Some background... I'm a military pilot with about 1,700 hours. I have my ATP and will have my CFII by the end of the month. I'm looking to buy an aircraft for 2 purposes.
1. I want to instruct civilian students. I love instructing and don't get to do enough of it in my reg job. I'd like to instruct PPL and instrument students. This would also help me pay for the operating cost of the plane.
2. I want an aircraft to have fun with the family, and go on trips. I have a wife and 5 young kids.
I'm deciding between a PA32-260 and a PA28-140. Here's the pluses and minuses with each option.
PA32-260
Pluses
- 7 seater is big enough for my family and is the best option for purpose 2.
- better for longer flights. Has autopilot and faster cruise.
Minuses
- Costs about $70k ($35k if I find a partner) and $100/hr to operate.
- Not sure if it's a good platform for new student pilots (complexity and higher performance).
- Will be more difficult to find a partner, which I would need to do to afford this plane.
PA28-140
Pluses
- Best option for purpose 1. Simpler and easier to learn on.
- Cost. Costs about $25k and $60/hr to operate. No need for a partner.
Minuses
- I couldn't take the entire family out flying or on trips.
Please give me some insight. I really like the 260 but I am a bit nervous about making that big of an investment in my first plane. The 140 seems like a more sensible option to start out on, but I would really like to fly with my whole family.
Thanks in advance. Let me know if you need more info to give an opinion.
1. I want to instruct civilian students. I love instructing and don't get to do enough of it in my reg job. I'd like to instruct PPL and instrument students. This would also help me pay for the operating cost of the plane.
2. I want an aircraft to have fun with the family, and go on trips. I have a wife and 5 young kids.
I'm deciding between a PA32-260 and a PA28-140. Here's the pluses and minuses with each option.
PA32-260
Pluses
- 7 seater is big enough for my family and is the best option for purpose 2.
- better for longer flights. Has autopilot and faster cruise.
Minuses
- Costs about $70k ($35k if I find a partner) and $100/hr to operate.
- Not sure if it's a good platform for new student pilots (complexity and higher performance).
- Will be more difficult to find a partner, which I would need to do to afford this plane.
PA28-140
Pluses
- Best option for purpose 1. Simpler and easier to learn on.
- Cost. Costs about $25k and $60/hr to operate. No need for a partner.
Minuses
- I couldn't take the entire family out flying or on trips.
Please give me some insight. I really like the 260 but I am a bit nervous about making that big of an investment in my first plane. The 140 seems like a more sensible option to start out on, but I would really like to fly with my whole family.
Thanks in advance. Let me know if you need more info to give an opinion.
