Message From the Owner

We purchased our Dakota Dec 2003 in the Denver area (Jeffco). At the time of purchase it had approx 1700 hours total and have some dings and a tired engine. We flew it around the Western US (Based at WHP and SZP) until 2015 at which time I decided the Engine needed to be Overhauled. I then removed and overhauled the Engine, Propeller, and Accessories in 2015 and re-installed all in early 2016. the overhaul process included numerous upgrades I will list as follows. E.C.I. did all inspection/ machine work on Cases, Crankshaft, Rods, Gears, Rockers, Cylinders (Cerminil). I chose to have original parts returned, not swapped as they were serialized sequentially by Lycoming. Crankshaft bushings replaced and weights dynamically balanced. I installed New bearings, New Camshaft, Tappets, Pushrods, Hardware and Through Bolts/Studs. I sent Carb, Magneto, Fuel Pump out for Overhaul. I complied with numerous Service Bulletins, Letters, completing required and non-required bulletins and letters to bring engine up to date. I assembled the Engine utilizing the latest revision of the Maintenance Manual and verified all clearances per manual during assembly. My dad (Retired Pan Am Captain) and I installed the Engine utilizing New Shock Mounts and installed an analyzer. We enjoyed this overhaul together. I test flew 2195M and cut Oil filter numerous times to inspect media for excessive metal and found each successive inspection of oil filter to be uneventful. My personal history is as follows. My Career path included USAF jet engine mechanic, then Flying Tiger Line Aircraft Mechanic and Inspector. FTL became FedEx and my remaining career was at FedEx LAX inspection. I became an IA in 1996 and performed most of our own maintenance. I retired and moved to Nevada in 2018, moving 2195M from our WHP hangar in late 2018 as well. As I aged I needed numerous orthopedic surgeries that slowed me down considerably. If I was better able to physically support continued normal maintenance on 2195M we would keep it and finish the mission of Paint, interior and continue flying it well into retirement. My original choice was to continue with replacing all fairings to ready it for much needed painting. We chose not to strip and paint it because it would bring an additional element into the sale. If I were a buyer I would want to paint to my own design. I am reluctantly selling it but know it is the right thing to do.