It flies again

[kmead]

After more than 8 months of hard labor and more than $500,000 the jet prop is back in the air. The test flight went great today and it's now sitting in a Nebraska paint shop. This Jetprop was delivered to us in a shipping container from Poland. All it needed was a new wing, landing gear, prop, 2 fuselage skins, cowling, and a big engine repair. I'm really glad it's done.

Kevin

 

[kevin47881]

How long did all that work take?

 

[TangoWhiskey]

How long did all that work take?

After more than 8 months of hard labor

I guess you scanned over that part?

 

[TangoWhiskey]

I'm really glad it's done.

Kevin

I bet you are! Congrats!

Here's a picture of it before the landing accident: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Piper-PA-46-Jetprop-DLX/1106801/M/

Do you have any photos of it at the accident scene? NTSB records are spotty since it happened in Poland.

 

[KennyFlys]

I guess you scanned over that part?

I missed that part the first time as well. But, for some reason the half-million dollar price tag didn't escape my eyes.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

I missed that part the first time as well. But, for some reason the half-million dollar price tag didn't escape my eyes.

Yeah, I wondered three things:

1) Did Kevin write those checks?

2) What does Kevin DO for a living?

3) What will previous damage history that extensive do to resale value?

An in-flight pic: http://airnews.pl/view/show/1557

 

[kevin47881]

I guess you scanned over that part?

As Ken said, the price tag took my eyes to the middle of the post. Poor excuse but it's the best I have.

 

[KennyFlys]

As Ken said, the price tag took my eyes to the middle of the post. Poor excuse but it's the best I have.

Blame it on old Jack Daniels.

 

[kevin47881]

Blame it on old Jack Daniels.

That's Mr. George Dickel to you

 

[KennyFlys]

That's Mr. George Dickel to you

Hmmmm... you bow to a company who left their home for Kentucky? And, I don't recall old Jack ever having to shut down to increase their selling price.

 

[kmead]

The owner is not clear on what happened and I have never seen any pictures. I believe this happened at a small grass strip where the airplane is based. I promise I don't own this Malibu, the owner sends me checks. The last time I did a repair this big was way back in 1992, the cost was $240,000. Parts and labor prices have really gone up. That's even more than I paid for my Malibu 2.5 years ago.

This Malibu is well equipped with Chelton displays and a modified panel. I would hate to guess what he has invested now. The resale value drops a lot, but it seems to help with more time passing after the repair. I think he's invested for the long-haul.

Kevin

 

[KennyFlys]

The owner is not clear on what happened and I have never seen any pictures. I believe this happened at a small grass strip where the airplane is based. I promise I don't own this Malibu, the owner sends me checks. The last time I did a repair this big was way back in 1992, the cost was $240,000. Parts and labor prices have really gone up. That's even more than I paid for my Malibu 2.5 years ago.

This Malibu is well equipped with Chelton displays and a modified panel. I would hate to guess what he has invested now. The resale value drops a lot, but it seems to help with more time passing after the repair. I think he's invested for the long-haul.

Kevin

At $500,000, unless your last name is Gates or Buffet... probably so. It was this story that made wonder more about what Dave is facing for upgrading to turbines.

 

[kmead]

Reliability, performance and sex appeal are the big draw, but it becomes a whole different world of costs. They use a lot more fuel and when they break it seems unlimited in cost. Two engines, it doubles. We had a Meridian that hit $212,000 for the repair of the engine's compressor. This wasn't an overhaul either. I suppose if a good (cheap) Jetprop shows up someday I might just move up.

Kevin