Fixing Our Already Broken Cherokee 235 & Flying It 7 Hours NON-STOP Home!

We bought a 1964 Piper Cherokee 235 sight unseen at auction and it already broke... Turns out the scary problem was actually a fairly simple fix and the plane was ready to go in no time. We proceeded to fly it all our the country including a 7 hour nonstop flight home. I of course learned a lot as a logged lots of time during this cross country flight instruction with my CFI Sean. Enjoy the stunning views as we fly over Yellowstone, Moab, Canyon Lands, Monument Valley, Zion, and more!
Buying a Piper Cherokee 235: • Buying a Piper Cheroke...
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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.

[@jimcaufman2328]

Your oil cooler replacement was done by a mechanic who wants to keep general aviation flying. Unfortunately, some shops see a transit customer and the "make the most I can syndrome" takes over. I always treated each airplane like it was my own and never run anyone out of flying. Don't do much work anymore because I am 76. Current prices are way to high.

[@incenius5008]

You are a wonderful human being.

[@lucmatter9601]

@@incenius5008and a wonderful mechanic

[@highendaudio]

How should I approach my maintenance shop? They seem in no rush. I dropped my plane off for the annual on Feb 29. They still have the plane and no end in sight. Every time I think we are getting close, they find something or there is something they have to outsource. These things should have been found in the first few days after I dropped off the plane. It just seems like they find some little thing (always air worthy of course), 3 weeks goes by, that gets fixed then miraculously, they find some other little thing and it’s 3 more weeks and so on. I will never use them again - but what I’m asking for in the future, is whether a SLA (Service Level Agreement) would work. We promise the plane back within 3 weeks, unless something is beyond our control. This shop is WAY too busy and they are afraid to say “no. Sorry, we can’t do your annual in a timely manner.”

[@dirtcurt1]

@@highendaudio It's a tough business and yes some are slow. But do you want to kick them in the pants and make them hurry up? Good luck with that. You can always find the pencil whippers that will give you the annual fast and cheap. Is that really what you want? Typically, annuals get better as you go with the same shop. They get to know the plane and your flying habits. Leave after one and they figured you out and charged accordingly. FYI a case of beer goes a long way in some shops. My buddy owns a repair shop and every year he spots the UPS guy a hundred bucks for Christmas. He also has the UPS drivers cell phone because of that. Back to the annuals, they have a checklist that must be followed and they should also wash the plane inside and out. Imagine if you had to take your car in every year and the mechanic has to inspect every system and every nut and bolt from head to toe. Annuals should take 40 hours or more finding nothing wrong. Also, the only thing easy on a plane is to crash it. They aren't cars. They are painfully tedious, extremely cramped and really old in most cases. My plane is 71 years old. I do most of the work on it with my buddy advising me and I hate it. Finding parts is miserable. I really don't see how he has done it so long.

[@healerf18]

@@highendaudio A&P's are in high demand because few people want to choose aviation maintenance as a career path. And those that do usually work for the airlines (better pay, real perks, retirement plans, etc.) Being in high demand of course means they can pick and choose the airplanes and owners they want to work with. Developing a good relationship with them will go a long way toward getting the service you need. It takes time, and it means treating them with respect, understanding the issues they face, and tipping well for good work. It might also be worthwhile exploring if your mechanic has quieter times of the year. For example, when I bought my airplane its annual was due in July. The busiest time of year with the best flying weather. So I talked to my A&P and February is his quietest month. So even though it wasn't necessary, we moved the annual forward to the month of February and we plan well ahead for when exactly he wants the airplane. Typically it goes in on a Monday and is finished 4-5 days later. Nice. :)

[@mikegmdw1]

Your professional pilot was very competent- like to see more of him

[@stevenflattum156]

Check for corrosion behind the tanks on the spar. Very important for safety.

[@ThomasWilliams-ee6li]

Nice to have a flying partner like Sean. I got a blast from the past where my father would have me keep my hands and feet lightly on the controls while he was flying so I could feel how he was managing the plane. That was back in the 70s but I still remember how a patient instructor he was. Unfortunately I didn't stick with flying.

[@stuckinthemiddlewithz5392]

Jeff -- so proud of you dude. Glad to see you getting some left seat time. Sean -- great seeing you keeping GA instruction alive and well. Would love to fly with you some day.

[@LeppAviation]

Thanks a lot! Come on out to Scottsdale 😎

[@ruten45]

I owned a 1973 Cherokee, PA-28-235 with full king IFR panel and upgraded from a 2 position to a 3 position Auto pilot. Had the best time flying this great aircraft. I changed the oil filter to a double filter and changed them and the oil every 25 hours. Always hangared in (LBB) Lubbock, TX., and in (ABQ) Albuquerque, NM. This aircraft was used to go to different job sites and bid letting as a commercial building contractor. I did take a few personal flights for vacation and long weekends and going to nearby airport restaurants for great hamburgers and steaks. The airplane was a great workhorse as the useful load with four guys of 200 pounds and full fuel with tip tanks is still over 1,000 pounds. We did this to go hunting and fishing at the best places in the southwestern USA. I flew it seven house solo once and had more than 2.5 hours usable fuel remaining. Great air day! I have owned this aircraft three times. I bought it in Albuquerque originally for $23,500 with fresh annual and all ADs complete. The engine is a Lycoming with a 2,000 hour life before overhaul. It had less than 400 hours on a new remanufactured engine when I bought it. After flying it for more than 1,000 hours I sold it to a guy in Roswell, NM for a good profit. The man that bought it unfortunately passed away about three months after the sale. His son called and I went over and found a couple items that needed repaired and had them fixed and a new set of tires, a fresh annual. Then, I bought it back from his Son. I didn’t really need it but I knew it would sell because these have great reputation. I flew it for another 50 hours and a friend of mine asked if I was interested in selling it. I sold it to him the next day after changing the oil. He had it for about six months and decided he wanted to buy a SuperViking that became available so I bought it back from him. He had only put about 30 hours on it in that 6 months but was able to earn his instrument ticket during that time. Then I sold it within three weeks to the current owner in Addison, Texas. He had a new panel installed and new leather interior installed and has since installed a new remanufactured engine and it is kept in the hangar when not flying. He also had it painted his company colors even though I preferred the original paint colors and loves the airplane as much as I did. These are the best aircraft for the money now. I wish I had kept it but then I wish I still had my 1965 Pontiac GTO that I bought new as well. ❤️👏

[@TheManGrant]

My Uncle Gordon had a Cherokee 235 D with constant-speed 3-blade prop. I just loved that airplane and performance, but I also love my Cherokee 140. Not quite as spiffy, but still just fine. Thanks for the interesting video.

[@smaze1782]

The polished aluminum surfaces look incredible. Never seen a 235 look like this. Awesome stuff.

[@robertbraun7155]

That was my first thought. Such a beautiful look that you do not see often anymore. 100% agree.. Looks like someone put some money into upgrading the interior which looks great. Beautiful little plane.

[@Cherokee235Driver]

I have this exact same plane (right down to the hand brake) You will love it and the endurance is exactly like you experienced. If you want any tips, feel free to contact me. I have had mine for almost three years and LOVE it! Great find!

[@Cherokee235Driver]

Can you let me know what the exact part number was for the oil cooler you used to replace the original one?

[@bobbywright2100]

SWEET I LOVE TO SEE CHECKLISTS!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome when safety is #1!!! Preflight and bug out plans if something goes wrong I love this trainer!!!! Same thing with Owen great safe and capable pilots. For someone who is so scared that, I would probably freak out before I even got on the plane that’s how scared I am a flying, but if I had to, I think I could fly with either Owen or the gentleman in this video. Great job guys!

[@LeppAviation]

Thanks so much my friend! Means a lot!

[@sethfreedman3473]

Glad to finally see you in the left seat! Good luck on all your training, I'm sure you will do great, you have a lot of really good people around you to help be the safest pilot you can be!

[@pilotgirl5953]

Owned a 67 235B for many years. Flew all over Canada & US, including several trips from Canada to Fort Meyers FL. Great hauler.

[@bluangl9wingman]

I would suggest keeping the avionics off until after engine start. Keeps any potential power glitches from damaging avionics.

[@ericbrown4233]

I give you guys credit. Initially I hated the videos, now they are great. Cheers to improvement. 🎉

[@loug6767]

Awsome you caught that.Every little something means something for sure.Puts a bright light on how important it is , to be aware.Be safe

[@SuperFcsmith]

Very nice plane! Even better Rolex! I have two a vintage 1945 Oyster Chronographe ( European spelling?), and a GMT Master II, Pepsi bezel. I flew Cessna’s 152, 172, over 40 years ago, but still follow the sport of flying. Great flight!

[@petesheppard1709]

Ah, the memories of my student days!! It was great fun watching you learn! I had to step away from flying for a while and your videos are getting me excited to get back into the air!!

[@soggybottom3463]

Beautiful aircraft, so much fun, very well done guys, thanks for taking us along 👍🤗🤗

[@a-a-ron9965]

This is the third video I’ve started watching and I’m hooked on your channel already. Great content here and I look forward to more. You’ve earned yourself a new subscriber 👍

[@flightlevel1803]

Great videos. Well done. Glad to see someone addressing leaning techniques. Good job using the classic ROP/LOP charts as well.

[@chriscook8076]

I really enjoy this content. Too many cows to afford my own plane so I’ll vicariously through you guys for now. Thanks!

[@JRAviation]

Glad you like the videos!

[@bernardowens1648]

Ogden!!! Home of Hill Air Force Base!!! Haven't been there since Nov.87'. Beautiful country views!!

[@danblumel]

My home base.

[@bernardowens1648]

@danblumel thank you for your service.

[@saldun2603]

Fabulous times in the blue skies.

[@alrad5686]

Nice plane for sure. Fast and great fuel economy. Plus its an easy plane to fly for training. Nice landing too, tailwind landings can be tough. Keep the great content coming Jeff!

[@chrisbennett812]

An epic adventure. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@JRAviation]

Our pleasure!

[@aldohattonduran5227]

Congratulations love the plane 🛬🛩️🇺🇸👍🏼 and the fact that you can carry it's own weight 😱😱😱 phenomenal! All the best 🏆 and please continue to upload full length videossssss ✈️🙏🏼

[@BeauInPDX]

Very cool plane and certainly looks capable of handling these missions for you. Good on you for getting more hours logged too, get that PPL! Sean seems like a really excellent instructor, very patient and explains things in a clear manner. Keep posting!

[@victordewey6782]

Excellent student in company of great CFI. Damn, I'm a little envious. Your videos are awesome. Carry on doin' whatcha doin'. Submariner would be my fav.

[@ameeanddougaustin5676]

That was my son on ATC talking you in at Scottsdale. ❤

[@JRAviation]

Awesome, small world!

[@johnsnapp8970]

You will love the cherokee. I have a similar plane just a few months younger. Was N8793W until I changed the n number to N3UW. Only difference is a CS prop. You will not miss the toe brakes.

[@Ryanmason96]

Good job dude proud of you keep logging those hours just keep on track

[@kerolosisfat4198]

Always a good day when y’all post!

[@JRAviation]

You're the best!

[@87bones87]

I love watching you fly man! More of that to come I hope 😊

[@Dezzy-e8b]

Stressful landing showed on you facial expressions 😂 but all good you'll get there, just keep going it's always better to know your radio work, so that it does not get in your way with your checks, makes learning and understanding better, keep practicing your nav work it does becomes complicated 👍🇿🇦

[@stevenflattum156]

Finally in the right seat! Now stay there!😂

[@Dezzy-e8b]

Pilot in control normally is seated on the left seat

[@NCTuskie]

64’ 235 was the first plane I owned. Loved it. Be mindful of the camshaft with Lycomings

[@Stardock007]

GMT Masters are my favorite!

[@johngonda6447]

Well done Jeff!

[@curtcoltharp3719]

I’ve owned a 235 and a Super Viking. On balance, the 235 is hard to beat, mine would outperform a comparable 182 and 235’s are less money. 4 adults, bags and full fuel at 150mph. Mine had mogas STC. Wish I still had it.

[@nyckhampson792]

Sounds like a great plane Sir

[@bretthoffman2128]

Seems as though, You have a Nice Little Airplane. Everything else is Good after Oil Cooler, Good Fast Flyer, that likes to jump off the Runway, I’d Say Keep and Enjoy. Good Looking Plane too.

[@peteranninos2506]

Cornerstone? Ha! I was just there in January. Great folks. I had a question regarding my mixture thinking it was too rich. They checked it out and said what to do and sent me on my way!

[@markturboi]

I just love the 235. I used to get 171 true at between 7,500 and 8,500 solo full fuel, on the stepp.

[@piperwarrior5705]

Well done on the landing

[@boater_rob]

I think that pass is where Enoch Wildlife Rescue often release rescued eagles and hawks. It's a beautiful place.

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

My thats Big Sky Country at Billings. I used to work with a Guy in Saudi Arabia, he was from Round Up Montana. Great video thank you for posting, all the best from the U.K.

[@JRAviation]

Wow good old round up, small town!

[@WolfsburgVRSechs]

Our 235 bent a pushrod shortly after take-off which resulted in oil going all over the windshield. Turned around and landed with no issues and luckily there was a mechanic at that airport!

[@tjhogan3685]

Great video! Sad to hear about the 185. I read up on it and it sounds like that is the third or fourth incident to that airframe. GLAD to see you guys made it to KBIL i work at edwards west end as a mechanic and am working on my private certificate rn. Great video!

[@DQQ167]

Great pilot

[@richardtanaka8003]

Love the 235.

[@johansaayman316]

Enjoyed the scenery most.

[@DBene-br7xo]

Love this channel, living vicariously through you. Super jealous!

[@JRAviation]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@stevenflattum156]

Love your videos. I am still puzzled why you aren't in the left seat? Steve CFI

[@LeppAviation]

I wanted to be left seat for the first leg. Was my first time acting as PIC in that specific airplane and wanted to have everything accessible to me. I also am more proficient in the left seat at the moment, so wanted to be as safe as possible

[@ronrivers4261]

It was cool to see you in the left seat finally, actually flying the airplane! Nicely done! 😊

[@danblumel]

That's North Ogden pass or "the divide", you passed through into "Ogden's Hole" and Eden/Liberty, Utah.

[@hillcrinton1416]

GREAT work...

[@TriPcr189]

Good to see Jeff in the left seat, especially on such a long haul.

[@muddyexport5639]

Good vid. Haul more that it weighs AKA DC-8?? Awesome! Keeperr at Kt/hr and Gal/hr. Traveler...

[@bretthoffman2128]

Seems as though, You have a Nice Little Airplane. Everything else is Good after Oil Cooler, Good Fast Flyer, that likes to jump off the Runway, I’d Say Keep and Enjoy.

[@nabilelhamdaoui7209]

Beautiful submariner!

[@Atrociousnes]

Interesting mic placement JR.

[@raywister5138]

I love the 235.

[@Westjet1450]

Pretty crazy that plane crashed (N714JE) , Just read up on it, glad they are all ok.

[@bannoneldridge9269]

Apparently the second time that plane has been crashed. To me trying to land on a frozen lake is an unnecessary risk. I’m sure it’s done all the time but I’ll stick to asphalt, concrete and grass.

[@Westjet1450]

@@bannoneldridge9269 Yea, Looking on Google Earth it seems to me that there were much better places to put it down, Obviously it depends how high and fast they were, It was also snowy.

[@dirtcurt1]

@@bannoneldridge9269 It's also a C185 not an 180. Sounded like a 185.

[@Atrociousnes]

Definitely need some thorough inspections done because the amount of times thus thing was in the shop an not caught

[@johnnyg419]

Beautiful watches!

[@robertATC60]

Thats a great plane! Got checked out wiley post OK in a PA28 Dakota awesome plane

[@robertATC60]

Your CFI is good

[@jonclassical2024]

Love to see you in that left seat sir!!!

[@hspplayer123]

love these videos man!

[@crazygamingyt7245]

Love this kind of format videos

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Amazing that you could make a 7-hour flight without peeing. Good thing you didn't take me along - I'd have had to (ahem) "hit the bottle" before we got out of the traffic pattern. Seven hours? Not a chance. It sucks getting old. If I had that plane with that much fuel capacity, I'd have to install a relief tube. (BTW, you should probably drink more water.) Congrats on the 235 though! Great plane, eh? Those 540's are tough motors. The fact that you guys can get one down to around 10gph is pretty dang cool.

[@gregpinetti1782]

I was thinking this exact same thing!

[@garywinslow2973]

Polish that beauty up and fly the heck out of it. Stop by Show Low now that the weather's nicer. $5.30 fuel too. Good eats nearby. Take care.

[@whiskeysk]

Thank you for the vid! I call the 235 a "poor man's Cherokee 6" because of the useful load. Amazing plane. How much of a tailwind did you have for those 9.7 gallons? That's an almost unreal value.

[@JRAviation]

It’s trues out at 125-130 so about 20 knots

[@leeoldershaw956]

On long flights with multiple tanks, run the tanks dry so at a maximum range mission all the fuel is in one tank. The fuel pressure may wiggle and you might be able to switch tanks, turn on boost pump without the engine quiting If not it's only for a second or two. Warn nervous passengers. There's no worry about contaminants. Many 0 540's have "shower of sparks" boxes which will start ICEs on the coldest days. Multi-viscosity oil will let you get through one compression for the start.

[@danblumel]

Not sure where you bought it, but looks like you stopped in Ogden for the repairs.

[@thesixpilot]

Great video. Love the Cherokee.

[@beardies]

good job on the flight. Love the Rolex. Wear my day - Date presidential every day. would love to have a GMT.

[@rickc303]

27:00 it's not "pull up" (nor "push down") but rather "apply back pressure"

[@fisherh9111]

I like the Yacht Master. I have not seen one before.

[@williamk5998]

Great trick with the dipstick. That’s a new one for me. Turn off avionics master before engine start.

[@clarencewiles963]

Good find on the oil cooler $ 😊

[@johnnyhag675]

Awesome bird. Great vlog.

[@JRAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@pierre2388]

Beautifull watch.

[@JRAviation]

Agreed!

[@thomasplaisted3579]

I owned one and loved it. Had to sell due to cardiac problems and now am grounded. Bummer!

[@johnnyg419]

I love the Batman/Batgirl on the jubilee. 🤙🏽

[@chrisc161]

Thank you for sharing.

[@deani2431]

I had two oil coolers from Pacific Oil Cooler blow and completely evacuate all of the oil within minutes. The 1st one was while flying over the Grand Canyon😮. In both cases, Pacific blamed it on me. Said the pressure was too high. It wasn’t.

[@markcoleman8568]

You two guys are elbow to elbow in that plane

[@JRAviation]

Yup, that’s why the Cirrus is elite with how wide it is!

[@ayebemoto4430]

If you’re ever in the area check out kmle it’s in Omaha Nebraska would love to see you guys there

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day from Sydney Australia. No oil pressure gauge, only oil temp. In logging your hours behind the yoke, are you just straight and level; or!!! * Steep turns * Stalls I've lost my list, but I'll find it! 🌏🇦🇺

[@stevenflattum156]

You don't need to go full rich on the run up. It will help keep the plugs cleaner if you don't.

[@thepadonthepondbythescum]

When I got a check out in a Cherokee 180 in Canada, the guy showed me that they lean for takeoff power in the run up, in the great north.

[@loganschaff2118]

Billings gang 😎

[@DanFrederiksen]

Nice catch. The joys of old GA. Expensive watches is emperor's new robes. Save your money for an Eclipse :)

[@HiTechRob]

I have a Piper Dakota (PA-28-236) - basically a newer variant of the Cherokee 235... The air vents you have on the lower cowling... are those an STC'd item? I'd love to add something like that to my Dakota.

[@alexmikhael5061]

there is benifit gettin half your training in something such as that cherikoee!!! ...rather than the ''very up to date'' cirrus!! just syaing... gettin the training in the older skool equipment will allow you to be able to have TRAINING in ''anything you may jump into'' ...even if you have to rent something to get someplace cuz yours had to land and couldn't take back off for a WHILE.... while beein fixed or watnot... and the HPs and the ''load rateing'' is like WOAH!!!!! :)

[@adamjagger3263]

Agreed! Many are not really living, they’re living for views or whatever, and that’s not living that’s a job

[@alexmikhael5061]

25:15 do you all have an O2 meter you check your levels with up there at alt in the no pressure planes??? are you gunna install an o2 system in one of them for hi fly?

[@jonathanokiria464]

I thought I wld b the first to lyk or comment but this staff crazy

[@danblumel]

You shouldn't have the radios on when you crank the engine. The system voltage sags dramatically when cranking the engine over. Very hard on the radio internal power supply electronics.

[@jonathansherwood4683]

That’s my home airport!

[@ehrenkrause9861]

I'd probably buy one as a spare throw it in a box on a shelf and as your inspections over time happen if it starts to look a little suspect you could throw the part in the plane that way if you ever end up having the issue again it could be a 2-hour fix it back on the clouds

[@adriennefoley2906]

Your doing great