You need to learn everything about a PA-38 that you can before you begin shopping. There are lots of mods, mandatory inspections, etc. on them. Depending on the mods, you may or may not have to do expensive recurring inspections.
They are good airplanes, just require a very good knowledge of the variations in options and year models and service bulletins on them.
There is one FBO that has taken the PA-38 under its wing and has devoloped a life extension kit for the wings. As manufactured, the wings are limited to 11,000 hours, then they are scrap. The life extension takes them out ot something like 17,000 hrs. The plus of course is that they strengthen the wings. This same outfit has other mods also, and are very familiar with the PA-38.
If you find one that a wing or both have been replaced, you absolute must have good records of the total time on the replacement wings at installation and time on the airplane since then. If you do not see good records on the hours on the wings, no matter what you THINK they might have on them, they are SCRAP if you cannot absolutely verify the total time on the wings.
Stabilizer trim spring is also life limited, need good records on this and make sure if you buy that the spring has good times remaining on it.
Problem areas were the bulkhead where the tail attached, inspect or replace with heavy duty, the landing gear attach bolts, install improved bolts and inspect regular to prevent problems, the engine mount cracked, Kasola Associates in Albany GA has a STC beef up mod for the mounts. Originally they were built with 5.00x5 wheels and later 6.00x6 or 15x6.00x6 wheels were optional on the mains, this is when the landing gear attach bolt problems surfaced.
My opinion is that this is a good airplane for VG's (no one has bothered to STC them yet however). This is an excellent airplane for an individual to own who understands airplanes with idiosyncrasies. Kinda like owning a 1950's Trimuph or MG. Top door latch was easily damaged, always caused trouble with renters, an individual would quickly learn how to operate it and never have a problem, stuff like this.
Charles
