When did it become so difficult to acquire an airplane without spending six figures?
While some people will tell you the U.S. economy is having a tantrum, with prices of nearly everything having risen to heights not seen for years, many general aviation pilots have been dealing with this brand of financial frustration for as long as they can remember.
All things having to do with airplanes, from buying them to fueling, repairing, updating, and storing them, can seem prohibitively expensive. In the past 10 years or so, prices of certain models on the used market have gone from exorbitant to outlandish.
But there are deals to be found for aviators willing to take their time and do their homework. This is especially true for shoppers who wish to purchase an aircraft.
After years of studying the used aircraft market, from poring over sellers’ listings to checking out airplanes at local airports marketed via word of mouth, I have come to know the forgotten, unloved, little-known, oddball, and outlier makes and models that tend to be reasonably priced and within reach of a wider range of aircraft shoppers.
As we all know, airplanes that are inexpensive to buy often turn into money pits after revealing hidden defects, damage, and maintenance needs. Sometimes, though, you can find a nice airplane at a decent price simply because it is not high on many wish lists.
This group of five affordable airplanes, picked from Firecrown Media’s Aircraft For Sale listings, appeal to a range of interests, from training to family travel to aerobatics. My list is meant to reflect the diversity of aircraft available without suggesting that these particular examples are right for every buyer.
In short, you will have to do your own research and vetting to find the machine that fits your needs.
1966 Cessna 150 ($35,000)
So many pilots have trained in Cessna 150s and 172s that the models have been typecast simply as trainers.
Both function well as basic, versatile personal aircraft as well, and while the 172 has soared in price recently, the smaller, more modest 150 is still available for less than $50,000, which arguably is the definition of affordable these days.
The 150 has a lot to offer, including economic value for career-minded pilots wishing to buy an aircraft for training and time building. The model is also a capable, economical cross-country aircraft for pilots traveling alone or with a passenger—and not in a hurry.
The 150’s image also appears to be in transition from unglamorous appliance to charming antique.
1969 Grumman American AA-1 Trainer ($34,900)
Pilots looking for a low-cost transportation and time building with a more sporting feel than the Cessna 150 can look into the Grumman American AA-1, which carries the trainer label but could be a handful for rank beginners.
With handling more like a vintage two-seat sports car, the Grumman has always appealed to pilots training for advanced ratings or building time for commercial or airline careers.
The AA-1 is a descendant of aviation legend Jim Bede’s BD-1, a kitbuilt design that used advanced construction including aluminum honeycomb components and rivet-free bonding of wing skins to increase strength while reducing drag. These features, plus the aircraft’s compact size and engaging flight characteristics, have attracted a loyal following.
1941 Aeronca 65LB Super Chief ($24,900)
Tailwheels have made a comeback of late as more pilots explore remote destinations accessible by short, turf strips.
While a wave of new certified, experimental, and light sport models have appeared to serve this growing backcountry aviation market, aircraft like the Aeronca Super Chief, designed and built before most runways were paved, have also thrived in the adventure flying category.
Many people know the Aeronca Champion, which competed directly with Piper’s classic J-3 Cub. The Champ is a fine, fun-to-fly airplane, but many pilots and most passengers tend to find the Chief, with its side-by-side seating, to be more comfortable than its tandem-seat sibling.
This 1941 example will also get you invited to a lot of antique fly-ins.
Pitts Special S-1S ($65,000)
If your adventurous streak leans more toward aerobatics than off-airport exploration, there are numerous reasonably priced aircraft on the market well suited for aerobatic training and entry-level competition. Aerobatic maneuvers also teach pilots how to safely approach the limits of their aircraft’s performance, as well as their own skills.
This Pitts for sale is a legend among aerobatic flyers. Its design originated in the 1940s and continued to develop for decades afterward, dominating aerobatic competition and minting skilled pilots along the way.
The Pitts also offers owners a bonus: Some pilots say if you can land one without ground-looping, you can land anything.
1967 Mooney M21 Executive 21 ($75,000)
Mooney began building the M20 during the 1950s, and it quickly made a name for itself when early models, powered by 150 hp Lycoming O-320 engines, were able to cruise at 150 ktas. This performance made the aircraft especially appealing to pilots seeking efficiency in the form of high speed and low fuel burn.
One gripe associated with early Mooneys was their compact size and cabins that some passengers found cramped. This 1967 Executive model marked the arrival of the longer Mooneys, which had extended fuselages and more windows that increased legroom and made the cabin brighter and more comfortable for passengers.
Due largely to their advanced age, there are a lot of bargains among Mooneys of 1960s vintage.