New and Don’t know what to do.

[Madison890]

Hello all this is my first post. I have purchased a 1963 Cessna 172C. It is in a town called WYNNE Arkansas. It is out of annual by three years. I have a mechanic getting it in annual this Tuesday, June 4. And I am looking for someone willing to fly her back, Preferably with me. I do not have my license. Plane is insured and by Thursday the sixth will be airworthy. The plane total time is 2600 hours. Time since major overhaul is 663 hours. This is my first plane. Home for Me is 100 miles east of Charlotte a small town called Laurinburg North Carolina. Please feel free to email me at Wilmingtoncars@yahoo.com.

 

[Possum]

Welcome @Madison890. Good luck with the purchase and your PPL. Do you have an A&P lined up and a CFI to get you started???? Best CFI around is at KLBT. I'm next door to you at KBBP.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Welcome! Good luck with everything.

 

[Mike Smith]

What they said!!

 

[Madison890]

I do not have a local mechanic lined up. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Any suggestions about anything would be appreciated. Hangar space is first on my list. Well getting her here then hangar space.

 

[Mike Smith]

What you are looking for is a ferry pilot. Do you have an instructor lined up? I did a ferry trip with my instructor from Maryland to Alabama, it was an invaluable experience. If I were you I would try to find a CFI locally who would be willing to fly it back. Take a commercial flight over, and fly it back, that is a fantastic string of lessons.

 

[Eric Stoltz]

For us that can't read to good, pics please and thank you.

And, welcome to the fray. Hold on!

 

[Stephen Poole]

Laurinburg? I used to live in Raeford! Good luck, be sure to post updates!!

 

[sourdough44]

I do not have a local mechanic lined up. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Any suggestions about anything would be appreciated. Hangar space is first on my list. Well getting her here then hangar space.

I think you may have to slow down some, not to take away from the excitement. Out if annual for three years, but it will back in annual & safely flying in 2 days?

I’d search out a local shop or mechanic in the area, even one from a nearby field. It may take a few steps(and time) to get the plane up to snuff. It may all work out fine, I kinda doubt it will be ready to fly home in 2 days after checks start.

O.K., I see you have a mechanic in AR lined up.

 

[SkyDog58]

I have a lot that I'd like to say or advice to offer but I'll just say good luck.

 

[Rgbeard]

Wishing I was nearby to be helpful!


Someone should come along shortly.

 

[Martin Pauly]

You can use a ferry pilot to bring it home to you, or hire an instructor to go with you and turn it into a nice cross-country lesson.

One word of caution: Annual inspections sometimes produce surprises, especially on airplanes that have not been flying for a few years. It's good that you have somebody lined up to start the annual on June 4, as you wrote, but be prepared for surprises. I don't know how anybody could guarantee it'll be airworthy and signed off by June 6, as you seem to expect - that may happen, or it may not. Just be flexible.

Best of luck!

- Martin

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Hello all this is my first post. I have purchased a 1963 Cessna 172C. It is in a town called WYNNE Arkansas. It is out of annual by three years. I have a mechanic getting it in annual this Tuesday, June 4. And I am looking for someone willing to fly her back, Preferably with me. I do not have my license. Plane is insured and by Thursday the sixth will be airworthy. The plane total time is 2600 hours. Time since major overhaul is 663 hours. This is my first plane. Home for Me is 100 miles east of Charlotte a small town called Laurinburg North Carolina. Please feel free to email me at Wilmingtoncars@yahoo.com.

Thinking a little more, I'm just a little concerned about a plane that apparently hasn't flown in several years being used so quickly for a long trip. However, it is probably fine.

What you are looking for is a ferry pilot. Do you have an instructor lined up? I did a ferry trip with my instructor from Maryland to Alabama, it was an invaluable experience. If I were you I would try to find a CFI locally who would be willing to fly it back. Take a commercial flight over, and fly it back, that is a fantastic string of lessons.

This is some good advice. Maybe the CFI and you can fly the plane locally for a day in gliding distance of the airport before the ferry flight. They give you a chance to find any issues before you leave.

 

[WannFly]

What he said

 

[Tom-D]

You can use a ferry pilot to bring it home to you, or hire an instructor to go with you and turn it into a nice cross-country lesson.

One word of caution: Annual inspections sometimes produce surprises, especially on airplanes that have not been flying for a few years. It's good that you have somebody lined up to start the annual on June 4, as you wrote, but be prepared for surprises. I don't know how anybody could guarantee it'll be airworthy and signed off by June 6, as you seem to expect - that may happen, or it may not. Just be flexible.

Best of luck!

- Martin

Just maybe his A&P - IA in Arkansas has made the inspection and he knows the aircraft will be ready for flight by 4 June.

 

[Tom-D]

Would take your local CFI with you to pick up the aircraft. Test fly it prior to launching
into a long cross country.

 

[Clip4]

I don’t believe he can hire a CFI and to fly the plane back with him under a ferry permit because he is not part of the essential crew.

Also his insurance may only be valid under a standard airworthiness certificate. A ferry permit is a special airworthiness certificate.

 

[SkyDog58]

I don’t believe he can hire a CFI and to fly the plane back with him under a ferry permit because he is not part of the essential crew.

Also his insurance may only be valid under a standard airworthiness certificate. A ferry permit is a special airworthiness certificate.

While what you say is true, in the OP it was stated that the annual would be done and the plane airworthy before it flew. So no need for a SFP.

 

[Madison890]

Roger that. Sorry I’m not the best at written communication. A&P looked at it day after purchase last week and will be back to make repairs and get it in annual.?? I do understand there might be some bumps along the way, to include me being ignorant and blundering some stuff up. Thanks for the welcoming and please give any advice you might have. I do have a CFI here in NC, but I don’t think he will fly it back, but I will be asking tomorrow. Thanks again guys.

 

[Madison890]

I don’t believe he can hire a CFI and to fly the plane back with him under a ferry permit because he is not part of the essential crew.

Also his insurance may only be valid under a standard airworthiness certificate. A ferry permit is a special airworthiness certificate.

I’ll be asking about that Monday with my insurance. I know I insured the hull for 27k and it cost $690. The company’s name is Alexander aviation and I dealt with Gloria if any first timers read this later. So far so good. I’m hoping mechanic can get it in annual and I won’t need a ferry permit, but I wouldn’t have thought to get the permit if you hadn’t mentioned it and it cant be brought to annual. Thanks

 

[Madison890]

What you are looking for is a ferry pilot. Do you have an instructor lined up? I did a ferry trip with my instructor from Maryland to Alabama, it was an invaluable experience. If I were you I would try to find a CFI locally who would be willing to fly it back. Take a commercial flight over, and fly it back, that is a fantastic string of lessons.

I’ll find someone and do it that way. Thanks.

 

[Madison890]

For us that can't read to good, pics please and thank you.

And, welcome to the fray. Hold on!

Last picture is outside after I pulled it out of the hanger it’s been sitting in. cleaned it up a little bit it’s been detailed since I just don’t have a pic. I think I got a decent deal, but who knows. I’m in love regardless.

 

[Tom-D]

soap/water does miracles,
Typical barn find,, thank you for saving a nice old aircraft, you'll have great fun with it.

 

[iflyvfr]

So that's an O-300 with a slant tail, got the squared off windows so it's likely a pre-65 model, looks to be a '62. The N number for this airplane may be expired, so you'll need to look into that for your ferry flight. Buying a new to you plane is always a gamble, hope this works well for you, the six cylinder Continental is renowned for it's smooth running motor. Good luck!

 

[Madison890]

So that's an O-300 with a slant tail, got the squared off windows so it's likely a pre-65 model, looks to be a '62. The N number for this airplane may be expired, so you'll need to look into that for your ferry flight. Buying a new to you plane is always a gamble, hope this works well for you, the six cylinder Continental is renowned for it's smooth running motor. Good luck!

Thanks man appreciate it. I applied for and received a new and number from the... I believe it was the FAA. I’ll have to check. I wanted to renew old number but they said it was attached to a corporation from the guy bought it from. He didn’t want to let it go for free. So I just applied and got a new number. Thanks again I’m excited to get to know that o-300.

 

[mondtster]

Expired registration and no annual or flight time for several years... this has all the makings of an A1 mess of a ferry flight.

As a flight instructor and mechanic, my recommendation would be to send a trusted mechanic/pilot out there to figure out what the plane really needs to be legal to fly again and pay them to bring it back. Unless you get really lucky there WILL be problems uncovered on the flight and the last thing I’d be wanting to do is be trying to deal with the problems while also trying to teach a brand new student how to fly. I’d suggest starting lessons once it is in your possession at your home base with a few (relatively) trouble free hours on it.

Congrats on the plane. With a little work I’m sure it will turn out nice.

 

[Tom-D]

Expired registration and no annual or flight time for several years... this has all the makings of an A1 mess of a ferry flight.

Congrats on the plane. With a little work I’m sure it will turn out nice.

I guess you don't realize the A&P-IA must fix all that prior to signing it off as airworthy.

the new N must be in place prior to any flight.

 

[mondtster]

I guess you don't realize the A&P-IA must fix all that prior to signing it off as airworthy.

the new N must be in place prior to any flight.

I’m well aware of that. It doesn’t mean it will happen though.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I guess you don't realize the A&P-IA must fix all that prior to signing it off as airworthy.

the new N must be in place prior to any flight.

We know that. Speaking for myself, I wouldn't care to fly very far on the first flight. Absolutely no dig intended at any mechanic, but mistakes happen. As a student pilot, I was once given a plane fresh out of annual and none of the inspection covers was closed. Yeah, the A&P should have caught that, but they didn't.

 

[Tom-D]

We know that. Speaking for myself, I wouldn't care to fly very far on the first flight. Absolutely no dig intended at any mechanic, but mistakes happen. As a student pilot, I was once given a plane fresh out of annual and none of the inspection covers was closed. Yeah, the A&P should have caught that, but they didn't.

That's why I said "test fly it prior to launching on a long cross country"

Post 16

 

[Cap'n Jack]

That's why I said "test fly it prior to launching on a long cross country"

Post 6

You mean post 16? You may look at post 13.

 

[Tom-D]

I was once given a plane fresh out of annual and none of the inspection covers was closed. Yeah, the A&P should have caught that, but they didn't.

I hope you caught that on pre-flight.

 

[N884]

Plane is lucky to have found you.

 

[Sinistar]

Where is it at: Delta Regional (DRP)? Runsick Private Field?
Where will it be going to: MEB?
I will assume there is no IFR capability: Would there be a working VOR? ILS/GS?
What about Comms: Does at least one Comm radio work?
What about lights: Does it at least have working position lights?

Airnav is showing 557nm straight line distance. So I am guessing that is around 5hrs of flight time so probably 1 stop and pre-flight make that a 7hr day so doable in a day if wx is decent.

I have never had to have a plane Ferried but now I can see all the crazy angles it can take. Maybe you have already thought of these. Or maybe others will chime in with even more things to consider. Plus it helps you start figuring out the bill. If your Ferry pilot isn't local to the area then you have 2x 1-way plane tickets which may need to be changed due to wx or aircraft issues.

As I write this its like you want your ferry pilot to be local to one end, ideally the departure end. If anything is wrong they are already at home. If it all works out you give them a ride to Charlotte and a one way plane ticket to Memphis where a friend gives them a ride back to WYNNE. Beyond that the logistics get more complicated. In this case, yes your own CFI riding with you would be a tremendous learning experience. But having someone local to the WYNNE area ferry it might be the cheapest and least complicated ferry option to get to your home base since you now own it and want it home.

Another option is you drive your CFI or mechanic to the plane and they fly it back while you drive. Or you + CFI + helper drive to your plane, the 2 of you fly it back and the helper drives your car back. But if there's a plane issue you are now all driving back home again.

I have no clue which is best. Let us know how you handle it as I am sure other will be interested.

Best of luck on the plane and getting it home!!!

 

[Jeff767]

I am going to be the spoiler here. I highly doubt that engine was properly prepared for long term storage. Airplanes that sit always have issues. If I were making the purchase here is what I would plan. Annual inspection to include rebuilding both mags and pulling at least 1 cylinder to look inside the engine for corrosion. Unless you stole the aircraft you should have pulled a cylinder in the prebuy. There is a good chance you may find internal corrosion will require a rebuild. Replace all tires and tubes. Completely drain fuel system and have the carb sent out for rebuild. Once the annual is done plan a local test flight and a day of down time to address the issues that come up. There will be issues. Don’t let time pressures force you into a departure before the aircraft is ready.

 

[Lachlan]

Send it. What’s the worst that could happen?

 

[Tom-D]

I am going to be the spoiler here. I highly doubt that engine was properly prepared for long term storage. Airplanes that sit always have issues. If I were making the purchase here is what I would plan. Annual inspection to include rebuilding both mags and pulling at least 1 cylinder to look inside the engine for corrosion. Unless you stole the aircraft you should have pulled a cylinder in the prebuy. There is a good chance you may find internal corrosion will require a rebuild. Replace all tires and tubes. Completely drain fuel system and have the carb sent out for rebuild. Once the annual is done plan a local test flight and a day of down time to address the issues that come up. There will be issues. Don’t let time pressures force you into a departure before the aircraft is ready.

How do you know the A&P-IA who did the annual didn't do all that and more?

 

[Kenny Phillips]

One note: when I bought my Skyhawk (F-model, actually built for T-41A use but not taken, per Cessna, so it had all of the fancy gauges, such as carb temp, etc.) back in 1997, it had been owned by a corporate pilot who was also and A&P/IA. He no longer flew it (he didn't say so, but I'm sure he lost his medical, he was up in his seventies), but pulled it out every year and did an annual. It had only three hours of run time in four years, all from the annuals. We bought it assuming it needed an overhaul. When the engine was disassembled, the oil pan was nearly corroded through, from condensation standing for years. The cylinders had rust (as one might expect). Very little wear, however. We had the cylinders bored to oversize, and the oil pan was deemed serviceable, and we put many hundreds of hours on it. It serves as an FBO rental now.
I would expect that an overhaul will be needed, unless it was pickled. It may be OK for ferry flight. The O300 engines are smooth and reliable, as is the wet vacuum pump. But it's still approaching sixty years old.

 

[Tom-D]

Not every engine that sets for long periods have corrosion problems. Old engines collect a oil varnish that actually protect better than any preservative that we add.

 

[iflyvfr]

Subbed, this is an interesting thread. I hope the OP @Madison890 will keep us posted on the results of the annual, ferry flight,etc. Pictures are encouraged!