Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes Buying a Plane in Florida...

(I reposted this from a different thread/subject - Kirk)

Hi Hung,

Nice to hear from you. I have learned that buying a plane is not that easy. Everyone says they have complete logbooks and their planes never been involved in an accident....great, until the logbooks are checked by a mechanic and things start to appear. I am doing another pre buy this thursday and hope that evrything goes well.

The plane is a 1967 cessna 150 very well taking care off, some rust, i am in Florida,,they question is how much is acceptable. Anyway, i hope that soon I will get a plane and start driving you guys crazy with questions. Is it easy to get parts for a cessna 150 1967? How much will it cost to paint it? any ideas in Florida?

Looking forward in talking with you Hung.

Thank you

Felipe

Felipe,

We have a number of members in Florida. If you'd like you might want to ask one of them to come along with your during your pre-buy. Although it sounds like you have a critical eye for spotting problems, it helps to (as the old Packard ads would say) "ask the man who owns one".

Steve Mayotte said any potential buyer should have a "buying buddy" come along with them when checking out a plane for sale. Someone who has been there and can help spot the problems only an owner will know about, tell you what can be ignored and what can't, and generally act as a voice of calm and reason.

In the Southeastern US, plan on $5000 to $7500 for a decent three color paint scheme on a 150. That would include stripping and other common prep work. Most paint shops will do, for an additional fee, repairs such as windshield installations, that are best done after stripping and before painting. This should include control surface balance checks too. On a '67, ailerons, elevators and rudder are balanced.

If you have surface corrosion in places (not uncommon on a Flordia bird) than plan on a little extra $$$ to cover that.

If you are planning on painting it, DO NOT attempt to do any interior corrosion spray (wings, tail, tailcone, etc.) until after the paint job is done and cured for six months or so.

Charles

Hello Felipe,

If you need someone to go with you, or check one out in this area, let me know. I haven't owned my plane for long, but another set of eyes might help. I'm just north of Tampa and I usually am flying somewhere on the weekends. On another note, if this plane doesn't work out, I've been thinking about selling my plane for a few different reasons.

If you need any help, contact me at rick.crosby@verizon.net
http://home1.gte.net/res07bh6/index.htm

Just a note on the painting issue- My Florida based '78 152 is fresh out of the paint shop. If you want a super good job, it will cost a lot more than a simple strip and paint quote, especially if Imron paint is used. I forked over for new stainless fasteners, new strut/landing gear/brake farings, repair dings and cracks in cowl, wing tip and wheel pants, repair or fix air vents, repair stall warning system, replace sheet metal gear strut covers, new windshield, fix loose rivets and corrosion repair. Lots of additional labor at $50 per hour. The airframe will never receive such a good inspection as during a paint job, especially if wings/stabilizer/tail and all control surfaces are removed as mine were.

Bob Steinkamp

WHile buying in FL if you need help I got a good AP in Orlando for a prebuy. We just paid I think 500 for ours.