[hharney]

Like any twin engine Cessna aircraft, the Skymaster is a complex airplane. I say this because most first time buyers are interested to move up to a bigger, more powerful airplane. They have owned a 172 or a 182 and tend to favor the high wing. What surprises them is the lower price that Skymaster are currently selling for. They look at the Skymaster and compare it to their single Cessna. They think for the money the Skymaster really offers a great safe airplane. Problem comes when they have to maintain those " twin engine systems".

Now for the buyer that has owned an Aerostar or a Navaho they understand the cost of ownership. This class of aircraft will cost more than the Skymaster but purchase price of the Aerostar or Navaho does a better job at pre- qualifying the buyer. A much more serious audience. When a guy can sell his 182 for more than a Skymaster costs it makes one consider an airplane that will cost substanually more to maintain and fly than he is use to or can imagine.

The normal aspirated Skymaster is much simpler and cost less to operate than the turbo or pressurized model. The systems that can be expensive to maintain, especially if it has not been used regularly, are:

Landing gear
Fuel - pumps, valves, caps, tanks
Flap cables
Electrical system
Cowl flap motors
Engine accessories - throttle bodies, exhaust, starters and adapters, hydraulics
Engine control cables - rear (very long)
Electrical - strong emphasis
Corrosion

Nothing that would surprise you if you have been around aircraft. But it just costs more to fix, maintain and buy parts for. (than the 172)

Read the STICKY threads right at the top of the list for the best "get to know Skymasters" of this site. I would never try to discourage anyone from buying a good used Skymaster but for the first time buyer it is always good to make sure they know what they are getting into.