Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site ihnp3.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihnp3!cfiaime From: cfiaime@ihnp3.UUCP (J. Williams) Newsgroups: net.aviation Subject: Re: Aircraft wear and tear. Message-ID: <185@ihnp3.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Nov-85 09:50:23 EST Article-I.D.: ihnp3.185 Posted: Tue Nov 12 09:50:23 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 13-Nov-85 08:03:03 EST References: <21@utastro.UUCP> Reply-To: cfiaime@ihnp3.UUCP (45261-J. Williams) Distribution: net Organization: ATT Bell Labs Lines: 40 In article <21@utastro.UUCP> padraig@utastro.UUCP (Padraig Houlahan) writes: > >How significant is the age factor when purchasing an aircraft? For instance >how does one decide that a larger, but older, aircraft is a better buy than >a younger but smaller one, or vice versa? What are the reasons for >choosing one over the other? > Airplanes literally last for decades with the proper care. You may need to occasionally rebuild systems, change engines, or spiffy up the cabin, but the basic airframe often will last for better than 30 years. May I be so bold as to make a suggestion. The 1953 Turbo-Barnburner 408A (for those of you who read Richard Taylor) may be available for under $10,000. The 520 horse Belchfire Geared-Supercharged-Turbocharged- Turbocompound-Constant speed O-256 engine, however, requires over $48000 to overhaul, with a TBO of 1.3 hours. All kidding aside, if an airplane was once expensive, it will always be expensive on maintenance. That's where the rub comes in, not the purchase price. Let's face it, Mark Clark in Rockford, Illinois has a Douglas A-26 Invader available for less than a good, late model, 310. But, what is the cost of operation? An R-2800 burns between 60 and 90 gallons per hour (fuel) at cruise. Add bunches of oil. Overhaul costs are around $35,000 per engine. Add several hours of maintence for each flight hour. You are better off in the 310, and pocket the operating expenses. Don't be afraid of an old airplane just because of its age. Do, however, research the airplane before buying. Some, like the Beech 18, may need expensive modifications to continue flying. But, there are some real bargains, some good, fun airplanes out there. Lately I have been flying a 1942 Fairchild PT-19 (and an open cockpit at 40 degrees is COLD), a 1946 Cub, a 1944 DC-3 is in the offing when the propeller is replaced, and am restoring a 1940 Funk. jeff williams ihnp3!cfiaime