Wanted: Comanche 180 to go to a good home

[Mike Myers]

I'm fairly new to the ICS and was wondering if I could get some help from some members of this society. I'm in the market for a Comanche 180, and I'm not having much luck. I'm looking for an airworthy plane that has had all AD's complied with. I'm also looking for one that is IFR capable.

I have a really good mechanic who owns his own Comanche and knows what to look for. We have looked at a few Comanches already and he has saved me a lot of money as we have discovered some 180's out there that need a little work before they could properly be considered airworthy. I've been keeping a close eye on Trade A Plane, Controller, ASO, Barnstormers, this site, and even look through Ebay. I was wondering if anyone out there has a 180, or maybe knows someone who has a 180 that fulfills my requirements and is thinking about selling it?

I live in the Indianapolis IN area, and can be reached at mamyers215@gmail.com. I will also have a Wanted Ad posted in the Classifieds section of this site and in the Flyer that you can refer to for my contact information.

Thanks in advance for any help! I know the right plane for me is out there.

Mike

[N3322G]

Mike,

Welcome to almost Comanche ownership.

As it happens, one of the best 180s I've seen belongs to ICS Prez - he's at KEYE - not for sale, I'm sure.

Hopefully you'll find what you want soon.

[Mike Myers]

Thanks Pat!

I have actually had the opportunity to see the 180 you are referring to. Very nice airplane! In fact, that airplane is what sold me on the 180. He has done a lot of neat things to that plane that I have taken notes on for when I get my own.

[Steve Marcozzi]

Just seeing your post....welcome to "almost" ownership too.

I own a '59 model 180 and live in Central KY. I was lucky and found a good one and have owned it for 6+ years. I surf several sites off and on, looking at what's out there and the prices, and most of what I see is pretty doggy. I won't say they're bad deals considering the low prices vs. eng /airframe condtion, damage, corrosion, etc. but you'd most likely have to build one up to your standards.

I searched a little over a year and in that time got knowledgable about the AD's, SB's, insurance, etc. It was well worth the wait. These are great flying airplanes.
If you're still looking, let me know and I'll keep an open ear and eye too.

Don't get in a hurry......buy a GOOD airplane.

Steve

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Mike got his "new plane" early Nov. and has just gotten it back from Muncie where he had some radio gear put in as well as some other mods done to the plane. I think it is going to be one of the 180's to keep an eye on!
-Zach

[Mike Myers]

Thanks for the message Steve! I should have posted on here a while ago, but it looked like I had more reaction from the wanted ad in the magazine (which I did have removed). I looked around for a while, and even did several prebuys, but unfortunately there are a lot of abused and neglected 180's out there. My good friend and fellow Comanche owner and mechanic told me to post the wanted ad on ICS and I got quite the response! 4 days after the wanted ad was posted on the website I was contacted by another ICS member who was looking for a good home for his 180 he had for over 25yrs. My mechanic was able to do the prebuy assessment on it for me and long story short, we brought it home the beginning of November.

Zach is correct, I had it in my possession for 4 days and had to give it up to Muncie Aviation for 3 weeks. They did an awesome job with phase 1 of 3 I have planned and would highly recommend them. They did some rewiring and I installed a radio master switch. Also added some post lights, a Gizmo so I can panel mount my 496 and I had a Garmin 340 installed.

I've purchased a few other things for it such as a JPI 700 and some speed mods should be delivered soon along with an alternator to replace my generator. I'm probably going to have to take a break for a while, but eventually want to add a garmin 430w. I'm just looking forward at this point to some good flying days here in the Midwest to go enjoy it now!

-Mike

[N3322G]

Mike,

Congratulations! What a great holiday gift!

[Tom Deml]

Congrats Mike....enjoy!

[Steve Marcozzi]

Congrats on the purchase Mike. Being close to Zach will give you a leg up on all the good stuff. Fly it as much as you can....mine has ruined me big time.
I fly little stuff down low at work (C182 and T41) and shake my head at co-workers when they tell me "what a great plane that 182 is"....go figure

Post some pics when you get a chance.....we're all tire kickers too.

Steve

[Doyle Balzer]

Mike
Check the FBO in Torrington, Wy. They have a 180 for sale. They have an excellant mechanic there that can tell you all about it.
Doyle
ICS 17848