The International Cessna 170 Association

Hello,
I've been reshearching the aircraft market for awhile now. I've secured my down payment and monthly requirements to go ahead with a purchase of either a 170a or a third partnership into a c182h. Until I had the means to do so this was an easy decision for me, now that the time is here. I'm really struggling with a finial decision. My question to you guys is how has your partnerships worked out vs sole ownership? And is the increased performace of the 182 worth the higher operating cost? Keeping it in mind that the fixed cost would be lower with the 182. I'm awaiting specific information as to finial numbers but I'm concerned the operating cost will exceed any savings that might be made on a monthly basis. Have you guys any insite into this situation? I've always had a burning desire to own a convental gear aircraft, and only figure on about 2 or 3 long cross country's a year.
Thanks in advance!!

jmurtap wrote:Hello,
....I've always had a burning desire to own a convental gear aircraft, and only figure on about 2 or 3 long cross country's a year.
Thanks in advance!!

And when you buy into the 182 you will still have a burning desire to own a conventional gear airplane.

Partnerships can be good when they are good and bad when they are bad. Like a marriage. Being single can be good since you only have to consider what you want. But being single, you are limited to only what you can provide and there is no one to share the cost.

There is no right or wrong answer and the answer is not in the numbers. I think you should reread my first line.

There is no right or wrong answer and the answer is not in the numbers. I think you should reread my first line.

Very sound advice, Thank You for your input!!

How do you plan to use the airplane? Defining your mission may help you decide if the 182 is even required.
Do you really NEED the hauling capacity of a 182?

At one time I wanted to travel everywhere by small airplane and needed to go faster and higher with more capability. Thanks to partnerships I was able to do that. But deep down I had the classic airplane itch, and my 170 is it for me now. What could beat a 30 minute local flight and post-flight cleaning on a Saturday morning?

But I cannot emphasize this enough: To reduce your owning expenses, buy the best cared-for and maintained airplane you can find. Project airplanes and broken airplanes will drain your wallet and your enthusiasm.

For me pattern work is the fun part of flying the airplane. I find the challenge of the perfect takeoff and landing in my 170A fun, I find a 182 or any tricycle gear airplane boring. The true benefit of sole ownership of an airplane is that it is available to you at anytime on a whim, no one else has the airplane when you want to use it. I really don't use my airplane to go anywhere, but have great fun shooting landings for 30 minutes or an hour on a nice morning or after diner in the evening. For me the fun is in the flying not in where I'm going. Just one pilots opinion.

Tim (currently 49 C170A and 69 C180H project, previously 55 C170B, 47 C140, 68 C150 (dad wanted to learn to fly), 71 C180H, 72 C310Q, 73 A185F, 55 C170B)
When I need something to fly, I keep coming back to a good old, fun 170.

edit corrected "the challenge of takeoff and landings" to read "the challenge of the perfect takeoff and landing"

As far as our mission goes, it will be primary joy flights on the weekends visiting local grass strips and hamburger joints and taking friends up. I only expect to do one or two major XC's a year in the 400-700nm range. Best way to sum it up is my wife wants to be able to load it up and take our family of 3 to Florida for vacation, I want to have a "fun" aircraft that will get me in and out of some "fun" areas.

jmurtap wrote:As far as our mission goes, it will be primary joy flights on the weekends visiting local grass strips and hamburger joints and taking friends up. I only expect to do one or two major XC's a year in the 400-700nm range. Best way to sum it up is my wife wants to be able to load it up and take our family of 3 to Florida for vacation, I want to have a "fun" aircraft that will get me in and out of some "fun" areas.

Buy the 170 and don't look back

For that mission, kinda hard to beat a 170. Our family of four have crisscrossed the US numerous times and to Canada and Alaska attending the Cessna 170 conventions. If you can find a well maintained one, I don't think you could go wrong. Just my opinion.

The per-mile cost will be about the same for both aircraft.
But the 170 will keep your interest (love) far longer than a plain-vanilla 182, and in the meantime your annual fixed costs will be far less.

Another idea is to buy a 180 and put a 195 tail on it

I think we have made a decision to go with sole ownership of a 170, now to find a good one locally. (a challenging endeavor)

jmurtap wrote:I think we have made a decision to go with sole ownership of a 170, now to find a good one locally. (a challenging endeavor)

There's a REALLY nice '51 A-model for sale at Creve Coeur Airport in St. Louis. Shoot me an email at my screen name at yahoo.com, and I'll forward the owner's name to you.

The '51 170 that Miles is referring to is a beautiful plane. I looked at the plane and it is an beauty. Be sure to get with Miles, you won't be disappointed.

Email sent..thank you!!