Looking for PA-24 AP in the Cleveland area

[Chic Ritzheimer]

Looking to buy a 250 just south of Cleveland (29G). Does anyone know a good comanche AP in that area to help with a pre-buy? Thanks again.

[Jody Brausch]

Chic,

I currently fly a PA30, and have all of my maintenance done at Griffing Flying Service in Sandusky, OH (SKY). Over the years, they have maintained a number of Comanches for me, and members of my family, both PA24s and PA30s, with very good results. In addition, they currently maintain a number of Comanches in the field from this neck of the woods.. They are qualified, conscientious mechanics that are familiar with the breed, and their unique idiosyncrasies. You can reach Griffing Flying Service at 419.626.5161, and ask for Mark of Keith,

[Chic Ritzheimer]

Thanks for your help Jody I will give them a call...by the way, wasn't your plane best in in class not to long ago?

[Jody Brausch]

Chic,

My PA30 took reserve grand champion at Oshkosh last summer. Thanks for noticing! Good luck with your pre-purchase; Comanches are terrific airplanes.

[Chic Ritzheimer]

Oshkosh by gosh...That was it!! I called those guys yesterday...I spoke to Mark who spoke very highly of you...he did say your airpane needs lots of help!!ha Hey, guess what...he knows the comanche I am looking at. Have been flying 24's since I was a kid on and on with my Dad. Anyway he said to go have a look and call if needed. I had to be careful because his boss might get the idea I want the shop to do it when really I just needed Mark...He said to call him at home!! Have to save a buck somewhere along the way!! Again thank you so much for your help and I hope we cross paths one day! Like my dad use to say, "Son, life is short, fly fast". Thanks again, Chic

[Jody Brausch]

Drop by the airport with your "new" Comanche, and say hello. I'm often just messing around in the hangar.

[Chic Ritzheimer]

Sounds good to me Jody, how about on Wednesday..I will be doing a pre-buy and flying her that day(late afternoon), maybe I can buzz over to where you are at and you can give me any input you might have. Ed Duber (ex-old Piper dealer) is the broker and does have a place(29G) where I can get her up on jacks and also do a compression check. Heck you and anyone else are more than welcome to come buy for that....I'll just tell him word got out the FAA said it was OK for me to Fly!!ha Hey, the more Comanche pilots the better the pre-buy (I think). I have a cell phone, but to tell you the truth, I don't think it will work back in Ohio. Send me a phone number and where you are at, I'll look up the info and make it point to get by. My cell is 602-540-8260, e-mail is critz777@yahoo.com I sure would like Mark to look her over as well, but he has to work on that day. Jody, do you think I should fly her first then do a compression check and cycle the emergeny gear and fly her again, or do all the checks then fly her?

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Make sure the thing passes ground checks before you bother with flight checks...kind of like preflighting after the flight, doesn't make much sense does it? Honestly there is more to look at in the gear than just doing an alternate drop. Preload, switch timing, springs, conduits, bushings, bearings, castings etc. Tail issues also, loose rivits in bearing block, trim drum/linkage, skin splices on the stab, horn (at least an external inspection for obvious big cracks). Id put the compression check at the low end of the priority list. An oil filter cut is often time much more telling, as is smelling/feeling the oil during an oil change. A good AD search and verification will show what has been pencil whipped, and what not. One thing to make sure of is that it does not have a crank that is covered under the replacement AD. The drop dead dates are coming up quickly on the 12 yr replacement calendar time.
-Zach

[Chic Ritzheimer]

The crank is good, got the serial # and checked w/ Lycoming. They actually had done a FOH and Lycoming recalled it in 2005 to redue the crank at the factory. I have called Mark and left a message to see about still getting him for the pre-buy, I was planning on leaving on Thursday, but if I have to stay to make sure the A/C is worthy I will. Are you ready for this....the plane did a belly landing in Mex. years ago and they lost the Airframe logs from 64' -72'. They are still in Mexico I guess, the Mex authorities wanted to see the logs...I'll tell you one thing, I would have never let those get out of my sight. Just found that out Friday. Hmmmm...things that make you go...Hmmmm.

[Jody Brausch]

Chic,

Don't even consider buying any airplane without a thorough pre-purchase inspection; it could be the difference between a fantastic airplane, and a maintenance nightmare. Comanches are great flying machines, but, when the landing gear meets the runway, they are 50 year old airframes, in many cases. Spend a few bucks now to avoid spending a fortune later. It's a buyer's market, so if this isn't the right airplane, a little research will turn up the right steed. Good luck with your search.