On Jun 25, 6:56 pm, Lou <loup...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Can anyone tell me why I keep seeing these planes
> selling for what seems like a great price? Every once
> in a while someone advertises this brand and model,
> but different planes for the same price as most Cessna
> 150's. Why? What is the problem with these planes?
> Lou
We did some work on a Lark, the 180 hp version. It was intended to
compete with the 172, but needed that 180 hp just to haul the heavy
airframe around. In some ways it's a robust airplane, rather simple,
but has some odd features. The aluminum sheet metal is only a cover
around the cabin; the primary structure is steel tube, and stronger
than a tank. The landing gear is a pivoted steel tube structure, using
a fiberglass leaf as a spring. Try to buy a new one of those springs.
The flaps are plain piano-hinged affairs, cheap like a Cherokee's, not
having the Fowler action but also not having flap tracks and rollers
and other high-maintenance stuff. The floor is nice and flat and is
thick plywood. The seats set you up nice and high, like driving a
truck. The oil pressure line from the engine to the gauge is 1/4"
copper tube that fatigues and breaks at the engine, which then pumps
all the oil overboard. False economy of the worst sort.
They'd be good buys in Canada where such an airplane could be
registered Owner-Maintenance, and parts manufactured as necessary. Not
so easy in the US. And the fuel mileage will be poor, with that 180 hp
but mediocre cruise.
Dan
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