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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