There are two main problems in purchasing old aircraft: (1) Corrosion, often hidden. This ids made worse if the aircraft hasn't been flown much, even if it's been hangared. (2) Misrepresentation or missing information in the logbook(s), coupled with improper or unauthorized repairs and installation of unauthorized equipment.
Airframe corrosion is best inspected for by a mechanic who has worked on Ercoupes/Alons before and knows WHERE to look. If the aircraft hasn't been flown much, the engine may soon need an overhaul, even if it passes an external inspection and compression check. The problem here is that even the smallest pits from internal corrosion cause rapid abrasion and only 50 or 100 hours of operation can result in a bad crank or camshaft or seals. Aircraft "flown on the cheap" like many Alons will often have owner-performed repairs that may or may not be legal. This is very hard to check for - a lot depends on how fussy you and your local FSDO are about such things. My Alon cost many hundreds of dollars (plus my own time) to clean up the log books to the point my IA would pass the plane for its first annual. This also required an FAA field inspection for equipment installed, but not authorized or previously recorded. If you are really serious about owning an Alon, subscribe to "Coupe Capers." Prices seem to be anywhere from $17K to $27K, not necessarily indicative of quality. To this, I would add a reserve of up to $5K for your first annual inspection (this is typically well under $1K, but you may find all kinds of hidden problems). You should also be aware that Alons are inexpensive to fly and maintain, but you need to have a reserve for engine replacement and major repairs, as well as normal maintenance. A major question is, how will you know you have purchased one "in excellent condition?" Shiny paint is not the whole story. David N6359V Gary Braun wrote: > > I've always been interested in Ercoupes/Aircoupes and am finally in a > position to consider buying one. I'm especially interested in an Alon. What > could I expect to pay for one in excellent condition? What should I be > looking for in a pre-purchase inspection? __________________________________________________________________________ ______ To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
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