I just got back from a conversation with my mechanic about the plane. A quote from one person there was "if you aren't paying anything for it you paid the right price" and another stated "every hour you get from the plane is a blessing." The mechanic just stated "I recommend you walk away from this plane."
Apparently the engine data plate is missing rather crucial information (like the entire data plate -- it's there, it's just nobody stamped anything on it). No big deal, it needs an overhaul anyway because if it weren't for leaks the engine wouldn't have gotten enough air to run (i.e. ADs not complied for the air filter). However, I doubt we would get any decent core deposit back for an engine that has been tampered with (no wonder the log book has zero time from someone other than the manufacturer). Furthermore, the safety wires on almost everything external (including the prop) are the wrong size, not tight enough, etc. Then there is an issue of the lawn tractor battery and non-aviation-grade wiring that is corroding all over the inside of the cowling. Oh, and by the way, nobody yet knows what the "carb heat" control does because it obviously doesn't control the carb heat (the knob to the right of the "carb heat" control is the one that is connected to the carb heat, which makes sense because you would be sitting in the left seat, so the angle from where you view the control . . . oh, forget it, it is messed up for no good reason). And the Hobbs -- it shows the aircraft has 1700+ hours when the logs are in the 2400+ range. It also doesn't work, neither does the engine tachometer.
So much for the excitement, I think I will now return to my regularly scheduled helicopter lessons. At least the mechanics who work on them are perfectionists about what counts. Maybe when the financial situation gets better we might look again for a Cessna (now that I have a library of the service and parts manuals, ADs, SBs, etc.).
Rudy
