172rg for leaseback...good idea or bad idea?

[izzynot]

my school is in need of a complex airplane, so i thought i would purchase a 172rg. i figure it would get "beat up" less than the other trainers since it will be flown by pilots going for a commercial license. anyone doing this currently??? any advice from pilots familiar with this model??

[Denny of Oakland]

I used to service and repair CE-172-RG's they cost more money because of the landing gear, gears, motors, powerpack and etc. As a trainer it will take a betting since there are those pilots that have made a hard landing and those who will. Don't buy a beater it will cost more money than it's worth to keep it flying in a training school.

If you do buy a RG make sure all the gear AD's are complied with and have the powerpack checked over. The powerplack eletric motor brushes tend to overheat if the gear cycles due to leaks in the system. Big bucks to repair/replace.

Denny of Oakland

[izzynot]

so if i find a well maintained 172rg (not out of a school...) what are my chances of getting a decent aircraft? I understand that repairs are more due to the rg parts, and i'm ok with that. I just dont want to get into an aircraft that spends more time in the shop than in the air...

[Denny of Oakland]

I would suggest having a prepurchase inspection and aircraft record inspection as part of any purchase agreement you sign. Order the aircraft records from Oklahama City for $5.00 for the n-number you choose.

As a side note, I wrote a book which should be out in print in two weeks that will really help in purchasing an aircraft. It'salled Aeronatuical Handbook of Inspections and Prepurchases it will walk you thru the complete purchase process and how to protect your self.

Denny of Oakland