https://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/ ... y-181-9650
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthre ... ewer-(2014)-Wot-plane-Quiz-Thread-Rules-In-Post-1/page13 post #382


This aircraft has been discussed here before but only briefly. Just wondering if anyone has any more info?

I'm considering buying it as it's now at a price that seems to me to be a lot of ac for the money. I had the chance to fly it last week and it is a super performer. Off in 250' and just wants to climb, even at low power settings. 56 degree of flap, stalls at 36mph. Float ready.

I talked with an airframe guy that's been through it and it seems that it's composite panel over aluminum.

Tricky part is it's one of one and there is very little info out there for it. The designer/builder, Bud Morrison has passed. I'm trying to get in contact with his family but haven't been able to yet. He apparently built floats for the bushmasters being built in Vernon, BC and for other aircraft as well. I found reference to an article in AOPA entitled "a 180 you can build in your garage" circa 1993/1994 but haven't found it yet.

If I can get it for mid-30's is it a worthy gamble or not at any price?

I've been happy with my bastard child 181.....guess that's a different story though

1) Inspection
2) Quality of build
3) Engine health/age

Also, resale? If it's sat this long it must be turning people off for some reason?

Zzz wrote:1) Inspection
2) Quality of build
3) Engine health/age

Also, resale? If it's sat this long it must be turning people off for some reason?

1) airframe guy and another experience ame have gone through it a while ago and have given it a clean bill. Has been maintained professionally since current owners bought it.
2) quality concerns me. I don't have a trained eye by any means but it's definitely obvious that it's not factory built
3) engine has 1400 smoh and 80 on all new cylinders, o470r , no prop history

I think the price was just too high previously and most would be wary for the same reasons I am.

Desmo, is that the one for sale in Vanderhoof? I like that it has stick controls instead of yokes.

Terry wrote:I've been happy with my bastard child 181.....guess that's a different story though

Do tell...

C182 converted to a 180 = bastard child 181?
Didn't mean to interrupt your thread.

A1Skinner wrote:Desmo, is that the one for sale in Vanderhoof? I like that it has stick controls instead of yokes.

Yep, that's the one. Talked with the builder's son today. Their family owned 180's and 185's for years and ran an air service in the northwest. He said his dad was an experienced draftsman and boat builder and thought he'd try his hand at producing a composite kit plane. His dad had 15000+hrs of 180/185 time and wanted to incorporate his favourite aspects of the Cessna into his aircraft. He got sick after making just that one.

desmo wrote:.... I found reference to an article in AOPA entitled "a 180 you can build in your garage" circa 1993/1994 but haven't found it yet.
If I can get it for mid-30's is it a worthy gamble or not at any price?

I believe that article was in the Oct 1994 issue of AOP Pilot. You can get ahold of AOPA and ask them to send you a copy of it. Of course, it helps if you're a member. Some time back, they sent me a copy of an article "Jack of All Trades" (about a C180) that was in the same issue.
That airplane sounds like quite a performer. Consider what other 4-seat taildragger are in that mid-30's price range: a Pacer, 170, or Stinson. All good airplanes and relatively good performers, but not in the Skywagon class. I'd say if you like this 181 and it's airworthy and without any serious squawks, go for it.

Well, I decided against this one. Too many unknowns. Really had me for a bit but I struck a good deal on an o470 super stinson and so that's what I've ended up with. Really looking forward to spending some time getting to know this bird and I feel very comfortable knowing I'm flying a known machine.