Gump's former 207 N7384U had 34,706 hours as of 6/12/14. That's four years in the air!

One of the nicest flying Sleds I ever flew. A couple-three thousand of those hours on her are mine.

Gump

Nothin short of amazing. I wonder how many engines in the logs? I know when we were considering putting a 206 on leaseback at Larry's we were told that the $35K or so to re-power was considered a consumable like gas and oil and would likely be something we'd be doing almost every year. I guess you need to wring 30,000 hours out of them to make it pay. I was just trying to figure out how to get a free airplane. That's not the way to do it apparently.

I guess Jorgy had a 421 (?) on lease back for a bunch of years and when the final set of engines and props wore out, he gave it to the leaseholder and walked away. I imagine that 207 has made some money. Navajos and King Airs make money. Not many others though unless the use encompasses something else like a guide service, fish spotting, or resort use.

Folks "remanufacture" Beavers. I wonder when they'll start doing that with 207s? Can't be many left.

With Sleds, I always figured an engine a year. I still don't think there has ever been a better money maker for that kind of flying, than the lowly C207. Things are changing, for the better, with fancy new runways, kerosene burners and IFR routes and approaches, but nothing comes close to the cost efficiency and profit per pound hauled than that airplane.

They get rebuilt over and over, but parts are getting real scarce and expensive. A little part of me cries every time I hear of one getting wrecked. I spent a lot of wonderful time flogging around in Mr Cessna's airplane.

Gump

Wasn't the entire reason for the existence of the Caravan because of the 207's basic goodness, and they started out with the idea of a turbine 207??

Someone should estimate how much fuel has flown through those pipes.

If you really want to be shocked, then multiply that number by today's fuel price.

Over 600,000 gallons at say $6.00 a gallon. Almost four million bucks worth of gas.

Gump

GumpAir wrote:Over 600,000 gallons at say $6.00 a gallon. Almost four million bucks worth of gas.

Gump

"The only way to make a small fortune with aviation, is to start with a large fortune." - Unknown

Believe me. That airplane didn't move much unless it was making money. Those airplanes up in the far north earn their keep.

Gump