Took the next step...

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Bryan Boyle Bryan Boyle

Took the next step...

Posted by Bryan Boyle on Mar 5, 2018 9:15 am

If you've followed my re-integration into the pilot community...you can almost figure what the next step was, right?

N79975, a 1969 C172K has entered the building.  Needs a bit of freshening up (well, nothing a paint job and interior won't cure...all in good time...); got it for a reasonable price including upgraded avionics (current Garmin yellow tag 430W, NSD360, KX155, KI 208, GTX330 ADS-B, and GMA340 audio).  Most of the plastic trim is brittle...and the glareshield cover has seen better days.

But, it's mine, current annual and 24 month transponder check.  Previous owner spent 14K on the annual and just wanted to get out of it.  So...it's safe, and good enough for the hamburger runs for now...couple squawks (obviously...first thing was removing the hideous faux-wood grain contact paper the PO covered the instrument panel trim with...ick...what WAS he thinking..??), but, part of the deal is that I get a couple days in the hangar assisting the mechanic in working them out (pay for parts, get the hands for $0.00).

I'm chuffed...last weekend was not conducive to flying here in central NJ...maybe this week before the next snowmageddon hits...

Bryan
CFI-IA
Princeton 39N NJ
N799758e45d518b87009f0c2f86a536fcc8d65-huge-n7
 
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J Hardwick J Hardwick

Re: Took the next step...

Posted by J Hardwick on Mar 12, 2018 9:17 am

Looks nice to me, and it sounds like you have all that you need in avionics, too!  I’m at the same place in my aviation journey.  I only hope that I can also get a sweet deal on a C172!

JM
Bryan Boyle Bryan Boyle

Re: Took the next step...

Posted by Bryan Boyle on Mar 12, 2018 11:37 am

J Hardwick:
Looks nice to me, and it sounds like you have all that you need in avionics, too!  I’m at the same place in my aviation journey.  I only hope that I can also get a sweet deal on a C172!

JM

They are out there...it's a choice on whether to choose an airworthy plane which is less 'equipped' and improve it to match your own mission profile (which may require an infusion of dead presidents in multiple AMUs) or choose an already "finished" ride and adapt your flying profile to what someone else thought was sufficient/needed for their own needs.  The eternal decision of buying a plane (and this is my 5th...I never learn...)

In my case, having owned an avionics shop back in the 80s and holding an A&P (but long inactive), I took the former path, since I'm ok with flying a ride with good bones that may not be (right now) what I would like to have in the panel and interior (leather seats, light carpeting, wood grained contact paper on the plastic trim on the panel...really?) and taking the time to improve it over time.  One thing is for certain, everything you install or want is a compromise...either in terms of space or weight or $$$ to execute.  It's not a destination, it's a journey.

Take your time...cast a jaundiced eye at ANY of the ads in the usual suspects (lots of hopes and dreams therein...), but when you see something that works for you and you have the funds available...well, it's a decision only you can make. 

(But, there is something to be said for bypassing the rental counter and jumping in YOUR plane, which was as you left it, with full tanks, and no time constraints or daily guarantee of hours,  and going where you want to go when you want to go there.  Even with the somewhat dodgy radios I currently have...took the missus out to dinner last night in Reading PA and was back before sundown...left a fuel request slip in the FBO slot...and looked back a couple times as we drove away from the field...)

Good luck!

Bryan
Comm'l/CFI-IA
N79975
Princeton (39N) NJ