Budget Buys: 5 aircraft under $40K

AOPA resources for buying an aircraft:

Connect with us on social media!



*This offer is only valid for first-time members and is limited to one AOPA Trial Membership. You must reside in the U.S. AOPA Trial Membership is available free for 3-months, a credit card and enrollment in automatic annual renewal is required at sign up and you will be charged for a full year of membership at $89 once your trial expires. 100% no risk trial – cancel at any time before the end of your trial to prevent charges.

[FLHTdriver]

Flew a C-140 for many years with rag wings. Converted her to 0-200 and that made a world of difference in climb and cruse. It only took about another half gallon per hour of fuel. If I was buying my first aircraft the C-140 would be my pick out of the bunch you listed. The C-140 will teach you to fly tailwheel without scaring you. The 140's seem to keep there value also. Moved up to a Citabria from there so I could carry all of our camping gear.

[alankordzikowski]

Just 3 years ago these planes were featured in 5 planes for under $20k….so sad

[Jerry]

I have a few hours in the Champ. I love the plane and flying it from the front seat. I also like the view from the cockpit and that you can see equally out both sides of the plane.

[flyod]

Great video, not flashy but full of amazing info. Please AOPA more like this!

[flyingfalcon]

The 140 will always have a special place in my heart.

[brent]

A zenith 601xlb is a better buy than all of these 2 seaters. Very similar price but with a roomier cockpit and much better performance. Plus experimental ones are much cheaper to maintain than any of these certified options in the long run.

[wccborn]

I LOVEEEE my 140. It is a fantastic "jack of all trades" airplane.

[edl]

Love trail draggers. I could not get a recreational license due to an inner ear problem that affected my equilibrium.

[pi.actual]

How lucky am I? I own a 90hp Champ 7EC and an 85hp Luscombe 8E. Also just picked up a 145hp GC-1B Swift but it's a project (a very challenging one) so time will tell if I can pull that one off.

[TheAviationGuy-i]

Can you do one of these videos with planes for under £30K please

[tallishyeti]

I remember when these were under 20k and I’m only 23 lol

[cyrouskhavari]

These planes I believe, are great for recreation, and some one wants to learn how to fly but not for instrument xcounyry flying

[Coyotehello]

I think you missed a really fun plane that fly like a bat out of hell and can carry 3 people: The BD4.

[edl]

Everything is so over priced. We recently found a nice lot to build a retirement home. But they wanted 30% more than the asset price a year ago. I offer them cash for the lot at 1/3 of the listed price with a wire transfer for the entire amount. We got it after they discover most banks would not loan that amount for that size of property

[stevenwomack]

Great video! And the only way I'll ever own again...

[colinfitzgerald]

I own a Cessna 150. Cheap to fly and cheap to keep. Would have been included here if this report listed six aircraft, I assume. I would love to own a Piper Pacer if a hangar was available at my airport.

[FromSagansStardust]

So, why did that Luscombe have Stinson markings all over it?

[scottfranco]

A fabric airplane is cheap? Yea until the fabric needs replacing.

[BlazingShackles]

Im finna buy me one and worry bout a license later.

[DanFrederiksen]

previously owned by Amilia Earhart and Indiana Jones.