Aviation is a small world, and social media platforms make it even smaller. Those who choose to utilize social media to promote themselves or their business do so at their own risk. Kyle Fosso is going to have to answer for his bravado, half truths, and dishonesty.

Maybe it’s a generational thing but I suspect there’s a whole lot of people who frequent this site who have worked hard for their success and find it a little distasteful when young people solicit for handouts in the form of time, money, and mentoring and repay those kindnesses with selfishness. Something tells me that the story of an enthusiastic 16 year old buying and reskinning a 170B thus creating a restored beauty, was made possible by a lot of other people’s money, mechanical expertise, tools, hanger space, etc. There’s nothing wrong with seizing a great opportunity but quickly following that with another request for other people’s money in the form of a patreon account to finance his cross country aviation adventures and then not delivering on what he promised in return is poor form.

I’ve never bought any unserviceable parts from Kyle but I do have first hand knowledge of a case where he agreed to work on someone’s aircraft and proceeded to bill triple the amount of time that he actually worked on it. Now Mr. Fosso is asking for deposits for “new” “certified” 170Bs with wet wing tanks, turbo chargers, and increased gross weight?

At some point when we cease to be children and become adults, youthful over ambition is no longer interpreted as miscalculation it’s called deception or stupidity.

Aviation is a small world and shady behavior should be called out. Hopefully this young man grows up fast and cleans up his act.

WA_L16 wrote:Aviation is a small world, and social media platforms make it even smaller. Those who choose to utilize social media to promote themselves or their business do so at their own risk. Kyle Fosso is going to have to answer for his bravado, half truths, and dishonesty.

Maybe it’s a generational thing but I suspect there’s a whole lot of people who frequent this site who have worked hard for their success and find it a little distasteful when young people solicit for handouts in the form of time, money, and mentoring and repay those kindnesses with selfishness. Something tells me that the story of an enthusiastic 16 year old buying and reskinning a 170B thus creating a restored beauty, was made possible by a lot of other people’s money, mechanical expertise, tools, hanger space, etc. There’s nothing wrong with seizing a great opportunity but quickly following that with another request for other people’s money in the form of a patreon account to finance his cross country aviation adventures and then not delivering on what he promised in return is poor form.

I’ve never bought any unserviceable parts from Kyle but I do have first hand knowledge of a case where he agreed to work on someone’s aircraft and proceeded to bill triple the amount of time that he actually worked on it. Now Mr. Fosso is asking for deposits for “new” “certified” 170Bs with wet wing tanks, turbo chargers, and increased gross weight?

At some point when we cease to be children and become adults, youthful over ambition is no longer interpreted as miscalculation it’s called deception or stupidity.

Aviation is a small world and shady behavior should be called out. Hopefully this young man grows up fast and cleans up his act.

All good points. Word of dubious character spreads quickly in these circles.

I have met Kyle three or four times and have always admired his enthusiasm. He gave me some DOT flooring for my 170 and absolutely refused to take any $$ for it. He built a really nice 170.

I saw his request for $$ to fly to all 50 states and just laughed. I'd love to do that, but no way am I giving anyone else money to do it. I would never have thought of asking anyone to give me money to fund my ambitions, but I am from a different generation. I think "millennials" find it normal.

The internet is a brutal forum, and I would be more impressed by stories from people who had actually had negative business dealings with him than apocryphal tales. I am not defending him, but find second hand stories a little distasteful. This forum has always avoided too much negativity and it is one of the few I still participate in.

I have no opinion on whether his present scheme is viable, but it seems unlikely from a regulatory POV. As to whether there are customers out there - who would have thought 25 years ago that a $350K cub would ever have a market ?

The popcorn post was my favourite in this thread s far.

daedaluscan wrote:.... I would never have thought of asking anyone to give me money to fund my ambitions, but I am from a different generation. I think "millennials" find it normal......

The concept of working your way up (to a position or to $) seems like it is on its way out.
Instant gratification and entitlement seems to be the new norm.
The "go fund me" website is partially to blame--
not only can you mooch off family & friends, now you can mooch off total strangers.
FWIW remember the Barefoot Bandit" ?
He put up a go-fund-me page to pay for flying lessons (through his ATP!) after he got out of the pokey,
but his parole officer made him take it down.

mtv wrote:

Scolopax wrote:I believe that one could buy a mediocre example of a C185 and perform a ground up airframe restoration with all of the best goodies at a reputable business like Beegles Aircraft Services for less than $350000 including the $120000 aircraft.

Now this guy is offering a modded out Cessna 170, sold "as new" for 350-550k?

Sounds like a pretty smelly deal before even considering the approval details of the mods he promises.

Actually, that 185 thing was done, but it was well north of $350 K if my memory serves.

MTV

I remember that from about ten years ago. The final product was really shiny with lots of bells and whistles.

Chasing perfection with an open checkbook is an approach that few are willing and able to take.

Chasing perfection with an open checkbook is an approach that few are willing and able to take.

Agreed, everything on God’s green earth has a finite time of value. It’s easy to get caught up with nostalgia envolving legacy aircraft, it’s happened to me. It’s a fragile and emotion subject. I would do anything to fly my old Aztec again. But, the reality is a Caravan costs less if operated in a 135 environment. The Cessna Caravans moved in and many Piper Aztecs are being parted out. I don’t need or can afford a Caravan. So my glory days of hauling crap around the Hawaiin Islands is over for me.

Chasing women with an open checkbook didn’t work either for me.

First post and very new to airplanes. I’ve been following the Trent palmers, Quinn, pateys, and Kyle with his girlfriend journeying the 50 states.

I’ve fallen in love with the backcountry and with our growing family, id love to experience it with them.

I’ve been trying to do as much research as possible about bush planes, kitfoxes, cessnas and all the rest.

Kyles videos and his Cessna look great. Actually had me fooled that things are always green.

Happy to find this site and feed me as much information as possible.

As a totally new individual finding passion in aviation, I’d love to get some advise from many experienced pilots and plane owners.

Raffit78 wrote:First post and very new to airplanes.

Welcome! Strap yourself in brother... Be prepared to loose your wallet, but it sure is a fun ride!

Thank you!

I don’t know a single pilot, I’ve never flown in a small plane. I visit our local cable airport frequently and watch the planes take off and land. I’m excited to enter this journey and hope one day to pass it on to my kids.

Lots were there once. I never flew in any plane before, small or large. I went to the airport and took a discovery flight, started my flight training the next day. My mother was not impressed at the time, was hoping I would have scared myself and never talked about it again.

They're baaack...….
an ad on Barnstormers:
https://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail. ... atid=17394

Overhauled Cessna 170-185
OVERHAULED CESSNA 170-185 • $400,000 • ACCEPTING ORDERS • Now accepting positions: Bringing back the Cessna 170B, 180, and 185! The most desirable Cessnas built as if manufactured today! Each aircraft 100% Re-Lifed with all new sheet metal, reconditioned/ PMA replaced structure, new cables, wiring, avionics, and upgrades. Final cost TBD by options. Supply a core or we can source one for you. Aircraft assembled in original certified Cessna factory jigs. Built to YOUR specifications. Stop hunting for the "perfect" 60 year old airplane! Fill out the request form today to get your Cessna started! • Fill out a request form here • Contact Anand Kumar - BUSHLINER BY ARC, Broker - located Granite Falls, WA United States • Telephone: (206) 251-1928 • BUSINESS CARD • Posted July 20, 2019 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Email Advertiser • Save to Watchist • Report This Ad • View Larger Images

and a website:
https://bushliner.com/

Isn’t this what people have been doing with Beavers and twin otters for awhile maybe just marketed differently ? Never dealt with or know anything about the guy advertising this but ,,,,, drop off your beat down 170 , 185 whatever and for around 400$grand you get a pimped out completely redone basically “new” airplane ? If it’s llegit and they provide what’s being advertised and all that, doesn’t really sound too bad . Easy enough to spend 400 grand on something not real new in the airplane world these days .

That being said, if I had 400k to spend on an airplane I’d get a big leaky Beaver . Not a 170

Bagarre wrote:http://bullshitliner.com/

LOL

What a deal.

low rider wrote:That being said, if I had 400k to spend on an airplane I’d get a big leaky Beaver . Not a 170

my thoughts exactly

albravo wrote:

low rider wrote:That being said, if I had 400k to spend on an airplane I’d get a big leaky Beaver . Not a 170

my thoughts exactly

If anyone wants to spend 400k on a 170....have I got a deal for you.

I have a 170, love it, it serves my needs well BUT I'm not sinking $400k into it, I second the DH2 idea. A leaky PW985 and gobs of oil would be money well wasted.

Devils advocate here...

For a lot of people $400k is NOTHING.

You can put way more than $400k into a Carbon Cub and you still just have two seats and basically no cargo room, and they're selling like ice water in hell.

For folks who want a high-performance tail dragger, it's a cromulent option. $400k just isn't much money to some people, and if this scratches an itch slightly better than the next option that's 1/4 the cost, it's a go.

Look at the bills people pay to own a private jet rather than just fly first-class. It's insane, and it makes $400k look like the change you loose in the couch.

As to whether it'll ever get built...that's another thing entirely.