Ah, the 6-seater airplane what a myth that is. There are so many airplanes that have six seats that can barely lift four off the ground. And forget about legroom! If you are in the market for an airplane that comfortably fits a family of five, here are three airplanes that will not only safely make vertical lift with five occupants and their reasonable luggage but will not break the bank either.
The Cessna 205, The Piper Cherokee six, and the Cessna 310 all fit the bill for “best family airplane.” Settle down before you blow a gasket on how a twin with dual 6-cylinder Conti’s won’t break the bank⎯keep reading, I’ll explain that in a few paragraphs.
The Cessna 205 has a useful load close to 1,600 pounds. For those not familiar, useful load according to the FAA is “the weight of the pilot, copilot, passengers, baggage, usable fuel, and drainable oil. It is the basic empty weight subtracted from the maximum allowable gross weight.” There are not a lot of these fine, big bodies around, so the price has gone up a bit over the years. A nice Cessna 205 can be had in the $200’s (that’s $200,000+ just to be clear). It has a high initial price tag paired with a very low maintenance bill. Having fixed gear and a single engine lowers insurance and maintenance cost tremendously. With a best-in-class useful load, a Cessna 205 is a top pick for large families. You’ll find more information on the internet about the Cessna 205 so contact The Final Fix if you’re interested in learning more about this airplane.
The Piper Cherokee Six is another fine, true six-seat option. Most Cherokee 6’s useful load comes in between 1,400-1,500 pounds. There are more of these planes available than the Cessna 205 bringing the prices into a more manageable range, between $90-$180k. Once again, a fixed gear, single engine for the win on maintenance and insurance cost. Also, ramp fees and other “gotcha fees” are the least with piston singles. Read specifics about the Piper Cherokee Six on the AOPA website: https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/piper-cherokee-6.
Interested in purchasing an airplane for your family of five or need a comfortable way for four guys and golf clubs to travel? Contact The Final Fix to figure out which airplane would be best for you, and then receive assistance in finding the perfect one on the market. Our testimonials speak for themselves.
A Twin Cessna, the beloved Cessna 310, is another option for someone looking for a true 5-seater airplane. Most people shy away from twins because of maintenance and other upkeep cost. Their loss is your gain. Because many shy away from them, it brings the older twins into a reasonably low-price range. The purchase price difference between a mid-time twin and nice single like the 205’s will more than cover the higher cost of the twin. Do note that the 310 is not for a beginner, due to the enormous insurance cost; a seasoned pilot with 2,000 hours or better should consider a Twin Cessna. This AOPA fact sheet will share the details: https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/cessna-310. Our founder Wryan Bailey owns a Piper Twin Comanche, so he can share the nuances of maintenance and upkeep for a twin engine airplane. Don’t shy away from it. The light twins are the way to go.
