Are you a beginner pilot looking to purchase your first aircraft? Like any major investment, it's a difficult decision to make - and your status as a new pilot is only likely to complicate this decision when you consider that you're going to require something as safe and reliable as it is easy to operate.
Read on to learn more about some of the best starter planes for beginner pilots and various other factors that you should consider as you search for the right aircraft. But before we get into some of the best starter planes, it's important to assess some other factors. Read on to learn more or contact J.A. Air today.
Consider Your Goals & Experience
The first thing you should be weighing when browsing planes is your goals and experience. Ask yourself these questions to help determine the type of aircraft you should select:
- Are you still a novice pilot? Or can you handle aircraft with more advanced controls?
- What are your goals for owning an aircraft?
- Can you afford to own an aircraft?
What Will the Plane Be Used For?
There are also usage considerations that you should weigh before making an aircraft purchase. For instance:
- Do you intend to use the aircraft for business or leisure?
- How much passenger seating do you expect to need?
- How much cargo do you expect to need?
- How often do you intend to fly?
- What distances are you planning to fly (i.e., short haul or long haul)
- Are you planning to fly at high altitudes or lower altitudes?
Do You Already have a Pilot's License?
To legally fly an aircraft, you need to have a pilot's license. However, there are various types of pilot licenses. PPLs, or private pilot licenses, are the most common, allowing pilots to fly for personal reasons. There are also commercial pilot licenses and airline transport pilot licenses. The former allows pilots to fly for hire, while the latter is the highest level of certification that's often required of major airline pilots.
Before you purchase an aircraft, we'd recommend having your pilot's license.
Who Will You Be Flying With?
As we noted above, before purchasing a plane, you should consider who you're likely to be flying with regularly. This will help you determine how much passenger and cargo space you need in an aircraft.
Starter Planes for New Pilots
Generally speaking, most novice pilots should opt for smaller planes that fly more stable and tend to be easier to control. Here's a look at some of the best starter plane options for beginner pilots:
Cessna 150/152 - Training Aircraft
The Cessna 150/152 series represents an ideal starting aircraft for pilots. Known for its ease of flying, optimal visibility from the cockpit, and forgiveness, this two-seat plane is great for pilots who are still gaining experience. The 150/152 has a top speed of 124 mph, a cruise speed of 122 mph, and a range of 350 miles. More than 30,000 units have been manufactured from when production began in 1958 to the end of production in 1985.
Cessna 172 Skyhawk - Small Groups
Known for its ease of maneuverability and easy recovery in the event of a loss in control, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk remains popular today, decades after it was initially produced. Over 44,000 have been built since its introduction to the market in 1956, making it one of the best-selling aircraft of all time.
The four-seat aircraft features a top speed of 188 mph, a cruise speed of 140 mph, and a range of more than 730 miles before refueling is necessary.
Cessna Stationair - Long Distance
If you plan to fly long distances and haul a decent amount of cargo, the Cessna Stationair could be the right aircraft for you. A more rugged aircraft than many of the others on this list, the Stationair was introduced in 1962 and more than 8,500 units have since been manufactured. The single-engine aircraft has a range of more than 700 nautical miles and a maximum cruise speed of about 185 mph.
It can support a maximum payload of nearly 1,400 pounds.
Cirrus SR22 - Speed & Style
This single-engine, five-seat aircraft has been in production since 2001. It offers a range of more than 1,207 miles, a top speed of 234 mph, and a cruise speed of 211 mph, representing an aircraft that can fly further and faster than many of the others on this list.
To date, about 7,700 Cirrus SR22 units have been built. A more advanced beginner aircraft, the SR22 features modern avionics, and a full glass cockpit to enhance pilot perspective and situational awareness, and it also comes with a parachute safety system.
Open Cockpit Aircraft - Classic Appeal
Many early aircraft had open cockpits, meaning that the pilot sat in and operated the plane from an area that was open air and not fully enclosed. While open-cockpit aircraft are still available today, they're not quite as common. However, a beginner pilot could represent an ideal first aircraft due to the enhanced visibility this design offers.
Open-cockpit aircraft tend to fly at slower speeds, lower altitudes, and shorter distances before a refuel is necessary. However, they're also more affordable than more conventional aircraft, which can make them attractive. Some popular models include the Airbike, CA-2, and Quicksilver GT 500. More classic models include the Sherwood Ranger and the Fokker D-VIII.
Looking to Purchase a Plane? Let J.A. Air Help!
Contact J.A. Air Center today for more information on the best starter plane and to browse planes currently on the market. We're more than just Chicago's premier
FBO and general aviation facility, we also have a variety of
aircraft for sale regularly, including many of the starter planes that we've included in this post.
Contact us
today to learn more.
J.A. Air Center – Aurora Municipal Airport (KARR) – 43W730 US Highway 30 – Sugar Grove, IL 60554
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