Good Morning, I am in the process of downsizing my aircraft, I have a C-206 that I have been flying for many years and am looking for the following: tandem seat, taildragger, under $50K purchase price. This will be a fly-for-fun aircraft, short trips for breakfast, landing the desert dry lake beds, sightseeing. I am based at Big Bear CA, 6750' with DA of 9000' in summer. I've never owned a taildragger, any suggestions for ACA models and where to look for one?
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Which Citabria should I Buy?
- Thread starter GDS
- Start date
GDS,
With a purchase price of 50K and a DA of 9000', I'd suggest something with at least 150 HP. Some of the earlier Decathlon's have 180 HP with a CS prop. If you could find one of those, it'd help with those high DA's. I don't think the early Citabria's had a 180 hp option, but they certainly have an STC for one now.
The post ACA aircraft have wood spars in the wings. That's not an issue, if the airplane is cared for and religiously inspected for spar cracks. Some owners outfitted those wood spar wings with new metal spar wings from ACA. To each his own, but a thorough inspection of the spars, either wood or metal is in order prior to purchase.
If you'd like to perform aerobatics, then buy a Decathlon. If you don't care about that a Citabria is fine. If you'd like to carry a load, buy a Scout. If you don't care about any of the above, then just buy the best example of either one of those that you can find.
Hopes this helps.
Jon
P.S. Wish you were a little closer, I'd take a look at your 206.
With a purchase price of 50K and a DA of 9000', I'd suggest something with at least 150 HP. Some of the earlier Decathlon's have 180 HP with a CS prop. If you could find one of those, it'd help with those high DA's. I don't think the early Citabria's had a 180 hp option, but they certainly have an STC for one now.
The post ACA aircraft have wood spars in the wings. That's not an issue, if the airplane is cared for and religiously inspected for spar cracks. Some owners outfitted those wood spar wings with new metal spar wings from ACA. To each his own, but a thorough inspection of the spars, either wood or metal is in order prior to purchase.
If you'd like to perform aerobatics, then buy a Decathlon. If you don't care about that a Citabria is fine. If you'd like to carry a load, buy a Scout. If you don't care about any of the above, then just buy the best example of either one of those that you can find.
Hopes this helps.
Jon
P.S. Wish you were a little closer, I'd take a look at your 206.
Thanks, Jon, that helps. the 206 sold yesterday to some guys in Alaska... I'm not too interested in aerobatics, some spins once in awhile is about it. The Scouts are the most interesting to me but command a >$50K purchase price. I've been narrowing down on the Citabria because of the availability, price and some models have 150HP.