Moving Up the Ownership Ladder

After earning his private in 2019, Brad’s next step was to become an owner. “My first airplane was a partnership in a Cessna 150 that I formed with four other pilots. The plane was fun to fly and economical, but I wanted something big­ger to take my wife and dog along. So, I sold my share of the 150 and bought a one-fifth share of a 1975 172M model, which was featured in Cessna Owner magazine in July 2021. This partnership was great, since it was already established and had a great group of owner/pilots. The plane is based in my hometown of Taylor and stored in a hangar, which keeps it out of the harsh Texas weather.”

Following a typical progression that comes with accumu­lating flight hours and experience, Brad eventually learned what would best meet his needs for the long-term. “Even though I loved the 172, my mission changed. I have family who live near a short grass strip in Granite Shoals, Texas, and I wanted more power to get out of there on a hot day.”

Brad began looking for a plane that would be better suited for his new favorite destination. “I found this 182 nearby in Pearland, Texas, and when I went to look at it, I had to have it. I loved its rugged look and loved it even more when I heard the beautiful loping sound of the O-470.”

The purchase transaction went smoothly with no major in­spection issues to snarl the sale. “The early 182s, from 1956 to 1959, were built tough,” Brad said. But time does take a toll and sometimes ADs are released to deal with issues that crop up after decades of wear and tear. One of them impacted his plane. “The recent AD on the tail requires removal of tail for inspection. This takes some time and the right mechanic, so I was happy to hear this had already been completed before I bought it.” Given Brad’s plan to make the grass strip a primary des­tination, he wasn’t as concerned with the plane’s aesthetics as he was with its performance and its ability to endure an unpaved runway. “The paint is a little rough, but that’s per­fect for flying into rugged fields. Eventually, I plan to have it painted with a period-correct scheme, but for now I just enjoy flying it.”

Equipped for Adventure

N6337B came well-suited for Brad’s growing family. “The plane already had jump seats in the rear, which is perfect for taking my dog, Shiner, with us. I fold up the seats and he has his own area to himself … well, at least he did. My wife Mea­gan and I recently had a baby girl, Blake, so one of the seats will soon be occupied.”

The fact that the plane is easy to handle in a backcoun­try environment and can carry whatever the family needs for their trips just added to its charm, Brad explained. “The straight-tail 182s are some of the easiest planes to fly. You can get in and out of a tight strip, go fairly fast at cruise, and carry just about anything that will fit. Other than constant-speed propeller and 230 hp, it’s as simple as flying a 172. It’s very stable and the large rudder makes crosswinds a nonevent.”

The McKees use their plane in a number of ways besides backcountry trips. “I use this plane to go for $100 hamburg­ers, to go to fly-ins, and Meagan and I went to Oshkosh for the first time in it last year. In Texas, we have a few fly-ins where you can camp under your wing, and I can’t wait to take the whole family on these adventures.”

Future Panel Plans

Brad is content with the plane pretty much as is, as it meets his current needs. He has thought a little about possible fu­ture improvements, but they’re fairly limited and a ways off. “I haven’t changed anything since I bought the plane. I plan to upgrade the panel to make it more functional, but I want to keep the original ’50s style.”