Potentially one of the nicest Beavers in the World, definitely the nicest one on the market.
No two DHC-2 Beaver rebuilds are the same, N654DF began with a low-time airframe (5,000 hrs) but was completely rebuilt from from the ground up and included significant rebuild upgrades that extend much further beyond cosmetics, STC upgrades, and maintenance/AD compliance. No stone has been left unturn and it shows. Just over 5,000 hrs TT since new and 125 hours since “complete rebuild”, upgraded avionics suite in 2024 includes 3x Garmin 275’s, Garmin GTN 750 Nxi, Garmin 345R adsb in & out, Garmin 355 WAAS GPS/Com #2. The list goes on, all logs scanned and available for electronic review. Located in the Midwest, freshwater operation only, no damage since rebuild, must see firsthand to appreciate.
Complete Rebuild 2006-2009
In addition to the average “Beaver Rebuild”, which most define as engine OH, paint, interior, avionics, and STC installation as specified, this one went down to the bones. Sealand Cabin extension, Alaska Door install, fuselage skin replacement included, wings, cabin roof, fuselage, belly stations, flight control surfaces, all replacement skins were fabricated, epoxy primed for corrosion resistance, and finally painted. High stress points were reviewed for cracks, all windows, windscreens replaced with new, all bearings, rod ends, and pulleys were replaced with new. Flight control cables, rudder, elevator, aileron, elevator trim, fuel selector replaced with new. Hydraulic components disassembled, cleaned, pressure tested and bench checked. Rudder/ Elevator trim box, trim jacks, gone through. New fuel hoses, oil hoses, new fuel gaskets after cleaning, many parts overhauled including but not limited to: Rudder Bar assy, oil cooler, fuel pressure switch, tach generator, fuel boost pump, engine driven pump, starter, vacuum pump, magentos, carb. All new wiring, switches, circuit breakers, contactors and post lights, engine gauges (airspeed, turn coordinator, CHT, CAT, Man Press, fuel quantity, fuel transmitters, electric tach, scott OAT, compass) All new exterior lighting, with many new additions, EGT/CHT JPI engine monitoring system (8 cylinder). Pilot & Co Pilot seat modernized with executive 206 style seats and inertia reel shoulder harnesses, 4 aft seats also modernized with single leather “jump seats”. Engine mount reconditioned, engine mount studs magnafluxed and zinc plated, newly overhauled engine, new lord mounts, and many STC installed per owner direction, including rebuilding Wipline 6100 amphibs.
This 3 year rebuild was complete and inclusive, done by some of the best Beaver mechanics in the world. Only 125 hours since the refurbishment.
Major AD Compliance:
- Bird Cage completed 2/2026
- Struts replaced w/ Kenmore 2024 (STC SA1131SE)