Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes 150/150. too cheap...

I'm sure it would climb 1800 FPM - with 5 gallons of fuel and flown by remote control <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't know Jeff, I've nearly always found it's better to find the cream puff you'd really like to have and buy it at the best price you can negotiate. I DIDN'T DO THAT OF COURSE!!! But I still think it's the best way to go.

I take that as a hint, Carl. I'm up for it! I want to take a peek anyway!

I've been thinking about the paint. IF, the white is in good shape, you could go to a Hot Rod shop and order some graphics and stick them on. You could end up with a very unique "paint job" at little cost. You might even be able to get a break if a local shop can do the work and use the airplane as advertisement. These custom "Tuner" shops are springing up all over the place. The cars go faster than our airplanes anyway, the decals are not going to blow off. - Just a thought.

As for the other concerns, you won't know until you look into it.

How about this other one they've got for sale:

1979 Cessna 152 II [controller.com]

6950 TT, 800 SMOH , IFR. Only $34,500.

Wait a minute... $34,000?????

Maybe it's just me, but something tells me their phone's not going to be ringing off the hook for that one.

- Jeff

Good Guess!

We'll be out of town from the 22nd to the 30th. Do you have any free time before then (weather permiting)?

Tomorrow or wednesday afternoon. The shop's going to monkey with my bird - service the nose strut sometime this week. Whenever's better for you.

Interesting article along these lines on AvWeb.
http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/190995-1.html

I think that's a great article! Mike Busch rarely puts anything in print that I can disagree with. 84G was one of those he talks about ( a good mid-time corrosion free airplane with cosmetic problems) that you can buy well below market (well .... not now ..... she's getting a well deserved restoration!)

Anyway, I called Scott McDonald yesterday and inquired about the 150/150 in Stuart, Florida. Seems it's in Ft. Pierce today, having an annual done (I noted that the current annual isn't due until June '06. What gives?)
I asked about the logs, which are supposedly complete since day one. The engine is an O-320-E2D and is past TBO, but is still running strong with compressions of 70+. The panel is unremarkable, except for an old Loran and ADF, and likely needs the navcom upgraded. She is not currently IFR certified (and may not be certifiable). The interior is complete but worn. The paint is old, and Scott described it as a 4 out of 10. I asked about damage history (the FAA database showed none), and was surprised by a disertation about damage history being a relative thing. "... one customer complained that replacing a rudder due to hangar rash meant 'damage history'!"

He never actually answered my question about this aircraft. [color:"red"]Red Flag! [/color]

My impression (still having not seen the plane) is that this might be worth an A&P/Pilot's attention, if he has the time and resources to restore this aircraft (I know I don't). I do not think it is a viable purchase for most buyers, who would pay going rates for upgrades, paint, and an overhaul. Someone could buy this bird and possibly fly it several hundred more happy hours before overhaul, but it will never be worth more than what it is now without pouring money into it.

I have been looking for a not so shiny 150 - to use as a rental to students here. I had browsed this one but am not thrilled about it. Look up the registration - seems it was a fish spotter plane. I have alot of friends here that are fish spotters and they all fly long hours hours in the salt environment. Corrosion would be a major concern to me with that one - look at the yokes in the picture.

The other thing that would have my attention is the maintenance - fish spotters don't make $ by putting it back into the plane - airworthy - SURE - but the niceities tend to go by the wayside. See the radios - If it still works - use it type thing...


Dave

I'm sure different companies do things in different ways and I've always suspected fish spotters might not be well maintained but then again, you are over water for hours on end......... I have a friend with a 1976 Cessna 180. It was a fish spotter from brand new till he bought it from the company that used it (in Louisiana, several years ago). It had over 9000 hours on it and was in excellent condition, probably better than airplanes with 1/3 the hours, nice paint and good radios, everything was up to snuff and a super clean airframe (it was speced as a seaplane, corrosion proofing, windshield brace, seaplane prop, never on floats) The only corrosion we found was exfoliation of the RH outboard landing gear fitting, and P.Ponk in Seattle told us that was normal of landplanes, seaplanes, whatever, and was probably caused by exhaust gases. The seller even put in a new battery for my friend, it did not need it, but was a couple of years old and the seller didn't want my friend to have any problems (they had never met previous to this deal).

Charles