Hi there -- I am (heaven willing) just about to end my search for a 'coupe. I'm pretty new at all this, but I've just done the research (took me almost a year), so I can offer you the perspective of a first time buyer.
Like lots of stuff, I think the best answer about rag vs. tin wings is "it depends." In a 415C, if you've got a 75, or even an 85 hp engine, you're not gonna want that extra weight. If the plane has had the 0-200-A conversion to 100 hp, and who knows what the prop is, well, maybe, but you've probably got extra weight from that, too. I'm inclined to prefer rag wings on the 415s. When I first started looking at 'coupes, I was hell bent for leather to get a rag wing. Partly because of logic, and partly because I love fabric-covered wings. They're just things of beauty to me. I've been pretty much gone on rag wings and open cockpits since one of my instructors let me fly a Stearman. Now, did I buy one with rag wings? Nope. Betcha want to know how come. Well, it's not because of my A&P -- he does rag wings that are works of art. It's because I decided that I just didn't want a project and bought an Alon A2. It was a bunch more money up front, but she's just about dead clean, and they have an engine/prop combo that easily can deal with the extra weight. Even with the tin wings you get about 50 lbs. more useful load in an A2. After doing some research, and talking to a lot of 'coupers who've been there, it became pretty apparent that project planes often cost more to restore by the time your done than to pay more for a clean one up front. Trouble is, it's really hard to judge what you're getting into with a project. Also, if you're going to finance the purchase, you can probably get an aircraft loan for the higher purchase price, but aircraft lenders generally won't loan money for a restoration. You've pretty much gotta have it in your pocket to do it. I'm also too impatient to wait for a restoration. The cleanest one I've seen took 7 years; I've heard of them taking as long as 10. I just got my ticket in April, and I want to fly RIGHT NOW. So I went for the cleanest A2 I could find. With delivery costs, it's going to run me about $26,500, and folks and my research are telling me that's about right for the condition and equipment on this plane. It's also the high end of the price range, and doesn't guarantee anything. The best piece of advice I can offer is join the owners' club, ask a lot of questions, and read everything you can lay your hands on. I ordered all the documentation on both the 415s and the A2 from Univair and have been working my way through the stack. Whew. So...it depends. Good luck! It's been a grand adventure for me, so far. I hope it works out for you. Leslie, 3B9 _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
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