Forum Replies Created
Posted In: Alyssa Miller
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Participant
Steve, I think you got me confused with the other person in that thread (I think his name is Kevin). I didn’t import my plane, in fact I bought mine locally (about 30 minutes from my house). Happy to write-up any details of my experience as a first time plane owner, buying a plane as a student pilot, etc. but that’s about all the expertise I have to offer 🙂
ParticipantYeah that’s my hope. I basically told them, make it as close to new as you reasonably can. “Starting with a known quantity” is how they put it. I’m very glad I prepared for this. Before buying my plane I saw a video by Shmindy on Youtube talking about her first annual on a 1950’s 182. Cost her $12,000. So when I planned the budget for my plane I included a big chunk for the first annual.
LEDs are very nice, I also installed the WAT Chroma bulbs in the wing tips so the only non-LED lighting left is the belly strobe and the tail nav light. I was surprised that replacing the rotating beacon only saved about 0.4A but the increased safety (and quiet) is still well worth the cost IMHO.
Now to figure out my avionics budget 🙂
ParticipantHi Alyssa;
I’m pretty sure the strut will have to be completely disassembled so that all the seals, including the hard to get at one can be replaced with new.
It’s very common to just replace the two bottom O-rings and if they’re worn that will be enough, but at some point the hard to get at one will need to be replaced.
I have a question for you.
Based on your response to the engine pre heating question, I’m assuming you’re not new to the airplane ownership game–your references to Lycoming suggestions gave you away.
Jen, the editor/owner of Piper Flyer is always looking for reader written stories. If you’d like to write a story on any subject related to your airplane ownership, or previous flying adventures that may have lead you to owner ship, or why you picked the airplane you picked, or what you like best about your airplane or private flying, I’d like to encourage you.
99% of the photos that accompany my articles are taken with my iPhone 11 so any new photos you want to include will be easy to get; older photos can be digitized–I use an iPhone app called Slidescan for slides or Photoscan for prints.
Your writing seems clear and concise so in my mind you’re all set.
S
Steve, I apologize as I totally missed this response. Actually I am a brand new pilot and first time airplane owner. I bought my Cherokee while working on my Private Pilot certificate. That said, I did and continue to do literally tons of reading and research on how to own and maintain my plane. I do have a somewhat mechanical background (having wrenched on my own cars) so that helps but I also have a strong desire to know as much as I can about my aircraft.So I realize that’s probably not what Jen would be looking for, but if there’s ever a desire for the perspectives of a student, now low-time private pilot’s perspective on buying an aircraft or the ownership experience I’d be happy to write up some content for you folks.
ParticipantThat’s exactly what they tried first. They basically did all the items they could without pulling the full strut (including replacing the valve) just to try to fix it quick since they knew my check ride was coming. Unfortunately, from what they told me there is one seal they can’t do that way and of course it seems that’s the seal that’s leaking. Hoping they get it in the shop before the end of this week cuz I’d really like to take my first passenger flying this weekend 🙂
ParticipantHi Doug,
The prevailing attitude is to turn on the engine heater about 4 to 8 hours prior to initial engine start.
HangarBot sells a switch that can be operated by a cell phone signal. If there’s electrical power in your hangar, cell reception at your hangar and you need to pre-heat that seems like a pretty slick set up.
This is pretty much the process I follow. I have a Tanis heater and if I know the temps will be below 45 degrees I will fire up the heater 6-8 hours before my planned flight. I have a similar switch from Switcheon (with Tanis branding on it) that has two outlets that can be separately controlled via their phone app. The box itself uses a 4G mobile connection so you don’t need wifi. I generally try to be sure I’m actually going to fly before I turn it on. There is some discussion of cycling it on and off without starting the engine causing corrosion. From what I’ve seen discussed this was more of a concern on Continental engines but I’ve seen just as many claim it’s not an issue at all.
In addition, I recently bought a small space heater with a digital thermostat and tip-over protection to use as a cabin heater (at the suggestion of my CFI/A&P-IA). This is mostly to keep the gauges and avionics at a reasonable temp. I leave that one turned on all the times since the digital thermostat controls when it runs and it only has a small area to heat. I just set it to the lowest temp which is 60F so it doesn’t run too often and I can still switch it off remotely with the second outlet of the switcheon.
ParticipantOh awesome, thanks for the reply. Sorry with holidays and my check ride (that I just passed yesterday btw) I haven’t been back here in a little bit. A few answers to your questions. I am based at KETB (West Bend, WI) and I do have a hangar, a T-Hangar that I rent from the FBO.
I bought the plane at the end of August from a local seller. The plane spent most of it’s life in Arizona, initially as a flight school plane (first 1,600 hours) and then privately owned. The guy I bought it from took it to Florida where he had it for about 8 months before he moved up here to WI. I bought it from him with about 4,500TT and the engine about 550h SFOH. It’s pretty well cared for, traditional steam gauges and a lackluster panel except for the Stratus ESG with installed 3i receiver. It comes up for annual this December so I’ll be getting all the little squawk list issues dealt with as well and once I know what budget I have left, I plan to start upgrading the panel. An audio panel and GPS/Nav/Com are tops on my list.
I posted a public album on here with some pics (https://www.piperflyer.org/community/photos/album.html?albumid=428). Right now she’s going back into the shop because of a leak in the right main gear strut. Doesn’t hold air for more than a day or so. The shop had to fill it the yesterday morning before my check ride to make sure I’d get through.
Anyway, appreciate the responses and looking forward to learning from all the great folks here.
