These days it’s getting harder to find an RV under $100k, but occasionally there will be one for around $60k give or take, usually a 90’s model RV 6 or 9 with steam gauges.
For someone with a low budget, could it be safe to buy such an aircraft? Naturally I’d have someone experienced with Vans do a thorough pre-buy, check the logs to see if it’s been sitting, etc. I have no plans to ever get IFR rated, so steam gauges don’t bother me. I use ForeFlight and have an Aera 500 as backup if the iPad/stratus goes dark.
I’d prefer an RV 9, as the controls are less sensitive in straight & level flight. Also I don’t do aerobatics. But I’d gladly take a 6 as well. An RV 3/4 can also typically be bought at an affordable price, but I’m likely too tall (6’3”) to fit in those unless the cockpit was customized, and I wouldn’t be mechanically inclined to customize it myself.
In the certified world, you have to be on high alert when you see something like a Skyhawk or Cherokee etc. for a dirt cheap price, as there’s usually a reason. There are buyers who ended up buying money-pits and could’ve saved in the long run buying a $100k+ aircraft. Of course, other than outdated avionics and lackluster paint, some aircraft are in otherwise good condition and pilots who didn’t mind those conditions have been happy with their purchase. So how goes it with RVs?
For someone with a low budget, could it be safe to buy such an aircraft? Naturally I’d have someone experienced with Vans do a thorough pre-buy, check the logs to see if it’s been sitting, etc. I have no plans to ever get IFR rated, so steam gauges don’t bother me. I use ForeFlight and have an Aera 500 as backup if the iPad/stratus goes dark.
I’d prefer an RV 9, as the controls are less sensitive in straight & level flight. Also I don’t do aerobatics. But I’d gladly take a 6 as well. An RV 3/4 can also typically be bought at an affordable price, but I’m likely too tall (6’3”) to fit in those unless the cockpit was customized, and I wouldn’t be mechanically inclined to customize it myself.
In the certified world, you have to be on high alert when you see something like a Skyhawk or Cherokee etc. for a dirt cheap price, as there’s usually a reason. There are buyers who ended up buying money-pits and could’ve saved in the long run buying a $100k+ aircraft. Of course, other than outdated avionics and lackluster paint, some aircraft are in otherwise good condition and pilots who didn’t mind those conditions have been happy with their purchase. So how goes it with RVs?
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