Best First Airplane to Buy
Affordable, forgiving, and easy to maintain — the best planes for first-time buyers.
First-Time Buyer Priorities
Your first airplane should be affordable to buy AND own, easy to insure, simple to maintain, and forgiving to fly. Resist the urge to buy your dream plane first — buy the plane that lets you build hours cheaply, then upgrade.
Best First Airplanes
These aircraft have the lowest barriers to entry for new owners, with strong resale values so you won't lose money when you upgrade.
Every mechanic knows it, insurance is cheapest, parts are everywhere, and it holds value. The safest financial bet for a first plane.
Buy one for $30K–$45K, insure it for under $1,500/yr, and operate it for $80–$100/hr. Simple, honest, affordable.
The cheapest entry into aircraft ownership. $20K–$35K buys a solid one, and you'll burn 6 gph.
Fast for the money (130–140 kts on 10–11 gph), fun to fly, and a passionate owner community. Hidden gem.
Step up from the Cherokee 140 with more useful load and a tapered wing. $40K–$65K gets a nice one.
If you want speed on a budget — 140 kts on 9 gph. Retractable gear means higher insurance but more fun.
What to Avoid
Don't buy a complex, high-performance, or twin for your first airplane. Insurance will crush you — expect $6,000–$15,000/yr with low hours. Don't buy a project plane unless you're a mechanic. Don't buy the cheapest plane you can find — the cheapest planes have the most expensive problems hiding inside.