The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Justin, I have read most of the posts referring to your quest for your to be purchased 170, but I don't remember if any of us mentioned the Cessna 170 Book that is available from our association. If you don't have one or access to one you are missing out on a lot of specific data on the 170 series. Every 170 owner should have one of these and it just might provide you with some data that none of us has remembered to mention to you.

Good Luck!

Frank

Thanks for the info Frank. I just went over to the store and orderd one. Hopefully I'll have it in a few days.

Justin

I would personally take exception to saying that the 55 model tail wheel steering works better than the earlier models. I've owned both kinds, and my considerable seniority and awsome knowledge convinces me that masterful taxying of any model of C-170 is best done with lots of differential brakeing.

Log books can be stolen or the dog can eat them. I know of a situation, that the divorce settlement by the court divided the aviation business in half. However you should be a licensed engineer to be the principal of a business. The male decided to set up a business just down the road. He then decided to divide everything in half. He wanted out. All the reference material was packed up and removed [She wanted all the tooling and stands and invoices and business paperwork]. All the log books of different owners were boxed up to be sent back to the owners. These were left in a pile at side of the hangar , the male was driving to his new hangar he noticed a large fire at the back of the old hangar. She in a fit of rage decided to burn all these log books[and anything of value that was his] in spite. She didnt have a clue what they were or the legal ramerifications of her actions. So the moral of the situation, log books can disappear and when this happens only a detailed /close inspection will show the real story about the aircraft.
["SEE"!! KC. no names or places that identified you and I didnt call her a bitch either]

Justin just remember most of us did not get so lucky to find the perfect plane the first time. We learned along the way and that learning could not take place until we owned a plane to learn with. Which came first? The chicken or the egg?

Many of us have been exactly where you are. When I thought about buying my first airplane I thought I have to get it right because I will never ever be able to buy another. It was this one and that was it. I've bought 4 airplanes since and have considered at least 6 others. I've also considered selling all of them and buying a horse. I've always wanted a horse.

Times change, your situation will change. What is important to you will change. These are the only things I can guarantee you. The decision to buy an A or a B is not that darn important in the big scheme. When and if it feels right buy one.

Bruce

KEEP THE PLANE!!!!!!

I had lots of horses in my day........oil is cheap compared to a hay burner!!!!!

At the end of the day.....do it now, life is short, enjoy.


W.

My friend said the same. He bought 4 wheelers and now sit till being used instead of working to feed, clean and exercise the horses.

I have 4 horses, I'll trade ya.

I have two horses, a donkey, and a B.
While a really nice 55/ 56 is the best of the bunch, the others are really nice airplanes.. I would buy a really nice 48 over a crappy B any day. That said I only looked at A's and B's because I knew I would be tying down outside sometimes.

My B is toasty warm at 18 deg OAT or even colder.

Bruce is wrong, clearly if you read though the forum there is a consensus that the best 170 is the RED ONE, regardless of model

A sound airframe and good engine are paramount. An engine is going cost at least 16k if you don't participate in the work. Paint will cost you upwards of 10k. Instruments are not cheap but basic VFR stuff is not too bad. Radios are expensive though. Interiors are relatively cheap.

I fall into a different camp, if the airframe checks out and flys straight I am not worried about missing logs or damage history especially if it is old history. That said, it is a bargaining chip in price negotiations.

Good luck and enjoy the hunt! I sure did, and I now I am really enjoying the airplane I ended up with.

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:Justin just remember most of us did not get so lucky to find the perfect plane the first time. We learned along the way and that learning could not take place until we owned a plane to learn with. Which came first? The chicken or the egg?

Many of us have been exactly where you are. When I thought about buying my first airplane I thought I have to get it right because I will never ever be able to buy another. It was this one and that was it. I've bought 4 airplanes since and have considered at least 6 others. I've also considered selling all of them and buying a horse. I've always wanted a horse.

Times change, your situation will change. What is important to you will change. These are the only things I can guarantee you. The decision to buy an A or a B is not that darn important in the big scheme. When and if it feels right buy one.

Now, THAT is the best advice you're going to get. You can't know how airplane ownership is going to work out, so relax. I know, you can't relax. I've been where you are.

....and, if you take care of it, you'll get a whole lot of your money back some day.

It seems to me that a $2K annual is pretty steep. Did they have to do a lot of repair work?

That priceing sounds a lot more realistic.

Aryana,

Does that pricing include a loan payment or just the items (gas/oil/parts/insurance/hangar/etc..) that you listed? How many hours you averaging a month? Just thinking the more you fly that lowers the average per hour for the hanger, insurance, and the annual cost but ups the fuel, oil, and parts I suppose.

Maybe I need to go back to the 152.

Keep us posted for a couple years on that vertical card mag compass. Which exact model?
(Don't ever turn it upside down, especially when servicing/installing/handling.)