680v in Louisiana

[Jeff Johnson]

Hello all

https://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/list/category/8/turboprop-aircraft/manufacturer/commander/model/680v

Chime in please

Whats this bird really worth?

Asking 229k
1000 hours until TBO

-43a motors
skydrol pressurization But claims it works flawlessly

Adam
What do you think?

[Adam Frisch]

I wouldn't buy it at that price, but it might be the right thing for someone. 43A motors can be found and are quite inexpensive, but they only go to 2000hrs legally. I'd say it was priced about right with Century's and bleed air, but not with 43's.

[Jeff Johnson]

I read somewhere you can get TBO increased to 3000 hours
Does anyone still do this?

[Adam Frisch]

I think that's Hancock's STC and he'd probably be the only one who could work on the pre-Century's. Not sure how much it costs or what it involves to get the extension. I know this plane was serviced there.

43's can be found, tho. I know Morris has a few sets and you see them for sale online sometimes.

[Jeff Johnson]

And the last question.

Can they be updated still to the century series with bleed air? 

Or is it a waste of time/money?

[Adam Frisch]

Think you can, there were two STC for the pre-Century series: Garrett's and Commanders own. Don't know who owns those today. But it wouldn't make any sense financially to do so. You might as well find another $100K somewhere and get a bottom-of-the-barrell 690A with -5's and much more modern systems.

I even looked into the Super Dave mod for mine. That's when they mate a -6 compressor section to a -1 turbine section. Suckers make the 680V/681 go almost 290kts. But the STC alone is $50K/side and then you still have to do the engines.

[donv]

I believe the Century conversion involves new engines (or substantial changes to the old ones)  in addition to bleed air pressurization. The reason these didn't have bleed air pressurization from new is because the -43s didn't have enough bleed air to do it.

A 690A would be a much better airplane, and would cost less over the long run-- and some day, if you wanted to, you could sell it, which is proving to be a questionable proposition about this airplane.

[SKYFLYER]

You need to call and talk with Hancock before you go any further... as it seems to me the last time I was speaking with him there was some question as to -43's and conversions. I am not sure if he indicated that they would no longer be doing any or not.

And as Don pointed out... a 690A would be heaps better now and in the long term in most ALL ways.

[drwho67]

A 690A would be a much better airplane, and would cost less over the long run-- and some day, if you wanted to, you could sell it, which is proving to be a questionable proposition about this airplane.

I didn't know if this is still current but check this one out.

http://www.aeroair.com/aircraft_sales/Aircraft_For_Sale/1974_Twin_Commander_690A/

[Jeff Johnson]

Just looking at all my options. 

Love my Shrike!

But

Need Icing for sure, and would not mind more range.

With turbine I could open up more work travel possibility as well. 

I fly a lot.  But Commercial and Private.  Always last minute. 

I like the 680v just as adam has mentioned.  All conditional.  IRAN at annual.

I like the 980a Because whats not to like!  Except for the Hot sections and the Overhauls.

Here I go
Bigger, Faster, Higher, Farther

[SKYFLYER]

A 695B would be a great option.... 

[donv]

There are some advantages to a Century 680V or W, or a 681. The problem is that those airplanes have been so cheap for so long that they've almost all been neglected, and by the time you've spent the money to make them reliable, you could have had a 690.

And a 690 is a better, faster, more reliable, more maintainable airplane. You can get parts for a 690. You can find people who know how to work on one, and actually have worked on one in the recent past.

[Jeff Johnson]

A 1000 would be an excellent option too with a good bank account.

But realistically.  a 690a possibly B would be the tops for me.

and it really gets me everything I need.

Now I need to sell my shrike and my Sportfisher and then Ill be good to go.

By the way Norm sold all his aircraft. 

One company came in and purchased then all.

But if a 680v could be bought right then id seriously look into it.

The only problem I really have with them is SKYDROL.

That shit sucks big time.

[donv]

I guess what I'm saying is that a bad 680V isn't worth it even if it's free. And other than Adam's and Montana's, there probably aren't many 680Vs which are any good.

[Jeff Johnson]

Don,

I agree 95%

Getting close to 100%



Just like my Shrike, I want a re sellable airplane.  Im sure it will not be my last airplane.

And it will need to operate at a moments notice. 

Not a lets fix it and go, hope for the best.