Herb Harney of Jenison, Michigan submits this pilot tip: “The best method of keeping your airplane and engine in top shape…fly it! At least weekly, raise the oil temperature to 185° or max that you can. Your engines will love you for it. If you don’t fly it, then sell it.”
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I have had the opportunity to fly a Corbin Junior Ace and a completely equipped
IFR C-182 Skylane because the owners could not fly them enough to justify ownership.
I paid operating costs, AND bought non-owned aircraft insurance.
If you own an airplane, your company can write a policy fairly cheap because they have all of your data.
If not, AOPA can set you up with such a policy. Highly recommended that you
do so.
We need more of you guys around Greg W! I flew my friend’s Chief for over a year because his mechanic told him it needed to fly more. I paid for my fuel, and something like $10hr, which is what he figured it cost him for maintenance. I sure was sad when he sold it!
To the best of my knowledge this is true. The best thing for an airplane is for it to be flown regularly. I know for me when looking at logbooks of aircraft for sale and it has flown very little in the last ten years that throws up a huge red flag for me.
I would love to fly my aircraft regularly but work and weather
sometimes has the last say. No I will not sell my airplane, just
because I can’t fly it every week.
Have you told any one else that they can fly your plane? It is a sincere question as I have told several pilots in the past that they are welcome to fly mine and yet none have taken me up on the offer. I sold a PA-22/20 and the field FBO did fly it some for me over the winter, the airplane was 1 1/2 hours from where I live, the time constraint that you mention.
. The point is I have had pilots complain to me that they have nothing to fly but, when offered a Champ, newly restored PA-22/20 or ultralight they all back out. My offer was put fuel in it and don’t break it, that’s it.
Just wondered if you had similar experience.
Aviation needs more people like you!
I know a half dozen private pilots that would jump at the opportunities you’re describing.
Where are you located?
Bob Goodman
[email protected]