On 21-Mar-2005, "Paul kgyy" wrote:

There are a lot of Cherokees flying, and they are honest airplanes for
a reasonable price. There is a superb support group (Cherokee Pilots
Assn) and parts are readily available plus it's not hard to find
mechanics that know how to maintain them.


These threads -- new pilots asking for advice on a "first" airplane -- crop
up every once in a while. And every time, a bunch of folks pipe up with
recommendations for Cherokee 140s. There Is a reason for this. The C-140
is a very capable airplane that can be purchased and maintained at
relatively low cost, with good parts availability. They are easy and fun to
fly, and work very well for IFR training and touring. Not as roomy as a
Cessna 172, but just about as fast and with considerably longer range
(particularly when IFR with just 2 aboard). In fact, it's a very good
touring airplane for 2 people, but will carry 4 in a pinch. Yes, the single
door is a drawback, but that can be said of 33- and 35- series Bonanzas (and
even Cessna 310s) as well. In practice, it seems to be not that much of an
issue.

I owned a 1968 C-140 for a number of years and flew it on trips both long
and short, VFR and IFR, with very few problems. Just a solid, honest
airplane that gives good value.

--
-Elliott Drucker