5 Personal Airplanes You Can Buy For Less Than $20,000 

So sorry if my voice is not audible enough. Apparently I still suck very much at making RU-vid videos 😛Pls turn the volume UP. You can redeem your experience by watching 5 personal planes you can buy on a car's budget here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IaFolrcK2Lg.html

I'm a retired private pilot on disability and just wanted to thank you for all the hard work you put in on making your videos. This one gave me hope again that I might one day own a small airplane. I am very partial to low wing aircraft, particularly the Ercoupe and the Piper line of aircraft like the Tomahawk. I got my license back in 1975 in an Ercoupe and Cessna 150. I miss the sky and live vicariously through your videos. Again, Thank you for your efforts. Cheers.

Cessna released both the 120 and the 140 in 1946. The 120 was the "economy" version, without electrical system, main wings without flaps, and side windows only in the doors. The 140 had an electrical system, a simple flap system, and aft quarter windows. Both 120/140 main wings were fabric clad. Many 120/140's have had the main wings re-clad in aluminum, and it's hard these days to find a 120 that hasn't had full electrics installed, as well as the rear quarter window. There are also certificates out there allowing upgrades to more powerful engines. The later Cessna 140A was introduced in 1949 with a brand new wing that was shared with Cessna's Military O-1/L-19 Bird Dog. This was an aluminum clad structure with squared wing tips, fowler type flaps, and a different profile than the older wing. The v-type under-wing struts of the 120/140 models was replaced by a single strut. It's the same wing that was used on the later Cessna 170, 150/152, 172 and 182. Landing gear geometry on Cessna 120/140 was such that it wasn't hard for inexperienced pilots to flip them on their back under hard braking conditions. A kit was available to move the wheels forward a few inches to reduce the risk of a tail-over. The Cessna 140A had it's main landing gear canted a few degrees forward to stave off this tendency. Any of them are sweet aircraft, easy to maintain, very simple, superb as teaching aircraft, and a lot of fun, allowing any pilot to build up hours while not breaking the bank. They are also very loud inside, even with a high quality headset, and in warm climates, can be hot in the foot wells. Side windows are opened in flight to help......note the 120 in the video!!

Haa! I know that dude hand propping the Luscombe! The later model Luscombe 8E and F have electric systems, but hard to find under $20k.

I own a luscombe 8e and spent a long time researching this plane and similar planes. You can find super cheap ones but for anyone truly looking for a plane like this, if you bump up your price range to the 22-25k zone you will get a very presentable and flyable plane. And these taildraggers will teach you so much about flying.

6:15 that’s a nice feature for dodging birds.

Im only 14 years old and i want a plane! I only have 150 dollars but im saving up Whoa: 276 likes?!

"cheap airplanes" I'm not sure if those 2 words go together very well !

Hey Mike, love your videos man. I’m a trainee pilot and I stumbled across your channel and all your videos are awesome. 👊🏽👊🏽

Mike...excellent! Memories....tail wheel training in a Cessna 120 before the endorsement was required. Picked up an Ercoupe in Perry, Oklahoma and flew her home to Jenison, Mich. ( no rudder pedals) and a blast to fly with the sliding sides of the canopy open ( they drop into the fuselage sides giving you an open cockpit) Did my instrument training and spin training ( note..the rear fuselage/rudder reinforcement was installed) in the Tomahawk. Stalls are gentle..spins..right now..recovery standard. One can over rotate the Tomahawk and the nose will pitch up steeply causing an abrupt and uncomfortable situation but you really need to be out of sinc to do that. She is a wonderful bird to fly and as you can tell..I have fond memories in 93Papa. Thanks for posting this!

I paid 1,500 dollars for my first airplane, a J-3, in 1974. That was the going price then. Bought a Champ a few years later for even less.

I learned to fly in a Tomahawk 42 years ago. Seeing it made me smile! ;-)

I had a fairly old flight instructor when I was getting my tail dragger endorsement in my 1954 Cessna 170B. He called the ercoupe the scarecoupe. Apparently he managed to get one in a flat spin that went all the way to the ground. He survived but does not have fond memories of the plane understandably.

Awesome of you to mention the Ercoupe M G! I may get a Mooney model for short cross country trips/burgers/camping.

I also did some flying in a Tomahawk back in the early 80's and after they changed the wing the plane still has some scary stall characteristics. Just as you approach the stall the plane can shudder violently and if you look back at the T-tail you will see it wobbling wildly. I had heard stories of it actually jamming the rudder and elevators during a stall.

Thanks Mike, this is stuff you just don't get to see that often! Amazing you were able to locate so much of it. Great video!

Now I Really Enjoyed Watching this. Gives me a some insight I didn't have

I currently own 2 Luscombes. Both have electrical systems. (E & F models) My E has a 115hp Lycoming O-235. They are great airplanes!

I love the Piper tomohawk, I learnt to fly in it and it is so much fun to just whip around in it. The landing on it is great too

Thanks mike, keep making precise and less noisy videos. Loved the music at the end.

I soloed in the Piper Tomahawk. The T-tail is used to prevent pitch change when throttle up or down. I easily moved to a Piper Cherokee afterward. I love flying both.

That’s a nice Cessna 120. The one I flew in the 80’s had a pull starter! I needed a cushion behind my back so I could reach the rudder pedals. That taylor craft is a beauty.

Thank you pal, great review! As expected, the Piper and the Cessna are almost a full airplanes on the list, and even can do a minor paying tasks, especially a 120.

During my first 200 hours of flying, almost 1/2 was in the Cessna 120/140. Fine plane for two people and fast enough to go places in.

I’ve been lucky enough for to fly all these planes but the tomahawk and I would pay the going price for any of them. Very good video presentation. Thanks for sharing. I kinda stumped across your channel a while back and really enjoy your video. Keep up the good work

Had a 1947 piper supercruiser . Great plane . Fabric tail dragged. Almost impossible to stall , just mushed.

love your videos. simple and to the point.

Love it thanks for the info!

As a former aircraft owner (15 altogether) It is not how cheap they are it is how much it costs to keep them up. Parts all have to be FAA PMA certified (not cheap) annual inspection, hangers space, AD's that must be complied with, fuel and insurance cost. Not to mention engine overhauls. I have owned 3 Mooneys, 4 Pipers PA 28-140 one PA 28-160, 4 Cessna 172s, One Cessna 152. I am a retired FAA DPE and chief pilot for a large corporation. Before you purchase any aircraft look into the cost of owning.

Piper Tomahawk to my knowledge came with 112 hp. The 125 was an upgrade with high compression pistons.

My first ride was at age 8 in a 140. My brother took me up and I knew right then that I had had to learn to fly! Big difference in the C140 over the C120 is metal wings and flaps. The 140 became the Cessna trainer and the predecessor to the Cessna 150 and the 152.

Tomahawk : I am a career aviator & engineer and worked on the first Tomahawks. As an instructor, I was more used to Kingair and the like. The Tomahawk is a GOOD surprise : anyone can fly de Havilland DH82a Tiger Moth (my initial type), a PA34 Seneca. BUT: fly these two WELL...and they will reward the pilot. The Tomahawk is the same. It is the best of the primary trainers - and I have used each one of them in this role, with students as young as 12 yr. The (low wing) visibility saved me from a mid-air when dumb C182 driver dumped his plane within one metre of my canopy. Had I been using a PA140, C150 etc, I would not be writing g this note of appreciation to a fine little trainer. CAUTION: nose u/c stroke is very long...but under-damped....prop strikes happen on rough/uneven surfaces.

That Ercoupe footage was taken at KFDK (Frederick MD). I've seen it over my house a few times

2:00 that ercoupes front wheel looks like its seen some crosswind.

This is the airplane I learned to fly in and bought from my CFI. I loved it mine was a 1947 8 A with rudder pedals and a C 65. Sweet traveler. I paid $6500 for it. Cruised at 110mph to 120mph. Cesna 120s are rare. Tomahawk was a.sweet simple craft to fly but I didn't like the solar oven cockpit. My PA 28 modified to tail dragger was a nice aircraft. I always preferred the side by side with stats on the CG and nicer to communicate with passenger and also way easier to get in. The T craftsnwere hugely popular in the 60s and could usually be found in good airworthy condition for for 3 to 5 grand. Nearly as flyable as a cub. By the way, I'm in my 70s. That's why I know. Haha.

I love my Tomahawk. Had it for near 20years now. Some great STC's to upgrade it's performance. Best bang for the buck. I would add the Aeronca chief 11A as well to the list. Thanks for posting the video.

Mike good coverage on these. Years ago i wanted the most basic. Now I'm thinking again.

Left out the Air-knocker Aeronica Champ, 65HP engine tail-dragger. Learned to fly in one in a sod field. There are some made in the 80s as well as the original pre-war models out there.

"it only costs $18,000 so it won't drain your entire bank account" heh, think again

Hi Mike , I'm doing the training for microlights in uk and i was looking for a channel to learn more things i found your channel, I didn't have time yet to check all videos but I'm looking for tricks how to make the perfect landing, Congratulations with your channel take a lots of time and energy to.make all this videos .

My dad retired from captaining the 747-400 over the Pacific Ocean, and immediately went out and bought a Luscombe, that could take off from the wingspan of a 747. The hardest part was learning not to flare at 60'. :-) Also, add in the Piper Cherokee, with several good flying airframes for under $20k, and great gentle stall characteristics. Great video.

Great videos! Keep up the good work and we'll keep watching !!

Mike, thank you very much for all of your videos. Great work, and, appreciated by all of us aviation buffs. If you keep it up, you'll end up like Dan Johnson, with a huge library of videos about all sorts of planes- from LSA's to jet fighters! I too, notice that occasionally- it's hard to understand your running commentary, almost as if you are just a few inches to far away from the microphone. When you have music in the background- it's more noticeable tho. Keep them coming, and, I really liked the Merlin PSA review- it excites me to think that you could be flying, after building you own plane no less- in less than a year (without the builder assist program). I liked that the gentleman who was building his own, was incorporating many high end mods into his (IFR instrumentation, ham radio, etc...) just to give a builder an idea of what is possible in that single seat aircraft. Thanks again!

My father had a Luscombe 8 when I was a kid in the 70s, n he used to take me up in it. It's a beautiful and elegant little buddy. now that I'm getting into flying myself, I'm taking a longer look at one. such simple construction with aluminum and fabric covered wings, and I'll never forget how he used to have to hand spin the prop to get it started, throwing one leg up in the air. it was something like out of World War II. :) man Those Were the good old days. Miss u Papa.

Informative and pleasant video! Good job!

Can you do a video on Bush planes for under 40K or kit / Experimental planes under 40 or 50k

This video is so informative thank you so much I’ve been trying to find a cheap airplane

Some nice looking planes.

Thank you for this video very helpful information!

Great video! Thanks for the up!

very nice aircraft thank you ... Mike for the very good information

Great video! Thanks for the info, I love planes!

Great video brother. Thanks for giving us some insight.

Mojo, I enjoy your videos. You do a good job ( but do need to boost the volume a bit). Can you give us links to where you prefer to shop for planes? Thanks again & keep up the good work.

Great video. Well done and very interesting.

At almost 60 I purchased a1938 Aeronca Chief after only a few hours in a Cub. I flew it “home” with my instructor, took instruction in it and soloed in my own plane. I paid 14,000 for it and now have a total of about 17,000 total in it with new Slick mags. To me the experience of learning and soloing in my own plane is priceless. One drawback of a Chief is the low useful payload, about 350 lbs. Cruise speed is 90 and I don’t think I’ve ever burned over 4 gallons an hr, usually about 3.5. gallons per hr. It has an up exhaust continental 65 and I love it.

This is a GREAT channel!!! Love it!

Fly a 120, so I'm biased......they are AWESOME!

Track down a Luscombe 8F Observer. Being unique among Luscombes, collectors found most of them.

ive flown in 1946 aronca chef several times @i,llnever forget it.

The Piper looks so cool

Hey could you do a video on ultralights? I have a feeling a lot of people would like to see that video too!

I learned to fly in a t'hawk. Loved that little bird...

Great video. It was a little hard to hear because the music was a little loud or your mic was too low but I still enjoyed it. Keep up the great work!

At 5:00, am I super drunk, or is this airplane wiggling as you walk around it?

that drone ad was awesome I have to check that out and get the lowdown on it

Mike Awesome Video. I am looking for a Tomahawk after watching.

This is awesome. Thanks for inspiring.

What a great video. Love the taylorcraft.

Ide love to buy one of these.. buddy owns a small jet G6 I believe.. things great to take a long weekend to the coast

2:17 my home city Frederick :)

My first ride was in my grandfather's 1947 cessna 140

I’m a tomahawk pilot, great planes to fly. Weird ones tho. And yes the wing drop you can experience in stall can be something to get used to

Good video, I had a ERCOUPE IN 1972, can't land in winds of 15 m.p.h. or more.

Hi Mike; Great channel. My fam will be buying an airplane soon as I can get my training and the cheese. Keep sharing the wisdom.

I love the tomahawk it is so easy to fly

I love old school planes with no electronics. So easy to deal with and makes you better

Interesting compilation - all planes will be a good proof for your flying skills. I'm very pleased about flying a Piper PA 22 Colt from 1962. 108 PS, rd. 100 mph, 550 lbs useful load, Range ca. 500 mi for 14.000 bucks. It's still a cheap and solid alternative.

"You Don't have to spend your entire life savings" oh contrar, these airplanes would be my life savings and then some 😂

No apologies needed. Your videos are fine. I watch them all. Keep them coming.

The Luscombe also takes a lot of stick and rudder skills to competently fly.

These taildrager Cessna's are handsome aircraft. I'd like to see you do a report on vintage Mooneys.

Excellent video thank you for sharing. Being from California it's so easy to end up paying for cars. Now I'd rather fly. For $18000 it looks so much more exciting to fly than have a car payment. To those who can fly enjoy.

Thanks. Now i feel compelled to buy one.

Absolutely Excellent video Brother

Very good Mike very interesting. How about reviewing the Piper tripacer P22

I took pilot lessons in 1963, when I was 17 (6 hours) but needed at least 8 hours to solo. We flew in a 1946 Piper Cub & an Aironca Champion (not sure of the spelling)! Ubfortunately, another student 16 year old Steve C. crashed the "Champion' & was killed & th school was shut down or went out of business ( BLAIRSTOWN AIRPORT, NJ! They offered to sell the PIPER for $1000. but I felt that it was too much money for a then 16 year old plane, but after seeing this video, I guess it would have been a very good deal!

Note: Many Ercoupes still have fabric wings. The good news is the C model is LSA approved. (without modes of course)

Nice job on the video. Although the aircraft may be inexpensive, it's usually the upkeep that is the most expensive part of airplane ownership. Not to mention that some of these aircraft are more than sixty years old.

5:05 YAY! the Traumahawk!

I love the Tomahawk.

what was the first blue pin striped plane in the very beginning? love that set up, totally cool. small plane, hanger.....all in the back yard. I just flew in an ultralight class for the first time a few days ago and i imagine that maintenance wise these old planes seemingly could be reliable. they are incredibly simple in build and the quality i saw seemed solid.

Mojo you are doing alright keep doing what you are doing.

I love your channel. Thanks for the information. Do you have a video about float planes?

Learning to fly, I flew the 150, 152, and the Tomahawk. I much preferred the Tomahawk.

Can you do a video specificly on the Stinson 108? I was looking at your other videos and I didnt see anything about it, can you make a video on it please?

Have you heard any chat above the FAA adding more aircraft into the sport category? Like the Grumman AA1 ,or the AA1C.

Sounds good but will they have metal fatigue and break up in the air ?

Would have loved to see your thoughts on the Piper Aztec?

Hey man, can I ask you where you got the footage from with the Cessna 120?