Another Day, Another Airplane

Well another day, another airplane ends up on our trailer. This time it was a 1973 Skyhawk Cessna 172 from Louisiana. The story behind this plane is a student pilot ran it out of fuel and on the emergency landing he flared at 50 feet and pretty much flattened her like a pancake. I think he would of made it with less damage if he would of performed a better soft field landing. Oh well, I guess you live (luckily) and learn.

We mainly purchased it for the engine. Our 172’s engine is about time for overhaul and it was cheaper to buy this one than have the airplane down while the motor got overhauled. It’s hard to decided what the best decision is for your airplane sometimes. You toss up multiple decisions but it comes down to actually pulling the trigger.

Earlier this year we did some trading for a 76′ 172 fuselage that was very clean and damage free. We also got a 180 motor that brought up the idea of a floatplane. I have a couple hours in a floatplane and have flown in multiple seaplanes like lake amphibs and seareys. So it’s always been an obsession of mine. Besides, who wouldn’t want to have a float plane in Florida!?