Give me a Cessna Skyhawk or Skylane anyday. All those fancy glass panels are fine for someone who wants to fly for an airline, but the average instrument pilot doesn't need starship Enterprise readouts as much as they need more time in the clag. I like steam gages. Oh and the chute seems to work well....it has been pulled enough times for a new plane. I just wonder what happend to forced landing skills.

What if your over the ocean some where? Gonna whip out the floats? :-lol

>lol.. true... im in cypress... i take it your in tomball?I'm a half a block north of 1960 accross from willowbrook mall area.

Huffmeister and Cypress N. Houston. Would like to move out towards Indigo Lakes off of Roberts Cemetary though and build.

:-lol :-lol :-lol :-lol :-lol-JeremyThe Ozark DogfighterHappy Flying!

This thread is almost better than late-night TV...IMO you can't JUSTIFY the purchase of an airplane, or at least not one in the Cirrus class. If you aren't ready to plunk down $175K-250K, you're not being realistic in terms of a new, 4-seat (spec sheet wise, anyway) airplane.I learned to fly in 172s, and they're nice, basic airplanes that have seen their useful load decline as more and more toys have found their way into the airplane. The 172R that I last flew has an 800-900 lb. useful load - not too much different than an SR20.Over the last three years, I've built up 20-25 hours in the SR20, and, at least for me, it's a LOT more fun and satisfying airplane to fly than the other in-class airplanes (Archer, etc.). It also boasts some rather obvious safety advantages over any other certificated 4-seat aircraft.AND - for those folks that want to buy an airplane but can't come up with the dough for a new G2 SR - In My Opinion the deals to be had are for the "old" SR20s that have Round Gauges rather than the Avidyne glass displays - as much as I love the Avidyne stuff, if it were my dime, I'd look for a deal on a "round gauge" SR20, because everyone seems to want the New Tech and yet - the original SR20 is a very nice airplane and again IMO, a better ride in many ways than any 172.Dave Blevins

I really like Cirrus, a lot going in their favor, but my problem is when it comes to spending $175k to $250K on a used plane, which is what a used Cirrus would cost, there is SO much else out there to consider.Remember, many of us can fly just fine with steam gauges and a Garmin 430 / 530. Glass is nice, but when you come from the "steam school", and have a moving map display in the cockpit, glass is not a must-have.For that kind of money, a used Beech A36 or Piper Saratoga, both with club seating is very tempting, and lets not even talk about the twins one can get for even less money! I can get a drop dead loaded Piper Aztec or Cessna 310 for $175K, and for $250K I could get a nice Navajo.Yeah, I know, the twins are insurance / maintenance hogs, but I am just comparing what you get for what you pay.Indeed, if I were looking at a new Piper Arrow / Archer vs. a new Cirrus, the Cirrus wins, hands down!Let us also remember that many new aircraft are purchased by individuals who can take advantage of business write offs / tax benefits when buying new as opposed to used. Others are just purchased by individuals for whom $250K is the same as $2500 for most folks! ;-)Ultimately, glass aside, I need a plane where I can fill the tanks and fill the seats with four average adults + a bit of baggage, and when it comes to that, it's hard to beat my 1980 Piper Dakota. A Cirrus SR20 cannot compete, and an SR22 just does not offer enough for the price difference (3+ times the price of my Dakota).Yup, Cirrus is selling well, but they have yet to put Cessna and Piper out of business. They will never be the one-airplane-fits-all, not with just 4 seats and their current useful loads.Also, that parachute has yet to make them "darlings" of the insurance industry either. Insurance is no bargain on a Cirrus.Oh, what about Lancair? It may not have a parachute, but it does have glass, and it still out-performs a Cirrus. Mooney ain't so bad either!Honestly? If I had $175K to $250K+ to spend on an airplane, I would certainly look at Cirrus, but it would not be an automatic "win" for me.There's just something about a 1978 Cherokee Six, with club seating, refreshment console, and a tremendous useful load that would be very tempting for about $130K!http://www.aso.com/aircraft/92622/ext-2.jpghttp://www.aso.com/aircraft/92622/int-1.jpgMay not be a fast, may not have glass, may not have a 'chute, but insurance will be less, and it will carry a heck of a lot more load!Regards,http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx/images/F...R_FORUM_LOU.jpg

when we come to that, if i was after the payload, the piper 6XT would be my way to go. Saw a demo at DWH back in may. I was blown away. Full glass with avidyne/garmin 430. 156knt cruise, turbo, 800NM range *yes could be better, but then again, turbo charged* 6 seats, nicely covered in upholstered leather... :-kewl. Very nice plane, A/C cooled it down in a matter of seconds almost in teh 103 degree houston heat. Extremly quiet. All that storage between the motor and panel lowers the noise a whole lot. I was able to talk to the salesman in a normaly speaking voice... Not a bad plane at all..http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/123564.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/123565.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/123566.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/123567.jpg

Very nice Chase. I hope one of these days at my flight college we'll get some glass. Right now I'm training in Diamond Eclipses and I love that airplane. Not roomy and the seats are uncomfortable on long flights, but it's slick and fast for a primary trainer while sipping gas. Can't wait to try out a DA-40 with a G1000. Though I'm curious how the Avidyne system compares to the '1000.

>Though I'm curious how the>Avidyne system compares to the '1000. That's probably the same question & answers, such as what sim is best. :D Last year, I got to "play" with a Garmin 1000 a bit, in a new Cessna 182. Since I've used Garmin aviation GPS's for over 12 years, I'm more "pro" Garmin.But then two weeks ago, I got a "demo" in the latest & greatest Cirrus, with the newest Avidyne setup including terrain, terrain warning, Jeppeson type airport plates, and XM Sattelite weather. This system was also very impressive. I would be content with either system!L.Adamson

Stop it! Lou, Chase, you guys are killing me. I want those airplanes, they are just beautiful. I have to agree with you, Lou, that Piper is a sweet thing, pretty to look at, good performance and carries all you would want.Best regards.Luis

personally, im more on the avidyne kick with dual garmins. :)

piper 6XT is a good bird.. :)

Unbelievable folks,You live right next door to me,I'm at West Little York and H6.Should go out for a drink one day.Dom

never knew so many simmers were in houston..Cypress N Houston and Huffmeister..