chief for sale

[nowlen]

a friend of mine has his chief up for sale. specs are :
1946 11ac S/N 983 ttaf 1950, smoh 60 (a-65-8)done 8-10-05, fuselage recovered 1980, wings 1992 (ceconite), new sensenich metal prop72ck42 installed 1998, logs back to 1966, annual due 8-31-09, handheld ICOM AC2 with intercom.
plane is located at benton airpark in redding ca. he's asking 18k
530-244-4358 cell 530-356-9161( try this one first) he can e mail pic's etc. bernie

[Roger Anderson]

"This section I thought was for aircraft for sale. Seems to have been hijacked"

Sorry. Deleted the narrative, but can't get rid of the message.

[Jerry Eichenberger]

Roger -

I think we're seeing a leveling of the prices on all of the LSA qualified classic airplanes, from Champs to Ercoupes.

I, for one, predicted this a few years ago. When SP/LSA came into being, there was a huge, pent up demand that took about 3 years to satisfy. Now, most pilots who went the SP route have either bought teh plane they want, or decided not to. Now, I believe we're in a more stable market, and in that market, we'll see times to sell return to more normal levels.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Captgrumps]

Roger I have found that there is a market for Champs with original paint scheme in good shape and are selling in the $32000 and under range. Good Chiefs $23000 and under. By good I mean original or as close as you can get with excellent to good a fabric not over 15 years, atleast medium engine time--85's top dollar and sometimes more. New or fairly new tires, no dings in prop, nice interior, original panel and not alot of add on junk over the years.

Personally I have found younger folks interested in tailwheel flying--but then I guess that is all we do and anyone hanging around is subject to it. Unfortunately larger airports discourage non radio taildraggers as do some airports with personel that have no idea what a taildrragger is about -- afterall they don't add too much to fuel sales. As long as there is grass roots flying the Champs and Chiefs will always be in demand--especially with the LSA pilots.

But personally if I had to keep mine on a paved gereral aviation airport with much activity and a tower I probably wouldn't own one. That is what my 182 is for. Unfortunately Oshkosh is losing the taildragger activity as it once had. Antiques /Classics down 17% this year, but then it is becoming an International Trade Show with vendors. I was involved with judging back in the 1960/70 era when antiques and classics were a big part of the show.

I also find that some potential taildragger pilots are discouraged by the lack of A&P/IA's nowadays that have no clue about wood, dope and fabric and the regulations the airplanes were certified under.

I have seen questions on this forum and others that only beget a NO answer from the FAA when in fact the FAA should not have even been involved had the A&P/IA known.

Doug

[MikeB]

As much as I liked my Cherokee 140 which I'd owned over 25 years, I just couldn't justify keeping it once I got my first Champ going. My annuals were relatively cheap, the engine only had around 1200 SMOH and while maintenance wasn't a big factor it always seemed like something was popping up (radios, transponder, useless AD that was recinded, etc). I even owned two hangars at the time and I'm on private grass strip. I guess it just got down to my flying wants and needs changed. It's still on the same airfield and I get a 'tug" every now and then when it comes and goes with the new owner (who has put another $10,000 in it with upgrades by the way).

Being of a somewhat conservative nature I can't see owning something unless it comes close to paying off somewhere down the line which is why I seldom buy a new car.
If past history is any indication, it seems the Champs, Chiefs, Taylorcrafts, J-3's (overpriced by the way in my opinion ) will at least hold their value if they're maintained. It wasn't that many years ago you could buy a pretty good solid Champ or Chief for $10,000.

And I'm not that cheap if what I'm putting into the L16 is any indication (according to wife of 44 years).

Mike Berg

[flyingfool]

This section I thought was for aircraft for sale. Seems to have been hijacked.

I think a 2 place airplane that is LSA and also burns less then 5 GPH has an appeal all its own. $18,000 versus the new Champ and other LSA's at well over $100,000.

I think the major drawback to further appeal is hand propping.

[SFC Hiatt]

Fool.......hijacking is what we do best.

[joea]

Fool.......hijacking is what we do best.

Badges? We do not need any stinking badges!