Buying an airplane

RICHARD5 said:
I think those airframes wouldn't fair well down in that environment. Mx would be high.
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Good point I think in that case keeping it at KZPH would be a better option, KSPG is a way too salty environment for this planes...protection is never enough
 
trafficinsight said:
Stay away from no longer in production Beech products. They bend you over for parts.
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Yeah, I'm sure Stinson 108 parts are a dime a dozen though ;)

I'll probably be building an experimental too, hopefully I can scrounge up a good supply of parts for whatever factory aircraft I buy.
 
trafficinsight said:
Stay away from no longer in production Beech products. They bend you over for parts.
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Any beech part will be expensive, but the only reason you pay more for an old one, is that your mechanic isn't really "looking" for the deals. Im going through the motions, about to buy a baron... if you get the right guy, its not as bad
 
TUCKnTRUCK said:
Any beech part will be expensive, but the only reason you pay more for an old one, is that your mechanic isn't really "looking" for the deals. Im going through the motions, about to buy a baron... if you get the right guy, its not as bad
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Some of the cosmetic Beech parts are also of better quality...
 
swisspilot said:
My Boss has lots of hours in a pacer (he is also a tail wheel addicted and has over 2000 hours in a DC3), he things it`s the worst tailwheel ever made, as far as insurance I think the Stinson 108 is the beast deal. What about a 2 seater? some of them are even LSA...
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Really curious as to why he thinks this. They are short-coupled and short-winged but I always liked them, they had lots of utility and never wanted to do anything really stupid on the ground.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
Yeah, I'm sure Stinson 108 parts are a dime a dozen though ;)

I'll probably be building an experimental too, hopefully I can scrounge up a good supply of parts for whatever factory aircraft I buy.
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Get familiar with Univair, Intermountain and other non-mfg parts suppliers. A good case for EXP is you can count Napa as a parts source.

I'm pretty sure my next plane will be another Stinson.
 
Franklin engines are smooth but caveat emptor WRT PZL. Charlie Merlot is a highly recommended A&P down in the southeast.
 
WacoFan said:
Really curious as to why he thinks this. They are short-coupled and short-winged but I always liked them, they had lots of utility and never wanted to do anything really stupid on the ground.
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I wonder too. Pacers are fairly docile. And the load they can carry make 'em a good choice.

In fact, most any of the clipped wing Pipers are a good choice. Practically speaking, you may have to wait out the inclement weather longer than most other airframes.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
Well, I think I am about ready to take the plunge and buy an airplane. I would expect to primarily use it flying between KZPH, KSPG, KMKY and KEYW. I would guess between 200-300 hours a year.

I think I've narrowed it down to either a Piper Cherokee or Beechcraft Musketeer. I've got about 100 hours in Cherokees, but most have pretty high time airframes. The Musketeers are a bit cheaper, have much lower airframe times, but seem to have engines that were last overhauled 25 years ago. Honestly, I'd be happy with a 152 - but they seem to be about the same price with 15,000+ hours on the airframe. Any other aircraft I should look at? Maintenance gotchas I should know about?
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I just bought a plane this past March. I ended up buying a 1946 J-3 Cub. I learned ALOT! Find something that they made alot of and that parts are still widely available for. I would stay far, far away from the Musketeer. Beechcraft parts are absolutely ridiculous. I also wouldn't go for a Stinson. No parts for a Franklin engine if something goes wrong. If you want to stay under 30K, I would personally go with an older Cessna 172/152 or Piper Cherokee. They are a dime a dozen. Parts are available from either the manufacturer or a 3rd party. Don't buy an older plane from Florida! Don't rush into anything. Find something in a dry climate. Get someone to look at it that really knows what they are talking about. That's about all that I can think of right now. Good luck with your search!
 
http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=319378

Thats a nice 108 there for just under 20k.

When comparing the musketeer and cherokee the musketeer is much bigger inside but the cherokees are cheaper and easier to maintain. I own with my uncle a Cherokee 140 with the 160hp STC and powerflow exhaust and that gets the job done well and those airframes are built to last. You can find a Cherokee 140 for a decent price. Without any mods on a base 150 hp model you will get around 110 knot cruise at 8.5 gph. With the high compression cylinders boosting it to 160 hp, powerflow exhaust and metco wintips you will see 120 knots at around 9 gph. I really like the cherokee 140. It gets the job done. The back row is small though so your not realistcally looking at carrying 4 adults. You can carry 3 adults though no prob or 2 adults and 2 kids. You will want to get one with the hat rack shelf in the back. If you want to know anything else bout the cherokees let me know.


http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=464064 This colt caught my eye the other day at only 19k with only 150 since major seems like a good deal.
 
WacoFan said:
Really curious as to why he thinks this. They are short-coupled and short-winged but I always liked them, they had lots of utility and never wanted to do anything really stupid on the ground.
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He started flying commercially on that plane, in the Amazon flying the mail, not really sure if there are technical reasons behind it or it`s just his personal opinion, but he has amazing things to say about the Stinson 108 and the Rearwin he did his flight training on.
 
Inverted25 said:
http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=319378

Thats a nice 108 there for just under 20k.

When comparing the musketeer and cherokee the musketeer is much bigger inside but the cherokees are cheaper and easier to maintain. I own with my uncle a Cherokee 140 with the 160hp STC and powerflow exhaust and that gets the job done well and those airframes are built to last. You can find a Cherokee 140 for a decent price. Without any mods on a base 150 hp model you will get around 110 knot cruise at 8.5 gph. With the high compression cylinders boosting it to 160 hp, powerflow exhaust and metco wintips you will see 120 knots at around 9 gph. I really like the cherokee 140. It gets the job done. The back row is small though so your not realistcally looking at carrying 4 adults. You can carry 3 adults though no prob or 2 adults and 2 kids. You will want to get one with the hat rack shelf in the back. If you want to know anything else bout the cherokees let me know.


http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=464064 This colt caught my eye the other day at only 19k with only 150 since major seems like a good deal.
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I have an Original Cherokee 140 brochure that I want to sell if you are interested....
 
Just some more ideas: Have you considered anything experimental? You can probably get something like a Kitfox or some other small 2 place EXP down in that price range.
 
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