Customer Reviews

The Aviation Consumer's Used Aircraft Guide

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Unfortunately this is not the book it is supposed to be. You are much better off with the more thorough, more useful older edition. This edition has none of the helpful information of its predecessor, and although prices are not current in the old version, the information is relevant. This is a simple, safe review of a long list of aircraft. It lacks the truth and some basic information a buyer needs - # built, versions built, NTSB safety records, thorough information on mods., useful owner comments, and much more. The Cost/Performance/Specs. sections are useless. I am truly disappointed. It's only plus is that it has more aircraft that the older edition - but more of something that does not help me still does not help me. Shame on Aviation Consumer for producing such a poor product after setting the standard with is older edition.

I have owned, at various times, the third, sixth, seventh and eight edition of the Used Aircraft Guide. I don't remember much distinction between the sixth and seventh editions, the eighth edition is much better than the third.

The eighth edition cleans up some of the looser ends of its predecessors and the presentations are more orthogonal. Most major single and twin piston engine aircraft are covered and the format is a tech sheet showing the aircraft -- useful load, fuel, speed, basic dimensions and schematic profile -- followed by a summary of the model's history, quirks and foibles. Most models include pricing and all have at least a few owner stories.

What I don't like about the Used Aircraft Guide is the information is really a barebones summary. Make no mistake, Aviation Consumer is wonderful at being brutally honest, but the amount of coverage involved in all of these models necessitates that they be brief. They do provide pointers to type clubs, e.g., Cessna Pilot Association, Cherokee Pilots Association. These organizations would have far more experience with a particular model.

Although they've made some effort to incorporate new comments from the magazine's coverages -- notably on the Piper Archer and its maintenance pricing -- some of the owner contributions are often recycled from previous editions. For example, the Cessna 170 has an owner comment from someone who I *know* had a ten year hiatus for medical reasons.

Detracting from the usefulness of reviews is the fact that most owners eventually rationalize their decision to own a particular model. I know this will happen to me soon :-) The owner comments, on a macro level, tend to look favorably on any given model. You could almost generalize them as this:

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I've owned my FrogMeister 172 for several years.

It's been a good plane and will carry a decent load over an acceptable distance for a modest amount of fuel. When I bought the plane, it had some problems, but because I take very good care of it, it's fine now.

I would recommend FrogMeister owners join the FrogMeister Appreciation Club for the latest information on modifications. The FAC has been very helpful in finding a mechanic who really knows the nuances and quirks of the FrogMeister.

Were I to purchase again, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a FrogMeister. However, I can't overemphasize the importance of an adequate pre-flight inspection.

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If you've narrowed down prospective ownership to a couple of models, you would be better off buying the appropriate back-issues of Aviation Consumer and joining the type club for more specifics. (For example, I know the Cessna Pilot's Association publishes buyers guides for the 182 and 210.)

If, instead, you're interested in a general overview of lots of general aviation planes, then this is a fine book for that purpose.

To understand this book, requires you to understand the Aviation Consumer. It is a monthly magazine that is the avation equal of the Consumer Reports magazine. It reviews several topics per issue such as radios, headsets, flight rules and used airplane reports. These books are a collection of those reports. These two volumes are an excellent summary of the pros and cons of most of the fleet of general aviation. I think they are primarily aimed at a pilot who is trying to decide which airplane they are interested in, out of the great variety of models. So, using it for a first step resource, it is great. It describes basic flight characterstics, notable engine/equipment changes,etc. It does also list expensive AD notices. Once you have this info, you should contact airplane clubs for that model. And you should get a list of ADs, and calculate how expensive these might be to comply with. It is true that the page or two devoted to owners comments is rather hit or miss, with some very bland comments, while other pilots have been burned by their airplane choice. And in the 1994 edition, there isn't as many performance specs as I would like. Still, the book never sugar coats reviews, if a model is lacking, they say it. Overall, this book does a good job to describe the majority of light airplanes on the market. I have not found a better book.