EdFred- Some Kinda Navion!

[SCCutler]

Ed- Since your dad's looking at becoming a Navioner (Navioneer?)...

...you recall I told you in the chat about the amazing Navion in Fredericksburg, TX (T82); well, we were down there (briefly) last weekend, so I snapped a couple of pics.

Try, try, try as I could, I could not get a *good* pic of the panel, which is so upgraded that any pilot from when the plane was new would have thought he was in a space ship; too many reflections. But you can get the idea.

 

[Iceman]

Very nice, I'm trying to figure out what kind of display that is.?. Not garmin, avdyne, chelton, etc. It looks expermental I think but not sure, blue mountain?

Anyway good looking airplane!

 

[The Old Man]

Looks like they got the drool spot that I left on it last year polished off.

 

[SkyHog]

man that's a cool looking plane. Anyone know how economical of an airplane the Navion is?

 

[EdFred]

man that's a cool looking plane. Anyone know how economical of an airplane the Navion is?

It's like buying a motorhome to do your grocery shopping.

 

[Henning]

It's like buying a motorhome to do your grocery shopping.

Depending on how far away the store is....

 

[gismo]

man that's a cool looking plane. Anyone know how economical of an airplane the Navion is?

Depends on what you mean by economical. They can be relatively inexpensive to buy, and they're built like a (good) truck so mechanical maintenance shouldn't be all that bad. The few Navion owners I know do most of their own maintenance, which IME is typical for the breed. I suspect that the original E series engines can be a bit costly especially if you don't use a specialist, and the hydraulic landing gear likely requires some design specific knowledge, along with the typical need for occasional seal, hose, and valve work.

They're on the opposite end of the efficiency spectrum from a Mooney, with a big cabin and poorly faired gear, they go something like 140 mph with a 225 HP engine running 75% (12-13 gph).