30,000 hour Cessna 172
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: "como todo buen piloto... mujeriego y borracho"
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30,000 hour Cessna 172
A Cessna 172 manufactured in 1982 which has flown about 4 hours daily for Tropic Air in Belize has been retired from the airline with more than 30,000 hours flight time, with a few of it's factory-original components and in perfect flying condition.
It is probable that it be the highest-time Cessna 172 in the world. About 60% of it's components have been replaced since 1982, including various replacements of the wings, the tail, landing gear, and of course the engine which has been replaced over 12 times.
According to the airline, the decision to retire the aircraft came from the decision to aquire a new Cessna 172, this time, with a diesel engine.
The aircraft in questions is V3-HDN
It is probable that it be the highest-time Cessna 172 in the world. About 60% of it's components have been replaced since 1982, including various replacements of the wings, the tail, landing gear, and of course the engine which has been replaced over 12 times.
According to the airline, the decision to retire the aircraft came from the decision to aquire a new Cessna 172, this time, with a diesel engine.
The aircraft in questions is V3-HDN
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At 30,000 hours, it looks like an imaculately nice airplane. Was it as nice inside as it looks outside or was it showing its age?
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PJ - yes the interior was in great shape, the maintenance crew did a good job keeping her lookin good.
ricbur - this aircraft was not used for training - it was used for charters and on the scheduled services around Belize.
ricbur - this aircraft was not used for training - it was used for charters and on the scheduled services around Belize.
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By by delta slow-vember (tropic citation)
Did nearly a year and about 600 hours in that little work horse. A sad day but at least she didn't end her days in the water. Hope the new one continues to open the doors of aviation to many more budding aviators.
And to all the guys at Tropic happy New Year ! I know it sounds late but hell but chinese new year just happened over this side of the world.
And to all the guys at Tropic happy New Year ! I know it sounds late but hell but chinese new year just happened over this side of the world.
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First paycheque
FIrst bit of cash in aviation came off this plane for me!
Great start to the career, trusty old slovember.... Farewell!
Hope the Belize boys doing allright!
Great start to the career, trusty old slovember.... Farewell!
Hope the Belize boys doing allright!
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This is my first post here. I see that photo--and read some of your comments--and I am taken back 40-45 years. What a twisty road it has been, but I wouldn't have missed a turn. I started in 150's and 172's and have ended up flying just about everything from there to (now) the 777. I even got to fly the NASA Shuttle trainer, P-51's, B-25's, Howards and all the corprorate jets. But the days of the 172 were actually the best. 'Rosebud.......'
Enjoy the ride guys.
Enjoy the ride guys.
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Cut my commercial teeth on a 11000 hour 172 flying over london doing aerial photography. Somebody wrote mine off. 
Wicked bird though. HDN looks like a pristine example glad to see she reached retirement.
Wicked bird though. HDN looks like a pristine example glad to see she reached retirement.
