Evening All,
I have a question for you regarding the airframe life span of a C172. I am in the very early stages of looking for a lighty and have found a project that interests me somewhat, it is an early 1980's C172 with timed out engine and prop and just under 11,000 hours tt. I have not yet asked the question but it seems pretty obvious that it has been used for flying training.
The engine and the prop, as I understand things, shouldn't pose too much difficulty, except to the hip pocket nerve as I fork out for a new set.
However the frame time has me thinking:
What is the max time for a Cessna frame?
Can they go on forever as long as they are inspected?
If it was used by a flying school might it have suffered from the intermittent hard landings?
Is it a worthwhile project if the purchase price is right?
An explanatory note; I have never looked at buying an aircraft before and am therefore completely green, however, as part of my due diligence, I am attempting to gather as much information as I can.
Any and all replies sincerely appreciated, along with any good advice that you may offer. If you are kind enough to share your knowledge and experience, I am most grateful.
Cheers,
ABX