# Pilots: You must choose any five planes to own, but... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 24, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159 "2017-04-24T19:39:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/21 "2017-04-25T23:53:32Z")
[I want a Super STOL](http://www.wildwestaircraft.com/the-superstol/). Those planes are amazing at getting in and out of small spaces. I also need a [HondaJet](https://corporatejetinvestor.com/articles/ha-420-hondajet-buyers-guide/) for cross-country travel. [Add a Most Versatile Plane (MVP)](http://www.mvp.aero/) for amphibious fun. [A Cessna 182 will be my family truckster.](https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?make=CESSNA&model=182+SKYLANE&model_group=CESSNA+182+SERIES&s-type=aircraft&gclid=CKPwqdflwNMCFRBLDQoddn8EuA) Finally, put me down for a [Piper J-3 Cub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_J-3_Cub) with a larger engine just because I love old, simple planes. If any of the above are not available, my alternate is a [vintage DC-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-3) for the durability and art deco beauty. It needs to have a 1930’s interior complete with sleeper bunks. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/22 "2017-04-26T02:07:49Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Do I have to (hypothetically) pick five aircraft? Yes. See the thread title. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/23 "2017-04-26T04:58:55Z")
1956 C-172-A w/ 180 Lyc & Constant Speed prop, modern avionics. ( Gap seals and other slow/STOL mods without getting ugly. Droop tips OK ) 1965 260 Comanche-B modern avionics etc. Portorfield w/ round engine / or / Ryan PT-22 with the Kinner 5 cyl radial. Any of the early square tailed Cessna 310’s. Spartan Exec. ( Tail dragger version ) Source of new Pvt pilots or new instructor pilot who will ‘safety pilot’ for flight time as I can not get a medical due to medications. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/24 "2017-04-26T23:05:17Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > I want my very own [Schweizer 2-32](http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/463783/12241154/1305563930837/Schweizer-SGS-2-32-s4814DA.gif)! Not the most high-performance aircraft by modern standards, but it was a record setter in its day. There were only 87 ever built, of which about 70 are still accounted for, and they are very much prized. I’ve long had a fantasy to fly one of those, and a few months ago I went and did that – a 30-minute lesson, in the plane in that picture. It was a gas! It took me all of 10 seconds to feel totally at home flying it. > > And, I wouldn’t mind having a Cessna 182 or a Piper Cherokee Archer. > > Eventually, I’d want to try doing some acro. So a plane for that too. Not sure which one I’d want. The above-mentioned 2-32 does acro, although I suppose there are newer and better planes for that. When I was in Air Cadets that’s exactly what I learned to fly in towed behind either a Citabria or Bellanca Scout. We also had a 2-22 with a F-86 stick! Loved flying that , too. I always said they should have wired the trigger switch to the radio but they never did. I had about 75 hours logged.[FJNM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer_SGS_2-33#/media/File:Royal_Canadian_Air_Cadets_Schweizer_233_A.jpg), I had time in her! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/25 "2017-04-27T04:07:33Z")
The title says planes but the first line says aircraft. You’re a rotorhead & have a helicopter as your #2; therefore… 1. [Kubicek](http://www.kubicekballoons.eu/envelopes/model-series/model-z) 90\* (_maybe_ a 105 but probably a 90), along with a nice, new [chase](http://www.mbvans.com/sprinter/shopping-tools/build-and-equip/model-sprinter/bodyType-CV/wheelbase-170/roofheight-high/engine-4x4/gvwr-8550#/appearance/model/sprinter/bodyType/CV/wheelbase/170/roofHeight/high/powertrain/4x4/gvwr/8550) vehicle. Cost ≈ $110m 2. I’ve played (on the ground) with one of [these](https://www.google.com/search?q=powered+paraglider&rlz=1C1SAVI_enUS598US598&oq=powered+paraglider#q=powered+paraglider&tbm=shop). Cost \< $10m 3. ??? Learn to fly fixed wing / learn what “upwind” means & get a Stearman, as others have said. Cost $100-$125m 4. Maybe a [shape](https://www.google.com/search?q=special+shape+hot+air+balloon&rlz=1C1SAVI_enUS598US598&tbm=isch) Cost \< $100m 5. I’ve got over $4.5 mil left - a corporate jet? A WWII fighter? - Balloons are sized in thousands of cubic feet, so a “90” is 90,000 ft[sup]3[/sup] interior space in the envelope. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/26 "2017-04-27T20:59:11Z")
I’m not understanding your termonolgy on prices. When you say your first item is ~$110m, that says to me “one hundred ten million dollars.” Clearly that’s not that you meant. So either you’re not talking US dollars, or your abbreviations aren’t the ones I’m used to. Care to explain for us dummies? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/27 "2017-04-27T22:56:19Z")
- Air Cam on floats - Aviat Eagle II - Super Cub - Lancair 4p - Hot air balloon that looks like Kim Jong-un I’ll take my change in motorcycles. ---
**Author:** ![JHBoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@JHBoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHBoom)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/28 "2017-04-27T23:13:19Z")
- Van’s RV-8 - the VFR hot rod. $100k. - Van’s RV-10 - the family fun plane (the “$100 hamburger” machine) that’s IFR-capable. $125-$150k, depending on how nuts I went with the avionics. - MD Helicopters MD-500E - gotta have a helo… might as well be a fun one. $800k-$1m. - Pilatus PC-12NG - the family travel plane. $3-$3.5m. - North American T-6 Texan/SNJ/Harvard - to properly scratch my warbird itch, I gotta have that round sound. $170-$200k. The RVs would be built by me, saving some money and satisfying that particular burning desire of mine. Buying preowned on the 500 and the PC-12 will save quite a bit as well, leaving plenty of funds for the hangar and GSE, fuel, and maintenance (a decent portion of which I could legally do myself). ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/29 "2017-04-28T02:32:22Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m not understanding your termonolgy on prices. When you say your first item is ~$110m, that says to me “one hundred ten million dollars.” Clearly that’s not that you meant. So either you’re not talking US dollars, or your abbreviations aren’t the ones I’m used to. Care to explain for us dummies? In the bond world & in Roman numerals, “m” = 1000 so the balloon & tricked out chase vehicle are about $110,000. “mm” (1000 x 1000) = $1 million, _sometimes_ it’s also “M” (capitalized). ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/30 "2017-04-28T03:53:13Z")
> [@Weisshund](#): > > FW-190-D9 1.2 billion USD That is one pricey airplane! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/31 "2017-04-28T05:02:19Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > When I was in Air Cadets that’s exactly what I learned to fly in towed behind either a Citabria or Bellanca Scout. [. . .] [FJNM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer_SGS_2-33#/media/File:Royal_Canadian_Air_Cadets_Schweizer_233_A.jpg), I had time in her! That’s a 2-33! I’ve flown those too. Re-read my post and look at the pic again – I want a 2-32 ! Not the same! Here’s another [2-32 pic](http://www.honolulusoaring.com/files/theme/landingbg.jpg). Mid-wing, spacious cockpit – Carries two people in the back seat! [More pics](http://glider-haven.blogspot.com/2012/07/thursday-71212-rides.html) of the 2-32, some with two people in the back. It’s the glider with the red-white-and-blue tail with the big 3 on it. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/32 "2017-04-28T11:07:11Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > In the bond world & in Roman numerals, “m” = 1000 so the balloon & tricked out chase vehicle are about $110,000. “mm” (1000 x 1000) = $1 million, _sometimes_ it’s also “M” (capitalized). Also, back when I was doing print buying, that was how we specified the quantities to be delivered. It’s how the paper was ordered too, as long as you were ordering sheets and not rolls. I’m still trying to decide what to put on my list. Total paralysis. A preview of my current thinking: 2 ‘good’ aircraft, one on the fun side, one on the transport side. Then three hulls to scrap in order to preserve the largest possible amount of that $7.5MM for long term hangar fees, annuals and upgrades, and the all important hours in the air. ---
**Author:** ![ThisOneGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@ThisOneGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisOneGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/33 "2017-04-28T14:21:03Z")
I’m presuming I get to keep my RV-8A, and not count it as one of the five. 1. For backcountry capability a Aviatt Husky or supercub $85,000 2. Something more aerobatic than the RV: Extra 330L: $330,000 3. Can go gliding without needing a tow: Stemme S-10: $400,000 4. For when you want to take a few friends: DC-3 $250,000 5. Because you want a warbird, and I need a project, scratch build a 100% replica Ki-84 Hayate. Use a R-2800 instead of trying to scratch build a HA-45 Homare. Call it $2,000,000 or so? Leaves $4.4M for operating costs, should be enough even to maintain/run the DC-3 and the R-2800. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/34 "2017-04-28T14:39:19Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > That’s a 2-33! I’ve flown those too. Re-read my post and look at the pic again – I want a 2-32 ! Not the same! Here’s another [2-32 pic](http://www.honolulusoaring.com/files/theme/landingbg.jpg). Mid-wing, spacious cockpit – Carries two people in the back seat! [More pics](http://glider-haven.blogspot.com/2012/07/thursday-71212-rides.html) of the 2-32, some with two people in the back. It’s the glider with the red-white-and-blue tail with the big 3 on it. That is very cool! So that’s twice my reading comprehension has failed me…Time for beer. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/35 "2017-04-28T14:45:01Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > In the bond world & in Roman numerals, “m” = 1000 so the balloon & tricked out chase vehicle are about $110,000. “mm” (1000 x 1000) = $1 million, _sometimes_ it’s also “M” (capitalized). I knew the general ref, but it seemed to this IT-ish guy to be archaic enough to call out. In strict contexts I’d use uppercase M for mega, lower case m for milli, and K for kilo. I didn’t know any current industries still use lowercase m for thousand. I figured that usage had died out in the 1950s or 60s. Thanks for the update. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/36 "2017-04-28T17:28:59Z")
Oh Goody! 1. Pilatus PC-12 ( $3.85 million) 2. Mackey SQ-2 with tundra tires ($99,000) 3. 1996 BEECHCRAFT KING AIR 350 ($1,295,000) I’ll probably need the rest for maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![JHBoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@JHBoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHBoom)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/37 "2017-04-28T18:04:12Z")
> [@ThisOneGuy](#): > > I’m presuming I get to keep my RV-8A… NICE! Builder or buyer? Are you on VAF? ---
**Author:** ![ThisOneGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@ThisOneGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisOneGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/38 "2017-04-28T23:49:49Z")
> [@JHBoom](#): > > NICE! Builder or buyer? Are you on VAF? Builder. Not actually flying yet, but should get Wgt&Balance done next week, then time to schedule the DAR. Am on VAF, but mostly lurk there, just like here. ---
**Author:** ![JHBoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@JHBoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHBoom)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/39 "2017-05-05T00:10:39Z")
> [@ThisOneGuy](#): > > Builder. Not actually flying yet, but should get Wgt&Balance done next week, then time to schedule the DAR. > > Am on VAF, but mostly lurk there, just like here. Cool. I’ve been on VAF since '06, when I decided I wanted to build an RV-9… but life happened, and my RV dream is currently on life support (hospice care might be a better descriptor). ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159/40 "2017-05-07T16:52:22Z")
What I’d do with $7.5M: 1. DC-3. I just like ‘em. They represent the airlines’ coming of age, as well as the Allied victory, but they’re mainly just cool. Deal with it. 2. P-51. I hope I don’t have to explain why. 3. Icon A2, just for knocking around and going anywhere, land or water, in something cool. 4. Learjet 25 (since we’re budget-limited or I’d go newer) - the first and still hottest bizjet, good for longer-range airline-free trips. Of course I’d be up front. And I’ve spent a lot of time on those engines. 5. SpaceShip Two. Because space. It’s out of the budget, OK, so I’m just buying a ride. Or three. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-you-must-choose-any-five-planes-to-own-but/785159.md?page=1)