Comparing Models
Hey All, I'm new to all things; flying, piper society, and puppies.
What's the best site to compare piper model specs?
I (think) a piper is for me, but I need some easy side-by-sides to refine the plane for my mission.
Currently training PPL in a C172, flight sim'ing in an Archer and bumming rides in my buddy's Cherokee 6/300.
I'm somewhere between a 160 and a 180, for budget, range, payload, etc.
Let me know - Thanks!
Comments
If you really want some good data to compare everything with get on aviation consumer and sign up. You can download reports for each of the aircraft you're interested in with excellent analysis of the pros and cons of each. Can't exactly compare a 210 to a 150 or a Cherokee 6 to a Cherokee 140.
48 yrs A/P IA DAL aircraft inspector. 172N
Here is my favorite question for this question: what is the mission?
Regarding specs, there are a lot of open source details. Just search on the manufacturer and model (example: Piper Cherokee 6, or Piper PA-32, etc) and sift through a few of the sites.
Probably a good idea to find weight & balance calculators for each plane on the short list as some are more tolerant to having weight in the rear than others. Play around with the numbers to see how CG fits in the plane's envelope at both empty and gross.
After refining the mission and factoring in a budget, set the attributes of each plane (based on requirements of the mission) next to each other, and the decision will easily make itself. 🙂
Given the stage of experience in general aviation, might want to consider working through some of the details with the current CFI in order to frame an approach to the search.
BY FAR THE BEST PLACE TO COMPARE SPECS IS TRADE-A-PLANE. THEY HAVE SPECS FOR ALMOST ANY AIRCRAFT YOU CAN IMAGINE.
DAVE DILLEHAY
DAKOTA N8442A
Hi Steve,
Welcome to Piper Owners! Our member archives of back issues are available online through this site and you will find owner articles on some of the aircraft you might be considering. +1 on all the suggestions so far. Let me add a few more.
You might have the perfect "mission" fit but just not like flying that aircraft! If possible, try to get some left seat time in the makes and models on your short list, and ask your future maintenance shop how much experience they have with your choice, and typical issues they may have seen in the past.
A check for Airworthiness Directives that might affect the cost of ownership in the future would also be in order, as even if the aircraft is perfect for the mission, AD compliance should always figure into the cost of ownership.
If you are close to one of our members and they own something you might be interested in flying, perhaps you guys or gals could share the cost and go to lunch to get Steve some left seat time!
Since you mention you are new to flying there is also the option of building your own airplane! Check out the EAA and AirVenture Oshkosh on the web.
Regards,
Mike