As regular readers know, I promote ByDanJohnson.com as the home of “affordable aviation.” I even own the domain name AffordableAviation.com.
Yet “affordable” is one of those very personal words. What each of us can afford — or chooses to afford — is different than almost everyone else.
Therefore, an especially wide range of choices is good. I have written a lot about very inexpensive aircraft (see many in this series of articles) and you can find lots more from $8,000 to $180,000.
Yesterday, a premium supplier of Light-Sport Aircraft made their new entry more affordable.
Lower-Priced Colt
Texas Aircraft Manufacturing announced they are now offering an entry-level Colt Special LSA with a single Garmin G3X Touch flight display at a much-reduced price. The company’s first offering listed for $167,000.
“As we come out from under Covid-induced flight training restrictions, operators of several flight schools have come to us asking for an affordably-priced, all-metal, Garmin-equipped training aircraft,” CEO, Matheus Grande, stated. “Our solution is the highly-advanced and very-affordable entry-level Colt SLSA, which is priced at $139,900, below the cost of the fully-equipped Colt-S and Colt-SL models.” Their Texas Aircraft Colt SLSA standard package includes:
- 10.6-inch Garmin G3X Touch configurable touchscreen display with built-in Synthetic Vision
- Single Garmin communications radio
- Garmin ADS-B Out transponder
- Analog flight instruments
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Left-side only toe breaks
- All-white exterior paint with no graphics
“When you couple the Garmin G3X Touch display with Colt’s attractive pricing, and low operating costs, flight schools now have a truly modern, all-metal, training aircraft that sets a new industry standard for comfort, safety, and ruggedness,” added Texas Aircraft Manufacturing’s Chief Operating Officer, Caio Jordão. “At our low price, flight schools can now afford to put a state-of-the-art trainer with touchscreen avionics on their flight line for the same hourly rental cost of a much less capable legacy aircraft.”
“Today’s students want to train on the same avionics they will be using later as they advance into more complex Garmin-equipped aircraft,” he said. “The G3X Touch-equipped Colt-S will give students a leg-up as they advance through their training.”
So, is this a no-frills LSA? While it does have less equipment than the standard Colt, the main change is the single Garmin screen. I currently use a neighbor’s RV-12 with a single screen in it and I find this no restriction. I can also refer to an iPad in the cockpit and paired with a sender from Levil or other air data device suppliers, I can effectively have two large screens …one of which I can take home and use to watch movies.
Is $139,900 a bargain? Certainly, if your budget is for something less, say $40,000, this will not interest you. Yet a flight school operator racking up lots of hours on their older airplanes may welcome this offer.
Nonetheless, new is nice and Colt is one beautiful machine made in the USA of all metal, just as many buyers want. What are your options?
If a partner purchase won’t work for you — perhaps you don’t have any local prospects or perhaps you simply prefer not to share your airplane with anyone else — then Texas Aircraft has secured financing. Learn more about their program in this article.
If that still doesn’t work for you, the good news is you have many options to find something in your budget but you can’t fault Texas Aircraft for bringing down the cost of brand-new, shiny Light-Sport Aircraft.
One More Thing
I love using the old Steve Jobs line that held so many in suspense at the end of one of his wildly-popular Apple product presentations. “One more thing” became a phrase that would set the Mac Fanboy hearts pumping. “What could it be this time,” they would wonder?
More About LSA Costs — What I’d like to invite is your read of AVweb writer Paul Bertorelli‘s article, titled, “LSA or Legacy? Costs Compared”
Paul always does a credible job, as you’d expect from a longtime professional journalist. His writing style is approachable. He’s not afraid of some controversy. No wonder people love reading his stuff.
Paul’s LSA-related article is one of specific interest to ByDanJohnson.com readers (and, no, I’m not just saying that because he quotes me near the beginning of the article). In case you don’t follow the link, here’s a few key comments:
Compared to New GA — “[New LSA] would be cheaper to buy … relative to new, standard-category [conventionally-certified] airplanes … with similar or greater capability.”
Purchase and Maintenance — “Are LSAs cheaper to own than equivalent legacy [used] airplanes? The answer depends on how you crunch the numbers, but if investment costs are tallied, the answer is no. If operating costs alone are considered, light sport airplanes look attractive against both legacy airplanes and definitely any new standard-category aircraft.”
Cessna 150 image: Barrie Aircraft Museum
Contrast with Cessna 150 — “Consider the last model year of the Cessna 152, 1986. Find them in the low- to mid-$40s to as much as $90,000 for a fully restored [that is, similar to new] airframe.”
Annual Expenses — “If anything is a constant in aviation, it’s that’s bigger, faster airplanes burn through money at a faster rate and the near-ruinous annual is always in the offing. In that respect, legacy two-seaters and LSAs are definitely less money hungry, starting with annuals.”
Satisfaction — “Owners who bought new or recent used Light-Sport Airplanes seem satisfied with the purchase and operating costs and report no unpleasant surprises, nor regrets in having made the purchase. These owners were a mix of step-down buyers and bucket listers who always wanted to own an airplane and found the ability to do that in an LSA.”
Good info. Thanks, Paul!
Is it worth considering a lease back as a way of reducing the cost of an aircraft?
Leaseback has been a popular way to own an aircraft and then let a flight school use it, paying you for such use. Not everyone wants that and it’s not available everywhere but it might work for you.
Hi Dan,
Love the page, and your many diverse recommendations. My father is 73, and an 8,000 hour pilot, with his last serious flying 35 years ago. A while back to celebrate, I bought us both some ultralight rides, and now we’re both hooked on aviation, me for the first time, him again. I am just getting into training, and intend to get my PPL in 2021/early 2022, with intention to get my IFR, taildragger, and a few others immediately thereafter. With my fathers age and heart condition, he is concerned about a medical and has decided to go the LSA route.
I don’t know if asking about specific planes is ok, but I figured I’d give it a shot, and if not, no worries.
We’re definitely budget fliers, such that even a $140k aircraft is out of our league (although we understand that for a new aircraft of the type, it is amazingly affordable) He used to fly an Ercoupe when I fit in a child seat in the baggage compartment. I think they look wonderful, and will fill all our needs, but I’m concerned that I will have a hard time developing skills which will keep me good for GA in a craft that does everything for me. I am in love with the idea of a chinook +2, which I believe also qualifies for LSA flight, and not being a certified aircraft (USA standards, if that matters), would allow me to get my LSA maintenance cert and do a lot of the work myself. My dad used to be an A&P back in the day, and we’ve built and raced motorcycles most of my adult life. Between us, I feel like we could save a little on maintenance (While still having a current A&P do final checks, obviously) and I like the idea of a stick and rudder craft that’s a bit more engaging. Both of these are within our price range (lets call it < $40k)
I've read your many articles on the amazing Chinook and what you have on the Ercoupe. Thoughts on how these might line up for a couple of pilots who want to stay within LSA restrictions while still developing our flying skills to the best of our ability? Any suggestion for other ships in our price range which you think might be a good match?
Thank you for all you do for the aviation community.
I thank you for your detailed question. First, let me point out that PlaneFinder 2.0 is a useful tool to narrow the field full of many great aircraft. (It’s kind of fun to use, too.) One of the responses deals with price, but you’ll see many other qualities that may help you determine which aircraft could work best for you.
All that said, I see nothing wrong with the Chinook for your needs except that you cannot pay an instructor to teach you to fly it (at least without going through a cumbersome LODA process with FAA). The Ercoupe is a wonderful little airplane but it’s very, very old and maintenance will add up. A new Chinook should have very little maintenance. However, please go look at PlaneFinder 2.0 because you may find you have other choices. Happy shopping!
Hi Dan: I haven’t flown in 10 years. I have my pilots licenses but havent kept up with the medical. I’m looking at getting into a Light-Sport Aircraft like the the Zodiac CH601XL.
Would you have any input in this plane if it would be a good plane to get back into, or would you recommend a different LSA? I would appreciate any info you could give me.
James: I hope you can find what you want and get active again. Good luck!
Let me correct you slightly, though. Zenith’s 601 is not a Light-Sport Aircraft. It is an Experimental Amateur Built aircraft that can be flown using your current pilot certificate but without needing a medical. That still achieves what you want but you must either build a kit or buy a used one from someone else who did so. If you are interesting in building a kit, you’re in luck. If you purchase one someone else built, spend the money to hire an expert to assure that aircraft was properly assembled.
To find other brands and models that might interest you, use our PlaneFinder 2.0 feature. It’s fun and easy. (Email registration is required to use this feature but we never share our email list and access To PlaneFinder 2.0 will cost you nothing.)
I see some of the posts here and how they say they cannot afford an airplane. Ok. I want a jet! I have looked at both the SubSonex and the Cri-Cri jet and I’m just not there yet.
I will say that from hang gliding to Part 103 Ultralights, Legacy iron, LSA, homebuilts, and the the absolutely never certified, there is a huge range in affordability.
There is something for everyone who wants to fly!
Every time I write the word “affordable,“ I know someone is going to object to my use of that term. I certainly get that everyone has a different budget at different times, but thank you for expressing that there’s some airplane almost everyone can afford.
You will also find many 2-seaters on the used market from $15,000 – $40,000, so comparable to car prices.
I purchased a Cessna 150 to complete my training. This and the later 152 were the main primary trainers for many years. Burns about $20 an hour in fuel and I fly at about 95 – 110 mph.
Dear Dan,
My brother, Rick Snyder, recently passed away and I’m in the middle of settling his estate. He has an Airborne ultra-light trike that he purchased in 2001. The original company he purchased it from was First Light Aviation from Guelph, Ontario which looks like it was a dealer for AirBorne but is now out of business. He also worked with a US dealer, Wayne Bezner Kerr.
I’m trying to figure out what to do with the trike. Is it worth anything? As far as I can tell, it’s in average shape without a lot of hours on it. Or, because it’s 20 years old, is there no resale market? If it has some value, any idea how I can sell it? I’m not looking to maximize the value of it but I don’t want to see it go to waste if someone else could enjoy it. Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.
Here is what I believe he has:
582 Streak modified with an Ultra-prop
Purchased March 12, 2001
I appreciate anything you can tell me.
Best regards,
Steve Snyder
rssnyder11@yahoo.com
I should think the AirBorne trike, if in reasonably good condition as you suggest, has value and if I were to hazard a guess, I might say $5-10,000 assuming the aircraft is flyable, the wing is in good shape, and the engine does not need maintenance. Price depends on what someone will pay and not what any guide or price book might state. Good luck!
EXPERIMENTAL ?
Commercial use ?
Your questions are extremely brief so I’m not sure exactly what you are asking… but, no, Colt is a fully-built Special LSA. It can be used for compensation to perform flight instruction, towing, or purchase demonstrations.
Bonjour,
Si le moyen le permet un jour, encore que le contexte du pays est très favorable, je monterais ou avec l’aide des partenaires, un business et ces avions serons un atout.
[computer translation] If the means one day allow it, when conditions in the country are favorable, I would like to set up or with the help of partners, a business and these planes will be an asset.
Gabriel
Brakes on the left side only? I’ve done many hours of instruction with NO brakes but that was on floats or straight skies.
For a plane on wheels being used for instruction I think most instructors would want brakes. I know I would.
$130,000.00 is an impossible number. I am 51 years old and I make a little more than $25,000.00 per year. All I have ever wanted to do is fly. You talk about affordable aviation but that is not it. I do love your work and reporting but there are a few of us that will never see that.
I tried to say carefully that Colt, even at the lowered price, will not be for everyone. The good news is that I have written about many other options that address a different budget. Please see this article on Part 103s and this series of ten articles on Vintage Ultralights. Prices for these are much closer to your needs. Best of luck and thanks for the kind words!