[Errant]

Yep, 180s and 185s being the most numerous work horses. But these are becoming hard to find as well. The problem is that Cessna hasn't built any for about 30 years now. My Cessna has retractable gear and Cessna hasn't built a single engine retractable for about 25 years now. It's very efficient and has an 800 mile range. It can go from Louisiana to Tampa Florida non-stop or from Louisian to Cancun using standard fuel tanks. Add 30 extra gallons in wing tip tanks and 1,000+ miles are a piece of cake. It's a favorite of fish spotters and can cruise at 150 mph. I've flown it into and out of grass strips less than 2,000' (tree to tree) easily when lightly loaded.

The Cessna 206 with conventional gear is the primo bush plane, so don't discount tricycle gear either. In a SHTF world, there will be plenty of roadway available between road blocks and etc. I expect GA (general aviation) to play a very important roll in transporting people, supplies and medicine as is the case in remote areas of the world where there isn't any roads. That is, unless some damn oppressive dictator like Obama comes to power and implements a no-fly zone over the U.S.

Check out this site for what's available and current prices: www.aso.com

[Travis McGee]

I don’t fly, but I recognize the value of GA post-collapse. In fact, I’ve incorporated light planes flying off roads and dirt strips in all of my four novels as critical plot elements.