James331
Ejection Handle Pulled
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James331
Odd. They are great planes. I love mine. That's not to say that I think there is a chance to make a profit on this. But I think that is a result of the depressed value of all vintage, non-light sport aircraft, relative to the cost of repairs and parts.
Skywagons go for a bit, a old 182 with a so so panel and fancy new style swoosh paint job will sell for a few bucks and quick, lots of the old rag wing planes with fresh restorations sell quick, etc.
I only have a few hours in a 177RG, it just didn't handle well, didn't glide well, didn't have much payload, wasn't comfy inside and sure didn't have the speed to makeup for it's shortcomings, especially when you can buy a nice PA24 for the same or less, or go the other way and buy a 210 for a few more bucks.
How about a rental aircraft? comply with Lycomings AD, repair the boot cowl, fire wall and cowling, place it out to rent.
ROI would still be low, just get a 172 with crap paint and interior, shine it up and put that on the line. Or find a Grumman, folks love em, and it separates you from the other schools.
No one would want to rent that 177 with the butchered panel, especially for more money than the 172, with the presentable panel, sitting next to it. Plus for a flight school, they can't use it as a complex, can't use it for high performance, and with the CS prop and other 177 "features" it's surly not going to be a ab initio trainer.
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