https://www.ebay.com/itm/204291108746?c ... 1&mkcid=28

eBay item number:293559239508 (why 300-725-1 above?)
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... 8&_sacat=0

https://www.jetpartsliquidator.com/part ... n-3-1490-1


Goodrich 3-1490-1 (Textron PN 9912222-11).

I'd love to find a spare set of wheels to have spare wheel/tire assemblies (I have the tires, surprisingly), but the cost for that is major $$$. Current list for new is $43K/wheel ($28K from Textron). The only way this would work is if I find a used set somewhere.

Mike C.

I would be careful with lower strut pressure for two reasons. One is that is a complete pain to refill and requires jacks. Technically lowering pressure does too. I can give you details on phone but not posting here.

Second, the planes are prone tail tipping. I have heard of more than one that have flipped back on ramp. when my struts were low the main was always fully extended after fueling. A guy I did FSI with parks the plane with a padded ladder under tail. Apparently upon advice from people from Piaggio? He does have an EVO though and those can be quite tail heavy with extended fuel.

I was told rotate the tires when then the outer two tire groves go smooth.

Maybe do all your landings on one wheel, slowly roll onto the other to prevent the scrape across the runway as the gear compresses

Have wondered about that. Once I got my nose strut pumped up a bit, I thought that seemed possible with full fuel. Interesting data would be to know at what CG the tip happens.


I assume you mean nose, and when I topped fuel tanks my nose strut did go to full extension, so I will be a little cautious I think.


Yeah, that’s my plan, but thought I’d fish around to see if anyone has found other options.


See, if you ask on BT you get all kinds of potential solutions!

So as promised, I have used the Kromh battery stick for a couple of weeks now. My battery was in terrible condition and have since changed it on recommendation from Don Sims. When he tested it, it only had around 58% life left. While I had my bad battery in my starts were pretty warm without the help of the stick, but with the stick the starts are quicker and cooler than the cross starts. I was throughly impressed. I went through an avionics and preflight check and 2 starts and still had over 50% battery left on the stick. It is only 12.1lbs. I really don't like to travel without it. I know Don Sims is pretty excited about it and is putting one through some tests such as how long you can run A/C and still start the plane. I believe if anyone is interested call Don Sims or ICJS for a better deal than on the website.

Two for one deal at CXY.

We're seriously considering buying a P180 either with Garmin or install Garmin.

Any chance I can see one of these in the US (will travel anywhere)? Perhaps join one for a joy ride (will pay for this of course)?

Thanks!

T.

Matt that’s me! Pm me and let’s meet up.

All the cool kids hang out in Harrisburg, don’t you know?

Matt, I think you are based in that general area - but I really, really hope that pic means you are out flying that beautiful bird.

Matt, lovely to see it out and about and that paint job is amazing!

I agree with those loving your paint job, Matt!

Where did you have it done? Were you happy with the work?

@Matt B - Yeah, I'm based out of Lancaster, as I live nearby. It was a quick stop at CXY to grab some folks on the way to Boston. She is flying for now. I was just looking and in 3 years, we have squeezed 20 hours out of it now. We finally found someone willing to do a temp repair on the pilot seat frame last month. I still have a new seat frame on order, but it's a 8mon lead from Piaggio...and 18K...ouch. But for now, the repair seems solid.

@Jon - I had it done at Rosewood in Mena. I would not use them again. I'll get some pictures to upload but we have big chunks that have started to flake off. We keep repairing but just found 2 more yesterday about the size of quarters. They also did the interior, and the upholstery has been fine, but the woodwork has started to delaminate, and some of the metal banding on the tables came off. So overall not great. I don't know that anyone would have been different or that the issues are specific to Rosewood, but at least enough questions to look elsewhere. I've used Sureflight for the paint/interior repairs.

@Anthony - I spent a lot of time in Harrisburg....next time you're around, lets say hello.

Ouch!

The 20hrs will increase, hopefully. I picked up a turbine Bo to keep me busy. I actually like it a lot.
Not nearly the same comfort, speed or sex appeal, but it has the same Garmin setup so its keeping my skills sharp as I had never used a full Garmin setup. I might keep both for a while.

Here is the latest paint to pop off. This time around the door. The shop thinks it was applied too thick in a few areas.

Just stopped by my airport friend who owns the P180. She's back from a full Garmin glass panel upgrade, same upgrade Anthony did to his. Exakt same setup with the big MFD in front of pilots and then two 750's stacked in mid console. Looked delicious. Didn't take pictures of it as owner wasn't there and wanted to make sure I had permission, but will hopefully catch him later.

Owner has an A&P IA that works for him a lot in taking care of the P180 (he has a lot of experience on type and takes care of another one in Chino, too) and he told me some maintenance stories that were kinda fun:

1. Rudder trim motor and jackscrew was intermittent. Replacement was a $30K+ deal, apparently. He took it apart, noticed they'd put a ferrous part/washer in it that shouldn't have been there at last overhaul, removed it and it's been great ever since.

2. Another problem owner had was that about every 10th time he swung the gear, it didn't work on first try. A&P found that the signal was intermittent coming out of the relay that activates the hydraulic gear pump. Replaced relay at a cost of $6 (!!) and has now swung gear more than 100 times without it happening.

But despite these happy instances, just going through the costs with him on a broader scale, it is clear I could not afford a P180 on a Turbo Commander budget. Not that I thought I could, but I thought it would be maybe 1.5x. It's more like 2-3x. The prop overhaul (replacing two blades) was $90K. That'd be a $30K deal on the Commander. Engines are easily $600-800K/side, TC it's $300K/side. Brakes are $45-50K, on the TC they'd be well under $10K, etc, etc.

It's basically jet money to keep one of these going. Which is as it should be, as it's about as fast! Still want one

Somebody please correct Adam's claim of engine overhaul on my PT6A-66B being $600k+
Per side

At $443,457.95 each I can still grin/grimace/grin.

Above 600 EACH I am cringing a bit.

2960 hours currently

I plan to Hot section and keep flying at 3600 for now.
Must consider potential wallet hit though.