Introducing myself
Just saying hi,
I just bought a Cherokee 180. Old. Used. But will make a nice FLamping and CPL trainer. Hope to see you in the sky. I’m near KILG if you’re in the area. Should be up and running by the end of the week. Take care, fly safe!
Bill
Comments
HI Bill , Congrats on the purchase. Post a shot or two when you can.
carl
49 yrs A/P IA DAL A/C inspector. 172N Rotax IRMT 912/914
Welcome to the group!
Ben
Welcome Bill!
Safe to say most of our planes are 40-60 yrs old, but they still fly great!
Yes, post pics of your plane!
Jim "Doc Griff" Griffin
PA28 - 161
Chicago area
Sorry it took so long to get back on here. Thanks for the warm welcome.
Perfect starter with retro paint!! Carl
49 yrs A/P IA DAL A/C inspector. 172N Rotax IRMT 912/914
Hi Bill,
Welcome to Piper Owners! I am going to guess 1966? I have the same aircraft. I have found my PA-28-180 to be reliable, affordable to maintain, and a good basic cross country aircraft if you are not in a hurry. It also is quite upgradable, and if you have the O-360-A3A engine (which I believe you do based on the RPM restriction on your tach) at overhaul time consider changing to the O-360-A4A. That will remove the RPM restriction and repetitive inspections of the interior of the A3A hollow crankshaft behind the prop. Both engines were specified in the TCDS.
Regards,
Mike
Yessir Mike. 1966. Good call. I’m still learning the specifics so I’ll have to get back to you on the a3a or not. But I’m sure you’re correct as I am super new to this. LOL. Great idea on the overhaul later. If I can swing it and STC it I’d like to change to an IO. I learn on an archer so use to not getting anywhere quickly but love the platform. Even if money was the limiting option I would still choose a pa28 in most cases. Thank you for the welcome and kind advice.
bill
Hi Bill,
I just noticed the Manifold Pressure gauge upper left of your panel! Does your 180 have a constant speed prop? The O-360-A3A can support one, but most 180s do not have a constant speed prop. More weight and expense.
Regards,
Mike
hey mike.
it doesn’t have a constant speed prop. Just the gauge. 🙂
bill
About that MP gauge, always love reverse engineering creativity the PO's did and then left behind...
With a new-to-you bird, the first thing I'd check is the last vacuum pump replacement. Fun fact: the pumps usually have a 500 hour service life (per placard), but few owners know this and happily run the thing until it fails. All well and good if flying severe-clear VFR, but this bird looks like it has a configuration to fly in the clouds which is not-so-bueno when the pump croaks on its terms.
Better yet, budget for a vacuum-echtomy by getting electronic gauges to replace the ASI and then also combine the DG plus one of the LOC/VOR/GS indicators into a HSI. End result is reduction of risk with a bonus of notable weight reduction. While at it, consider yanking the now dead weight MP gauge and any leftover wiring / plumbing.
Next favorite comment of mine is to get that bird some pants. While pants add weight, make it more challenging to add air in the tires, and add a bit more cost to the annual inspection (for removal and re-installation), they are known improve cruise speed by around 5 - 7 knots. Actually, the POH might have better numbers of pants vs naked, so don't blindly accept my free commentary. Or, reduce throttle for the same desired speed once flying with pants. Either way, end result is that the expense will pay for itself.
Given age, I'd consider a check of the flight control rigging unless there is a recent maintenance entry. This is another area which has the potential (key word; maybe it will, maybe it won't) of improving control authority with a bonus of adding cruise speed.
Have fun, this plane is a joy to fly!
Thanks For all your input I will put it to use.
As of right now due to budget constraints. She will be vfr only. Working toward my CPL. I may get some foggle time in but she will mostly be missioned for vfr only.
she will also be geared towards flamping so probably more grass strips down the road. Take the wife and dog to hang out in a tent on some weekends. So being I need hours so speed isn’t an issue. And the UL can use the LBS. As well as not digging dirt out of the pants. For now, as much as I don’t really like the look and wouldn’t mind a few extra knots. Not sure the pants will work for me right now. I also don’t have a hanger so projects on the ramp take more time.
firing the annual and prebuy I did have a rigging check and “calibration” done to make sure everything is buttoned up well. My wife is in the plane so deal or no deal. This place had to be as safe as I could make it.
thank you again for all the info. I have some things to think about and some things to look into.
bill
Understand about the pants. Agree, they are not all that great for unimproved surfaces.
Here is another tool to put in the evaluation list: tuned exhaust. If / when the exhaust needs repair, take a look at Power Flow (https://www.powerflowsystems.com/home) and see if there is a SCT which covers the Cherokee. This is another no-brainer which pays for itself.
this plus plus a prop balance is on its way. Though fingers crossed nothing goes south too soon.
any leads on a new spinner? Maybe even a metal one ?
bill
Have your shop check with K&K Welding. Kim Weckerly generally has a line on them and the back and front plates for them.
Tom Jackson
PA28RT-201, N3022U
Tappahannock, VA (KXSA)
A&P/IA, Private Pilot, IR/A
thanks for the tip. I will look into it. In Austin?
bill
No, they're in WI.https://www.precision-welding.com
Tom Jackson
PA28RT-201, N3022U
Tappahannock, VA (KXSA)
A&P/IA, Private Pilot, IR/A
roger Thank you. I check k and k and there were several. The link will be great.