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Thinking about buying a 114/114B

F

farawayundershirt

New member
Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and am wondering if members here would be willing to share some experience in owning a 114 (I am looking at a 114B). I am comparing it to a an older 182. Bizarrely it seems that a 114B, a much newer aircraft with nicer avionics and a IO-540 goes for about the same amount of money as an older C182 with O-470 engine. I am new to airplane ownership and a little worried that it may be too good to be true. What kind of issues have you guys encountered? I am particularly thinking whether it'd be hard to find a good shop to maintain the aircraft (I am in the UK...) and whether the parts are hard to come by now that nobody is producing them.
 
Talk to Judi Anderson (suncoast aviation) about. 1) Fair market pricing / equipment condition etc. 2) The history of any commander out there. She maintains a roster on most of them. Buying one without and relying on a pre-buy to find all the issues may work out but wont tell u if the the aircraft had a fender bender. The FAA incidents and accidents database is hard to navigate because the Commanders show up under multiple names - Rockwell, Commander, Gulfstream etc etc and even then the incident may not be recorded in there.

You can get lucky. You should do homework instead.

Go fly around in one - Post your location to find a member close by. Then go back and get into a C182 to see if you still want one.


http://www.suncoastaviation.com/
 
I would take a 114 over a 182 any day!!! but it goes without saying, if it's too good to be true, then there is probably a reason for it.
 
Welcome aboard!
Reach out to Judi on the site here with the location of the ship & the tail / serial number..odds are she "knows" the ship and get you started off on the right foot.
PS: Once you fly a Commander you'll never get back in that 182 ;)
 
There are some great-looking 114s in the UK. My experience here in the U.S. mimics yours on pricing. I found that my 1979 114A with a new prop, fresh engine overhaul, and all glass panel with some damage hx. was about 100K less than the equivalent 182RG. I really like the way 182s fly, but I love the room and comfort in my 114 more.

Chris
 
Most people don’t know what a Commander is let alone thinking of doing a buy search for one. I get more comments from people at fields I fly into that want to know what kind of plane that is…they say they have never seen one before. Best kept secret.
 
If your mission is focused on load carrying capacity, the 182 may carry the day. If comfort, ride, build quality, and style are attractive, the Commander will be an easy decision.
 
I am also in the UK and looking to buy a Commander. Currently looking at a 112TC (for rather less money than the 114, obviously). Also new to aircraft ownership so have many of the same questions, particularly around finding a good UK maintainer (in the South somewhere) and who could ideally do a pre-purchase inspection for me.
 
Steve Upton said:
I am also in the UK and looking to buy a Commander. Currently looking at a 112TC (for rather less money than the 114, obviously). Also new to aircraft ownership so have many of the same questions, particularly around finding a good UK maintainer (in the South somewhere) and who could ideally do a pre-purchase inspection for me.
Click to expand...

That's great Steve, let me know if you manage to find somebody.
 
just heard fm Steven in the UK, ASG changed hands 3-4 yrs ago and many of the Commander owners who used them hv moved.

Judi
 
Hi,

I own a 1992 114B since september last year. Brought it over from europe and transferred to G-reg now.

I have not flown C182 before so cant compare flying characteristics, but did research them before buying the 114B. Most Cessnas were "aged out" for a lot more asking price, and there was no way I was flying a carbureted engine ! I believe some C182 have corrosion and spar problems too - you need to research and check ADs. My personal experience is that Cessna used market demands a premium as more people are familiar with them.

The fear of owning a Commander because of parts availability has an element of irrational fear to it. Many of the parts are not commander specific. In my experience, you need to work with a knowlegeable mechanic, and as owner be 100% clued in about the aircraft. This forum has certainly helped me during my short ownership period.

Having said that, you will have to research and pre-buy inspect the aircraft, and go for the one your heart desires. Mine desired the Commander ! Once you fly one, there is no going back :).

I am based in Southeast UK, and use Aero Anglia. They have maintained Commanders before mine. I am also aware of 2 shops at Biggin Hill with previous commander maintenance experience - google and thou shall find !

Any questions, send me PM.
 
Yes thats the shop - I only went with my engineer to check out a 114B for sale that was hangered and maintained by them.
And by coincidence that same aircraft is on sale again on Planecheck !
 
Hello farawayundershirt, I purchased a 1994, AC11, 114B model in September of 2021. I have not regrated my purchase. Prior to refurbishment, on the ramps other pilots were curious and taken with my bird, even a cirrus pilot. I concur with the majority of opinions here, a better bird for the money you will not find.
 
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