ths@lanl.ARPA (05/22/85)
Since the net has been so quiet I thought I would share my recent
experience in buying an airplane with you. I realize that my
credibility is now suspect .... but let me tell you what I found.
I was looking for a C-172 or Pa-28-151, preferrable pre-1977 so I
could use autogas if needed. I looked at 5 C-172s.
1965 0-time engine $14,000 poor condition
1972 1700 Hrs TT $15,000 been landed in a cornfield
1975 1000 TT $16,500 Outstanding, full IFR
1976 2900TT 700SMOH $16,500 Outstanding, only one radio
1979 1800 TT $20,000 H engine
Althought the sellers appeared to be quite firm on their prices, I took
the 1975 to the local mechanic (for $120) who pronounced it in very good
condition. But, since it needed an annual and about $300 worth of small
stuff, I dickered a bit with the seller who was anxious to return to Ill.
To make a long story short I bought it for $15,000.
Although I had the lead on the 76 for a week, I saw all of these planes at
the ABQ airport in a space of 2 hours. I didn't even try to dicker with
anyone until I found the "one" that I thought I wanted and really knew the
condition of the airplane.
I financed using a second on my house at 12.5% vs the 14% for a loan against
the plane (on which they would only loan $13,600). I also borrowed enough
to take care of the annual ($750,) insurance ($1423 AVEMCO), and
incidentals - no money out of my pocket.
Using the airplane for my own flight instructing I will be charging $40 hr
wet (avgas 80 octane is $1.65 here). Flying 20 hours per month I will be
able to pay off the note in five years with (hopefully) a $5000 engine
reserve for the major at that time.
AVEMCO will not permit autofuel for commercial operations - only private and
business use. So I'll sit for a bit and see how things start to fall into
(or out of) place.
Wish me luck!rlr@avsdS.UUCP (Rhode L. Roberts) (05/28/85)
> Since the net has been so quiet I thought I would share my recent > experience in buying an airplane with you. > > I was looking for a C-172 or Pa-28-151, preferrable pre-1977 so I > could use autogas if needed. I looked at 5 C-172s. > > AVEMCO will not permit autofuel for commercial operations - only private and > business use. So I'll sit for a bit and see how things start to fall into > (or out of) place. *** EGASSEM RUOY HTIW ENIL SIHT ECALPER *** ( ^ my message ^ ) Regarding Auto Gas: All the results are not in yet but: I own a PA-28/140(150) 1969 vintage, on a recent cross country (USA for a month) finding 80 octane was remote east of the mississippi. Forced to use 100, I added TCP, according to recommended proceedure. Six months later, the engine started acting up. It seems that the float in the carb. sank. The reason; the carb. manufacturer felt that they could save some $$ by using a type of poly-foam float instead of a metal float... well the foam job melted from the chemicals. Great huh! I had it rebuilt with a metal float. I have heard that auto gas will do the same to the foam floats. Good Luck ( check out the float ). R. Roberts Ampex Corp. Redwood City, Ca.