neeed suggestions on buying my first airplane.

[Wesleymac]

I am a frequent business traveler that is wanting to finish my flight training and utilize it for monthly commute between louisiana and california. i lack about 15 hours on my private license and obviously am not an experienced pilot. I have a need for suggestions on a good long range commuter aircraft with which to finish my training and utilize in my business travels. my budget is around 60K to 70K. I also am not in a hurry to make long range flights until i get some hours under my belt and an instrument rating. i really am exited about the resources on the website and would love some words of encouragement and mentorship. i'm just curious as to whether im being realistic with my inexperience and limited budget. thankyou Wes

[sternone]

Get a 70's Mooney. That will fit the bill for you. It's a trueley 'personal' airliner. It's true that it's a problem to load up a mooney with 4 big sized americans with all their luggage and full fuel... BUT if it's only you and somebody else, nothing will beat the mooney on speed/fuel economy. The stability in IFR is amazing i wouldn't want to fly anything else. Search for an early 20J ? or a good 231 ? Good luck in your training.

[navyretread]

You won't find many M20Js and no 231s in your price range without a lot of problems. The Mooney's not a bad call, though. Maybe an M20F? That and the G were the first to go to FI.

Now, let's hear from someone who has actually commuted the kinds of distances you're proposing to fly on a regular basis. As for me, and I admit I'm not that someone, I would seriously question whether that was a good idea in anything that isn't pressurized, turbocharged and maybe a twin (or serves cocktails in first class). Reason being, if you're talking about monthly trips that means a schedule and that and the distances virtually guarantee encountering IMC a lot. IMC in the winter is asking for icing. IMC in summer is asking for thunderstorms.

At any time of year your route is asking for mountains, BIG mountains. BIG mountains and thunderstorms and so on means flying in the flight levels and that means you need the capability to get up to FL200 just to have some gliding distance in case you lose your engine over the Rocks or to clear the minor cumulo nimbus obstructions that you will encounter.

Understand, I think flying once or twice a year to the West Coast and back would be absolutely terrific. But, the only bad IMC is the IMC you have to fly in and that's the scenario you're describing.

So, enough of my raining on Wesleymac's parade. Anyone with better qualifications feel free to tell me I'm AFU.

Regards,

nrt

[Salvatore61]

Wesleymac, I believe you are being a bit unrealistic at this moment. Get your basic training, instrument and whatever and then you will have an opportunity to evaluate several ariplanes for your mission. Traveling in a small and slow airplane between LA and West Coast on a frequent basis doesn't make much sense. I agree with Navyretread ... weather, wind, and topography are a challenge. You do not want to tackle them when tired or worried about the business. Also 60 to 70K airplanes are not for that long journey. They may give you lots of mechanical problems over distance and they are expensive when the failures are away from home where you may know people. If you want single engine for that route you are looking at the Piper Mirage or something similar. My recommendation is that you get your ratings and then figure out the airplane type. Buy a good basic trainer ...C-172 or Piper Warrior ...and go from there.