Gasax
The question is what other aircraft are avalable to fill the role of the C152 (not the C150) and the answer is very few that will make 30,000 hours.
The people who look after there C152's have little to fear from the SID's because they will have been doing most of the SID's inspections each time the aircraft has an annual check and sorting out the defects when they are found. These are usually long term operators of the C152 who use best maintenance practice to ensure that they have a reliable fleet of aircraft.
Unfortunatly these operators have seen the market view of the value of their aircraft tainted by the increasing number of under maintained C152's that are avalable at a price that reflects the cost of putting right years of neglect.
Having scaned through the SID's document I find that at least six of the items were covered by work carried out at the last annual check and the SID's approved corrosion protection compound has been in use for five years on my aircraft so the SID's is unlikely to turn up much in the way of surprises and extra cost.
You are quite correct in saying that most private owners of C152's won't spend the price of the SID's checks because they know the cost of putting right all the issues they have been ignoring for years, these aircraft will be withdrawn from service and provide parts that those of us who operate the aircraft as a business can refurbish to keep the fleet flying.
So with a shrinking fleet and only the aircraft that have had time and effort put into them remaining airworthy people will not steel at the knock down prices we have seen the old dogs selling at?
Like it or not the C152 is still the best PPL trainer on the market from an economic point of view due to the robust construction and reliable systems, I have already seen some of the new kids on the block giving structural problems but with the ultra light weight build once the corrosion starts to get a hold there will be no stoping it without spending a lot of money.
I am not a great fan of flying the C152 but it's great asset is the ability to make money and that fact alone will result in the price of GOOD aircraft holding up.
Last edited by A and C; 31st May 2012 at 16:32.