Buying a Navion

[Mycontrols]

Hi everyone, after years of admiring these airplanes I’m finally in the market to buy one. Please PM me if you have any leads on a good one for sale. I’m located near DC but will travel for the right one. Looking for a well maintained, loved example. Thank you!

[ErichR]

There is such a wide range of Navions out there, to make a decent suggestion we need to know what you're looking for in a Navion, Engine, Fuel Capacity, Equipment, mods, paint/Interior etc...

What is your intended mission for the airplane? Local VFR to pancake breakfasts and static display at fly ins, or frequent IFR cross country for business?

And frankly, price range... Are you ok with something that needs some work, or do you only want turn key?

There a bunch out there, in fact, a perfect airplane for any buyer was just on the market and it went immediately, so fast it was never on TAP, Barnstormers, or Controller... If I was even casually in the market I would have bought it myself!

~Erich

[Mycontrols]

I agree Erich, Most good ones sell before they ever make it to barnstormers or trade a plane. That’s what led me to post here. Looking to do IFR cross Countries, and teach my kids to fly. Engine, at least an E-225, mid to low time. Turn Key, with the occasional hydraulic leak. Maintenance upkeep is far more important to us than aesthetics. Price range...75k or less.

[navioninfo]

@llangston1 sent in the following:

I would check out Culpeper, Va Airport. Lot’s of Navions based there. Kevin Woodside of Whitehawk Aviation might have some leads. I got mine from there last year.

[JamCoats]

Hello @Mycontrols , thanks for joining us, and good luck on your search! Reach out to Shane Rogers - you can find him on Facebook - also @Nolimits on here - he always has a good pulse on the market. I know Lee Rice's Navion is for sale which I believe is a 520 - and I've heard good things about it.

I bought mine back in July with Shane's help - it was actually in Trade-A-Plane, but I agree with you that a lot of the good ones change hands without being advertised. Case in point was the McSpadden's airplane very recently.

Keep us posted on your search!

[billla]

I'd also suggest joining the ANS right out of the gate. They have classifieds on their site, along with local contacts that can help you evaluate your choices.

Probably been said but you must - must - have a pre-buy completed by a very experienced Navion A&P. There are unique aspects, more than most types, that are critical to be reviewed by someone that knows what they're doing.

[Mycontrols]

All great information. Thanks for the leads and valuable advice gents. I’ll keep the updates coming. It’s so nice to have friendly helpful folks in the community like you guys. That’s one of the major things that attracted me to the Navion. Every owner I’ve met has been the same.

[nddons]

My experience in search of a Navion has been the same. Apparently being a gentleman is a prerequisite for this group.

[N8969H]

Some of the prerequisites for the Navion for me to buy were;

Tip tanks because I wanted more range without have to descend from cruising altitudes for fuel. I preferred the tip tanks over the optional fuel tank behind the seat, as it removed the extra fuel from inside where pilot and passengers are seated.

I wanted the baggage door so I could access cargo without having to climb up on the wing, open the canopy, and reach behind the seat.

I wanted at least 225 hp O-470 engine, considered a 260hp aircraft but it did not have the tip tanks or baggage door. Would love to have more power, but could not really find an aircraft with the tanks and door I could afford.

Wanted civilian style paint instead of military, even though I am retired Army, I wanted it to look like a GA aircraft!

Anything extra for me was just icing on the cake, but my aircraft did also come to me with;

Flap gap seals
Tail mod
Whelen strobes
Gear doors
Intercom-four place

Have since added Garmin 796 and Garmin ADSB 335 GTX XPNDR

Hope this helps!

[Mycontrols]

All great information. I’m planning on doing an oil analysis as part of the pre buy on the Navion I find. Someone told me that doing an oil analysis on a E-225 is almost pointless because of the amount of metal that engine makes. I find that hard to believe. Any thoughts on that? The search continues. Thank you