for $300/ea, about as cheap as anything gets in aviation.

Thanks! I love it! Here’s a tail shot for you.

 

The 120/140 is highly recommended from me! It’s a great first airplane and it’s a load of fun. I’d love a 170B someday, but their prices are getting up there. I’d love one with the 180hp O360.

My 120 has an O290, it’s a big upgrade for the bird and a lot of fun.

 

If I had a choice, I'd go for a C180 since I have two sons that will hopefully be obsessed with airplanes too. Hard to fit a family of 4 in a C120/140. But, time will tell how long the airlines industry takes to recover - meaning how long until my income recovers.

 

Yea it’s a tough situation out there right now. If you can hit the peaks and valleys right you might be able to get a good deal on a bird when you’re back in work. Prices tend to settle a little in a rough economy.

 

Gorgeous Cessna! I'm a big fan of the taildragger Cessna's too. That would be my dream, to get my tailwheel endorsement and get a small taildragger on tundras.

I love the carpe diem sentiment in your post. I'm very much of the same opinion. I think if I owned my own bird like that I'd definitely make excuses to go fly. How is the 120 to fly? How did the old style rounded rudders affect the flight characteristics?

 

They look great on your 120. Give it a really nice stance. And as much as I like polished aluminum 120's/140's, I'm pretty partial to yellow airplanes.

 

Thanks! It’s the perfect tire for this airframe.

I agree I wasn’t sure about the yellow at first, but now I can’t imagine anything but yellow. Polished is great but tons of upkeep.

 

It flies amazing. I don’t miss the flaps at all, and I think the bird is small enough that the rounded tail doesn’t affect flight characteristics. I’ve landed in some pretty stuff crosswinds and it’s flown beautifully. I think these birds are under rated for crosswind performance. These are also great airplanes to get your feet wet in backcountry flying.

The reason I decided to buy is because I knew i would fly more, and in the end it would cost a lot less. These old birds do not depreciate.

 

I love this

 

I'm on the St. Clair River...close by Selfridge. Saw the first pair of A10's at about 1000' in well over 2 yrs river following.. Always a treat, but used to be frequently, like almost daily frequency. More frequent now are the fuelies...they go by quietly, and I'd say 3500'