chrixxer Posted May 6, 2017 Report Posted May 6, 2017 If you were going to fly a 50 year old plane cross-country, and wanted to be prepared just in case, how would you compile a list of airports with A&Ps on field en route, and what contacts would you have in your iPhone for parts suppliers? Asking generally, but the specific route in question is, roughly: KMOR (Morristown, TN) KSUS (St. Louis County, MO) (to see family, with a pop up to KPPQ) KWWR (Woodward, OK) KSAF (Santa Fe, NM) KTNP (Twentynine Palms, CA) KSMO (The Democratic People's Republic of Santa Monica, CA)
201er Posted May 7, 2017 Report Posted May 7, 2017 I don't think the age matters much but how you maintain it. WingX has an airport directory with facilities information. Last time I lost my alternator over the middle of Florida so I used my iPad to look up what nearby airports have maintenance facilities. I found that there were few options besides my destination so I continued on to there.
Andy95W Posted May 7, 2017 Report Posted May 7, 2017 If you're that worried about it breaking, should you really be flying it in the first place?
Godfather Posted May 7, 2017 Report Posted May 7, 2017 You could have the seller fly the plane to a good service shop to get a clean bill of health and avoid problems/delays with your trip home.
carusoam Posted May 7, 2017 Report Posted May 7, 2017 (edited) +1 WingX AFD +1 My MSC # +1 My mechanic # +1 MS + internet +1 201er's # I don't fear breaking down, but I have a plan if I do.... Got stuck once on a weekend. Made some new friends that day. Bring your best personality with you. Best regards, -a- Edited May 7, 2017 by carusoam 1
chrixxer Posted May 7, 2017 Author Report Posted May 7, 2017 20 minutes ago, Andy95W said: If you're that worried about it breaking, should you really be flying it in the first place? Personally, I'm not. Guy I'm flying with worries more than I do (like, obsessively checking the MFD for nearest airports in a smooth running SR22 20 hours out of annual, on a CAVU day...): Create a list of mechanic and avionics shops that are along the flight path, make sure their phone numbers are good, call em, hours of operations are known. Many of the small shops on AOPA don't exist or are so small that service is sketchy. Most people consider fuel, but not broken plane service. Last, find a known, well stocked, parts provider...talk to the seller, Wentworth, Kim D and find out what is available. This research will be invaluable for future flights and maintenance... your own pit crew and parts suppliers mid west to CA. I have the same DB for the Cirrus.
chrixxer Posted May 7, 2017 Author Report Posted May 7, 2017 (edited) 21 minutes ago, Godfather said: You could have the seller fly the plane to a good service shop to get a clean bill of health and avoid problems/delays with your trip home. No guarantees. I've had two AOG incidents (Cherokee wouldn't start, undiagnosed weak battery killed by an overnight stay in 4 degree C weather; Arrow lost brakes on touchdown, blown o-ring in the cylinder) and some avionics wonkiness (DG wouldn't stop precessing, ALT annunciator light came on - but volt and amp meters showed healthy operation - at night, IFR, over the mountains DVT to CNO) in a Warrior, all 100 hour inspected and maintained by A&Ps I personally know and trust. Each of those planes flies regularly. One of them lost its electrical system recently and had to cone in NORDO. Isht happens... Edited May 7, 2017 by chrixxer
Godfather Posted May 7, 2017 Report Posted May 7, 2017 5 minutes ago, chrixxer said: all 100 hour inspected and maintained by A&Ps I personally know and trust. Each of those planes flies regularly. One of them lost its electrical system recently and had to cone in NORDO. Isht happens... This is why I'm suggesting getting a baseline on the plane you are purchasing. Find a A&P you trust to get the plane ready for action.
chrixxer Posted May 7, 2017 Author Report Posted May 7, 2017 2 hours ago, Godfather said: This is why I'm suggesting getting a baseline on the plane you are purchasing. Find a A&P you trust to get the plane ready for action. It's 1700nm from where I'm based. It's been gone over, fresh annual, pre-buy. That's all I can do from here. But even if it was being regularly professionally maintained by Andres @ Bill's, things can & do go wrong. Hell, my Porsche had just gone through a full major inspection & service and the odometer cable broke 300 miles into a 2000 mile road trip...
Jim Peace Posted May 7, 2017 Report Posted May 7, 2017 (edited) 17 hours ago, chrixxer said: Guy I'm flying with worries more than I do (like, obsessively checking the MFD for nearest airports in a smooth running SR22 20 hours out of annual, on a CAVU day...): The planes we fly (single engine, piston) are nothing but flying lawnmowers whether new or 50+ years old. Your friend who checks for nearest airports is doing you a favor. Be thankful. I know of a Cirrus that had 120 hours on the engine that came apart in flight. They were in the pattern and landed uneventfully. (shit happens) Unless you are in a multi engine turbo jet all weather airplane it would be in your best interest to keep track of places to land. I fly airliners and still keep track of places to land. We fly hazmat and always are subjected to a chance of fire. If you have to waste one minute thinking about where to go you may die. When in unfamiliar territory I put 80 mile circles around airports with extended centerlines of the longest runway. The new foreflight engine out tool is awesome.......... Pay attention tot he following clip http://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/8d00bd73-7981-4108-b16f-b36098477741 Edited May 7, 2017 by Jim Peace
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