Selling my airplane

On Feb 16, 6:34 am, "Dan Luke" wrote:
I've decided to sell '87D (anyone interested can see it on
rec.aviation.marketplace).

Whether I'll buy another airplane is uncertain, but right now I'm doubtful.
There are just too many negatives associated with owning an airplane in the
Mobile area -- principally hangar and mechanic problems. Most likely I'll go
back to renting from the Flight School, as the local aero club doesn't have
anything more capable than Skyhawks.

For the most part, I've loved having my own airplane, but it looks like soon
I'll be faced with either parking it outdoors or paying $320/mo. for a T
hangar at Fairhope, neither of which is acceptable. Put that together with
the fact that I've been unable to find a mechanic I can really trust, and you
have a situation I just can't enjoy. The FBO monopoly around here keeps fuel
prices high, too, another aggravation.

You folks that have cheap fuel, good mechanics or good hangar deals count your
blessings.

--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

Dan,

Sorry to hear of your predicament. I was sympathetic when I read
about your problem with the black oil after 2 hrs running time, and
your mechanic (whom you had trusted to keep the engine in good shape)
said it was not a problem. Trust me, I know from personal experience
just how bad some A&P's are (not to mention the dishonest ones). It is
actually a tribute to your personal ethics that you have decided to
sell rather than trust your life to someone that might get you killed.
I am lucky since I am an Aerospace Engineer and know pretty much what
is up with my plane (Cessna 177A), and the A&P's can't BS me. Many I
have dealt with have tried, believe me. Just last year, I had some
studs break that hold the #4 cylinder on the engine case. I noticed
something wrong and turned back shortly after takeoff (smart me). To
make a long story short, no damage had been done to the engine yet,
and I was able to fix it for less than $50 in parts (new studs). I did
the work myself and had my IA help me put it back together for about 4
hrs labor charge from him. When I showed my problem to the engine shop
here at the airport where I am based, he immediately said I had to
split the case, yada, yada, yada. About $20,000 in all by the time you
were ready go fly again. That was a year ago and just replacing the
studs has worked fine since the engine is running nicely ever since.
My IA lets me do annuals on the ramp with me doing all the work, and
charges a set fee of $200 for the inspection. Since I try and keep the
plane in airworthy shape, that is usually all that is needed.
If you check around, you can find a good A&P that will work with
you. It is worth it even if you have to fly a couple of hrs to get to
him for annuals or major service. Ask everyone you know about a good
mechanic that will let you work with him. You can eventually find one
if you try. There are good and honest ones (and some awful owners
too!) out there. You could also look at keeping the plane outside
(although, that close to the coast I wouldn't want to) since it is the
humid salt air that does the damage, and a hangar doesn't help with
that.
The Cutlass you have is a sweet plane. Good ones are hard to
find. If you feel you have to go the way of selling, then it shouldn't
be too hard to do.

Regards,
Bud

Bummer, sorry to hear you're selling Dan...especially after all the
effort you've put in to create the nicest 172RG I've ever seen. Still,
I can understand the economic side of things that can necessitate a
change. Sucks though.


--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane

"To become a Jedi knight, you must master a single force. To become
a private pilot you must strive to master four of them"
- Rod Machado

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

"Jack Allison" wrote:

Bummer, sorry to hear you're selling Dan...especially after all the effort
you've put in to create the nicest 172RG I've ever seen. Still, I can
understand the economic side of things that can necessitate a change. Sucks
though.

I went out and flew the airplane this weekend. I felt like a traitor, like a
guy taking his wife out to dinner, knowing he was about to divorce her.

I didn't realize I'd gotten that sentimental about "Delta."

--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

"Dan Luke" wrote:

You folks that have cheap fuel, good mechanics or good hangar deals
count your blessings.

We do every day... 3R7 ($660 a year, $35 hour labor, currently $3.90 but I
fly on mogas, currently $2.00)

Though I live on the approach to 16 @ 4R7. City council (4R7) just gave
approval to seek funding from the FAA for new jet hanger and 6 to 8 t-
hangers (currently $75 a month). Apparently they are paying 100% of the
costs, with no contributions from the state or locals...

3R7 receives property rental income to the tune of $40k to $60k a month
(hotel, Waffle House, Wendy's, truckstop, bank, used car lot, etc.)...

On 2/20/2007 11:00:48 AM, Darrel Toepfer wrote:

We do every day... 3R7 ($660 a year, $35 hour labor, currently $3.90 but I
fly on mogas, currently $2.00)

Where is this Shangra-La known as 3R7?

--
Peter

"Peter R." wrote:
On 2/20/2007 11:00:48 AM, Darrel Toepfer wrote:

We do every day... 3R7 ($660 a year, $35 hour labor, currently $3.90
but I fly on mogas, currently $2.00)

Where is this Shangra-La known as 3R7?

Jennings, LA... Currently 13/31 is closed due to relighting and new
approach light installation. 8/26 is due for relighting next year with
approach lights being installed. Also has a grass strip 17/35. 2 fuel
providers, one self-serve and the other full service...

Also a ramp to access the Holiday Inn. Every year that site is host to a
good sized Stearman flyin. Last year they didn't allow public access to
the tie down area... Kinda bummed alot of people... Course if you taxi
over in your plane, they can't kick you out... ;-)

KOPL has been selling their 100ll for $3.19 ever since they got their
fuel system last year...

KOPL has been selling their 100ll for $3.19 ever since they got their
fuel system last year...

Damn. We paid $4.67 per gallon at Spirit of St. Louis (KSUS) this
morning. And the price was going up another dime as we left.

You guys that are stuck with rip-off FBOs like that have my deepest
sympathy. Thank God for mogas!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

In article .com,
"Jay Honeck" wrote:

You guys that are stuck with rip-off FBOs like that have my deepest
sympathy. Thank God for mogas!

And just how do you support the FBO's at the airports you visit and
whose courtesy cars you freely use? ;-))

On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 06:34:09 -0800, Dan Luke wrote
(in article ):

I've decided to sell '87D (anyone interested can see it on
rec.aviation.marketplace).

I know. I sold my planes off, too. Maybe a partnership might make it
worhwhile.

--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor