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I'm a new student pilot training in LSA.
LSA is attractive to me due to:
1) No Medical (I could probably pass the FAA medical exam, but it will not be easy)
2) LSA planes are suitable for my mission (local flying, short trips in good weather, my
wife & I are light weight people)
3) Low maintenance costs & fuel costs associated with the Rotax engine.I would like to own my own plane, preferably new, no more than 3 years old.
My preferences are low wing, canopy style.
Two considerations are the Evektor SportStar and the StingSport.
Both planes are about $100k to $130k depending upon options.Normal depreciation costs are something I can accept.
My concern is that a LSA plane may not hold value as well as a certified aircraft
such as a Diamond DA20?
Another concern is that the manufacturers will still be around in the future?
Or that the planes would be hard to resell?
(Of course Cessna will be producing a LSA but I really want a low wing aircraft.)Used LSA Evektor SportStars and StingSports seem to be limited to dealer demo planes,
so there is not a significant price difference from new.Thoughts, suggestions or comments?
Thanks!
-- Richard S, January 10, 2008
Airplanes hold value if the production supply is limited. Cirrus is currently the king of depreciation because the factory has an almost unlimited capacity to produce new ones. So if you could find an airplane that works well and is produced by a company with limited capital and production capability, it would not depreciate much.Your concern about consolidation in the industry seems justified. There are way too many manufacturers out there chasing a very limited market. Why should more survive than the number of manufacturers of certified piston airplanes?
Speaking of Cirrus, why not the "SR Sport" that they will be marketing towards the end of 2008?
-- Philip Greenspun, January 10, 2008
Richard: If you join AOPA (not free) you can look up (for free) the depreciation history of various aircraft in the Vref database.
-- Philip Greenspun, January 10, 2008
I'm looking for a low wing LSA, with modern avionics from a well known and established manufacturer. The Cirrus SRS may be it. Now what was that about the "king of depreciation"? (laugh)How does a Diamond DA20 fair on depreciation?
-- Richard S, January 10, 2008
If I could choose anything, I'd choose: http://www.rotecradialengines.com/0aerolab/17-0HiRes.htm Not very practical, but it looks beautiful and fun.
-- Max Rahder, February 7, 2008