wrote:
I am early in my training and have not even soloed yet. I would not
even consider buying anything until after I have earned my
certificate. So sometime next year would probably be the earliest that
I would be seriously looking. I do agree that what I may want to own
as a first aircraft may change as my training progresses.


Probably not. During PPL training you are fixated on getting your
ticket. Getting a 172 now is not out of the question. A 172 that is
reasonably well maintained is like money. They are very easy to get rid
of if you decide you don't want it. Hell, I want one as a second plane.
They are so simple a machine and dirt cheap to operate, especially if
you can run mogas like we can here in Montana. It isn't until after you
get your ticket and start venturing out that you will start to realize
what it is what you want from a plane.



I am curious about the comment by newps about flying an aircraft where
the engine is past its TBO. Even if the compression is good, aren't
you taking a chance that something else may be getting worn out.
Maybe I am misunderstanding what TBO means.


You take the chance every time you start the engine, regardless of
engine time. The engine on my Bonanza last August was at about 700
SMOH. One of the cylinders suffered a barrel/head separation. Due to
an unbelievably lucky sequence of events I got six new Milleniums and
installation for free. With an engine like what is on an older 172 I
would run it until it tells you it needs to be overhauled. Good
compressions, not leaking/burning oil, etc, keep flying.