We do not seem to have any problems getting Pawnee Parts.
What are the "extreme maint costs"? and how could those costs be reduced
with a more expensive to purchase Husky?
Do they remember the cost to rebuild from 5 years ago? Not to be repeated
soon.
You just put $35K into the Pawnee, does it have the wing attach points STC?
Any reason why you did not up the HP to 250HP on rebuild available via STC?

After 5 years, (based on our club) you are about 1000-1200 hours into the
engine.
Are you facing a rebuild soon or do you expect it to go to TBO??.. that's 4
more years.
Hopefully you have been "paying yourself" and have a separate "engine fund".

Everyone is facing the "horizontal attach points" AD that was released this
summer. You've got 1000 flying hours to fix it, if you find no problems on
regular inspections. We estimate about $2000-$2500 for that AD.

We average 12 gph in tow operations with a 250HP Pawnee, I'm guessing that
180HP Husky will be about 9-10gph, or at $4/gal, about $12 per hour cheaper
to operate... the 200HP (new at about $200K) will run 10-12gph.

But now lets look at the cost of insuring a $150-$200K Husky vice a $35K
Pawnee. fuhgetaboutit.

Someone mentioned the 200HP Husky, I'm sure it's a great tow bird, but you
may loose useful load.
Sure it's nice having a two seat tow for training purposes. We have a friend
with a Scout and tow hook. We train tow pilots in that and "graduate" them
into the Pawnee.

Keep the Pawnee, if your flying field can support a winch, get one.
BT


"Travis Beach" wrote in message
...
Our club has a Piper Pawnee 235hp in excellent condition.
We just spent $35000 five years ago to completely overhaul
her...new fabric, new engine, anything that needed
to be replaced was...

Heres the rub...we are in the middle of a new two place
acquisition with the club making a decision about getting
a new two place intermediate performance. We were about
to drop the hammer when a very vocal minority raised
the issue of PAWNEE needing to be replaced citing extreme
maintenance cost (???) and inability to get parts.
He/She cited the local aero repair facility as his/her
source of information...Many of us just dont see this
as a problem. The replacement that was cited was a
Husky 180HP...I just dont see the reasoning of such
a switch...I surely would rather two a heavier two
place with a proven performer with 235 hp vs a 180...

What say you? Discuss...should we scrap the Pawnee
in favor of a Husky?

Beach