Jody-your posts are great! Couple of comments. They are great 2 person airplanes and 3 if all are not too big. The 3K# gross weight is definitely a factor, especially if you are full fuel on 80 gallons. I have less concerns about CG (Maybe I should?) but in fact have a 50# bag of sand on the back since 90% plus of my flying is just me.
I have a legacy Century III and in fact it is on the fritz and I am getting it looked at in 2 weeks. My A/P is old school and loves the C III’s but he fully acknowledges their are better options. The biggest thing for the 200 fleet are enough folks putting up the $$ to get and STC approved. FWIW, my guy says Tru Track are not quality products and we as a fleet would not be happy. His opinion of course but he has been an A/P guy exclusively for 40+ years.
These are cool old birds that have their eccentricities but are fun to fly and are always a ramp conversation. High sink rate at lower airspeed on final and you have to keep some power into the flare. Low flap speed so gear first and then approach flaps. I have had some fun lately by dropping gear on DW, getting to FE speed, dumping in full flaps and 15-16″ of MP and doing the base to final. She will stop pretty quickly!
I hear you on airframe parts. Not sure what is out there in the salvage yards, but guessing not much since fleet is so small. Everything else is very findable or on the shelf somewhere. My A&P/IA is a young guy but very good with metal and he has done some good fabricating to add bushings, etc. where needed.
The seats are awful and several of the guys have done a 337 to add a mounting plate on the main spar and substitute Bo seats. Much better solution and one I want to do. I just need to find the seats and get TC Cromer to do his magic.
Good luck on the buy and keep us in the loop!
Best-
Ed Pulliam
196M
#285