Trade 260SE for 177RG ?

[N113BC]

I need counseling!!! I may need to sell my 260se to cut costs...what be wrong with selling my 260se and buying a 177rg? I like the cardinals looks, wide doors, low floor, no wing strut, and ability to see around the wing in a turn. I flew one yesterday and really liked the in- flight characteristics. I did not like the longer takeoff and landing roll after 3 years in a 260se. I would gain lower purchase price, less fuel burn, less engine maintenance (4cyl. instead of 6cyl.) I would lose short field performance, climb rate and a little useful load, cruise speed about the same, but would have retract maintenance and insurance costs. HELP!!!:confused:

[kwmoore]

Fuel burn difference is likely only 2-3 gph. Plus, you'll spend more time in climb to cruise altitude in the 177RG, burning more fuel: thus block-to-block fuel consumption difference may be slightly less than the above.

You'll give up a lot in density altitude performance. The 260se is a MUCH safer airplane, although each pilot must quantify the value of this for him/herself.

Insurance will definitely be higher for a retract.

Maintenance? Not sure, but it likely depends on whether the particular 177RG you buy turns out to be a maintenace hog or a dependable steed. The engine is smaller, but on the other hand the gear is a maintenance item whereas the 260se's fixed gear isn't.

Give your proposed purchase a good shower with a hose and check for leaks around the doors: a notorious 177/177RG problem. The large doors and their hinges sooner or later get caught and warped by a wind gust when open, and don't fit too well after that.

My own personal gripe with the 177RG: the maingear well generates an ungainly hump in the baggage compartment which was annoying and seriously compromised baggage carrying capacity (volume if not weight) for a family on a trip. The 172RG does not have this problem, and IMHO it's another one of many "what WERE they thinking?" items from Cessna.

The flying club I was in had both a 177RG and 182 on its rental line. The rental costs (wet) were not much different: 10% or less. I suggest you call some flying clubs/FBOs that have experience with both and ask them which is more expensive to operate.

[bparkman]

I would definitely go to Cardinal Flyers website if I were thinking of buying one. the site is http://www.cardinalflyers.com/

About halfway down the main page you will find 3 articles about "gotchas" concerning the 177RG and a ton of other info on the site.

Spar inspection you should do
The most common Alternator problem
The 'Missing Gasket' that has brought down Cardinals.

The owner of the site (Keith Peterson) even encourages you to call or email if you are thinking about purchasing. He is an experienced Cardinal owner.

[Squeege]

Well, Kevin pretty much covers the potential "cons" of the 177RG, and as bparkman notes you should surf the CFO website. This is a must. Each of the maintenance cons of the 177 have been worked out [gear problems, door handles, saggy door hinges, etc.] with explanations found in a search of the digests. Any new queries can be posted to the group and answers are usually given within days.
This is a VERY active group; I have asked Keith to try out the 172/182 group that he also distributes, and the volume just is not there. The benefits & knowledge of the CFO are well worth the annual $34 cost, and I definitely will continue my membership with them, as some issues cross to all Cessnas.
You'll have to weigh the pros & cons of the decreased payload. The Cardinal FG is a full fuel, three person, no baggage plane. I do not know what the average useful load of an RG model is. There are a few turbo-normalized RGs out there, send an email to Paul Millner paul@cardinalflyers.com [the other administrator/moderator] for further details, as his is.
The CFO can also help you in finding a Cardinal savvy mechanic in your area.
Good luck in your decision making,
Louise