Pilgrim101
24th Apr 2003, 19:41
Anyone out there got one, got any ideas about the price band for a decent few years old model, reliability, running costs etc. I don't particularly want to share either so I have been "toying" with the idea of one of these unusual looking aircraft for a while instead of a share in a Piper/Cessna etc.
I saw a bunch of them and was quite impressed with everything except the lack of room for anything except a toothbrush with 2 up. Also, what is the endurance since the Fuel Tank looks a bit small. I saw on the net that CFM has also gone boobs up so what is the support like for the aircraft in UK ?
Pilotage
24th Apr 2003, 20:05
Going rate for a Shadow on the UK market at the moment is around £11k for a CD, £14k for a DD, and £17k for a Streak.
I'd personally not touch a DD, they are too heavy and don't offer much performance advantage over the smaller engined CD, as well as being noisier inside.
The CD, which uses a 503 engine, in my opinion is the best cheap flying machine of the three. Typically it'll take 2 adults and about 3 hours fuel, with a cruise speed of about 65kn.
The Streak however it must be said has a nicer wing to fly, being shorter and stiffer, and should give you another 10 knots in the cruise. Engine options are many, so it's really a case of looking at the W&CG and the performance for the one you're looking at.
CD published performance figures are 137m TODR, 183m LDR, 700 fpm climb, 13:1 glide. I'd double the field figures for safety but otherwise say those are pretty much spot-on. I've never seen published figures for a Streak, and the published figures for the DD are pure optimism (91m TODR !).
Unless you are very broad, the front cockpit on all models is fine, and a real pleasure to occupy. The rear is distinctly cramped, but there is a mod available extending the rear footwell, which helps a lot. Other mods available are a long range belly-tank, folding wings, and wing root baggage lockers - all still purchasable from a chap in East Anglia. This is true of all of the models. Also with all of the models, if I owned one, I'd invest in a pair of ANR headsets, they can be a bit loud inside.
CFM went tits up last year, but there keep being rumours of a ressurection, the most recent of which actually sounds quite credible. In the meantime, BMAA, PFA and a couple of specialist companies (Shadow Flight Centre at Old Sarum, and Danny Crosbie Engineering in East Anglia) are doing a fair job of supporting the types.
P
Fly Stimulator
24th Apr 2003, 20:09
Pilgrim101,
The best place to get a response on Shadows is probably on the BMAA bulletin board at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microlights/
The CFM (and therefore parts) situation has been confused for months now, with various rumours doing the rounds as to what's happening.
Shadows themselves are fun (and easy) to fly. Visibility from the front is great; just like sitting in a glider. Access to the rear isn't good, especially in the narrower CDs, but it's OK-ish once you're in. The in-line seating means that they're not the most social of aircraft if you're taking a friend along, and they are rather noisy, especially in the back.
Endurance is a problem, though you can fit a second tank (weight permitting) beneath the rear cockpit which brings the range up to about 3 hours.
If you're just looking for something for fun flying, mainly on your own, and don't plan to cross continents then Shadows are great.
Having said that, people have crossed the world in them of course. I was at a fly-in in Ireland at the weekend with Brian Milton who had all sorts of tales about his journey in the Dalgety Flyer. (http://www.brian-milton.com/photo-dalgety01.html)