JohnAJohnson
Cleared for Takeoff
There is a plane I'm interested in that will take considerable travel, time and funds to go and look at, and I really wish I could find a post from an aviator or two who's already looked at it.
So I'd like to propose a new forum, perhaps a sub-forum of Classifieds, for members to post their findings and observations on airplanes they have looked at that are For Sale.
This is a sellers market and I'm finding buyers reluctant to put a lot of effort into facilitating the sale. They post minimal blurry pictures, no access to log books other than "Call my A&P", vague, incomplete responses to questions on the phone or through email, and an unwillingness to temporarily halt the sales effort while a prospect buys non refundable airline tickets and travels by rental car 100 miles to the sight to look at the plane. If a deposit was placed to take the plane off the market and the plane wasn't what was expected, the deposit may or may not be refundable, depending on what type of agreement was made.
I know, I know, just don't do business with people unwilling to provide some level of courtesy to their prospective customer. Caveat emptor and all that. But I think the internet has proven its worth as a way to facilitate mass communications, and an aviation forum would be perfect for a post like this:
Looked at N12345, a 1937 Cessna 112Q last weekend in Backwater, NM and found the following:
- Stabilator appeared overly stiff when moving it leading edge down. The stabilator's leading edge didn't align with the index hole (on the fuselage) with the trim tab at neutral. There was also also some drag on the yoke shaft. I couldn't find the source of the friction. There did appear to be a lack of lubrication on the yoke shaft and in other places during the overall look. It is possible the stabilator bearings have been overtightened to remove play, and if that is the case, a bearing change would be in the near future at considerable cost. As it is, the pitch axis is in need of a rigging to bring the stabilator travel to specifications and to center it when the trim wheel is centered.
- The aircraft smelled of 5606 hydraulic fluid a LOT, like some was soaked into the carpet or sitting in the belly of the airplane.
- Fuel Selector Valve is stiff and it was very difficult or impossible to find detent for some or all of the four positions. Overhauling this valve isn't cheap and is labor intensive.
Etc., etc....
Some may say this is unfair to the seller but I strongly disagree. Anything that's posted is subject to libel, same as reviews anywhere online or elsewhere, and that would be a great incentive to only post truthfully. I do think it would be an excellent way for us to make airplane buying and selling a whole lot easier for both sides of the transaction.
Thoughts?
So I'd like to propose a new forum, perhaps a sub-forum of Classifieds, for members to post their findings and observations on airplanes they have looked at that are For Sale.
This is a sellers market and I'm finding buyers reluctant to put a lot of effort into facilitating the sale. They post minimal blurry pictures, no access to log books other than "Call my A&P", vague, incomplete responses to questions on the phone or through email, and an unwillingness to temporarily halt the sales effort while a prospect buys non refundable airline tickets and travels by rental car 100 miles to the sight to look at the plane. If a deposit was placed to take the plane off the market and the plane wasn't what was expected, the deposit may or may not be refundable, depending on what type of agreement was made.
I know, I know, just don't do business with people unwilling to provide some level of courtesy to their prospective customer. Caveat emptor and all that. But I think the internet has proven its worth as a way to facilitate mass communications, and an aviation forum would be perfect for a post like this:
Looked at N12345, a 1937 Cessna 112Q last weekend in Backwater, NM and found the following:
- Stabilator appeared overly stiff when moving it leading edge down. The stabilator's leading edge didn't align with the index hole (on the fuselage) with the trim tab at neutral. There was also also some drag on the yoke shaft. I couldn't find the source of the friction. There did appear to be a lack of lubrication on the yoke shaft and in other places during the overall look. It is possible the stabilator bearings have been overtightened to remove play, and if that is the case, a bearing change would be in the near future at considerable cost. As it is, the pitch axis is in need of a rigging to bring the stabilator travel to specifications and to center it when the trim wheel is centered.
- The aircraft smelled of 5606 hydraulic fluid a LOT, like some was soaked into the carpet or sitting in the belly of the airplane.
- Fuel Selector Valve is stiff and it was very difficult or impossible to find detent for some or all of the four positions. Overhauling this valve isn't cheap and is labor intensive.
Etc., etc....
Some may say this is unfair to the seller but I strongly disagree. Anything that's posted is subject to libel, same as reviews anywhere online or elsewhere, and that would be a great incentive to only post truthfully. I do think it would be an excellent way for us to make airplane buying and selling a whole lot easier for both sides of the transaction.
Thoughts?
