PRE BUY

[Dale Gibboney]

I'm looking for a knowledgeable mechanic to do a pre -buy on a Turbo Twin Comanche. Who is the expert and how can I get in touch with him?

I'm in Southern California and will also need a good maintenance shop after I have the airplane. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Dale

[N3322G]

Dale,

Welcome to almost Comanche ownership. In SoCal, I suggest contacting Denny Haskins at Redlands. He's 75 and very knowledgeable. If he isn't available, I'm guessing he'd have a good recommendation.

[David Pyle]

Pat Barry is a highly respected Comanche A&P in the San Diego area. He is a frequent adviser on maintenance issues and active ICS member. Call him 949 362 1600. Tell us about the TC you want inspected. Some of us may know the airplane.

[N3322G]

ditto on Pat Barry at Chino - he's a Tech Director for ICS. Both Denny and Pat have extensive Comanche knowledge and I would trust them with my Twin.

FYI. Postings here have commented that turbos do take more maintenance. I'm assuming your normal aircraft use requires turbos.

[Dale Gibboney]

I thank everyone for the names and phone numbers of people who could help with the pre-buy.

Someone asked a question about if I require the turbo on most of my flights. That is the thing I've been going around and around with. The answer is really no. The turbo is more of a want than a need. Maybe 2 or 3 trips a year from Calif eastbound across the Rockies or north into Idaho. It has been 35 or 40 years since I flew a Twin Comanche and it was not turbo charged. Maybe I've forgotten how the airplane preforms without the turbo.

David: N8981Y is the PA-39 that I'm looking at which is located in east central Arkansas.

[N3322G]

Dale,

Zach Grant is soon to be next ICS Pres and has a turbo today - his comments are somewhere on this site, perhaps if you search.... Anyway, the last time he posted on this he told a guy he wouldn't buy a turbo unless is was an absolute requirement. He said he can afford it because he does most of his own maintenance.

I share this not to dissuade you but so you aren't surprised later. My 39 is not turbo and before it got obnoxiously expensive, we used to fly into Aspen all the time. We just did a lot of planning, flew the passes, only VFR and in the mornings as far as possible. If you want to go over the Rockies, I would be partial to a turbo too.

If you want a pre-buy in AR, then Cliff Wilewski from Heritage Aero Rockford, IL or Tim Talley from Clifton Aero in TX or Zach Grant from IN. All phone numbers are in Pathfinder http://www.comancheflyer.com/NS/pathfinderN.php

Hope this helps.

[Kristin Winter]

I went through the same turbo vs. non-turbo calculations in 2005. I ended up with a normally-aspirated twin, and am glad I did. I am based in the SF bay area and go east fairly often. I came to the conclusion that the costs of the turbos significantly outweighed the advantages. If you want to chat about the pros and cons, shoot me an email and I will send you my number. kristin_winter at comcast dot net.

[David Pyle]

Dale,

Listen to the ladies. You have more choices of non turbo TC's for sale. For someone who knows turbos, and in the AR vicinity, call Charlie Tripp (ex ICS treasurer and all round good guy). He is in central TN. You don't want to bring a "maybe" airplane to CA for a prebuy. Close is cheaper. Clifton TX is still too far. Charlie's phone is 901 772 2130. Paul New in Jackson TN (731 664 2722) might be Charlie's prebuy choice. He has rebuilt Comanches.

I will see what I can find out about N8981Y. Where is it listed?