Hello from Alaska

[cashflyer]

I own a 1956 Cessna 182 that I did a tip-to-tail restoration (and modification) of about 5 years ago.

I move around a fair bit for my job and currently live in Alaska while I finish out this contract, but my airplane lives in SC.

I have restored a couple of C172 airplanes, and this C182, and I built a Skybolt biplane several years ago.

 

[Angie]

That sounds like you are a real plane person. I like your avatar.

 

[cashflyer]

The avatar is a C172N. It was the first Cessna that I owned. I had it go for a full strip & repaint, added a GNS-430W, and replaced some of the interior plastic. That was about it on this one.... it was otherwise a good aircraft. (maybe "restored" is a bit inaccurate of a claim in this instance)

 

[Angie]

Rejuvenated?

 

[cashflyer]

After the N model was sold, I bought an M from a flight school in Georgia. I paid $5,000 USD.
But I missed something in the pre-buy inspection. The A-post had a "kink" in it. Not big enough to be obvious when walking around, but once you see it you cannot un-see it. It would have flown, but could have never been rigged "true". Always would have been a few degrees out.

My choice was to do a lot of structural repairs, or scrap it for parts - and I chose to part it out for project #3

 

[cashflyer]

Project #3. Somebody told me about a plane sitting in a back-yard.

 

[Angie]

On that plane in the back-yard, where were the wings stored? After repairing it, did you fly it?

 

[cashflyer]

The wings were in a barn, at another house (son of the seller). Prop, but no engine. Luckily it did have the engine cooling tin. The interior was a mess of red velvet and depression, with antique radios.

I bought an engine on eBay, and I used a lot of parts from project plane #2 - including the left door, baggage door, and rudder. New windscreen. I sourced some KX-155 radios. Installed new plastic panels from Texas Aeroplastics on the instrument panel and side panels. New headliner. Etc.

During the process, one of my airport neighbors stopped by. He was in the market for a 172 and liked my work. We struck a deal.... I finished the project with the Oregon Aero seating and carpet he specified, I did 10 hours of flight in it to make sure the engine rings all seated properly, and then he took delivery. He and I flew it together for about 5 hours, and that was the last I flew it. He kept it for a few years and then upgraded to a 182.

A new owner now, but Flight Aware says the 172 is still flying ... in NC now.