jst a rough guess, how much would an major overhaul cost on a high hours old airplane, say a piper cub or cess

Question

or a cessna 150.Is it worth the cost

Answer 1

Overhaul prices can vary a great deal depending upon what you have done and where. Penn Yan and some of the other highly recommended shops charge more but they have great reputations.
Overhauls should include new cylinders/pistons, opening the case and inspecting/repairing as needed, crank inspection/overhaul/replacement, and so on. Some shops will also replace the mags, harness, generator/alternator, starter, etc., a true "firewall forward" overhaul.
Just ballpark, a good overhaul for a small engine like an O-200 or similar can run $12,000-15,000. But that's only an estimate; each situation is different.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

There's an old saying to the effect of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it."

Show me an airplane, and I can start crunching numbers to tell you what the cost will be if you do it yourself and what it will be if you have someone do it for you.

Sometimes, you'll come out cheaper than buying an airworthy airplane out of Aerotrader, sometimes you'll discover that you're hosing yourself. It depends on what you want, what you need and what you can afford.

I've seen a fully instrument capable, (and certified,) 150, I've also seen a magnificently restored and instrument capable Beech 17 "Staggerwing" that was owned by a retired airline pilot.

Time is also a matter to look into. It took me and another mechanic 2-3 days to replace the cylinder jugs on a FrC172 RG. We were in a borrowed hangar, which didn't help our performance, but that's just how long it took us given the circumstances. I've spent days crawling around in the fuselage of both Cessna's and Pipers, bucking rivets, only to have to go back in and re-buck the rivets because more than 20% of them were bad when inspected before flight.

If you love airplanes, want a labor of love, and something you can be proud of when you're finished, rebuild your own. If you just love airplanes and want to fly, buy a 150, or better yet, find a place that you can rent from.

Good Luck,
JT

Answer 4

The question you would really want to ask your self is this: After I acquire and overhaul, do I want to keep it long enough to make it worth the outlay? or, do I just want a cheap plane I can putter around the countryside in?
Before you buy,check the resale values of particular models, because some models will be worth more in the future while some may stay the same. Most aircraft are an investment that increase in value rather than decline.

Answer 5

Good answers so I'll only add this. Once the overhaul and all is done and the old girl is ready to fly. Now is when the expenses really begin to pile up.

Answer 6

a major maintence is a completer rebuild. this can run upwards of 15k and has to be certified. no its not worth it.