A few questions?

[rotorgoat]

Thanks Herb, I'm an A&P and while time may not be of the essence usually money plays a larger factor. What kind of "money" issues could one expect aside from the engines?

[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.

[rotorgoat]

Thanks again Herb, That was excellent info--I'll review the Sticky posts again. Just from your post I gather that parts costs are a significant factor here and I assume that Cessna controls that venue?

[Ernie Martin]

Yes, parts are expensive. But they don't need to be nor is Cessna your only choice. See the "Purchasing Parts" page in my "back-up" website at www.SkymasterUS.com.

Ernie

[SkyMac]

Herb and Ernie are passing on good advice, cheap is very rarely the best when it comes to a skymaster or in fact any plane.

You will always come agross a bargin or so you may think. I spent two years looking for a 337G that had not been as we say 'Tarted Up" to sell, a project was what I was after and I had been offered many bargins.

I found one with 1900hrs TT, mid engines and very low prop times but that's where it stopped. It was also one that had not been visually touched up in years, maintanence well ??? so basically you knew what you were in for from the start, and be prepared for that + more.

Herb gave a list of things you need to look at, to help, make sure you get hold of a service manual and check the replacment times for all identified components and when they were last done, these will cost and can quickly add up.

I stripped a wing on the weekend (my 337 is fully disassembled) and as Herb mentions watch the flap cables, even though mine were getting replaced regardless I found broken strands on the old ones, even at 1900hrs TT.

If it has recently been painted, ask what type of paint job, strip and respray or a sand and paint over. I had seen many a plane with a light sand and paint over, these can hid things and give you a suprise at a later stage.

Ernie has put together a very good package of information on where to buy parts, this has been invaluable to myself and no doubt many others. You don't need to buy from Cessna, mind you I have spent a small fortune with them lately for the little things.

As a project plane mine was perfect and suited my needs, it is still a way off completion. In the end it will owe me a considerable amount more than what it is worth, but thats the great thing about choice.

This forum is full of very knowledgeable people regarding skymasters, far beyond my knowledge and they are always willing to help. One thing I do know is that I will be asking them for more advice as we progress.

Good luck with finding what your after.

Dave