Buying a plane and getting it to where you want to go help

[skoker]

Me and a couple friends of mine are thinking about buying and splitting a 1979 Cessna 172N.  The price is right and the hours are relatively low and we were wondering how much it would cost to make it perfect.  What would be the cheapest GPS available for us and what would be better, panel install or hand held/mount.  We are able to cover fuel and MX with a friend that would use it in its spare time in return, but would really like some sort of GPS.

[DaveSims]

All depends on what you want to do with the GPS.  If you are just wanting something basic for VFR reference, the Garmin handhelds are great.  You could probably find a deal on a used 396 or 496.  If you want something IFR certified, then you need a panel mount.  You are going to spend a pretty penny to get something like a Garmin 430, probably close to $10,000 installed.

[DaveSims]

As for buying an aircraft, there are a lot of cost that are usually overlooked.  You should sit down and figure out all of the real cost.

Insurance
Hangar or tie down
Annual
Fuel
Oil Changes

Plus you should also put some money aside each month for engine and other major maintenance.  Only reason I bring it up is I've known a lot of guys that have bought planes, then can't afford to fly them or maintain them properly.

[expat]

You probably will not believe me, but I have seen mounted on the cockpit panel a bog standard Tomtom. When I asked, I was told that the pilot was only VFR so he did not need anything "fancy" ( )

Saying that there are quite a few Palms and Ipaqs that are capable of being loaded with aircraft GPS navigation software and are also legal if you want to go down the cheaper route.

Matt

[beaky]

If I owned a plane and didn't need IFR-certed GPS I'd get one of these... as far as I can tell, the most bang for the buck right now in portables (they are cheap!), and I love the "real charts" overlay. VFR and IFR charts, plates, airport diagrams... the latest version also doubles as a road GPS.

http://ifly.adventurepilot.com/HOME.aspx