david wrote:

I have a chance to buy a 63 aztec in rough condition. It would be my
first plane. Engines have 1200 smoh but one has a cracked cylinder.
(estimated repair, $5000?)

$15K times two, as surely the other one is worthless.


Paint is poor. ($5000 estimate?)

About $10K to paint an Aztec, although this could wait.


Interior is
poor ($5000 estimate?).

That's about right and will get you leather and all new plastic, carpet,
headliner, etc.


Brand new props. Only 1 nav/com. older avionics.
$5K-50K here, depending on what you want to do.


Auto pilot broken.

An STEC two axis AP is about $11K installed.


It was used as a survey aircraft and has a certified
hole cut. I could potentially use it for aerial work as my company subs
about $50,000 in photography per year (5 jobs). I have a good pilot to
split costs with. He has the commercial rating and would fly while
working. Insurance would be $10,000 for the commercial type. I am a bit
concerned about the
$80/ hour fuel burn and the potential for gremlins on an older not so
well maintained airplane. The price seems very reasonable which is the
main motivation for buying. 25,000+5000+5000+5000= $40,000 for a aztec
with new props, survey hole, new paint and interior. Am I missing
something? Is this a good deal?

An old neglected twin is never a good deal.