My airplane is a 63, built in October 62, with less than 3000 hours on the airframe. The paint is good, the glass is good, the upholstery is good. The engine has less than 400 hours on it, all of which I've put on it. Most non-aviation people are shocked when they find out that it's 49 years old. She's not show-room fresh, but she looks good, runs great, and I'd trust her with my life. Wait! I already do that!

Cary

I guess old is relative, the highest time airplane on earth flew its' final flight in September. It is in the boneyard in Mojave now with over 140,000 hours on it. It is a B-747-200EUD built in the late 70s for KLM.

My 1955 C-180 has all of 2800 hours on it.

As far as old aircraft go, Its comforting for me to know that there are many of my type and model with far more hours and rougher treatment than mine has had, any week points have already been discovered and Ads have been issued and inspections have been done. Now as for a new airplane, there are things still to discover.