Debaating ???

[Yellow Duck]

Debating, whether to take this opportunity and strip and do a restoration on the "Yellow Duck" or Sell it and purchase something already done. I could go a few more years with the fabric and only repair the gear and do a quick engine tear down, or check it out and continue flying with the engine as is. It barely hit the ground, no bent prop. Didn't hit either wing or lift struts. Just folded the gear out. Has lots of good stuff. New Mags, new exhaust system, new heat muffs.New Turbo Alternator, VG generators. Looks really good, flies straight. TT2200 +/- SMOH 400+/-. Would ask $10K sitting here at OR3 Abberville or at my home in New Iberia Louisiana if I remove the wings and trailer it home.

Thinking? What would you guys suggest ? I know Vic says restore it with an
O-200, and that would be great, but no airplane for a couple of years. but a good part time project. Anyhow just thinking while waiting for Avemco to make a final decision about the outcome.

Oh, this is under the "Sport License", so this may be their first accident/incident to pay. As a result having to send additional documents to cover my ass. Never had an accident/Incident before, so is my first encounter also.

http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1764

http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1764

Feed back please.

[robbie]

Re: Debaating ???

If you don't have any prop damage, you would thiing the crank should be good. Many years ago I taxied into a c 150 tail.
I bend my prop and had to replace it.
Torn the engine down, had the crank checked.
Crank was OK.
If you are going to sell it, you will get more money if the crank has been checked.
The logs are going to say PROP STRIKE.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Debaating ???

Lee,
$10,000 is a preety good deal for a "together project" Really it does not sound like yours needs much. I would get it repaired ASAP and get er back in the air. If you really want a project to work on you can buy mine or the other ones out there and have your project... then later on do a complete re-build on the duck. If I did not have the Baby Ace now I would not sell my 1940 project(s) .these dogone things(Taylorcraftd) are really starting to climb in value with the sport pilot thing. In a lot of ways the secret is now out...kind hate to see it On the otherhand I have a friend with a nice Cessna 140 and it is not moving for 24K... really a good deal and the value on those has remainded somewhat flat in my hop (humble honest opinion!). Zgood luk with what ever you decide.. I would get her back in the air now!

Jim

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Debaating ???

Jim, tell us about the '40 and how much?Still thinking. Debating really, with myself.

[Dusty]

Re: Debaating ???

I've never been scared of the crank thing on small engines. Comply with the ADs and go fly. What's the chances you busted a steel crank when you didn't manage to bend thin aluminum 6' away?

Does anyone know anything different?

These dogone things(Taylorcraftd) are really starting to climb in value with the sport pilot thing

Really? I know of an 85HP for $14K. Seems to me that small airplanes have got cheaper over the last few months in TAP.

Wanna buy a C90 that's hopefully really climbed in value over the last year?

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Debaating ???

Lee, I just posted it in Barnstormers last night (them actually as I am including a parts plane with it) Please call if interested. Thanks

Dusty, I will stand by my statement about the Taylorcrafts (and other Sport Pilot craft) climbing in value.In fact thats where any real movement is occuring. I also know of cheap planes..... lets leave it at that .

Back to Lee best of luck in your decision on the Duck...

[Vasey fan]

Re: Debaating ???

FWIW, I'd go for the repair & get flying again. If you actually had prop contact with terra firma, I'd magnaflux the cam & crank gears (like in the Lycoming prop strike AD), dial the crank, do the valve train inspection & press on.

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Debaating ???

Thanks guys, all good ideas. Will do something as soon as my Insurance kicks in. Still waiting on them.

[crispy critter]

Re: Debaating ???

Lee,
Ask yourself which you would rather do for the next 2 years.....work or fly? Even if you buy a second bird and keep a fair devotion to the duck,you will not have a lot of time to fly.or vice versa

[Victor Gisclair]

Re: Debaating ???

Lee did you get the duck home yet or is it still at the airport?

[jgerard]

Re: Debaating ???

I have the same problem. My plane is still in pieces and I am working so much that it is hard to find the time/shop space to get the big repairs done quickly since moving to TX. The fuse is ready to have the lower longerons replaced. I have a new set of tail feathers. My engine is 50 SMOH and pickled. The wings are still covered and in storage. Been thinking about selling this one and buying a different one so I can get back in the air. The way work is going I would guess that it would take me 9+ months to get it back in the air. What is slowing me down is that customers airplanes have priority regarding shop space. I would probably take $11K-ish for my plane. I realy want to get back in the air faster than that.