salvage

15Jan, 2018

TIME TO SCRAP HER! To BEECH or Not to BEECH – That is the BONANZA!

Well, it came down to this inspection.

We spent some extensive time looking her over, researching and reading logbooks, AD’s, etc. to *almost* making a decision. We found 5 MAJOR issues with the Bonanza and these squawks will make or break the decision to part it out or rebuild it.

What would YOU DO?

Music featured: “Roam” B-52’s

Special thanks for Propellerhead Aviation for providing their facility and expertise in this adventure. If you need work done on your plane, there’s no better place to look than Winter Haven, Florida. They are a full service maintenance facility that provides not just your typical work, but also specializes in fuel tank rebuild/resealing, pre-purchase inspections, ground up restorations, aircraft rental, AND flight training.

For more information, www.propellerheadaviation.com

Looking for airplane parts? Got parts to sell? www.hangarswap.com

Afraid we’re going to part her out? Interested in this 1966 V35TC Bonanza? Contact Rachel at Rachel@hangarswap.com or contact Bill at Bill@propellerheadaviation.com

10Jul, 2015

Have You Followed Fast Aviation’s Youtube Channel?

31Jul, 2014

New Hats

25Aug, 2013

Recovering a Piper Arrow from the Florida Keys

Our friend Tony from Antique Air down in the Keys gave a call and said he had an airplane we needed to move and sell. So, like any good salvage company we loaded everything up, hooked up the trailer, and headed to the beautiful keys. Usually when people go to the Keys they are on vacation…seems like everytime we go we are working!

Just when you think this is going to be a somewhat easy job…as in “not too bad,” reality hits. We were in the Keys…WORKING…and it was 102 in the shade with NO wind.

First job: Tear down the Piper Arrow

I always get stuck with taking control surfaces off.

Here’s Matt helping me take the wing bolts out.

Matt and David taking out more wing bolts

These are a couple of “supervisors”

Ripping wings off!

Wheelbarrow!

Now after this photo it was hard to take more pictures because I was on top of an office, again sweating my butt off, bringing down two comanche fuselages. We had to use a pulley system and 5 people. It was crazy! Then it took all of us to load everything..so again-no pictures. But, here’s the end result!

Blood, Sweat, and Airplanes

Our friends at Oversea’s Aero Tours were hanging out that day!

IMG_2519

Everytime we head out of the Keys, we stop at this restaurant on the water, Wahoo’s. They have GREAT seafood!!!

Taking up the road at Wahoo’s.

Goodbye Keys! Another day, another airplane!

Happy Flying Folks!

Rach

19Jun, 2013

More Parts=More Shelves

18Jun, 2013

Opening the Crate of Awesomeness!

By far, one of the COOLEST crates that have ever arrived at our shop showed up the other day. Instead of telling you what was under the amazing piece of wood, I’ll show you.

I’ll give you a hint: BEECHCRAFT

This box hasn’t been open, ever! We were the first ones to open it since it was assembled.

ooooooOOOOOOOOO What’s in there??????

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a set of NOS B200 Blades for the electric prop setup on early Beechcraft Bonanza’s. Around the first 2,000 came with these blades. (I have the exact number in my IPC but its not near me at the moment) They are wooden blades that are laminated. Just a really neat piece of history. 🙂

Look at that beauty!! Some people might not think this is the coolest thing ever, but as an Avgeek and Beech nut, this is something that you never, ever find. Ever. I find it so amazing to just be able to put my greasy pawprints on them. 🙂 I know all my Beechcraft fans out there will love this.

Safe Flying!
Rach

3Jun, 2013

Pulling a Bee out of the Woods

Usually, we pull up to a hangar and load an airplane up in the hot sun. But this time, it was a little different. Over 50 years ago, this airplane was disassembled and put out back with the intent to restore her. During those 50 years, houses, trees, and even a septic system was built up around her. Then came Fast Aviation with the challenge of pulling her out unscathed. A 1947 Republic SeaBee

I am sure you are wondering where this airplane is…

She’s all complete and hasn’t been too weathered like you would think. I was very surprised by the LACK of corrosion. I spent last night watching videos on youtube of SeaBee’s and I don’t know if I can let this gem go.

12May, 2013

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!?

11May, 2013

Where ya going? Crazy! Wanna come?

Some people think what we’re doing is cool and some think we’re weird or nuts. Whatever your side is, I thought it would be interesting to document our adventures.

A little background on this whole aircraft salvage business…back when I was in high school I wanted a truck as my first vehicle. So my dad said he would help me get what I “wanted” but I had to earn the money to buy it at an auction. Ebay was out for a couple years and I was 14 with pretty good computer skills. I was a marketer at heart, being that kid that would go door to door during a magazine fundraiser contest at school. I saw all my dads airplane parts laying around and asked him if I could sell them on ebay. He said yes and we did a commission based system.

<< 15 Year old me at the computer working away!

The year went on and some of my dads friends, our family, and neighbors asked me to sell their unwanted stuff. So thats where my consigning started. I saved up enough cash to buy my truck, learn how to do body work/painting, and had enough funds to rebuild it from the ground up. That truck then helped me “collect” more goodies to sell throughout high school. I paid for my fuel and expenses throughout high school selling airplane parts online until I went to college.

<<The first white chevy silverado I got.

I took a break throughout college and did a little bit on the side while doing modeling/acting and marketing for companies like Mini Cooper, Speed Channel, WalMart, and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, all while bartending. (Jack of all trades…I know)

So there you have it. Like all businesses starting out, we pretty much work 24/7. One day it will all pay off. Till then, YOLO! You Only Live Once! Work hard and enjoy life my friends, you never know when it will all be gone.

Rach

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