---------------------------------------------------------- Commander-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 09/06/12: 12 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 12:01 PM - Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (stratobee) 2. 12:17 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (Kerry Johnson) 3. 02:49 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (Andrew & Bridget Watson) 4. 02:50 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (Richard Thompson) 5. 03:06 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (stratobee) 6. 03:14 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (White_rhino_ps) 7. 03:36 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (stratobee) 8. 03:38 PM - Re: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (Tylor Hall) 9. 03:42 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (stratobee) 10. 03:48 PM - Re: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (Kerry Johnson) 11. 04:03 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (stratobee) 12. 07:25 PM - Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... (cybersuperstore) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 12:01:42 PM PST US Subject: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... From: "stratobee" So, certain thoughts are starting to swirl in my head and they're not positive. N20VE is now in for her second annual during my tenure. Lately, she's been nothing but the most reliable airplane one could wish to have - not a single squawk in about 100hr. And since I spent $35K on her last year, I'd expect a pretty painless annual. However, I was due for a beatdown. Dropped her off at HHR for the annual and immediately we find out I'm overdue on the 250hr prop hub inspection - something I'd never heard of before. Not only that, the 500hr inspection is coming up as well. The props have also never been O/H, so they need to be done. We're talking $10K here, for something that is due for another inspection and might fail in 500hrs.. Wing Spar inspection is due. This is no biggie, but still 20 man hours and dye penetrant and all that. It'll last another 500hrs... And in less than 300 hrs, the front spar cap inspection is due, which is also time limited. A bigger deal. Flap pulleys and cable AD needs to be done, etc, etc. So I'm already up to a $20K annual without them even having her opened up and finding any nasty stuff... The left engine has 50hrs left to run before TBO. Now, that doesn't scare me as she makes no metal and has great compression, but still, it will have to be dealt with sooner or later. The last quote I got is $38K from Corona Engines here in CA to do ONE engine... The right engine is only 150hrs behind... New paint job (it's bad) quote I got was $18K. The avionics panel is a mess and she's barely legal to fly IFR in... So, basically, I would have to spend at least $110K to take care of all these issues. Now, I can just do the annual and play it by ear and see things get worse and spend as little money as possible, but then the problem just gets delayed. Also, my mission is changing. I need to go long distances for work and I could use something a little faster and more capable. My question is, am I just throwing money down a black hole? I could sell her as she sits now and get $20K, easily, save the $20K in annual and have $40K towards something more capable. A $110K today will buy you a whole lotta capable and more modern twins... Combine this with a very bad financial year where I've struggled to make ends meet and it's starting to wear me down. I'm just a bit disenchanted at the moment... Thoughts? -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382519#382519 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 12:17:33 PM PST US From: "Kerry Johnson" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... When asked how much does it cost to maintain an airplane; a wise man once said; "a little more than you have". Seems like every aircraft I've ever owned has cost a lot more than I ever expected it to cost. And that's true from a C24R Beech Serria to T210, P210, 58P Baron, B60 Duke, Aerostar 601 & 602P with standard 290 HP engines and 700 series 350 HP engines and of course the 400LS Cheyenne. Never once had a plane that cost as much or less than I figured... Whatever you have; your aircraft will consume. -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of stratobee Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 1:01 PM Subject: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... So, certain thoughts are starting to swirl in my head and they're not positive. N20VE is now in for her second annual during my tenure. Lately, she's been nothing but the most reliable airplane one could wish to have - not a single squawk in about 100hr. And since I spent $35K on her last year, I'd expect a pretty painless annual. However, I was due for a beatdown. Dropped her off at HHR for the annual and immediately we find out I'm overdue on the 250hr prop hub inspection - something I'd never heard of before. Not only that, the 500hr inspection is coming up as well. The props have also never been O/H, so they need to be done. We're talking $10K here, for something that is due for another inspection and might fail in 500hrs.. Wing Spar inspection is due. This is no biggie, but still 20 man hours and dye penetrant and all that. It'll last another 500hrs... And in less than 300 hrs, the front spar cap inspection is due, which is also time limited. A bigger deal. Flap pulleys and cable AD needs to be done, etc, etc. So I'm already up to a $20K annual without them even having her opened up and finding any nasty stuff... The left engine has 50hrs left to run before TBO. Now, that doesn't scare me as she makes no metal and has great compression, but still, it will have to be dealt with sooner or later. The last quote I got is $38K from Corona Engines here in CA to do ONE engine... The right engine is only 150hrs behind... New paint job (it's bad) quote I got was $18K. The avionics panel is a mess and she's barely legal to fly IFR in... So, basically, I would have to spend at least $110K to take care of all these issues. Now, I can just do the annual and play it by ear and see things get worse and spend as little money as possible, but then the problem just gets delayed. Also, my mission is changing. I need to go long distances for work and I could use something a little faster and more capable. My question is, am I just throwing money down a black hole? I could sell her as she sits now and get $20K, easily, save the $20K in annual and have $40K towards something more capable. A $110K today will buy you a whole lotta capable and more modern twins... Combine this with a very bad financial year where I've struggled to make ends meet and it's starting to wear me down. I'm just a bit disenchanted at the moment... Thoughts? -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382519#382519 ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 02:49:40 PM PST US From: "Andrew & Bridget Watson" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... A quick glance at Controller.com shows you could pick up an older (late '60s) Baron 55 or early '70s Cessna 310Q & late '70s 310R for under $100K. But...you could also be buying somebody else's problems. The only aircraft that I know of that didn't cost as much as expected in maintenance was my dad's old Cherokee 1969 235C. Although he piled on the hours, he babied it and when it came to being due for major overhaul the shop opened it up and found everything to be within new tolerances. It was burned in 1977 by so-called freedom fighters--to us terrorists--after which he bought the V35 Bonanza. It was the only time I saw my old man cry. Could you miss the 250 hour inspection and go straight to the 500hour one...and do the spar cap inspection at the same time as the wing spar? It might not save you much. Andrew -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of stratobee Sent: September-06-12 12:01 PM Subject: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... So, certain thoughts are starting to swirl in my head and they're not positive. N20VE is now in for her second annual during my tenure. Lately, she's been nothing but the most reliable airplane one could wish to have - not a single squawk in about 100hr. And since I spent $35K on her last year, I'd expect a pretty painless annual. However, I was due for a beatdown. Dropped her off at HHR for the annual and immediately we find out I'm overdue on the 250hr prop hub inspection - something I'd never heard of before. Not only that, the 500hr inspection is coming up as well. The props have also never been O/H, so they need to be done. We're talking $10K here, for something that is due for another inspection and might fail in 500hrs.. Wing Spar inspection is due. This is no biggie, but still 20 man hours and dye penetrant and all that. It'll last another 500hrs... And in less than 300 hrs, the front spar cap inspection is due, which is also time limited. A bigger deal. Flap pulleys and cable AD needs to be done, etc, etc. So I'm already up to a $20K annual without them even having her opened up and finding any nasty stuff... The left engine has 50hrs left to run before TBO. Now, that doesn't scare me as she makes no metal and has great compression, but still, it will have to be dealt with sooner or later. The last quote I got is $38K from Corona Engines here in CA to do ONE engine... The right engine is only 150hrs behind... New paint job (it's bad) quote I got was $18K. The avionics panel is a mess and she's barely legal to fly IFR in... So, basically, I would have to spend at least $110K to take care of all these issues. Now, I can just do the annual and play it by ear and see things get worse and spend as little money as possible, but then the problem just gets delayed. Also, my mission is changing. I need to go long distances for work and I could use something a little faster and more capable. My question is, am I just throwing money down a black hole? I could sell her as she sits now and get $20K, easily, save the $20K in annual and have $40K towards something more capable. A $110K today will buy you a whole lotta capable and more modern twins... Combine this with a very bad financial year where I've struggled to make ends meet and it's starting to wear me down. I'm just a bit disenchanted at the moment... Thoughts? -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382519#382519 ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 02:50:33 PM PST US From: "Richard Thompson" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... Adam, Do the annual. Spread the rest out over time. At the end you will have an airplane that is a known quantity, just the way you like it. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that for 100K you will get better. You will just be buying someone else's problems. Spending up big to get it to the standard you want. There are faster, sleeker twins out there. But when the runways short,rough and you have too much stuff, One engine is silent, THERE IS NO OTHER TWIN I WOULD RATHER BE IN. I own a whole lot of Pipers, Have owned Cessnas and they are junk compared to a Commander. There is nothing better than being at some flyin where. There are Cubs, 180's, ultralights, and a 680E. Not a Piper, Cessna or Beech product in sight. Did I mention the SOUND? I have spent way too much money on my Commander and will continue to do so. I know what I have got and love it. Will I get any of it back? NO. The 680E works great with a well developed sense of self preservation. Times are hard here too. I attempt to make a living out of airplanes. At the moment survival is the word. Things will get better. Sort out the things that will kill you and do the pretty things progressively. Just the thoughts of an airplane nut. Cheers, Richard -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of stratobee Sent: Friday, 7 September 2012 5:01 AM Subject: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... So, certain thoughts are starting to swirl in my head and they're not positive. N20VE is now in for her second annual during my tenure. Lately, she's been nothing but the most reliable airplane one could wish to have - not a single squawk in about 100hr. And since I spent $35K on her last year, I'd expect a pretty painless annual. However, I was due for a beatdown. Dropped her off at HHR for the annual and immediately we find out I'm overdue on the 250hr prop hub inspection - something I'd never heard of before. Not only that, the 500hr inspection is coming up as well. The props have also never been O/H, so they need to be done. We're talking $10K here, for something that is due for another inspection and might fail in 500hrs.. Wing Spar inspection is due. This is no biggie, but still 20 man hours and dye penetrant and all that. It'll last another 500hrs... And in less than 300 hrs, the front spar cap inspection is due, which is also time limited. A bigger deal. Flap pulleys and cable AD needs to be done, etc, etc. So I'm already up to a $20K annual without them even having her opened up and finding any nasty stuff... The left engine has 50hrs left to run before TBO. Now, that doesn't scare me as she makes no metal and has great compression, but still, it will have to be dealt with sooner or later. The last quote I got is $38K from Corona Engines here in CA to do ONE engine... The right engine is only 150hrs behind... New paint job (it's bad) quote I got was $18K. The avionics panel is a mess and she's barely legal to fly IFR in... So, basically, I would have to spend at least $110K to take care of all these issues. Now, I can just do the annual and play it by ear and see things get worse and spend as little money as possible, but then the problem just gets delayed. Also, my mission is changing. I need to go long distances for work and I could use something a little faster and more capable. My question is, am I just throwing money down a black hole? I could sell her as she sits now and get $20K, easily, save the $20K in annual and have $40K towards something more capable. A $110K today will buy you a whole lotta capable and more modern twins... Combine this with a very bad financial year where I've struggled to make ends meet and it's starting to wear me down. I'm just a bit disenchanted at the moment... Thoughts? -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382519#382519 ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 03:06:24 PM PST US Subject: Commander-List: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... From: "stratobee" Andrew, that's what I'm doing. The 250hr inspection gets incorporated into the 500hr one, so I'm doing both by doing the 500 one. The front spar cap inspection at 6000hrs is another inspection - it's where they have to cut a little hole in the leading edge and inspect, so I'll wait with that one as it's much more involved. This one is done from the interior at WS24 on the main spar. It's happening as we speak in case there are any troubles here, because then all the other stuff doesn't make any sense to fix.. I'm sure it's fine. They're sturdy birds. But basically, even if all is kosher, from now on I have to comply with one 250hr inspection where the hubs (and therefore the props) has to be sent off, then another at 500hrs and then multiple 500hr inspections at the main spar and front spar cap from now on. Plus all the other stuff like flap AD and that. It adds up... -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382538#382538 ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 03:14:49 PM PST US From: White_rhino_ps Subject: Re: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... Or... You could by my 560F in great mechanical condition, with only 125 hours on the engines and props! Craig N747H Sent from my iPad3! On Sep 6, 2012, at 2:49 PM, "Andrew & Bridget Watson" wrote: > > A quick glance at Controller.com shows you could pick up an older (late > '60s) Baron 55 or early '70s Cessna 310Q & late '70s 310R for under $100K. > But...you could also be buying somebody else's problems. The only aircraft > that I know of that didn't cost as much as expected in maintenance was my > dad's old Cherokee 1969 235C. Although he piled on the hours, he babied it > and when it came to being due for major overhaul the shop opened it up and > found everything to be within new tolerances. It was burned in 1977 by > so-called freedom fighters--to us terrorists--after which he bought the V35 > Bonanza. It was the only time I saw my old man cry. > > Could you miss the 250 hour inspection and go straight to the 500hour > one...and do the spar cap inspection at the same time as the wing spar? It > might not save you much. > > Andrew > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of stratobee > Sent: September-06-12 12:01 PM > To: commander-list@matronics.com > Subject: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... > > > So, certain thoughts are starting to swirl in my head and they're not > positive. N20VE is now in for her second annual during my tenure. Lately, > she's been nothing but the most reliable airplane one could wish to have - > not a single squawk in about 100hr. And since I spent $35K on her last year, > I'd expect a pretty painless annual. However, I was due for a beatdown. > > Dropped her off at HHR for the annual and immediately we find out I'm > overdue on the 250hr prop hub inspection - something I'd never heard of > before. Not only that, the 500hr inspection is coming up as well. The props > have also never been O/H, so they need to be done. We're talking $10K here, > for something that is due for another inspection and might fail in 500hrs.. > Wing Spar inspection is due. This is no biggie, but still 20 man hours and > dye penetrant and all that. It'll last another 500hrs... And in less than > 300 hrs, the front spar cap inspection is due, which is also time limited. A > bigger deal. Flap pulleys and cable AD needs to be done, etc, etc. So I'm > already up to a $20K annual without them even having her opened up and > finding any nasty stuff... > > > The left engine has 50hrs left to run before TBO. Now, that doesn't scare me > as she makes no metal and has great compression, but still, it will have to > be dealt with sooner or later. The last quote I got is $38K from Corona > Engines here in CA to do ONE engine... The right engine is only 150hrs > behind... New paint job (it's bad) quote I got was $18K. The avionics panel > is a mess and she's barely legal to fly IFR in... > > So, basically, I would have to spend at least $110K to take care of all > these issues. Now, I can just do the annual and play it by ear and see > things get worse and spend as little money as possible, but then the problem > just gets delayed. Also, my mission is changing. I need to go long distances > for work and I could use something a little faster and more capable. My > question is, am I just throwing money down a black hole? I could sell her as > she sits now and get $20K, easily, save the $20K in annual and have $40K > towards something more capable. A $110K today will buy you a whole lotta > capable and more modern twins... > > Combine this with a very bad financial year where I've struggled to make > ends meet and it's starting to wear me down. I'm just a bit disenchanted at > the moment... Thoughts? > > -------- > Adam > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382519#382519 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 03:36:44 PM PST US Subject: Commander-List: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... From: "stratobee" I do like 560F's, especially the long range capabilities combined with good short field performance. But if I ever upgrade sometime it'll be an Aerostar 601P. You get into one for less than a 500A, pressurised, full de-ice. Burn 25gph at 190kts - same as mine burns at 140kts.... It's Ted Smith, no wing AD's ever, built like tanks, no funny geared engines that will ruin you come O/H. Sure, it's more complex, but it's swings and roundabouts. At least you can overhaul the engines at Wall-Mart and get parts everywhere. Aviation is expensive as it is without having to deal with engines that no one except mister-I-have-the-last-spare-parts-ever-made-for-these-and-I'm-the-only-one-that-can-overhaul-them-so-I'll-charge-you-an-arm-and-a-leg. Non standard stuff costs more money, it's as simple as that. And as the base of 520's and 560's go away, there's no way this will go down. Sorry, I'm just a bit disillusioned by it all right now... -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382542#382542 ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 03:38:45 PM PST US Subject: Re: Commander-List: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... From: Tylor Hall Adam, There is a 520 in Oklahoma that has two engines, props, and it flew in several years ago. It can be bought very cheep. The owner got it in a bankruptcy. I have photos of N52WD. Tylor Hall On Sep 6, 2012, at 4:05 PM, stratobee wrote: > > Andrew, that's what I'm doing. The 250hr inspection gets incorporated into the 500hr one, so I'm doing both by doing the 500 one. The front spar cap inspection at 6000hrs is another inspection - it's where they have to cut a little hole in the leading edge and inspect, so I'll wait with that one as it's much more involved. This one is done from the interior at WS24 on the main spar. It's happening as we speak in case there are any troubles here, because then all the other stuff doesn't make any sense to fix.. I'm sure it's fine. They're sturdy birds. > > But basically, even if all is kosher, from now on I have to comply with one 250hr inspection where the hubs (and therefore the props) has to be sent off, then another at 500hrs and then multiple 500hr inspections at the main spar and front spar cap from now on. Plus all the other stuff like flap AD and that. It adds up... > > -------- > Adam > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382538#382538 > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 03:42:26 PM PST US Subject: Commander-List: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... From: "stratobee" Tylor - do you know how much time is on the engines and how much he'd want for them? -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382546#382546 ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 03:48:39 PM PST US From: "Kerry Johnson" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... Adam, I have around 800 hours in 601P's and I can't imagine a power setting where you would see a fuel burn of 25 gph. What altitudes would you be flying at? The 601P's I've flown have all performed best at in the low flight levels; FL190-230 and would usually cruise at 230-240 KTA burning 34-36 gph. If you want to fly at the same altitudes you fly your Commander a 600 would be a better choice since it's not turbocharged and could burn in that 25 gph range; you would still see speeds in excess of 200 KTA. -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of stratobee Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 4:37 PM Subject: Commander-List: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... I do like 560F's, especially the long range capabilities combined with good short field performance. But if I ever upgrade sometime it'll be an Aerostar 601P. You get into one for less than a 500A, pressurised, full de-ice. Burn 25gph at 190kts - same as mine burns at 140kts.... It's Ted Smith, no wing AD's ever, built like tanks, no funny geared engines that will ruin you come O/H. Sure, it's more complex, but it's swings and roundabouts. At least you can overhaul the engines at Wall-Mart and get parts everywhere. Aviation is expensive as it is without having to deal with engines that no one except mister-I-have-the-last-spare-parts-ever-made-for-these-and-I'm-the-only-one- that-can-overhaul-them-so-I'll-charge-you-an-arm-and-a-leg. Non standard stuff costs more money, it's as simple as that. And as the base of 520's and 560's go away, there's no way this will go down. Sorry, I'm just a bit disillusioned by it all right now... -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382542#382542 ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 04:03:42 PM PST US Subject: Commander-List: Re: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... From: "stratobee" Kerry - this was from a Lean Of Peak guy I flew with in his 601P. He could be trying to impress me, but it's not beyond the realm of the possible considering 190kts is a pretty low power setting. Granted, it was high up, much higher than my 520 would fly. So at a similar altitude, low teens, I'm sure the burn would go up. -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382550#382550 ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 07:25:34 PM PST US From: "cybersuperstore" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... Hi Kerry, Very true words. I appreciate your efforts to prove the contemporary wisdom wrong. I mean, if a Beech Sierra doesn't cut it, then step up. Perhaps with a 400 knot Cheyenne the numbers just won't be able to keep up. I fully agree with that pathway to proving the naysayers wrong. Next step after the Cheyenne, of course, would be a Gulfstream and if that's still not closing the loop, I'll go for a Boeing 777 business jet. That ought to do it. Some thought, huh? Just kidding. Nico -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Johnson Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 12:17 PM Subject: RE: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... --> When asked how much does it cost to maintain an airplane; a wise man once said; "a little more than you have". Seems like every aircraft I've ever owned has cost a lot more than I ever expected it to cost. And that's true from a C24R Beech Serria to T210, P210, 58P Baron, B60 Duke, Aerostar 601 & 602P with standard 290 HP engines and 700 series 350 HP engines and of course the 400LS Cheyenne. Never once had a plane that cost as much or less than I figured... Whatever you have; your aircraft will consume. -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of stratobee Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 1:01 PM Subject: Commander-List: Thoughts on keeping an old 520 flying... So, certain thoughts are starting to swirl in my head and they're not positive. N20VE is now in for her second annual during my tenure. Lately, she's been nothing but the most reliable airplane one could wish to have - not a single squawk in about 100hr. And since I spent $35K on her last year, I'd expect a pretty painless annual. However, I was due for a beatdown. Dropped her off at HHR for the annual and immediately we find out I'm overdue on the 250hr prop hub inspection - something I'd never heard of before. Not only that, the 500hr inspection is coming up as well. The props have also never been O/H, so they need to be done. We're talking $10K here, for something that is due for another inspection and might fail in 500hrs.. Wing Spar inspection is due. This is no biggie, but still 20 man hours and dye penetrant and all that. It'll last another 500hrs... And in less than 300 hrs, the front spar cap inspection is due, which is also time limited. A bigger deal. Flap pulleys and cable AD needs to be done, etc, etc. So I'm already up to a $20K annual without them even having her opened up and finding any nasty stuff... The left engine has 50hrs left to run before TBO. Now, that doesn't scare me as she makes no metal and has great compression, but still, it will have to be dealt with sooner or later. The last quote I got is $38K from Corona Engines here in CA to do ONE engine... The right engine is only 150hrs behind... New paint job (it's bad) quote I got was $18K. The avionics panel is a mess and she's barely legal to fly IFR in... So, basically, I would have to spend at least $110K to take care of all these issues. Now, I can just do the annual and play it by ear and see things get worse and spend as little money as possible, but then the problem just gets delayed. Also, my mission is changing. I need to go long distances for work and I could use something a little faster and more capable. My question is, am I just throwing money down a black hole? I could sell her as she sits now and get $20K, easily, save the $20K in annual and have $40K towards something more capable. A $110K today will buy you a whole lotta capable and more modern twins... Combine this with a very bad financial year where I've struggled to make ends meet and it's starting to wear me down. I'm just a bit disenchanted at the moment... Thoughts? -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=382519#382519 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message commander-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Commander-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/commander-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/commander-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.