With fabric covering and a few difficult-to-source parts, even simple, modest types like this Taylorcraft demand a certain level of hands-on knowledge and expertise to own.
THE NEW OWNER Vintage Aircraft Ownership Is Best Viewed as 2 Hobbies in 1 Knowing the airplane’s inner workings and maintenance is an entirely separate proposition.
by Jason McDowell
I want to buy a classic car. Something cool and unique from the ’70s, like a diesel Mercedes sedan. I love the idea of slid- ing behind the wheel of something like that and heading out for coffee on a sunny Sunday morning. Like many others who grew up in southeastern lower Mich- igan, where allegiance to either Ford or Chevy was far more critical than any political leanings, I regularly entertain fleet- ing fantasies of vintage car ownership. Cars from that era are to modern vehicles what vinyl is to digital downloads. They require more attention, but the experience is a pure one that connects with the soul in a way the latest tech-laden, stability-controlled wündercars never will. But whenever I dive into researching the ownership of such sweet machines, I’m quickly reeled back to reality by a certain factor that is common among classic cars and airplanes. Lurking beneath the bodywork are myriad concerns one must become familiar with to keep the machine in good running order. There are many cars and airplanes that require relatively little attention outside of adding fuel and taking them out for a rip. A factory-new Cessna or Cirrus, for example, and nearly any modern car. But the older and more in-
teresting ones demand more, and many prospective owners underestimate or overlook just how much more. To maintain a vintage airplane—even a modest one—in safe, reliable condi- tion on a real-world budget, one must view the knowledge of its inner workings and maintenance as an entirely separate hobby in and of itself. Like any new hobby, this requires time and attention above and beyond flying and clean- ing the airplane. From networking with other owners to proactively sourcing difficult-to-find parts to learning about the latest tips and tricks in type-spe- cific forums, one must become an enthusiastic expert on the history, design, and maintenance of the airplane. My friend Chris is a good example. A few years ago, he purchased a clas- sic Bellanca Super Viking. It’s a sweet machine, with 300 horsepower and a cruise speed that’s twice that of my 170. With a wood and fabric airframe, complex systems, and limited parts availability, it can be described as an air- plane for “advanced” owners. Owning one of these is playing airplane owner on hard mode. Fortunately, Chris possesses the motivation and interest necessary to em- brace the challenge. When he was a kid, his father owned one, and his child-
6 Aircraft For Sale | April 2024
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker