Finding What's Wrong With Our $10,000 Piper Cherokee 180 During Annual...

Part 2 of the $10,000 Piper Cherokee 180 rebuild series! We bought this 1962 airplane sight unseen online for dirt cheap and proceeded to fly it home with a ferry permit. Now we need to do an annual inspection to get this plane airworthy and ready for flight training. Will is be an easy inspection or are there problems lurking? After the annual, the plane takes off for the first test flight, and boy was that a beautiful sight!
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PLEASE NOTE: We are aviation enthusiasts. These videos are for entertainment purposes only. We are NOT qualified to give flying instruction. All of our videos, including this one, have been significantly edited down from the original full length raw footage. Many radio calls, checklist steps, and other procedures have been omitted to keep the videos a reasonable viewing length. Please speak to a CFI with any flying questions you may have.

[@michaelhurst506]

Given the ferry flight, the passing of the annual with relatively low expenses, you didn't get at good deal, you got a FANTASTIC deal!!! I once bought a 1969 Arrow 28R201 in 1984 with its engine pulled to pieces (only 1200 hrs though), non-working radios, VFR avionics, trash paint and interior, etc., abandoned and bought on a mechanic's and airport lien (same entity). Eventually got the engine rebuilt including accessories, prop recertified, avionics updated and certified to IFR, interior upholstery redone, full stripping and repainting, and finally airworthy and signed off on everything. I think you and the viewers know where this is going.........Totally jealous.....I had NO idea of what I was getting into.....anyone thinking of getting into this kind of thing needs to see your channel..... My initial $10K required $15K for the makeover or $25K in 1984-85 which would be the same as $25K in 2024 blowing up to $73K in today's dollars.

[@JeanSchermerhorn]

I began my career in aviation in Syracuse, N.Y. in 1966 flying all makes of new pipers. The Piper-180 was a favorite to fly. The aircraft shown looks more like a Cherokee -160 (160 hp). There all very good Pipers and I liked them all. (86 year old ATP, CFI, 15000 hours)

[@AlexIsModded]

I really like the style of the current paint job, and would love to see this exact paint job stripped and redone because with fresh paint it will look so nice. The stripes are so iconic of all the Cherokee planes, and this one's stripes are so good. Perfect color balance and in general very pretty.

[@hotel.colorado]

I found your first video on this plane and I was hooked. Great content! I just started getting into aviation through Flight Sim 24, your content is quite an education 😊

[@michaelb.8953]

Any opportunity to poke some fun at Greta should never be wasted. The clip that keeps on giving.

[@DonRobinson-le6qp]

I'm so glad I found your channel about a month ago. This is so refreshing and exciting to watch. I'm a retired Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot as I've said before. I'm retiring for good in two years at 62 and I plan on having my pilots license by then and the Cherokee seems like a good but fairly basic aircraft to fly and maintain on a budget. I've never been in or flown in a small aircraft but I'm so hyped to make this a reality. Not sure how the transition from a Blackhawk to a Cherokee will be, but I'm looking forward to the challenge!! Thanks guys for this amazing channel you have created

[@JRAviation]

Wow, thank you for the nice comment. That is so cool that you fly Blackhawks, I’m sure the transition for you will not be difficult. Really appreciate you watching all our videos!

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

The plane looks like it was really well taken care of. That's a great find.. what a joy to do an owner annual as well, so much to learn AND get to know your aircraft as well. Now you are truly one with your machine. Great!!

[@JRGarage]

YOU GOT ME AGAIN. I just spilled coffee all over my iPad 😡

[@dadlovestofish]

Me too!

[@iceman20013]

Not funny lol

[@myomy2009]

I spilled some hot tea on that one...but...that was cool. 😄

[@alexmikhael5061]

I got a ''chill'' ....cuz the other night literally like 3 nights ago, I SQUISHED A BROWN RECLUSE THAT LOOKED LIKE THAT ONE and the one in the pic all spread out like not curled up all skared cuz the RAID IS NEAR.... :) I gotta get some squiretyerer spider go by by juice now!!! we have a T S C like 10 mins walk away.... dangerious....

[@dadlovestofish]

Love the process with this plane. I'm not a pilot but my son is, and we fly as much as possible when he's home from USAFA. His dream after flying for the AF is to own his own plane for recreational use. You guy's prove he can do that sooner than later. Great job! Can't wait till the next video!

[@smokingspitfire1197]

Thanks for the shout on EarthX batteries, I’m going to be adding one to my PA-24-260B next annual. With so many electrical systems on my airplane I never look over electrical upgrades!

[@DocPRSGuitarBlues]

Another very enjoyable video. You guys got a smoking deal on that Cherokee and what a great platform for training. Keep up the great work with the “garage” and “aviation” channels.

[@JRAviation]

Thank you!!

[@vincentsterring5265]

Great seeing Larry again in this vid. Love it how he shares his expertise: very educational all

[@duanekauffman1818]

I stop looking at barnstormers for one month and you found the plane I was looking for!!!! Ugh……….good job!!!!!!

[@tedstriker754]

Great buy. And it seems in great condition. ELT battery, those 406mhz ELT's are a can of worms. They all have expensive, proprietary batteries, and they have to be inspected by someone who has the test box every year. Usually an avionics shop. The FCC somehow stopped avionics companies from making the 121.5 ELTs, although they are still legal. And some of them use off the shelf batteries. And you can test them yourself. I collected a few of those older ones before they were all gone.

[@reyesben]

Nice haircut. I was praying for you to get one. Love the videos thanks

[@LockinProfits]

Thought the same 😂

[@Ryanmason96]

I think it’s so cool you & your brother are into this & go into this together

[@trumote]

What a great find! I am curious what got you interested in restoring planes. It seems quite unpredictable with neglect and unknown maintenance records. Really cool to see you guys systematically inspect the aircraft and regain the airworthiness cert.

[@MarkSnop]

that was a great video you guys! I feel like I’m right there alongside of you. Thanks for bringing me along.

[@wlbrobinson]

Big Cherokee Fan, own a 66 180 in west phoenix, they go down hill fast if not flown, keep them Flying.

[@grantmurrell3296]

An absolute steal. Love it!

[@johnwight6041]

I love my Cherokee 180. It’s such an awesome plane! Congrats I can’t believe how cheap it was. My airplane I paid $89,900 so still can’t believe how cheap yours was

[@danmcburney3247]

I wouldn't paint it.... you got a great deal on it but it's just a Cherokee !! You're absolutely right about 50 of them or one 182 👍 The haircut looks soo much better 😁 I'm 62 from Iowa and have been flying 46 year's.... I still think you should sell me the Zenith 😅

[@Pantherjonvideos]

You got a steal!!! A plane for 10k with a fairly minimal annual to get it back airworthy? Deal of the decade!! If that paint buffs out, it will be the deal of the century!

[@aldohattonduran5227]

Disappointed 😞 that we didn't see the maden voyage but we'll tune in next time 🇺🇸🛩️🛬🛬✈️ awesome 👍🏼

[@garthtagge3526]

Well done boys!!

[@djwashx]

That delivery was great!!!!!!!!!!

[@rvrnnr987]

Good stuff! I'm liking your aviation videos more and more. One of these days I need to find a deal like this Cherokee to give to the high school aviation club I'm running and building at the school where I teach. It would be so cool to have our own plane, or access to our own plane like that! ...if the district would allow it... But that's another topic... Keep up the good work!

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Remove the stickers and red trim. Buff up the paint, reapply new stickers and red trim. She'll look amazing. Does sound like a good aircraft and great engine

[@CRFHONDARIDER100]

Probably starts faster with the mags timed correctly as well nice deal for 10k

[@aviationkphx2599]

I saw the Cherokee at KSDL May 27th looked pretty good for the price!

[@stevenflattum156]

So much fun watching your adventures!

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

You should always have an ELT on every flight, however I am pretty sure there is an exemption of 90 days (meaning you have 90 days from the time of removal to still fly) if it's taken out for inspection, repair, modification or replacement. That would most likely include replacement of the expired battery. But, better safe than sorry.

[@bobmoyer8864]

I love this airplane.... will you share how much the annual cost you.... may I ask, how many hours left on the engine before major overhaul? How much time on the airframe? Maybe you guys can come up withofficial JR Aviation paint colors or scheme or something. That would be kinda cool and you wouldn't have to do whole new paint jobs.... just have them all kinda close.... enjoy

[@michaelgill7248]

Love it guys, from jets to props. Keep em coming. Maybe J3 Cub next?

[@rjbishop12]

Great deal, looks like it really panned out for you. And that old Jeep Cherokee sticker on the side... hilarious!

[@adriennefoley2906]

Great video ….always awesome to see Christian ☺️

[@davidnelson4707]

earth X batteries are totally unbelievable. i have one in my 180hp cessna and it’s really helped in cold starts, can’t recommend them enough.

[@brandonbman5921]

Maximize your ROI. Paint correct it, re-pinstripe it and spruce up the interior a bit. Then move that sucker down the road for what? 3x, 4x what you have in it.

[@jonfelty6063]

Great video adventure! You make great buys! I admire your judgement! Look forward to the flight home!

[@antonioportelli1002]

Excellent video as always!! Glad to see everything went well!!

[@JRAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cassbiz]

You just won the Lotto with this one. Congrats!

[@jerryn8333]

Love it. I swear every new video makes me want to go buy a plane LOL. I think I won't be able to resist the urge to buy a Bonanza much longer ive watched that build series probably a dozen times.

[@WazzaOz]

That was an awesome buy... well done...

[@djwilliams4714]

YES Two videos one week!!!

[@TheSchwartzIsWithYouToday]

Great video! So what did it cost to get it airworthy? What's the all-in cost? (is that in Part 3?)

[@zenvairpilot]

The plane has some amazing hidden performance mods (all STC'd). Keep following.

[@miloswanson9646]

I WANT IT!!! When can I pick it up??? :D I logged ~25 hrs in a Cessna 150 back in the mid-70s, but as they say, Life Happens. I'd love to finish my PPL. I did the AOPA 'Rusty Pilot' course, and have recently updated my Medical, and got a new Student license, Ground School course bought (believe it or not, some things have changed in 50 years, LOL). Now to pass my Written and get the rest of my PIC time logged...

[@TacosTuesdays]

Its time for a repaint! She deserves it!

[@johnmajane3731]

I switched to 20W 50 Phillips and my oil leaks were significantly reduced over the Aeroshell 15W 50. I also add camguard with each change.

[@CowtownAviation]

Probably needs a repaint but I would it if you kept that same paint scheme! Love it! It’s old school cool!

[@itsdaniyaal]

Great video JR. Would love if part 3 has more flying included actually wouldn't mind uncut flight back :D

[@fanelli57]

You guys are rockstars in your field, keep it up. By the way, you did amend the weight and balance numbers after installing that light weight battery, right?

[@michaelsmith2017]

Did you have to update the weight & balance when you lost 25lbs with the lithium battery?

[@CDB1952]

With two people up front Pa28s are notoriously forward CG limited. May need to hall some thing(s) around just for ballest.

[@Nicholas-f5]

​@@CDB1952haul

[@charlietabone6162]

That plane is a beauty. If that was mine I’d wash it polish it touch it up where it needs and that’s it mate. Keep it a cheap plane. Well done boys

[@FreedomfixerFlying]

You could have put the ELT on a 90 day deferral. 91.207(f)(10) states an entry in the log of the date the ELT was removed/inoperable and a placard on the instrument panel in view of the pilot " ELT not Installed ".

[@davidlee4576]

That’s the deal all (us) new pilots are looking for. Nice find!

[@jeffwalker7640]

Great video as usual!

[@Gammerdude357-x6p]

Hi guys loving the channel. could you maybe put something in the vids that explains the abbreviations please. I'm new and I have no idea what an ELT battery is and what an IA is etc would love to know. yes I can google this but then it interrupts the video binging. Thank you.

[@moseskelly2886]

That would be a very tough decision but I'd choose the one Cessna 182 Turbo Skyline. I have to admit that is an incredible Piper Cherokee 180. It was without a doubt 💯 percent worth it!!😎🤙🏽 Ps. I don't know if I told you this yet, when I was 15 1/2 yrs old when I got to be in a flight school. My brother's and I had the honor to be in that flight school together. It is located in Hawaii at Dillingham Air Field. I got to fly in Piper Warrior ii & a T-tail glider, one if my brother's flew in a Mooney M-20G & a T-tail glider, and my younger brother flew in a Cessna 172 or 182 & a non T-tail glider.

[@Aviatorpeck1957]

Great plane!!! I love my Cherokee 140/150hp I really like your channel keep it up!!! Safe flying

[@Squirel]

I think the aeroplane was a fantastic deal. In terms of what to do with the exterior, I think you first have to decide what you're going to do with it. Clearly the plane is in pretty good nick but if you are going to sell it, it really needs a spruce up - first impressions count. If you're keeping it to log your own hours etc, you can afford to leave it (for now).

[@petesheppard1709]

Is the prop pitched for climb or cruise? The way it jumped off the runway on a hot day makes me think 'climb', which will cost you a bit of speed. PLEASE, keep and refresh the current paint job; the money saved can go to the interior.

[@gregoryclifft7398]

Get an oil udder, will catch all that overflow when changing the filter.

[@jakereil4027]

Yes Jeff thank you! Love this channel!

[@Durandalski]

Polished aluminum is a bear to maintain, strip and repaint is the way to go. A snazzy modern paint job could really boost the sales appeal.

[@ericbitzer5247]

No, paint it exactly the way it is. I don't like (snazzy) paint jobs on planes. I love the classic look when they looked cool.

[@vivianrotunda1587]

You might also check into the "F" modification for Marvel Schebler carburetors. The "F" modification replaces any fragile copper, composite or plastic float with a bullet proof "blue epoxy" float having stainless steel arms and pin. I have personally experienced two sunken floats in two different airplanes, which nearly caused off-airport landings in both cases. I'm an A&P IA but not sure why more A&P's don't understand how important the "F" carburetor revision is to flight safety.

[@charlesdiehl5707]

Congratulations. What year is the Cherokee? Keep the paint job.very nostalgic

[@fishhead90]

14:17 again?!😂 I legit had to look away 😂

[@grahammcewan2059]

Hello from NZ. Found your site a few weeks ago, and enjoy it immensely. Please enlighten me: what does the JR stand for?

[@clarencewiles963]

1 2 3 New paint, is in the back of my mind. Thumbs up 👍

[@ericsd55]

Glad to see you didn't use an electric impact driver on a camloc again!!

[@benjigault9043]

Camguard, great for Lycoming, not needed for continental engines. Also, I am not a fan of multiweight oils, straight 50 for me but that has a lot to do with the heat in Texas.

[@terryschima4964]

You guys are so lucky 🍀!

[@LockinProfits]

Haircut looks better 🤩💯

[@genxpilot69]

I wonder if there’s an STC for a more modern T handle throttle

[@dhouse-d5l]

When I see mechanics working a critical component on a dirty ole packing case...I start asking questions. Anyway that original stripe will look great re done.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

I'm not even afraid of bugs, but you got me with the jump scare! hahahahahahaha

[@lesterwood2564]

Sweet deal! Pays to have your eyes peeled for great deals. Two for two so far. The zenith then the Cherokee 180. It’s nice when you can put aside some fun money to do what you’re doing. Enjoy your Utube channel. Do you think that you might look at ultralights?

[@wayne9638]

awesome video, you guys are my heroes

[@alrad5686]

What a sweet deal. Always pays to have the cash in hand to jump on these deals when they come up. It should provide many fun flying hours.

[@bobkinney7913]

My Grandmother worked at Lycoming in Williamsport during WW 2.

[@DaveWrightKB9MNM]

I'm sure the timing being off didnt help with starting, but the battery really spins that prop!

[@BenjaminRamos-t4y]

Oh cool so you guys are the ones keeping my IA from finishing my plane sweet lol.

[@sarahdell4042]

Rocking 87 octane in that poor v12 😂

[@malps420]

i was looking for a comment about this LOL

[@claydog6422]

Re-Paint!!! And do a massive interior makeover

[@jaspalsingh8269]

So what you do with all the planes you buy? Do you re sell them ?

[@williamnaler3366]

Hey rusty pilot here . Had to stop due to finances but anxious to get back in the air. If you ever give away an airplane please throw my name into the hat . Thanks. BTW, I really enjoy your videos

[@nitroneal414]

That was a great score

[@jonclassical2024]

OMG...so glad you got a haircut!!!!

[@amtpdb1]

The link for Larry's channel did not work! Thanks for the video.

[@kmg501]

Woohoo! Video time.

[@quantumjim45]

Did the hershey bar wing have the spar AD?

[@DR-jq9bg]

You guys are AMAZING in what you accomplish! 10k for a 180 is so awesome. Please enter me in the giveaway when it happens (yes, I'll keep a lookout for it)!

[@mecanicodejetski]

I was ready to deal for a 1960 210 that are in somerton, i need a time builder plane and was a good option for my future, but i will search more as need something easy to resale not as a 210 1960.

[@boogerwood]

I knew it was coming and I still jumped. 😂 Also, wasn’t this near or beyond TBO? $10k is a steal no matter how you slice it, but whoever buys it will need to dump a bit of money into it. At the end of the day, though, it will be a zero time engine for less than you ever could’ve bought.

[@dstout9913]

You need to get the Annual done and let me worry about the paint after I buy it.

[@brookesenfrance3852]

You have encouraged me to get my PPL. Come on!!!!!!!!!

[@Metabo1950]

The Cherokee with the Hershey Bar wing is one of the safest planes you can fly.

[@ericbitzer5247]

My dad took me up in Piper Cherokees when I was little until the 1980s he quit flying. The only plane I ever had the controls.

[@MegaFluxcapacitor]

Damn that’s cool with old mate bringing the battery.