Let'sgoflying! said:Still it is a Viking so it is going to give someone a lot of great flying at the price of a C172!
smigaldi said:Intriging! The panel is nothing to write home about and would need about $10-$25k of updates depending on how carzy wanted to go.
smigaldi said:There are plenty of pireps on this plane and one of the things to really watch out for is the condition of the wood pieces.
scott
I'm hoping it stays that way until I get my kid thru college!Let'sgoflying! said:I also think ALL Vikings are WAY underpriced because of the idiotic "Lignophobia".
I don't see any problem there, ignorance and paranoia will probably persist long after we are gone.gkainz said:I'm hoping it stays that way until I get my kid thru college!
Let'sgoflying! said:I don't see any problem there, ignorance and paranoia will probably persist long after we are gone.
Anthony said:However, I do think the Viking has more "quirks"
Let'sgoflying! said:All I can tell you is the flying value......
{(speed + rate of climb + useful load + range + flexiblity + safety) divided by (initial outlay + upkeep)} .....which I enjoy is unmatched in any other certificated plane today so I am smiling!
Let'sgoflying! said:Mooneys (leaky wet wings, power issues)
Let'sgoflying! said:Possibly, but none of them are wood related.
Wait Anthony, maybe Vikings need fastidious attention to the gear and the fabric and finish need to be kept in good shape but when I think of Bonanzas, don't some of them have their quirks (tail skin problems, 120mph placards, tail waggle, etc) and Mooneys (leaky wet wings, power issues) and C210's (cranky gear, airframe corrosion).
So I am not convinced they have more quirks. I don't think that is the problem with the perception. I think people hear 'wood' and conjure up images of the rotting woodpile behind the barn. Or maybe a popsicle stick airplane they built when they were 4. Who knows.
All I can tell you is the flying value......
{(speed + rate of climb + useful load + range + flexiblity + safety) divided by (initial outlay + upkeep)} .....which I enjoy is unmatched in any other certificated plane today so I am smiling!
Len Lanetti said:Fuel leaks from the wet wings is a known design option with Mooney aircraft.
Anthony said:However, I would NEVER let a Viking sit outside in the weather due solely to its wood wings and fabric construction. Now, I don't let my aluminum plane sit outside either, but I think it can better withstand the weather than a Viking.
Let'sgoflying! said:OK, if needing a hangar is a quirk I will have to give you that. Personally I wouldn't consider keeping any airplane outside in the elements (for very long), so that quirk was not an issue with me when I bought - and I suppose I overlook it now because my feelings about 'hangarage'.
Mechanically though (my opinion is) there is no more quirkiness about a Viking (and expecially none with the wood) than the other brands out there. The only wood work I have done is to plug and redrill some fairing holes that got wallered out.
[H]I have no apprehensions about flying a metal plane. It just seems like an expensive way to go slow!!![/H]
J/K J/K J/K!!!
And don't think I am not always reassessing Mooneys (Bonanzas, 210s etc) as an alternative! They are all NICE!Anthony said:Dave. I love the Viking
Let'sgoflying! said:Haha! I like how you put that Len.
PS I am not picking on Mooneys;
NickDBrennan said:now, when y'all say its wood - how much of it is wood? Just the wings, or the entire thing?
Let'sgoflying! said:Too bad it wasn't wood, too.
Anthony said:Is the engine wood also? Does it take 100LL or Miracle Grow?
Let'sgoflying! said:The wing is an awe-inspiring work of hand-crafted beauty such as can no longer be found today.
gkainz said:http://www.bellanca-aircraft.com/
There must still be a few of the master carpenters sticking around the factory - at least enough skill to produce, as quoted above "Bellanca Super Vikings are hand‑built by skilled craftsmen; only a few aircraft will be built each year."