680FLP

[schrambow]

I agree, they seem extremely rare.  Our first was N198JW, registery showed it as just an 680F,  but it was actually a 680F(P).  It's hasn't flown in a few years, it's seems like alot of them haven't flown in many years if you look them up. I guess I understand all the reasons, never really thought of ours as a rare bird, but it appears to be one. I guess all of our commanders out there are rare compared to many of the contemporaries we see now. We are dating ourselves too, remember back in the 1980's and 1990's seeing Aztecs, Apaches, 310s,421s, all the time at basically any airport we landed at?  My son who is 23 years old, just stares at one of these if he sees one now.

TBMs, cirruses, citations, phoenoms, are what we see now everyday at our airports.

[Popeye]

No P's Or L's but definetly an F....My s680 F, still like a new girlfriend.

[JimC]

Suburban retired all their 680FLs in April/May last year. I think aside from the one in Ohio that hasn't sold, those were the last 680FLs flying in the US.

I think if this one gets in the air that will make two 680FLPs flying in the US. I believe N410MG is in the process of being restored but isn't airworthy at this moment. It has flown in the last few years so it doesn't have far to go.

[appleseed]

Great posts Schrambow! Thanks for sharing your interesting knowledge and experiences.
Now if you or Popeye made a video of your birds flying and sharing a couple of kernels of your accumulated wisdom, I would probably watch it daily for a year.

Your pics have been great. 980 is a supership of course, but it is the flp that gets me fired up.

[schrambow]

Thanks for the encouragement, Appleseed.
The art of videoing, photography, editing, social media, etc... are skill sets for sure.  Some people are blessed with those skills sets, and others like myself seem a bit deficient in presenting videos, organizing and understanding what others would want to see and view.
Perhaps my 23 year old son, whom loves aviation, flying, commander's, Bellanca's, could help do some videos on 680FLP's?  Inside and outside of the plane.

[Rob]

It's definitely nice to see some activity on this forum talking about the piston part of the tribe. Regarding the FLP recently rescued, hope it manages to have a new life. I know the previous caretaker (worked for the owner) of this aircraft and believe some of the comments on the video are not accurate regarding engine times and the plane was definitely not living in a climate controlled hangar. Nonetheless, I wish them well. The former owner of the FLP passed away last year and the family sold off the collection. One of the aircraft that was sold was the very last production Bellanca Viking, which was of interest to me as the owner of the Bellanca type certificates. I love the Bellancas for many reasons but my 500A fills a different place in my heart.

[donv]

@Rob you own the Super Viking type certificates? That is pretty cool! I always thought those were neat airplanes.

[schrambow]

We love Bellanca's also, sorry to take this thread sideways Don.
Here are some photos of our Cruiseair, Cruisemaster, 260A, and 260B.
They are loud, and a very tight fit inside, but fly so beautifully.
Ferrari's of the sky, mini warbirds.

[Rob]

That's a nice collection - I am a bit partial to the triple-tail models. Where is home base?

[Rob]

Yeah, I have the TCs for the Vikings and Cruisemasters. Trying to support these planes and keep the fleet active and in safe, airworthy condition. I would be nice if the owners would not be landing gear up or run them off the runway.

[schrambow]

Home base is basically Fond Du Lac, WI,  KFLD

might have a straggler Cruisair over at New Holstein airport, 8D1,  as we need more room.

[Popeye]

The Suburban fleet, now retired, anyone know where they are. Thay can be a good source of spares for any of the same line of 680"s F/P/LP I could certainly use some.....