Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes New Member. Help me buy my first airplane.

I completely agree with the rational for a hanger but I think you're over exaggerating the degree of deterioration when sitting outside. You could paint the plane every other year for the cost of hanger storage. Cockpit covers keep the plastic from wearing as much as hangers do as long as you use them. There's a million arguments to get a hanger and I assure you I can't refute them all. If I had the money and was keeping the plane long term, I'd rent the hanger space. Otherwise, it just doesn't make sense for an aircraft only worth ~$20k.

Tiedown vs. Hanger

Reason I keep my airplane tied down on the ramp:

1. Lack of funding!!!!

seriously though, there is minimal hanger space in these parts. If I were lucky enough to be picked off a waiting list, I'd be coughing up $300-$350/month, that's about 8 thousand every 2 years. Almost enough to get an overhaul or paint job. We all have our reasons, to hang or tie, and ultimatly have to distribute that portion of disposable income towards our plane and it's living quarters. Boy, ain't we lucky!

The reverse could be true,, look at that beatifull paint job,, Priceless,, to match with avionics and instruments that are as old as the paint,, I don't know of anyone that doesn't want a GPS,, how about moving map,, wow, flip flop radios,, and the list goes on. Assume you start with, lets say a $5000 budget per year for maint, flying, and parking. Apply that over 10 years,, and I know if you keep your plane waxed and cleaned the paint will last at minimum that long, after 10 years, I've gotten lots of airtime, saved up money for a new paint job, and a good start to a nice looking panel,, compared that to $30,000 in hangar rental over the 10 years,, We all make individual decisions based off what we beleive works best for us at a given time. Hangar rental in town here is $400/month,, lots of hangars, most are full, but for the life of me,, can't figure out why they aren't seen flying around,,

Alright, folks! We got off on a tangent here that has little to do with what Tim originally came to us for.

Bottom line, we all do what works for us, myself included. We all gather information and explore our options before making a big decision (at least, I think we should)! This thread has definately explored the "hangar or tiedown" option. Tim has the information he needs to make an informed decision on where to keep his plane based on his criteria ...... NOT OURS! What's good for one is poison for the other!

Now, lets help Tim buy a great plane! He can get burned quite easily, and we know how to prevent that, don't we?

You bet we do Carl. Research, research, research! ask a million questions, and don't be afraid to offend a seller by making a low ball offer.

These darn threads seem to get off subject matter so easily, don't they? Sorry Tim. I hope you find a great bird that fits into your budget. My suggestion would be to buy Mike Arman's book ( link provided on front page) Read through its entirty. You can even contact him directly, he helped me sort through the mess back in February. I value all his opinions on buying the "right" plane. He picked out the one I eventually purchased from a solid field of 6 planes. I couldn't be happier.

Good luck Tim!

We must remember too where Tim lives. Although this summer has been very dry, typically Portland is a very drizzly climate, especially through winter.

I choose to hangar, but I can also see why one would not. However, Tim, if you DON'T hangar, I would recommend that you consider getting some good covers (the ones that go over both the windscreen and the wingroot areas, or the mold and mildew from a leaking old airplane will drive you nuts in short order.

There is a club member who I know has a 150 at TTD and his is outside for the same reason you cite.

They won't melt away, for sure, and your biggest enemy will be the rain, and sun damage to the interior. A good cover for a few hundred bucks (which may have to be replaced every few years) may remedy that to the point where there is not benefit.

Quite frankly, at $1500/yr, I have reasonable rent, plus I would otherwise have to rent some storage space, so it works for me. If I had a fabric plane, I would not leave it outside, but a 150 or 152....well...it's an economic vs. preference choice really.

It is somewhat sad to see a nice bird without corrosion to be left outside all the time, especially in the rain or close to the ocean

Okay Carl, and just when the fun was starting, but point well taken. Anywyas, to sort of reset this thread, I found this one and tracked it on ebay. It's no longer available but it shows what 150's go for depending on condition. This one appeared to be a very nice one,, went for $30,000. Must of been 1 of those hangar one's. "Sorry Carl, that last sentence,, I just couldn't help myself"

Anyways, have a look at the plane,, specially that interior, anyone have an idea what that is? Ebay [cgi.ebay.ca]

I seen that on ebay too! I havn't a clue what it is, but it sure looks nice and like it would be warm in the winter!

I did email the seller and asked what it was, NOW, if anyone can point to where some of this can be found,, please post,,

Here's his answer::This is a blue grey headliner fabric called DEF403 it was installed 2/2000. The company who did the work is Aircraft Interior Technologies in Kelso Wa. 1-360-575-XXXX They can answer more detailed questions for you if needed. Thanks Don

And "Please don't call that number" IT is not the right number,, it's a private number and they don't know anything about this, as a matter of fact I'll blank it out,, wouldn't want to cause problems,,