It seems every time I get close to buying a plane, something major happens. The first time it was my brother's health. He got really sick, almost lost his eyesight and job. I stepped in and have been supporting his family for a year and a half. They are back on their feet and I just finished making the last support payment. I had a contract on my house and was supposed to close last week.

I took a demo flight in an MXT-7 180A. I liked the simplicity of the plane and its ability. I almost put a deposit on the plane but decided I needed to have a cup of coffee and think about it some more. $92,000 is a TON to spend on a toy. While I was talking to the broker after the flight, my Dad called. I returned his call 20 minutes later. He told me he had just been diagnosed with cancer of the bladder and urinary tract. Apparently is along pretty good and he is going to have his bladder removed. That was yesterday afternoon.

Then this morning, I got a call from my real estate agent. I have had my stinking house under contract since late October. EVERYTHING has been jacked up, and the original closing date of 30 NOV was pushed to 14 DEC. She told me this morning that the buyer just couldn't seem to make it to the title company to sign the closing documents yesterday. He just couldn't fit it into his schedule. After talking to my Dad, I have a plan for recourse, but it looks like the deal is going to unwind and I'm going to have the dang lawyers sort out the mess.

Needless to say, my plans for buying a plane in January to start the new year off right are on hold. Sorry to ask advise on planes then not follow through. Life sometimes comes at you from left field though. I am going to sort it all out. I'm going to go work an extra trip over New Years Eve. Seems I'm happiest when I'm flying (go figure) the 737. Then I'm going to head up to Colorado and go ice fishing with Dad Sat and Sunday. He sees the oncologist on the 10th. Thanks for letting me spill my guts. But I felt like I owed y'all and explanation after you all kindly gave me your varied opinions on the Maule. Y'all take care and go land in some dirt for me.

Cheers,
Arn

Shit... When it rains it pours. Any thoughts to something cheap along the C120/140 or Pacer lines just to fill in until your life settles down to a dull roar? Less expensive than a new car, and they won't depreciate in value any.

Gump

I'll cast my vote for a 140. Hell even I could afford one, and I don't make more than 35k a year. And yeah.. I got enough cash left over to buy groceries and beer too. Not to mention these airplanes are so sweet in the air, docile on the ground.. I don't think I'd be able to bear selling mine.

Thank-you for the replies and kind thoughts. I am going to sort it all out over the next few weeks. I've heard good things about hte C140. Right now I'm making rent payments and a mortgage payment. Once I either sell the house or move back into it and get back down to one payment, I'll be in a better position to think about buying. I have a lot to think about, but at least I can daydream too.

John,I'll take you up on the offer when I get to RNO. I don't have any overnights sked there for JAN, but I'll keep my eye open to trade into something. Maybe then I can check out your gun lines too. I will be in the market this Spring for an S&W .357 revolver. Heard that was about as reliable pistol as you can get...won't jam, fires off everytime, and packs a pretty good punch.

Happy New Year y'all. Cheers!
Arn

It's this time of year that I try to think of the things I have as opposed of the things I don't. We all have things to be thankful for. I'm one of those that believe things happen for a reason.
On another note, I bought a C-140 for friends to fly, unofficially teach someone at work etc. It's not near the STOL plane my Maule is, but I can honestly say it is just as much fun, just different is all. They can be had in the mid teens, this time of year.

Concentrate on the ice fishing with Dad and if he has an interest, rent something once in a while and take him for a spin. As stated, that's what you have now, won't always have and had better appreciate it before it dawns on you one day that you might have missed out.
Your own plane is neat but if it happens it happens and there's no point in losing sleep over it.
Appreciate every moment of what you do have.

Sorry to hear about your dad. Keep your head up, they are doing amazing things these days. I don't see many 737's flying into KEUG, but if you'll fly with me, I'll take you for a ride.
Erick

just flew into Eugene for the first time in years a couple of weeks ago. That is a very nice facility that you guys have there.

Jr.CubBuilder wrote:To hell with the plane, there will always be more around. My dad's passed away over ten years ago, I'd cut my plane in half with a chainsaw if by doing so I could have some more time with pops, so much I would like to tell him.........

Jr --

I lost my dad 5 years ago and you are 100% correct.... there are many things I would do to get any of that time back.

Arn

Best wishes and good luck with the houseing circus.

Arn, I lost my dad on Oct 16th. Spend time with your dad, there will always be planes for sale. I'm just east of PDX at TTD. If you are in the area we can go for a rip in my Maule M7. Regards...Rob [email protected]

If you go with Rob, bring your own tailwheel

Real funny. You would think I taxied into the badger hole on purpose.

Any taxi you can tow away from is a good taxi. It sure is handy that so many Maule have the same TW. You can borrow one just about anywhere. I was a real tail dragger that day.

At least I didn't lose the end of my wing...LOL

Oh, is this gonna become that type of thread??

At least I didn't...

My point was I got off cheap.

Most of what I know about flying I learned from ya'll here. Ya'll said driving in the dirt is ok, and just look what happened?

Rob

Rob,
I've heard of many tail wheel failures, but I have only heard of one where there was no damage at all to the airplane. I mean not even a mark or scrape on the rudder, nothing. That's why I was so against trying to move it, I just knew we would end up damaging it.

Jody, it's way more funny now than the day it happened. Your right, I was very luck. The best part was all the great friends who jumped in to get me back in the air.

Rob

RobBurson wrote:Real funny. You would think I taxied into the badger hole on purpose.

Any taxi you can tow away from is a good taxi. It sure is handy that so many Maule have the same TW. You can borrow one just about anywhere. I was a real tail dragger that day.

At least I didn't lose the end of my wing...LOL

This is exactly why I didn't post any pictures of my Maule after my "Dicey"landing at columbia last July......BCP'ers are a heartless bunch.. Im with you Super Dave!!!!!

Yeah I know that was just tongue in cheek. Where is SD lately. He's strangely silent.

Geez I'm outa the loop for a week and you guys go bonzo!!!

Hottshot wrote:Geez I'm outa the loop for a week and you guys go bonzo!!!

That's what you get for neglecting your BCP buds. Better not let that go on too long or we won't know who u are at the fly in.