Airplane of the Month • September  2003

N10106 used to be the rental/trainer at Van Wert OH which is also where I learned to fly. I did all my training in it, first lesson to check ride. I purchased 10106 last December when the airport manager (also the previous owner) told me a price I couldn't refuse. At the time of purchase it had 5,500 hrs on the airframe and a little over 500 hrs SMOH on the engine. 10106 is equipped with a King KX 155 NavCom, King KT76A transponder, and a Cessna 300 navcom. Strobes on the wingtips and vertical stabilizer, an F & M oil filter kit, and an auto gas STC.

Since purchase I have put a lot of elbow grease into the interior, I removed all of the panels and repainted them light grey and cleaned everything else. Future upgrades will be a KX 170B with a glide slope (so I can get that IFR rating), King audio panel, and a carpet kit. 10106 has been a super reliable first plane, I have flown it almost 160 hrs since the first of the year and about 225 hrs total with no problems. Annual was just completed before I left for Clinton 2003, and the only thing that needed attention was a new brake pad.

[Posted September 9, 2003]