I almost purchased an LSA. An Allegro 2007 with an 80hp Rotex.
As a new student pilot with zero hours I decided that if I were going to learn how to fly I wanted my own plane. I researched the many different models and decided on the Allegro and drove to NC for a test flight. It was great, the 80hp Rotex out preformed my new 0-200 hands down at 6 gph fuel burn. The one I was going to get had a glass panel (yes, it has battery back-up)and was constructed with carbon fiber and aluminum. My price with all my options would have been $84.5k. I liked it better then the Cessna LSA.
It was nice but; Day/night VFR only, very thin aluminum and overall onstruction that meant a hanger is a must even on weekend trips.
The entire time I was looking it over the rep kept compairing it to the 150/152 and would point out differences. At this point I had not considered a 150/152 (the sales rep got me thinking about it though). His main arguement was cost of operating an LSA over a 150/152, which made a little sense at the time until...
The best insurance rate I could get was $3,200 a year. LSA's are still considered experimentals for insurance purposes. And just try to get a loan with less then total value on your insurance. That was the deal killer.
I then joined this club, learned a little about 150/152's, purchased N2673J from a club member, installed a fresh engine, and now Shelby has it for a ground-up restoration. I wanted it "new" like my LSA was going to be, for a whole lot less.
Some of you ol-timers seem worried about future Clinton's and the decline of this club. Because of LSA I now own a 150G and am a new member of your club. The LSA sales rep sold me on it. I'm very sure that when new pilots like myself get drawn into aviation and the LSA program, it is impossible NOT to look at the 150/152 market.
I look forward to many fond years with my "new" 67 150G and everything I can learn from this club. See you at Clinton in 2008.
Last edited by Jeffrey_Gerlach; 08/01/07 08:18 PM.
