How an Aircraft Mechanic buys an Airplane Ep: 01

[@stuckinthemiddlewithz5392]

The biggest takeaway from this is that if you are ever to purchase an airplane, MX/engine logbooks are the vital piece to making an informed decision. You can have everything else, but unless you can look at the history of the aircraft and what has been done to make sure it has stayed compliant (or what you need to do to bring it airworthy) are key. Missing, incomplete, or something looks off or tampered, make sure you talk to a certified MX pro. Because unlike cars, there is no such thing as carfax (or I guess planefax) to verify if what's presented to you in pictures or even in real life isn't damaged under a new paint job. Love this channel my dude. The 61/91 world needed this channel

[@gear_down]

Thanks for the compliment l, you definitely hit the nail on the head!

[@captainmichael787]

underrated youtuber

[@gear_down]

Thanks Michael! Share my vids :)

[@willjohnson3907]

So is skywagon university

[@gear_down]

Faxxxx

[@davidt8087]

@@gear_downyou became a mechanic to save costs. 😂😂 lmao. Ingenius.

[@davidt8087]

⁠also why are you buying an arrow? And a trash one at that with your money? Why not just get a brand new Mooney?

[@stewie84]

Just discovered the channel. Student pilot, planning to build a plane one day. Probably end up buying something to build time in and enjoy in the meantime, but probably not until I get instrument rated. Love the content, man. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

[@brandondaniels9471]

Can't wait till the next one. I can tell that this is gonna be an awesome series 🍿

[@gear_down]

Me too! Thanks for watching!

[@BatiBat0o]

Thanks for sharing. Very informative! Awesome jacket too

[@austinskylines]

The amount of information you pack in these videos is amazing... Thanks so much for sharing! I may talk some shit but you're literally the boss.

[@gear_down]

Thanks man. Shit talking is okay haha I’ve got pretty thick skin! Glad your enjoying the content!

[@tyfg8498]

😊ເຢຮຮຄ

[@GarryFishermusic]

Thank you for your time and explaining your thinking when looking at an aircraft.

[@gear_down]

Glad it was helpful! More vids to come. Make sure to subscribe!

[@luismendezizabal7175]

Im a socal CFI and i admire your work and a different view from aviation that a lot of us wish to experience, amazing content

[@gear_down]

Happy to hear that! Thanks for watching!

[@robertottwell605]

Marks videos are great and he gives a lot of information and history on all the planes that he shows. Great Video!

[@larrysouthern5098]

If you are serious about buying an airplane..this man is who you need ...to go check it out with or you willget burned..Great video..thank you sir!!

[@trickedouttech321]

Mark at Skywagons is a straight shooter.

[@gear_down]

🤔

[@garrettcopeland1949]

This is definitely one of the best videos I’ve seen on KZbin lately. Really great info please keep ‘em coming!!

[@gear_down]

Thank you! Many more to come. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@excellenceinanimation960]

Im 23 and want to get an airplane but its such a process. Thanks for videos like this! Maybe one day. Wish they were not so expensive!

[@Celtkin]

Great video! Thanks. Excited to see what comes next.

[@gear_down]

Subs rt for the next video

[@xReubenDavisonx]

Great first video on the purchase!

[@gear_down]

More coming soon!

[@alangarrett1181]

This content is well done, informative, and timely. Straight to the point and no BS. Exactly like SkywagonsUniversity’s videos.

[@gear_down]

Thanks man!

[@regularguy3665]

I know this is an aviation channel but that beautiful little MG parked under the 170 was surely worth a mention

[@gear_down]

He did a video about it on his channel! Cheers!

[@regularguy3665]

@@gear_down thanks I’ll have a look for it

[@gear_down]

@skywagonuniversity channel

[@UNO810]

Joined for the GIV…staying for the host and the great content! Looking forward to the next one.

[@gear_down]

Thanks for the compliment! Glad you’re enjoying!

[@davalf04]

Loved the video. Can’t wait to watch the progress!

[@gear_down]

Me too make sure you’re subscribed!!! So much more to come!

[@flynbike]

Mark's content is awesome - anybody looking to buy should at least see if he's reviewed what they are looking for, if not outright buy through him. Great look at the deets of reviewing logs, looking under the cowl, all that. Wish I was an A&P.

[@User_748]

My favorite KZbinr. Just found you like a week ago. But I love how chill and informative the videos are. Thank you so much for posting! I look forward to each new video!!

[@gear_down]

Oh, thank you so much that means a lot

[@cortezchris2405]

This is awesome. So glad you're doing a series on this.

[@gear_down]

Glad you like it! Hope it’s informative

[@Treyshepp98]

Your content is so informative! I’m a commercial student and your channel has been really insightful to this side of aviation

[@gear_down]

I’m glad you’re enjoying it!

[@Lernintofly]

I have a 67 Arrow N3813T and just did a full rebuild. It’s an awesome little traveler. Love what your doing on your channel!

[@gear_down]

That is awesome! 28R’s are so fun!

[@matthewjensen9550]

Nice, we have 3843T - also a 67!

[@EastTNflyer]

Great video!!.. Wish I kept my S35 Bonanza that had the IO-550R and tons of other upgrades. Will buy something else again down the road

[@gear_down]

Good plan!

[@lornecunningham326]

She looks nice. You'll be good at interiors once you finished the Jet and this one. Congrats

[@gear_down]

Hahah that’s the truth!

[@dipendrasah4255]

Yess, early bird catches worm 💯

[@gear_down]

🪱

[@Art_Vandelay_]

Great video! Been enjoying the heck out of your content, thanks!

[@gear_down]

Awesome, thank you!

[@steyoutube5464]

Gonna be sweet seeing some new GA content on the channel!

[@gear_down]

I’m glad you like it. Looking forward to giving you guys a lot more in the series.

[@reeltrides911S]

Got my commercial license in a Turbo Arrow. T tail, fast and great throaty sound. Loved it

[@gear_down]

That’s definitely more of a beast than this lol

[@azcharlie2009]

I had a 180D way back when. Never new they made a 180 retractable. 3 blade prop, too? I thought an IO 360 was 200hp? Wait, 180 model? Not 180 hp? I sold my 180 to a guy in a wheel chair! He made a device to move the rudders with his hands. I have no idea how he got that certified. But, he pulled himself in the airplane, put the device in, and flew it away! Good ole 7721N... got my instrument rating in it.... Now I have a 1979 Archer II. 1500 hrs TT. Love the taper wing cherokees. Wish I could afford to upgrade the panel. Just too expensive.

[@gear_down]

Wow what a crazy story, the plane is 180hp and the 3 blade hartzell is an STC upgrade! Cheers

[@bernardanderson3758]

Mark of Skywagon is a great guy to work with

[@gear_down]

Agreed!

[@EFMADRID22]

Got a 172xp from skywagon! Awesome vid

[@gear_down]

Mark is the best! 172XP is an awesome plane I bought one a few years ago

[@oscarvilla8442]

Mannn you’re the reason I’m getting into the aviation business with my boss. We want to start looking at pipers to rent them out. Just got my private last month as well! Keep it up! Love the channel

[@gear_down]

Good stuff!! Congrats on the PPL!

[@matthewharkwell502]

Would love to see a video about owning a super midsize jet like a 604 as I’m looking a buying one. And how to own and operate one so that it cash flows. Or what type of jet is best for charter and creating a cash flowing asset.

[@gear_down]

Unfortunately I don’t deal with any mids. However I wouldn’t plan on nor do I ever advise my clients that that are going to create cash flow with their jets but putting them on 135. Typically you can expect to offset your expenses, and maybe make a little money, providing nothing breaks. (Challengers break ALL the time.) I do offer these services though. research prebuy inspection, acquisition acceptance flights and lastly aircraft management.

[@MerlinspopTBH]

You calculated the factored service hours wrong. You needed to add back the Nx100 to get 1470.58. Still a lifetime of non-flight school hours left. Sweet Arrow. Looking forward to the rest of the series. In a club with an Archer now, an Arrow is on my upgrade list.

[@gear_down]

I didn’t see the add back in the AD but I may have missed it…. 😬 never trust an I/A lol

[@MerlinspopTBH]

The FAA could have made it more confusing, but they didn’t want to work that hard. :-).

[@gear_down]

FAA = Annoying sometimes

[@romanowka6530]

awesome! thanks for sharing

[@gear_down]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate it!

[@craigchadwick_]

Pretty sweet. I'm based out in concord but was just up at Placerville chatting with mark. Great little airport and an amazing broker! Wondering when you and I may cross paths one of these days...

[@gear_down]

Who knows with life in the sky! Cheers man!

[@piperarrowpilot9325]

Love the content. If you want to buy another arrow I’ve got one that is a rock solid fully loaded piper and it may be for sale soon.

[@gear_down]

Hahah thanks, no need for 2 of em lol. I’ll have 3 planes once I add this one

[@brandonwells7899]

Hopefully the wing spars aren’t corroded. If you need prebuy help let me know! I’m an a&p working on my ia and my cpl! Oh and I own a pa-28-181!

[@gear_down]

It’s a Dry climate plane, I didn’t see ANY hints of corrosion anywhere I looked.

[@lukewolf5127]

This is great content! I just started working at a Charter company out of VA and they are moving me into the brokerage side. This vid is more than helpful. When pt.2 coming out??!

[@Halfnatty4882]

Great content. Ill be buying a plane so this is helpful

[@gear_down]

Glad make sure you subscribe to the channel the rest of this series will cover all the in’s and out’s of buying a “simple” plane

[@1a2b3c4.]

Man, you are hardcore. SUBSCRIBED 😮

[@gendaminoru3195]

Forget the formula on eddy current - just deduct from the offer to get it done. I beat the crap out of Part 25 aircraft all the time and you just look for deductions; hundreds of thousands and up. Beyond that I say go talk to the people who have been doing the annuals and 100 hrs line and phase and heavy checks. But that is a very happy engine for being 200 hrs past TBO. It will make a good restore project for someone.

[@ryanpeachey7434]

Man, I hope this works out! Love the content🔥 Life Is good.

[@gear_down]

Thank you!

[@dvpro1]

Love that you're doing this. I'm nearing my 1st purchase... Effing terrifying tbh

[@gear_down]

It’s not that bad, just be Thorough. If you can afford it, hire a good mechanic for a pre-buy.

[@dvpro1]

@@gear_down I'm out of KCMA, know any good mechanics?

[@gear_down]

Depending on when I could probably do a prebuy for you

[@bradbaker2925]

Love your videos bro, are you interested in single engine pistons like this to fly for pleasure or do you resell them or?

[@doitTD]

Living the dream

[@gear_down]

Always!

[@pilotandre]

I’m already seeing this channel hitting 250k subscribers next year

[@gear_down]

That would be so awesome!

[@pilotandre]

@@gear_down if it is happen we have to fly together 😁

[@gear_down]

Okay

[@chrisc161]

You can never go wrong with an Arrow. Good performance, average maintenance cost.

[@gear_down]

And so much fun!

[@matthewjensen9550]

Great airplanes!

[@robertmcwilliams4960]

Great idea for a video series. Would be interested to know why you would prefer high wing vs. low wing and how engine type might figure into the purchase. Can't wait to see some $100 hamburger flights with your Citation! Keep the shiny side up, bro. :-)

[@gear_down]

I prefer Pipers because I’ve owned 5 of them over the years. More simple easy to work on than a Cessna.

[@alfredoorozco7391]

The GOAT!!!

[@gear_down]

You’re the 🐐 Alfredo!

[@badbilly1083]

Can you talk a little more about why you want/need a single engine plane. What type of flying are you planning to do with it?

[@gear_down]

Noted will talk about it in an upcoming vid. Thanks for the idea

[@extraordinarylawns]

Cool Vid

[@gear_down]

Thanks

[@aronair3532]

The issue with those wing spars on the Piper low wings is such a big one I hear a lot of people just doing the inspection for safety's sake. To each their own but I'd rather know the story with those wing spars than leave it to a formula.

[@gear_down]

There’s a visual inspection that is done as well.

[@aronair3532]

@@gear_down Certainly. I just know a lot of those metal fatigue instances occur below the surface, NDT or EC inspections help get a more robust picture. Love the videos man 😀

[@gear_down]

Thanks for the input and watching the video!

[@johnmoore5553]

Appreciate you ! Always coming through for us

[@gear_down]

Thank you for watching and enjoying the Contant

[@mikemike6096]

Curious, what's that hole for in the metal tube by firewall at 13:23

[@gear_down]

Just a vent in the tube to help evacuate lol vapor

[@connormez]

Love all your content but super stoked on this video cause I literally just started looking at purchasing a 1948 V-tail Beech Bonanza! Family friend whom is also an A&P owns it and put a bigger, brand new engine in it recently with an additional 25 horsepower. He’s done a tone of work to it and flown it all over the country, prior to the new engine, fingers crossed he wants to sell it. Any idea on how much a plane like that would be worth?

[@gear_down]

Not sure what that should cost! But good luck with it! V-Tails are AWESOME!

[@justinweber763]

Damn, I was looking at that Arrow 😢

[@gear_down]

😢

[@rsbrehm]

@19:00 is he going the Greenland/Iceland route? (granted I am pretty sure there is no other way to do it...) (EDIT) Wait nevermind.... Over the ice cap sounds insane.

[@gear_down]

Idk

[@capitol585]

I'm really thinking about getting a license and a plane. I was trained sheetmetal by USAF and have 8 years of aircraft maintenance experience and another 4 managing depot level repair stations and maintenance teams...but no a&P because these are all military projects which accepted my training records and experience. How do you think I should approach this idea of getting a plane? I'm not intersted in getting a a&p to work on others planes but I would definelty work on my own. I was kinda hopiong I could offset the ownership cost as well through some sort of rental. What do you think about that idea?

[@gear_down]

You should be able to test for the A&P based on that. Call baker school of aeronautics in TN. They can guide you. They’re the best in the USA

[@TheWillis1237]

Dude do it.

[@gear_down]

Definitely, the longer you wait the more those skills you’ll need for the practical will diminish

[@OU812-69]

This might be a dumb question but 12:45 in…what’s that hole in the metal tube next to the firewall? Normal?

[@gear_down]

Yes it’s a vent to help airflow from the crank case breather

[@OU812-69]

👍🏻 now I know, thanks!! Good luck and thanks for what you do!

[@gear_down]

Also never a dumb question. My channel is here to inform :)

[@dipendrasah4255]

Awesome, let's do it 🤝

[@gear_down]

🔥

[@wolfechambers449]

Awesome video

[@gear_down]

Thank man!

[@tmpendergrass]

In before someone says you should get a bonanza

[@gear_down]

Hahaha I’m a Piper guy

[@piperarrowpilot9325]

@@gear_down Pipers4life 😂

[@gear_down]

Hahahahah

[@tmpendergrass]

@@gear_down don't tell Owen

[@willjohnson3907]

I love barnstormers and trade a plane. I want to buy my own crop dusting airplane I can do contract work in.

[@gear_down]

Yes!!! That would be sick

[@pilota3405]

very cool video

[@gear_down]

Glad you enjoyed it! Subscribe for the rest of the series

[@pilota3405]

@@gear_down already subscribed since the first video becoming one of my favourite channels together with Owen

[@gear_down]

Thank you!

[@bsdontop1000]

Man I'm new to aviation in the process of starting my ppl wiuldnlove advice and help buying a cheap single engine first plane

[@budowens6478]

As my kid says “that’s dope.” Looks like a good airplane, a little money will fix the interior.

[@gear_down]

1000% I think the interior reefer will cost me about 3500 bucks. And it’ll look brand new :) If you guys are ever in so cal I’ll take u for a rip when she’s all done

[@budowens6478]

@@gear_down you know it!!! Thanks for your hard work brother.

[@gear_down]

Cheers!

[@WilsonLove.]

It just keep on coming! Love the videos

[@gear_down]

More to come!

[@Newdaypestcontrol]

why you do not worried about engine hours ? that is major expense ?

[@gear_down]

I’ve owned a handful of lycoming 4cyls as long as they are running good, they’ll run easily 1000hrs past TBO. When you know how to operate and maintain them, it’s very easy to keep ‘em running. That being said a full overhaul costs me in the area of 13-16k roughly but that’s due to me being able to do lots of the work myself.

[@jcheck6]

@@gear_down I was curious as well. I have a Lyc O-360 on my low time RV-8. Nice to know they will out live me. Engine prices have gone out of sight. Paid $13,500 for a new O-360 in '89. Great vid!

[@f16cc482]

The equation for determining the spar EDC is mind numbing. Not sure how the 100 hour inspections were factored in. Isn’t the issue dissimilar metal corrosion?

[@johnnydoe9969]

How long u been an A&P and IA?

[@gear_down]

About 7 years or so

[@johnnydoe9969]

@@gear_down did u become a mechanic or pilot first ?

[@gear_down]

Pilot first.

[@bernardanderson3758]

I’ll fly the Piper Arrow anytime

[@gear_down]

Such a fun airplane.

[@bernardanderson3758]

I got my Commercial Rating in one

[@gear_down]

That’s great!

[@flyingcarguy]

How do you handle looking for corrosion?

[@gear_down]

Open panels and look around. Plane has been in AZ for the last 15 years so it’s a low concern. That will come in the next video

[@mmeyers111]

Why not borescope the cylinders?

[@gear_down]

This was a “Preliminary Look at the airplane” next video as I said 5 times in the video will be a “full pre buy”

[@1dullgeek]

I'm confused by the math for factored hours. If you increase the number of 100 hour inspections the factored hours will go down. If you decrease them the factored hours will go up. Isn't that the opposite of what the formulas is trying to determine? You got: 13x 100 hr inspections = (4200 - (13 * 100)) / 17 = 170.58 factored hours But consider what this formula would produce if you had zero 100 hr inspections and 42 100 hr inspections. This would produce: 0x 100 hr inspections = (4200 - (0 * 100)) / 17 = 247.05 factored hours 42x 100 hr inspections = (4200 - (42 * 100)) / 17 = 0 factored hours. The formula that I found seems to suggest you should get these numbers: 13x 100 hr inspections = (13 * 100) + ((4200 - (13x100)) / 17) = 1470.59 factored hours I think you may have forgotten to add 100hr inspections * 100 back to your result. Other than that, I thought this was a great video and I look forward to the next episodes.

[@gear_down]

My channel is real a raw, I don’t go back and edit out mistakes. I forgot to add back the 100 I realized after I shot it but, it still makes no difference. Inspection is due at or above 5000 factored hours so still plenty of time to go. Good catch though.

[@1dullgeek]

@@gear_down All good. I just wanted to know if there was some mistake I was making. Could have made that clearer. Thanks for the response.

[@gear_down]

No worries. I caught it the next morning but forgot to film the correction. I was tired AF when I was doing the formula, and math is not my strong area as we can clearly see lol

[@AbdulHaq-sx4qp]

0

[@الخنساءمحي]

😢😢🎉

[@leonardoalmiron2142]

Hi Gear. I would like to ask you if you can give me a pre buying training. I'm a mechanic (FAA A&P, ANAC Argentina and DGAC Chile) willing to start my consultant agency but I have zero experience in pre buying inspection.

[@gear_down]

Come on up to USA

[@leonardoalmiron2142]

@@gear_down the big problem is resindecy hehe I can travel a couple of days or weeks. Also I'm a CPL, full aviation geek

[@SulaimanTheAviator]

U forgot to say clear prop. But still good video.

[@TrentSiggard]

I've got a video about the guy who restored the 170B a few years ago. Makes them under Bushliner Aircraft now.

[@gear_down]

Yeah seen the vids super cool plane!

[@JacksDiving]

Where's the next video?

[@semiwandering295]

What was purchasing price

[@gear_down]

Purchase not complete yet

[@semiwandering295]

@@gear_down so you've not talked numbers yet.. gotcha

[@gear_down]

No sir

[@semiwandering295]

@Gear Down OK, so what's up... we want the skinny... can't tell half the story, lol. what is the no an answer to

[@gear_down]

Gotta wait for episode 2 😘

[@timothyrawson920]

Update please

[@gear_down]

Coming soon 👀

[@timothyrawson920]

Where are you based out of

[@gear_down]

Southern California

[@jesusvielma2856]

How can I work for you?

[@gear_down]

Not hiring right now 😢

[@TheBrokenFarmer]

Good video. Would be better without all the walking around and talking. Start off just showing the formula at 11:00 in. My $0.02. But good video.

[@marylandheatherc]

👀

[@gear_down]

🔥

[@bandjoey3852]

Have Lots of Money

[@gear_down]

Trueeeee

[@rebeccaanderson5042]

Why a 180?? the 200 is way better

[@gear_down]

I’ve owned a 180 before and loved it. I own a citation jet that is way better but that’s a separate mission. This is a just for fun plane that fits the mission and budget. 😉

[@dipendrasah4255]

GFC 😄😄😄

[@gear_down]

Good F**king CoPilot

[@dennismassie3552]

👋🏻KSRQ☀️🌴🇺🇸🛩

[@gear_down]

👋

[@chrisdallies9567]

That 170 was built by another KZbinr a few years ago.

[@gear_down]

Yeah awesome videos on it!

[@redriver08]

Friendly Suggestion: First time viewing your channel. When you are reviewing the Digital Log Books STOP twisting the Camera to Talk Just keep the camera on the Computer monitor Point to the Monitor with a pencil or pen and TALK. Later on try doing VOICE OVER on newer videos to stop panning the camera so fast. Like @1dullgeek wrote below on the 100 hour inspection math. Type up or PRINT clearly on printer paper an example of the math. KEEP THE CAMERA on the paper math example and verbally explain the math. or. Do a follow up video just explain the math. Hope this help ! PS. if you decide to leave CA. Austin TX is very much like CA with Homeless people living along I 35 and all over. Since you are an AI you might consider expanding to due Pre Purchase Inspections for $ 700 a day plus expenses. Hope these suggestions help in building your channel

[@khombol69]

Awesome video

[@gear_down]

Thanks for the view!