New In The BAS Disassembly Hangar October 15th, 2025

The Cessna 177 Cardinal was introduced in 1968 as Cessna’s bold step forward from the immensely popular 172 Skyhawk. Designed during the mid-1960s as a “futuristic 1970s successor,” the Cardinal showcased a number of innovative features, including a sleek, strutless cantilever wing and a wide, raked windshield that dramatically improved pilot visibility. Its engineers aimed to create a more aerodynamic and elegant airplane while improving flight handling and cabin comfort. Over the decade of its production, the Cardinal family evolved through several variants, each refining performance and control, ultimately solidifying its reputation as a graceful and distinctive light aircraft beloved by private pilots and flight schools alike.

In 1970, Cessna unveiled the 177RG “Cardinal RG,” the final and most advanced version of the line. The “RG” stood for Retractable Gear, which - combined with a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360 engine - brought a significant leap in both performance and speed. With a cruise capability around 148 knots, the Cardinal RG offered the efficiency and clean aerodynamics that pilots had been asking for. Its retractable gear and refined design made it an ideal aircraft for pilots seeking a bridge between the approachable simplicity of the 172 and the higher performance of the 182. Only about 1,500 of these elegant retractable models were built, making each surviving aircraft a unique piece of Cessna history.

The Cessna 177RG Cardinal arriving at BAS Part Sales tells a different story - one of resilience and renewal. After an encounter with a deer on landing, this aircraft’s flying days came to an end, but its legacy will continue. Our team will carefully disassemble the Cardinal, preserving its valuable components so that they can support and sustain other aircraft still flying in the skies. From its Lycoming engine to its retractable gear assemblies and avionics, each part will find a new purpose, helping other Cardinals remain airworthy for years to come. While this particular aircraft’s story concludes on the ground, its parts will continue the mission Cessna began over fifty years ago - keeping aviation accessible, elegant, and enduring.

Here's what this bird has to offer:

The Piper PA-32 series has long been a cornerstone of general aviation, known for its strength, spaciousness, and capability. Originally derived from the dependable Cherokee Six, Piper’s engineers sought to evolve the design into something faster, sleeker, and more refined. The result was the PA-32R family - aircraft featuring retractable landing gear and higher-performance engines, first appearing in the mid-1970s under the name Piper Lance. These models quickly gained favor among pilots who wanted the roominess of a family hauler with the performance of a true cross-country traveler. Over time, refinements such as improved avionics, interior comfort, and aerodynamics led to the popular Saratoga line, which remained in production until 2009 and became a symbol of Piper’s blend of reliability and refinement.

Among the variants, the PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II stands out as one of the most distinctive. Introduced in 1978, this model featured a turbocharged Lycoming engine capable of producing 300 horsepower, giving it a service ceiling of 20,000 feet and a true airspeed of up to 175 knots. Its signature “T-tail” design, placing the stabilator high atop the vertical fin, was an experimental move that set it apart visually and aerodynamically from its predecessors. Combined with its large, oval air intake below the propeller and generous fuel capacity, the Turbo Lance II was a capable long-range aircraft that could handle high altitudes and long legs with ease. Though the T-tail design drew mixed reviews from pilots for its handling quirks at low speeds, the Turbo Lance II remains a striking and powerful chapter in Piper’s engineering evolution.

The Piper Turbo Lance II now in our BAS Part Sales hangar has earned its retirement after decades of faithful service. While its flying days have ended, this aircraft will continue to make an impact through careful disassembly by our experienced team. Each component - from the turbocharged engine and retractable gear to its avionics and control surfaces - will be inspected, preserved, and made available to support other Lances and Saratogas still flying around the world. In this way, the legacy of this aircraft endures - not in flight, but in the continued reliability and performance it helps provide to others. At BAS, we see every teardown as a renewal, ensuring that even in retirement, great airplanes like the Turbo Lance II keep the skies full of life.

Here's what we expect to recover from this aircraft...

Few helicopters have left as enduring a mark on aviation as the Bell 206 family. Originally conceived in the 1960s as the YOH-4 for the U.S. Army’s Light Observation Helicopter competition, the design was initially rejected - but Bell saw potential beyond the military. The company reimagined the aircraft with a sleeker fuselage, better cabin space, and modernized engineering, introducing it to the civilian market as the Bell 206A JetRanger. The design proved revolutionary: reliable, efficient, and easy to maintain, it became one of the most successful helicopters in history. Over its long production run, the JetRanger evolved into the 206B and later LongRanger models, serving everywhere from news stations and police departments to offshore oil rigs and remote rescue operations.

The Bell 206B JetRanger is a five-seat, single-engine turbine helicopter that perfectly balances performance and simplicity. Powered by an Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine, it offered a combination of speed, maneuverability, and fuel efficiency that made it a favorite among private operators and commercial fleets alike. Its lightweight, stable flight characteristics, and rugged reliability earned it a place in countless missions across the globe - from traffic reporting and aerial photography to law enforcement and powerline inspection. The 206B’s clean design and smooth handling also made it a go-to choice for pilot training and executive transport, where its dependability became legendary. Even decades after its introduction, the 206B remains a benchmark for small turbine helicopters.

The Bell 206B now in our BAS Part Sales hangar arrived after an unfortunate in-flight distraction led to a wire-strike incident, grounding this trusted aircraft permanently. Though its flying days have ended, its story doesn’t stop here. Our team will respectfully disassemble the JetRanger, preserving its turbine engine, transmission, rotor systems, and avionics so they can continue to support other Bell 206 operators around the world. Every salvaged component will help keep the global fleet of JetRangers safely in the air - a fitting tribute to a design that has carried people and missions for over half a century. Through our careful teardown process, this helicopter’s parts will live on, keeping the legacy of the JetRanger strong for years to come.

Here's the short list of the (many) components we'll recover...

The Robinson R44 has become one of the most recognizable and successful light helicopters in the world. First introduced in 1992 and derived from the smaller R22, the R44 was designed by Frank Robinson to deliver greater power, comfort, and versatility without sacrificing the simplicity and affordability that made its predecessor famous. Featuring a four-seat layout, a Lycoming engine, and hydraulically assisted flight controls, the R44 quickly found a home with private owners, flight schools, law enforcement agencies, and tour operators worldwide. Since its first delivery, it has been the world’s best-selling general aviation helicopter year after year, a testament to its reliability, ease of operation, and cost-effective performance.

The R44 lineup has evolved through several models, including the Astro, Raven, and Raven II, each improving on performance and handling while maintaining the same efficient airframe. The R44’s semi-rigid two-bladed main rotor and compact design make it agile yet stable, capable of operating in tight spaces where larger helicopters can’t go. Later models introduced fuel-injected engines, adjustable controls, and improved avionics, enhancing both safety and comfort. The aircraft’s versatility made it a favorite for aerial photography, utility work, and training - anywhere a dependable piston helicopter was needed. Even today, decades after its debut, the R44 continues to set the standard for personal and commercial rotorcraft worldwide.

The Robinson R44 in our BAS Part Sales hangar reached the end of its flying career after a tree strike, bringing this hardworking aircraft to rest. Though its airframe can no longer return to flight, its service to aviation isn’t over. Our team will carefully disassemble the helicopter, preserving its Lycoming engine, rotor assemblies, transmission, and avionics so they can help keep other R44s safely in the air. Each part will undergo inspection and testing to ensure it continues to serve the aviation community for years to come. While this particular helicopter’s final chapter began with an unfortunate accident, its components will live on - extending the life and legacy of one of the most iconic light helicopters ever built.

If you need Seminole parts and components, this bird has a lot to offer. Such as...