Refurb of the Month

With refurbs gaining momentum, we’re seeing more restoration of modest airplanes, especially Cessna 150s, which are among the most economical airplanes to own and fly. Don Toy of Homestead, Iowa, recently sent us this report on his refurb. “Here is my project of the last year. I boughta 1966 Cessna 150F model of a friend […]

There’s nothing quite like the Grumman Tiger. On not much gas, the airplane is moderately fast, fun to fly and has that sporty canopy, which can be opened in flight.Our Refurb of the Month is Paul Curs’ 1977 AA5B. Here’s his report. “She started out in 1977 as N81169 and had three previous owners – […]

Cessna 172s may be not be fast or sexy, but there are plenty of them out there and prices reflect that supply. There are also lots of aftermarket mods for these airplanes. Larry Gettleman of Louisville, Ky., put that to work in his refurb of this months Refurbished Aircraft the Month. I have owned this […]

When Cessna introduced the Cardinal in 1968, it was, by the standards of the day, quite leap. Sans the familiar struts of the 172/182 line and with its rakish windshield, the Cardinal could fairly be called sleek. It was large doors that allowed easy access to the both the front and rear seats, the Cardinal […]

Nothing against Cessna, but even some of the nicely restored older ones still show their age-that straight tail is a dead give away. But not so V-35 Bonanzas, whose timeless lines make them look as modern and anything flying, especially the P-35s built during the 1960s. This months refurb of the month comes from Jeffery […]

Piper’s Twin Comanche–affectionately known as the Twinkie by many owners–is one of the most efficient twin-engine aircraft ever manufactured, eclipsed only Diamond’s diesel-powered DA42. The Twin Comanche is a popular refurb platform because the airframe performs well and is reasonably priced on the used market. For this month’s refurb of the month, we’ve picked Ron […]

Weve all seen them. Sad old derelict ramp dwellers with sun-faded paint and flat tires, awaiting rescue by the aviation equivalent of the Good Samartan. This months refurb aircraft is one of those. It comes from Steve Wilbers, shop supervisor at Jefferson City Flying Service in Jefferson City, Missouri. Attached are before and after pictures […]

Anyone who flies out west understands the need for turbocharging and pressurization isnt a bad idea, either. An older Cessna P210 fits this requirement perfectly and this month, were featuring Steve Biggs P210N, which is based in Bozeman, Montana. I’m proud to submit my newly refurbished P210N for your consideration as Refurb of the Month. […]

The Citabria is a nice, modern taildragger and one for which parts are readily available, so it’s a perfect refurb project. John Myers of Sequim, Washington, sent us this report on his project: This was a project completed at an airpark home, in a garage-hangar.I had thehelp from a youngA&P and neighbor A/I for inspections.We […]

Therestoration originally started in July 2009 when the aircraft was owned by myself and two other partners, Tony and Alex Darby. We originally were just taking off the wings as an owner assisted repair for the American Champion wooden wing spar AD to inspect some loose nails and our plans were to simply recover the […]