The last time someone had their fingers in our cranks!

Kim (the aircraft and powerplant mechanic) called and said that he had to break a few bolts, tig weld some threads onto the cylinders, pulled one of the cylinders to drill out the threads, and scoped the crankshaft with a borescope.. Apparently Embry Riddle (having overhauled the engine in 1967) did such a good job, that the crankshaft doesn't have a spot of rust. Almost 40 years later and 1000 hours past the recommended rebuild, and the thing is still high compressions (that would be good for those like myself not technically cylinder savvy). I don't know which student did it, but I'd like to think they are out there now 40 years later still doing an awesome job!

For the record, our bird started life in 1965. (Sarasota Florida to be precise) where all good pipers started. for the first 1000 hours she was at the university, whereit most likely spent its youth training students to fly and mechanics to maintain. At $9,624.80 (almost $60k in 2006 dollars) the university paid Avemco $267.35 a month! to keep the bird from the bank (thats alot of cash to be forkin out for her, and 30 of its closest siblings..)

It was sold to "Pandora Aviation" (Rockledge Florida) in 1968
and then again to a private owner in Largo Florida that same Year for $5,736.00
(Avemco enjoyed the fruits of its interest labors - yet again)

for a mere $120 a month, Herman flew it until he sold it to Arthur over in ClearWater Florida (for a mere $4,660.32) in 1969

Arthur paid up a meager $194.18 a month until he sold it that same year to Robert over in east Canton, Ohio (For $4,448.16)

Robert Paid $92.67 a month (on the 4 year plan) and flew our beauty around the flatlands of OHIO until he owned it outright, free and clear of Avemco. You can tell Robert loved this plane, because he proceeded to fly / maintain / park the plane (the logs show more parking than flying) until 1991. He did rack up some time on the airframe but not alot for a 22 year span... Given the same amount of time, I'd have flown her to the moon and back! ;)

in 1991, he passed it along to Ronald in St. Clair Michigan, Who sold it in 1994 to Randall over in Hinkley Illinois for over $11k dollars.(lots of R Owners to this point.)

Breaking the R chain, Randy sold it to a co-ownership of Bradly (Toledo, Ohio) and Thomas (Perrysburg Ohio). in 1995 Bradly got tired of the long distance relationship, and opted out in 1995 (giving Thom full ownership.) I suspect he was doing Thom a favor to avoid giving Avemco any revenue ;)..

Now from 1995 til 2006 Thom (being an A&P) put his weekends, heart, soul and every spare check into restoration. (I know he loved that plane) cause he kinda looked real sad as I flew it off its home field in Bowling Green Ohio. His Wife on the other hand looked a bit like the jealous girlfriend ready to let the other girl go... (jk) He still "had" a premo 172 on the field.. beautiful bird.

I say "had a 172" as with our rescue (purchase -- read on) of the aircraft, it narrowly averted disaster (As the hangar and field where it was parked in Ohio, was torn up by a twister within a few weeks of it arrival in Salt Lake City Utah.) It's remaining 172 hangarmate, wasn't as lucky. apparently insurance returned it to diet coke can recycling program after a 4x4 from the hangar framing harpooned itself through the engine compartment.

Since then, (and its flight from ohio) its flown to Wyoming, Las Vegas, Colorado, and California. The Kids have flown in it several times, and think its the low wing "ride" of the century...

Now why.. would I put all this in here. Well, the airplane is now my morning commute, taking us wherever the business takes us and I thought just to put our adventures in perspective, that it would be fun, to know just a little bit, of the life and times that our ride has already seen since 1965.
And ultimately why, Kim the Mechanic was letting me know that the engine was good to go, for a little.. while.. longer.. (well, at least until the next 100 hours.) Thanks Piper, and Embry Riddle, for the fine start, and all the other care-takers (especially Thom) who took such good care of our newest family member! We'll carry on with Thom's parting advice and continue to "put the tired old wheels down softly."