What is the "funnest" 2 place airplane

[Doug Wells]

I'm looking for a fun airplane to introduce my two young kids to
aviation. Here is what fun means to me....

- flies low and slow
- can get into small grass fields
- good STOL performance
- Dependable
- Relatively decent number of planes available to buy
- low operating costs
- OK if it tie down outside
- Homebuilt or Certified OK
- Under $30k

I learned to fly when I was 12 in a C-152 and am now a 40 year old ATP
rated pilot with several thousand hours. I've done a ton of XC
flights in Mooneys, twins, etc. Cool but not viceral fun. Looking
back over the years, flying my friends Piper Cub into grass fields,
small airports and such was probably some of the best shear joy
moments in my flying career.

I want to get my 7-year old EXCITED about aviation and don't have many
ideas outside of a J-3 cub. I'd greatly appreciated any thoughts on
aircraft that I should consider.

Thanks for your thoughts

[Dudley Henriques[_2_]]

Doug Wells wrote:
> I'm looking for a fun airplane to introduce my two young kids to
> aviation. Here is what fun means to me....
>
> - flies low and slow
> - can get into small grass fields
> - good STOL performance
> - Dependable
> - Relatively decent number of planes available to buy
> - low operating costs
> - OK if it tie down outside
> - Homebuilt or Certified OK
> - Under $30k
>
> I learned to fly when I was 12 in a C-152 and am now a 40 year old ATP
> rated pilot with several thousand hours. I've done a ton of XC
> flights in Mooneys, twins, etc. Cool but not viceral fun. Looking
> back over the years, flying my friends Piper Cub into grass fields,
> small airports and such was probably some of the best shear joy
> moments in my flying career.
>
> I want to get my 7-year old EXCITED about aviation and don't have many
> ideas outside of a J-3 cub. I'd greatly appreciated any thoughts on
> aircraft that I should consider.
>
> Thanks for your thoughts
>
Sounds like you might have already found it in the 150/152 Cessna area.
It's great for low and slow, there are a ton of them out here still
flying, they're economical to own, and can operate out of fairly short
fields.
Add to that that they are comfortable for a small child and you have at
least a starting point in your search. Sitting on a cushion, the child
is right next to you so you can see everything he's doing and allow him
some latitude to actually fly the airplane. As he gets a bit older and
can reach the pedals, it should all come together for him.
I can honestly say that for giving primary instruction, I have always
favored Cessna 150/152's.
Dudley Henriques

[BT]

two seat side by side.. comfy and "cheap"

Glasair.. Sportsman 2+2, Conventional or Trike configuration..
http://www.glasairaviation.com/kitcontentsportsman.html

BT

"Doug Wells" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> I'm looking for a fun airplane to introduce my two young kids to
> aviation. Here is what fun means to me....
>
> - flies low and slow
> - can get into small grass fields
> - good STOL performance
> - Dependable
> - Relatively decent number of planes available to buy
> - low operating costs
> - OK if it tie down outside
> - Homebuilt or Certified OK
> - Under $30k
>
> I learned to fly when I was 12 in a C-152 and am now a 40 year old ATP
> rated pilot with several thousand hours. I've done a ton of XC
> flights in Mooneys, twins, etc. Cool but not viceral fun. Looking
> back over the years, flying my friends Piper Cub into grass fields,
> small airports and such was probably some of the best shear joy
> moments in my flying career.
>
> I want to get my 7-year old EXCITED about aviation and don't have many
> ideas outside of a J-3 cub. I'd greatly appreciated any thoughts on
> aircraft that I should consider.
>
> Thanks for your thoughts
>

[BT]

sorry... not under $30K.. more like $85K, but that includes a trailer.. I
know one for sale
BT

"BT" > wrote in message
...
> two seat side by side.. comfy and "cheap"
>
> Glasair.. Sportsman 2+2, Conventional or Trike configuration..
> http://www.glasairaviation.com/kitcontentsportsman.html
>
> BT
>
> "Doug Wells" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
>> I'm looking for a fun airplane to introduce my two young kids to
>> aviation. Here is what fun means to me....
>>
>> - flies low and slow
>> - can get into small grass fields
>> - good STOL performance
>> - Dependable
>> - Relatively decent number of planes available to buy
>> - low operating costs
>> - OK if it tie down outside
>> - Homebuilt or Certified OK
>> - Under $30k
>>
>> I learned to fly when I was 12 in a C-152 and am now a 40 year old ATP
>> rated pilot with several thousand hours. I've done a ton of XC
>> flights in Mooneys, twins, etc. Cool but not viceral fun. Looking
>> back over the years, flying my friends Piper Cub into grass fields,
>> small airports and such was probably some of the best shear joy
>> moments in my flying career.
>>
>> I want to get my 7-year old EXCITED about aviation and don't have many
>> ideas outside of a J-3 cub. I'd greatly appreciated any thoughts on
>> aircraft that I should consider.
>>
>> Thanks for your thoughts
>>
>
>

[James Sleeman]

On Sep 8, 3:55 pm, Doug Wells > wrote:

> I want to get my 7-year old EXCITED about aviation and don't have many
> ideas outside of a J-3 cub. I'd greatly appreciated any thoughts on
> aircraft that I should consider.

What about, I dunno, a J-3 Cub:

http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_manager/ad_detail.php?ID=181620

[Montblack]

("Doug Wells" wrote)
> I want to get my 7-year old EXCITED about aviation and don't have many
> ideas outside of a J-3 cub. I'd greatly appreciated any thoughts on
> aircraft that I should consider.


http://www.ercoupe.org/
Ercoupe! Hands down ...or should I say feet down? <g>

http://www.ercoupe.net/
Check out "The Photo Album" link! :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ERCO_Ercoupe
Well organized info page

http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=393
<click> "More photos of Erco Ercoupe and derivatives"

7-year old: "You're the bestest dad in the whole wide world."

Dad: "Thank you Ercoupe!"


Paul-Mont
http://album.dweeb.org/images/Stamps/3920.jpg
Ercoupe even has its own stamp.

[Jim Logajan]

Doug Wells > wrote:
> I'm looking for a fun airplane to introduce my two young kids to
> aviation. Here is what fun means to me....
>
> - flies low and slow
> - can get into small grass fields
> - good STOL performance
> - Dependable
> - Relatively decent number of planes available to buy
> - low operating costs
> - OK if it tie down outside
> - Homebuilt or Certified OK
> - Under $30k

I believe a Zenith CH-701 would probably match all your requirements. I
notice a couple on www.barnstormers.com that are asking less than $30k.

[Brian[_1_]]

Interesting question.

I would have said a Champ or J-3. Maybe a Cheif or T-Craft.

But since I have 12 year old son that has flown with me since he was
about 2 I thought I would ask him.

He picked the C-206. I asked why and he said because we can take other
people with us. As a side note his decision may have been based on the
fact that he and I gave some rides in the 206 yesterday.

He has quite a range of aircraft to choose from. He liked the
Schweizer 2-32 but he hasn't flown in one for few years. Off the top
of my head here is what I know he as flown in. Blanik L-13 (He liked
the winch launches), the Schweizer 2-32 and 2-33. Champ, T-Craft,
Citabria, Scout, C-150/152, Tomahawk, Cherokee, and the C-172/182/206.

Of course he is just one data point, But he seems to like the planes
he can have a freind come along with him.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL