Tell me about Bellanca

flyingmoose

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Flyingmoose
So I have been contacted to maybe do a trade of sort on an aircraft. The one they want to trade is a 66 Bellanca 14-19-3 or "260." From what I can tell it is an in between model between the cruisair and the superviking.

VREF says the planes value is 11K :confused:. It does have a 1300hr engine, but was recently re-covered and painted in 98 and does look very nice. It is airworthy and is currently flown. It does not have much avionics, but I am having a hard time valuing the aircraft because there just are not many around.

If I decide to do the deal, I'm not planning to keep it for any certain period of time, Just looking for some info on the model.

So what do you think of the Bellancas? Anyone looking for one? I could make you a good deal! :D
 
I think they are ugly, slow for the fuel flow, have cludged up gear system, and are kinda cramped. The positive is that they handle very nicely, probably second to a Bonanza, and have a nice clean wood wing which is strong as all get out. I wouldn't buy one, but I don't mind flying them.
 
So I have been contacted to maybe do a trade of sort on an aircraft. The one they want to trade is a 66 Bellanca 14-19-3 or "260." From what I can tell it is an in between model between the cruisair and the superviking.

VREF says the planes value is 11K :confused:. It does have a 1300hr engine, but was recently re-covered and painted in 98 and does look very nice. It is airworthy and is currently flown. It does not have much avionics, but I am having a hard time valuing the aircraft because there just are not many around.

If I decide to do the deal, I'm not planning to keep it for any certain period of time, Just looking for some info on the model.

So what do you think of the Bellancas? Anyone looking for one? I could make you a good deal! :D


Good flying airplanes, maintenance is not to bad. I maintained one for a friend and flew it on occasion.

Not a plane for everyone but definitely a classic.
 
I think they are ugly, slow for the fuel flow, have cludged up gear system, and are kinda cramped. The positive is that they handle very nicely, probably second to a Bonanza, and have a nice clean wood wing which is strong as all get out. I wouldn't buy one, but I don't mind flying them.

Educate me.

Wood wing is stronger than metal?
I know you didn't say that specifically but I surmised it.

Is it? If so, How?
 
Educate me.

Wood wing is stronger than metal?
I know you didn't say that specifically but I surmised it.

Is it? If so, How?
Its in the construction. It was their claim back in the day.

I guess what im looking for is what would a fair market value on the aircraft be? Anyone bought or sold something like this recently?
 

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What's the engine and prop worth? People here don't think an older plane is wort more than that regardless a n y thing else.
 
It's worth firewood, minus the engine and prop value.

Good fliers but noisy and cramped. Value is whatever the seller can get someone to pay for it, or trade for it. I think $11k represents the engine/prop value, and the airframe comes along for free.
 
What's the engine and prop worth? People here don't think an older plane is wort more than that regardless a n y thing else.
Well a timed out 470 isn't worth a lot so maybe we are on track.
It's worth firewood, minus the engine and prop value.

Good fliers but noisy and cramped. Value is whatever the seller can get someone to pay for it, or trade for it. I think $11k represents the engine/prop value, and the airframe comes along for free.
Agreed.
I guess its not really that popular either so that doesn't help. I was hoping that it would have some nostalgic value or something like some other a/c.
 
Well a timed out 470 isn't worth a lot so maybe we are on track.

Agreed.
I guess its not really that popular either so that doesn't help. I was hoping that it would have some nostalgic value or something like some other a/c.

Ha...Even though we all fly planes that would qualify for classic car license plates, we as a group seem to be the least nostalgic vehicle operator there could be.

We turn our noses up at virtually anything that doesn't have a bunch of screens and leather seats. :)
 
I've sat in them but never flown them. I spoke to a guy at CKZ that owns one tells me its fast (160kts TAS) but guzzles fuel. There seem to be some low prices out there on the market. There is a repair shop at N47 called Witmer that specialized in the Bellancia. You might want to give them a call and get their take on it.
 
I would be interested in it for the right price. Let me know by PM what the deal is, and give me a bit more info on the avionics installed. thx
 
Educate me.

Wood wing is stronger than metal?
I know you didn't say that specifically but I surmised it.

Is it? If so, How?
A wood wing is not stronger than an aluminum wing per se, but assuming the wood (and associated hardware/glue/fasteners) remains in good condition, a wood wing has an advantage in having, theoretically, no limit to the number of times it can be flexed or twisted. Aluminum and steel have definite limits, AFAIK.
I don't think wood has a better strength-to-weight ratio than aluminum, but in some cases it might be possible.

Those Bellancas are known for having wood wings that were designed well and built very soundly, but of course, all these years later anyone thinking of buying one and flying it better make sure the wings have been well maintained.
 
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So wood doesn't fatigue?

Wish I was an engineer. I would like to understand how spars, wing boxes displace stress and how lift is distributed.

I have looked this up and quickly gotten overwhelmed.
 
So wood doesn't fatigue?

Wish I was an engineer. I would like to understand how spars, wing boxes displace stress and how lift is distributed.

I have looked this up and quickly gotten overwhelmed.


I remember reading about a guy who flew a bellanca one night and had an engine go out, he landed in a field but during the emergency descent, his wing hit a telephone pole..... the plane landed with 2 wings intact. :lol::yes:
 
In trade for the twin I sat in? Doesn't sound like such a good trade for an aircraft with two serviceable engines and some good avionics.
 
In trade for the twin I sat in? Doesn't sound like such a good trade for an aircraft with two serviceable engines and some good avionics.
Yes its the one you sat in. I just need it to move, and I am trying to get creative to make it happen. <Maybe someone will come along and take a twin off my hands... :)
 
I owned a Turbo Viking for 3 years. I imagine if you are over 6' or work and have broad shoulders sitting with 2 males like that in the front seat could be uncomfortable. The rear sear is for women and children.

It is a blast to fly- control linkages are not pullies to the ailerons but push rods generating crisp roll feel.

The airplane is slow for the HP because it has a thick wing cross section and those supports for the horizontal stab that stick into the wind and create all sorts of drag.

Mine was a maintenance hog. Something was always requiring tweaking. The exhaust and nose gear have repetitive AD's - and the loss rate is high - I lost mine when there was metal fatigue in the steering push rod which cracked the rod at the steering knuckle meaning I could only steer left when I landed. If you check the accident / incident history you will find an inordinate number of 'left off the runway' incidents . . . .

Not a cheap plan to operate but inexpensive to get into. The Turbo has short legs - 75 gallons total if you have the aux tank - 60 if you don't. I burned about 15gpg all the way to FL200 at 70% power. I saw about 175kts TAS between 15 and 19000. O2 was standard.

2 engine choices in the later models - Lyc IO-540-K series and the IO-520. All the turbos are Lyc powered.


Range can be a challenge = even at 160kts you will not get more than 3.5-4 hours of the beastie. Switch to the Turbo and if you can go up you can easily see 200-210GS with a moderate tail wind - which makes the Turbo range the same as the regular aspirated version with a tail wind - with a headwind the turbo has much shorter legs.

I would buy another one but would carefully inspect the thing before every flight - not just your normal pre-flight but that gear needs a good going over. . . .

The wood wing is stronger than the machines used to test it - no one knows what the breaking point is since when they tested the wing on the spar machines they broke the testing machines before the spar.
 
Yes its the one you sat in. I just need it to move, and I am trying to get creative to make it happen. <Maybe someone will come along and take a twin off my hands... :)

Wish I could help, but have neither the cash nor the twin rating. We'll be happy to put a flyer up for you at the FBO, though. Or you can even put one up yourself Saturday.
 
There is an active group in Delaware that can fill in the gaps for you: http://www.friendsofbellanca.org

I met one of the members of this organization at a recent fly-in. Very passionate group that may be able to help you understand the pros and cons of Bellanca ownership.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Yes its the one you sat in. I just need it to move, and I am trying to get creative to make it happen. <Maybe someone will come along and take a twin off my hands... :)

Have you posted the twin on here? I took a quick look at threads you posted and didn't see one with a twin.

John
 
Actually Ted Depuis posted it for us. So yea its been on here before. :)

The C-310 for $36,500? I've looked at that one longingly several times. It's a steal. Sigh. I'd love to have a twin and get the rating, but budget will prevent it for now...

John
 
So wood doesn't fatigue?

Wish I was an engineer. I would like to understand how spars, wing boxes displace stress and how lift is distributed.

I have looked this up and quickly gotten overwhelmed.

Nope, wood is either broke or not. I've sailed boats with 150 year old wood still in great condition. Wood is also easy to scarf in repairs when it gets damaged.
 
Wood is also easy to scarf in repairs when it gets damaged.

That's assuming you can find anyone to do that very high-end carpentry. I've been told that Mooney switched to the metal wing (which cost the aircraft a few knots) because the carpenters needed to fashion and repair wood wings were growing short in supply.
 
That's assuming you can find anyone to do that very high-end carpentry. I've been told that Mooney switched to the metal wing (which cost the aircraft a few knots) because the carpenters needed to fashion and repair wood wings were growing short in supply.

that's what happens to carpenters when they're left standing around in the supply closet ... they shrink! :lol: :D
 
That's assuming you can find anyone to do that very high-end carpentry. I've been told that Mooney switched to the metal wing (which cost the aircraft a few knots) because the carpenters needed to fashion and repair wood wings were growing short in supply.

It requires no great skill and a minor set of low cost tools. It's really something that anyone with even minimal hand skills can do with just a bit of research. Since it's all thin laminate work on a plane, you don't need to make a steam box or anything for forming and bending, and Resourcinol is still available to glue the laminates together. The sheets of veneer to laminate together are also quite cheap.
 
It requires no great skill and a minor set of low cost tools. It's really something that anyone with even minimal hand skills can do with just a bit of research. Since it's all thin laminate work on a plane, you don't need to make a steam box or anything for forming and bending, and Resourcinol is still available to glue the laminates together. The sheets of veneer to laminate together are also quite cheap.


Just finding that quality spruce plywood ain't that easy- the factory is still around to do that wood work - or at least the factory that owns the TC's . . .
 
The C-310 for $36,500? I've looked at that one longingly several times. It's a steal. Sigh. I'd love to have a twin and get the rating, but budget will prevent it for now...

John
Yep that is the one. Still for sale ;)
 
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