Looking for a very nice (uk/euro) Commander 114B
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SDB73 that sounds very exciting!
Just a short shower of realism over your planned inspection; short of removing all the wing and fuselage panels and performing an inspetion which is basically an annual, minus the paperwork, you won't get an inspection that is worth a great deal.
However, if there is an annual coming up in the near future, it may be worth bringing that forward and doubling it up with a pre-purchase inspection?
Just a short shower of realism over your planned inspection; short of removing all the wing and fuselage panels and performing an inspetion which is basically an annual, minus the paperwork, you won't get an inspection that is worth a great deal.
However, if there is an annual coming up in the near future, it may be worth bringing that forward and doubling it up with a pre-purchase inspection?
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wsmempson
I was planning a thorough inspection. So no shower of realism needed, thanks.
However, if you're saying "The annual inspection is basically the same as the inspection you intend to get done, so why not actually turn it into an annual anyway!", then that sounds like a pretty good idea to me.
Presumably, I could discuss with the owner, that an annual gets done, and I'll pay some of the costs, proportional to the inspection element of the annual, and he covers anything that comes up and needs doing - that way I end up with a new Annual, and a checked out aircraft. Great idea, thanks!
Is there anything that doesn't get checked on an annual that I might want to get checked on top?
GEP, the climb rate is a good idea, and as you've suggested before, and proper flight test wouldn't be a bad idea. Thank you.
I was planning a thorough inspection. So no shower of realism needed, thanks.
However, if you're saying "The annual inspection is basically the same as the inspection you intend to get done, so why not actually turn it into an annual anyway!", then that sounds like a pretty good idea to me.
Presumably, I could discuss with the owner, that an annual gets done, and I'll pay some of the costs, proportional to the inspection element of the annual, and he covers anything that comes up and needs doing - that way I end up with a new Annual, and a checked out aircraft. Great idea, thanks!
Is there anything that doesn't get checked on an annual that I might want to get checked on top?
GEP, the climb rate is a good idea, and as you've suggested before, and proper flight test wouldn't be a bad idea. Thank you.
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SDB, that was absolutely what I was suggesting. The basic cost for an annual on a single engine, complex, retractable is generally in the range of £2-4,000, assuming no nasties are found along the way. Having said that, trying to define the cost of an annual is a bit like trying to define the cost of a bottle of wine - there can be quite a wide range of outcomes.
As well as the inspection of the aircraft, there is quite a thorough paperwork inspection, not least because you are trying to establish that there are no outstanding AD's or SB's that have yet to be complied with. For example, the elevator spar is one obvious type specific one and the Lycoming crankshaft AD is another which is specific to the engine.
You may chose to suggest to the owner that this is done by the maintenance outfit that YOU plan to use in the future, as that will make the most sense for you and a fresh pair of eyes on the job may be informative....
If you want suggestions as to who you might use (and who it is probably best not to use) do give me a call - I think you have my number from last time?
As well as the inspection of the aircraft, there is quite a thorough paperwork inspection, not least because you are trying to establish that there are no outstanding AD's or SB's that have yet to be complied with. For example, the elevator spar is one obvious type specific one and the Lycoming crankshaft AD is another which is specific to the engine.
You may chose to suggest to the owner that this is done by the maintenance outfit that YOU plan to use in the future, as that will make the most sense for you and a fresh pair of eyes on the job may be informative....
If you want suggestions as to who you might use (and who it is probably best not to use) do give me a call - I think you have my number from last time?
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114 TB20 OR sSARATOGA
Firstly as has been mentioned in previous posts so long as you do a thorough conversion training, converting from a Cessna 150 to a complex aircraft will not be a major problem. You will soon learn to plan your descents, arrivals speeds etc with the help of an experienced instructor.
I for one, bought a share in a Mooney231 (turbo non fixed gate) while I was still learning on a 150..
However,my instructor was also a share holder, so I managed to get plenty of experience with him before i was happy to fly the aircraft alone.
I would agree with a previous post,that this was around 20 hours until I felt I was ahead of the aircraft, rather than the other way around.
I changed for my first Saratoga about 12 years ago having after my wife found the Money a little bit claustrophobic. I have to say that my first Saratoga,was a joy to fly, easy to land and the extra space when taking even just 4 passengers really appreciated .. That's something to consider if you plan to go touring.
I now fly a 1998 Saratoga 11TC, and with the fixed gate turbo, it is no more complex to fly than my old one, however it is considerably faster even at low level and of course the climb and speed at high level make touring a real pleasure,with fitted oxygen a real help.
One advantage with buying a later aircraft is, of course it comes better equipment with things like TCAS,( a must) air conditioning, coupled auto pilot etc..
Also I have to say that reliability has been much better than any of my friends older 114's.. They do seem to have suffered from a lot of downtime over the years, however, as these are both 1977 vintage this may have something to do with it.
I have flown many of my friends 114's over the years and I have to say they are very nice aircraft, they certainly flatter any landing with their amazing trailing link undercarriage.
I will agree however with other posters here, that the Saratoga is the more stable aircraft in my opinion, but that could be just me as I have over 12years of flying them.
I am sure what ever you decide on, you will enjoy your new purchase.
I enclose a link to mine !!
PlaneCheck Aircraft for Sale - New planes and price reductions
I for one, bought a share in a Mooney231 (turbo non fixed gate) while I was still learning on a 150..
However,my instructor was also a share holder, so I managed to get plenty of experience with him before i was happy to fly the aircraft alone.
I would agree with a previous post,that this was around 20 hours until I felt I was ahead of the aircraft, rather than the other way around.
I changed for my first Saratoga about 12 years ago having after my wife found the Money a little bit claustrophobic. I have to say that my first Saratoga,was a joy to fly, easy to land and the extra space when taking even just 4 passengers really appreciated .. That's something to consider if you plan to go touring.
I now fly a 1998 Saratoga 11TC, and with the fixed gate turbo, it is no more complex to fly than my old one, however it is considerably faster even at low level and of course the climb and speed at high level make touring a real pleasure,with fitted oxygen a real help.
One advantage with buying a later aircraft is, of course it comes better equipment with things like TCAS,( a must) air conditioning, coupled auto pilot etc..
Also I have to say that reliability has been much better than any of my friends older 114's.. They do seem to have suffered from a lot of downtime over the years, however, as these are both 1977 vintage this may have something to do with it.
I have flown many of my friends 114's over the years and I have to say they are very nice aircraft, they certainly flatter any landing with their amazing trailing link undercarriage.
I will agree however with other posters here, that the Saratoga is the more stable aircraft in my opinion, but that could be just me as I have over 12years of flying them.
I am sure what ever you decide on, you will enjoy your new purchase.
I enclose a link to mine !!
PlaneCheck Aircraft for Sale - New planes and price reductions
