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Hello, new guy here. Getting back into flying after 5-year break and ready to take the plunge into airplane ownership. I had to retire to get the time to fly. Interested in a 150 and need prebuy advice. What should I look for and what should I ask a mechanic to look at? Plane is in annual and looks in good shape, mid-time engine and airframe.

Welcome to the forum. It took you long enough (almost 13 years) to make your 1st post .

I have a few suggestions. I'm sure other members will have more:

* If possible, the A&P that does the pre-buy inspection should not be the same one who has been taking care of the airplane. Needs a new set of eyes. Besides, not everyone is good at critiquing his own work.

* Ask the seller if he would agree to have the pre-buy conducted as an annual inspection (you can offer to split the cost of the inspection, not repairs, with him). That way, there will be definite pass/fail criteria according to the FAA, instead of "it looks good to me".

I didn't follow the first advice when I bought my plane, because I didn't know any better. Fortunately, the A&P was an honest one. I ended up using his service during the 16 yrs that I owned my plane.

I did follow the 2nd advice. It turned up about $800 worth of needed repair (control yoke U-joint, a few other things). I used that to bring the selling price down.

If you're not concerned about other people buying that plane ahead of you, post where it is, or its general area. Some club members who live near there might offer to take a look at it for you.

Definitely get a prebuy inspection from an A&P/IA that is not the plane’s regular mechanic. Carefully review all the logbooks. My logbooks tell the story of a plane that had a lot of upgrades and TLC. Order the aircraft records on file with the FAA for $12 or pay for a title search. AOPA has an excellent purchase agreement that covers pretty much everything. Do your research on available aircraft in your budget range before you even begin to shop. Keep some funds in reserve for unexpected repairs. I was fortunate enough to find an A&P who became a good friend and let’s me assist him and learn all about my 150. All of us here in the club will try to help you any way we can! Planes cost some money to keep up but in my experience, much less than keeping up a boat!

Thanks for the advice. Yes, forgot that I had joined 13 years ago when I first started flying, dropped membership and just re-enrolled this week. Great club. Takes some of us a long time to figure out what we want...

Anyway, plane is in cottonwood airport AZ, L model. I would be happy to have help or advice any members have.

Thanks.

Mike

Welcome to the forum, Michael!

There are a couple of great 150's for sale here in the Club. You may want to look at those as well.

Good luck!

Welcome to the club Michael! Just curious, why a C150? They’re awesome planes, for sure. Just curious what sort of flying you do.

I second Hung, Alan and Stacey. All with great knowledge. The annual Cessna150/152 Club flyin in Clinton Iowa is going on this week, so a lot of others usually on the forum are at the flyin now, and not on the forum. Give them a couple days to get home, and they’ll also pipe in.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff. My usual excellent timing...I have flown mostly cessna 172s, citabrias,150s, and about 30 hrs in a 120. Always enjoyed flying the rental 150 more than the 172. More responsive and fun. After serious self reflection, I think the 150 best fits my budget and mission (I fly alone a lot). I want something I can afford to fly and also afford to take care of. VFR stick (or yoke) and rudder guy. I just like being up in the air.

I would definitely make sure the plane has been flying at least an hour every week for the last few years. DON'T buy a plane that has been sitting around. Corrosion can work fast. I bought a plane that had sat for a year (retired from a flight school). It was kept in a hanger and looked great. Unfortunately the crankshaft had started to corrode (unknown to me or the inspectors). A few years later I needed an overhaul even though the engine only had 1500 hours on a 2400 hour TBO.

I have been flying my overhauled engine now weekly for 7 years and have compressions between 75 and 80 with no engine issues. I'm retired also and fly between 70 to 80 hours/ year. That seems to be the sweet spot. Also try to get a shade port or (at a minimum) and over the top cover to protect against sun and rain.

I had never flown a 150 until I bought mine. I had gone flying a few times with a longtime friend who has a 150 and did a little yankin/bankin from the right seat, but otherwise all my time was in 172s and a few hours in a Citabria. You and I (and so many members here!) like the 150s for all the same reasons you mentioned. I just got my 150 two months ago. Life is good. I hope you find a good one. The good people on this site made it very easy to get mine looked over VERY well, and they even brought it right to me! This is the best club you'll find anywhere on the internet. Good luck in your search. Don't fall in love with an airplane until it's too late.

Other Club members may have more details but I believe the L model (and several others)came stock with a 3 piece wheel. Not a deal breaker but something to consider. If I remember correctly, the Viking has an L model, as I'm sure others do.