Yes, but being in administration doesn’t mean it’s shut down. Means that it continues to operate under a lawyers supervision and that it might have fewer employees.
The P180 sounds annoying, but it is not louder. This has been proven. It’s slightly less noisy than a B200. It’s purely outlawed on some airfields because it sounds like a “rusty tablesaw”, as someone once said. Not because it triggers dB limits. It is susceptible to noise-racism. 
I spent too much energy to bring the aztec to its current condition to not fly it to TBO and beyond but I’d love to split my aviation needs in two, a single seater ultralight to feel like a bird (actually I just started to assemble a kit) and a dry lease on a 6 seater turboprop (jetprop, meridian, tbm..) for family trips.
Aviation is a very unique activity in that we constantly need to actively steer clear of frustration and to remind ourselves that we are lucky to be in the air, whatever aircraft we’re in :-)
wleferrand wrote:
and a dry lease on a 6 seater turboprop (jetprop, meridian, tbm..) for family trips.
Sounds like a good plan. Just be aware that leasing can sometimes not make much sense at all. I actually checked on a 2005 P180 Avanti II and they wanted:
$30000/month
$420/hr engine reserves
$280/hr maintenance reserve
$3000/month L/G reserve
$2500/month interior refurbishment reserve
You could finance this airplane at a high 6% and pay less than half each month, so do your due diligence with leasing when that times come. More often than not it’s a bad deal. A TBM would cost less to operate, but the capital expenses are higher, so don’t be surprised if they quotes for a lease come in quite unpalatable.
Hey, we’re talking about wet dreams right :-) As a freelance engineer I can’t finance anything and I like the good old aztec anyways!
AdamFrisch wrote:
P180 Avanti is a forever dream. I will have one before I die at some point.
Avanti II porn for @AdamFrisch https://www.lpr.com.pl/wp-content/plugins/download-attachments/includes/download.php?id=316
loco wrote:
https://www.lpr.com.pl/wp-content/plugins/download-attachments/includes/download.php?id=316
Looking at the resolution, Adam can print a high quality poster from this 
I am not sure if we are talking about the next logical affordable upgrade or about everyone’s dream airplane here?
But I have a realistic plan. I fly an Arrow 200 and we are a family of 4 ( 2 small) kids and 2 dogs. For now we fit.
I calculated that once the kids reach about 13-14 year old (in 8-9 years), we’ll have to start trading fuel for useful load.
The only logical upgrade for me from there on is something like PA24 Comanche 250, Bonanza, or Piper Saratoga/Lance or similar.
My heart lies with a PA24 though. I just love these amazing looking classic airplanes.
I really like classics with classic panels with some modern upgrades like at least a proper engine monitor. I believe that flying classic panels keep your flight planning skills more sharp.
we are talking about the next logical affordable upgrade
I think that’s the aim, with emphasis on affordable. A CarbonCub would be a nice upgrade, true STOL and 125 KTAS, but they are pushing $300k.
The straight tail 182 has not raced into early 180 price range (in the last ten years decent examples of a 180A or 180B have gone from $65k to $125k), and while not proper STOL, a straight tail 182 with a C310 nose fork, 6.00 nose wheel and 7.00 main wheels, selkirk utility interior and F Dodge Atlee jump seats it has a decent power to weight ratio, and farm strip capability. Can handle 300-400 metre farm strips and cruise at 135 KTAS. A Maule MX-7 might be better, but a 182A or B may be cheaper with some appreciation value. It can also be converted to a 180.
The hot rod equivalent has Robertson STOL, an IO-550 and an MT propeller. Still some way from a Carbon Cub, but two up, half fuel it is around 7.5 pounds/HP.
By9468840 wrote:
The only logical upgrade for me from there on is something like PA24 Comanche 250,Bonanza, or Piper Saratoga/Lance or similar.
My heart lies with a PA24 though. I just love these amazing looking classic airplanes.
With the focus on a family, I would maybe look at the PA30/39 Twin Commanche for that upgrade. Or, possibly, a Seneca II or higher, which is the two engine variant of the Saratoga. Price wise they are in the same region than their single engine brothers but they do have that 2nd engine in case of cases.
Seneca III gets my vote. I can’t really see my income ever getting the necessary boost to fund one, but my personal risk level for low level IFR conditions and night flight require that second engine.
