Unfortunately, We Need a SERIOUS Traveling Airplane For
Aero-TV... So The Glasair III MAY Have To Go...
We're not quite sure that we want to sell our favorite
airplane right now but it seems like it's time to test the
waters. ANN's beloved Glasair III MAY go on the block so that we
can get a SERIOUS traveling airplane (or two) to transport Aero-TV
crews... who are getting clobbered by the many, many ways that
the airline industry keeps screwing up our travel plans. No
kidding... airline screw-ups are making our lives a living hell,
and GA travel is not only competitive, but offers us the kind of
flexibility we really need to get our work done. The airlines have
trashed our gear, lost it more than once, delayed our crews for
days at a time, stranded us away from our detinations, in and
generally made it difficult to do dependable business.
So... we may have to part with a treasured friend (which would
not have been necessary had we not been clobbered by no less than 4
bankruptcies in the past year or so that really cleaned out our mad
money fund to the tune of about $100K in total losses -- from
Symphony, Columbia, Adam and ATG having gone
"Tango-Uniform").
The stats: The bird has a little over 3100 TT and the Lycoming
IO-540 is PAST TBO (2100 hours or so)... but the engine is strong,
burns NO oil, hasn't been making any metal, is showing GREAT
compressions and hasn't burped no matter how hard we fly it. The
thing we have learned about Lyc 540s is this... if they ain't
broke, don't mess with them... hence the reason that we haven't
majored the engine... it simply shows no signs of stopping.
The exterior condition is very good and the interior is above
average with some new components. The aircraft has a Garmin GNC
300XL GPS/Comm, a BK KX-155 nav/Com, a KT-76 TXP, CD player,
an AT-300 Hazard Awareness Display, as well as an Argus 5000 Moving
map, Bose headsets, a KCS-55 HSI... and quite a bit more.
The aircraft has just completed an aggressive annual, the first
since a major rebuild (last year) that added the extended wingtips,
updated the electrical system, installed a NEW Hartzell Two-Blade
prop (that HAULS the mail, I kid you not), retrofitted the Slotted
Flap system, gave it a new coat of paint and some FANCY graphics,
and completed all major Glasair service bulletins. In addition, we
have upgraded the brakes, as well as the retractable gear pump
system to offer better and more dependable performance/service. The
interior has been upgraded with a new headliner and worn carpeting
was replaced. In short, this is a tight little bird and we really
want to keep her... but if she goes, someone is going to have a
ball.
With the extended tips, the G-III can cruise at 215-225 kts at
17 gph, with 76 gallons of fuel on board in two wing tanks and a
header.
N411AN, IF it is sold, is provided ONLY under the following
conditions... we want to keep the 'N' number and will help with the
necessary paperwork and graphics for a new 'N' number for a new
owner. Also, the aircraft is being offered only upon the signing
and acceptance of a release of liability. Copious records and
paperwork document this aircraft fully and our current A&P is
available for consultation. Finally; if the aircraft is sold again
in the future, we reserve the right of first refusal to buy her
back.
This aircraft is being offered for $150K or best acceptable
offer. Maybe.