Real Cost of Ownership: Buying a Cheap Twin

[apache123]

For those interested, I did a candid write-up on the operational, maintenance, and purchase costs of a cheap twin:

http://realcostofownership.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-cheap-twin-piper-apache-n1234p.html

I'm going through the pre-purchase aspect right now, and will be writing up that process start to finish on the same blog for anyone interested.

Cheers!
Steven

 

[rframe]

Great write up! Thanks for sharing that.

 

[tbstanto]

Great info. Thanks

 

[Nark]

Thanks for that. I'm in the market for a single. I appreciate the stories folks like you have, that can apply to my adventure.

 

[Roger Roger]

Thanks for that. I'm in the market for a single. I appreciate the stories folks like you have, that can apply to my adventure.

PA20.
/thread.

 

[Nark]

PA20.
/thread.

I'm looking for a cessna 170 or Stinson 108. But partial to any taildragger that burns 10 gph or less.

 

[z987k]

PA20.
/thread.

I'm looking through the logbooks of one tonight.

 

[Trr56]

Awesome write-up!

 

[z987k]

PA20.
/thread.

Actually, you're an A&P and own a pa-22 right?

 

[mainefloatguy]

Great write-up, thanks! Kinda risky, but if it works out your well ahead.

 

[N8389P]

Eeeeak I've had a 12g anal on a pa24! Waiting on this next one being there is a new tail AD

 

[Johnny Beau Bekkestad]

Eeeeak I've had a 12g anal on a pa24!

*Ohhh that much have been an awefull feeling... I sure hope you ment anual cause the other meaning in a 12g situation might be a little to much!!!

 

[N8389P]

What's the difference at that point

 

[CoffeeIcePapers]

I know a guy who cheaped out on a prebuy because he didn't want to fly a mechanic he trusted out to look at the airplane. He had the airplane "inspected" by the guy who had been doing the regular maintenance. Long story short, he got this "bargain" airplane and less than 100 hours later, he is putting a new engine on it.

If you have to cheap out on any aspect of aircraft ownership, you shouldn't be an aircraft owner.

One thing I noticed from your blog:

2300RPM and I lean until I feel a power change (in the positive direction). This puts me on the ROP side of things, but I cannot know exactly where as I don't have an EGT/CHT.

To me, that sounds like you are keeping it right at peak EGT, not ROP.

 

[PositionAndHold]

I'm looking for a cessna 170 or Stinson 108. But partial to any taildragger that burns 10 gph or less.

I was doing the same thing about 11 years ago. Went with the Stinson 108-2. Couldn't be happier. Much more bang for the buck than the 170, plus it's got soul. If you've got any questions feel free to pm.

 

[Nark]

I was doing the same thing about 11 years ago. Went with the Stinson 108-2. Couldn't be happier. Much more bang for the buck than the 170, plus it's got soul. If you've got any questions feel free to pm.

I plan on pulling the trigger later this fall. I have a nice govt sponsored program to get through before hand.

 

[Roger Roger]

I'm looking for a cessna 170 or Stinson 108. But partial to any taildragger that burns 10 gph or less.

PA20s are a bargain and fit right in your bracket there. Put big tires on it and it'll do anything short of Super Cubs Only strips, but carries 4 people or 2 and lots of bags.

Actually, you're an A&P and own a pa-22 right?

correct.

 

[Nark]

@Roger Roger I looked into them after your first post. Right up my ally!

Plus having your ear, I can get a ton of advice.

 

[Max Power]

This puts the Beech Travel Air that I was watching on Ebay for a long time into perspective. Thanks for the write-up.

 

[z987k]

Speaking of PA22's. Here's a 108(Colt) for quite the bargin.

http://www.aerotrader.com/listing/1962-Piper-Colt-Pa22-108-110812327

Then there's the pa20-150 in Missouri on Barnstormers for 14.5k, but who knows both of these could be basket cases, there's little info.