I am 4 years into ownership of an X Air 582 Wide Door which I fly off a small grass strip. I can only speak for my own experience and I am NOT an expert:
Much easier to get in/out of than an AX. Even the "Wide Door" version has a knack though.
Still available as new which means all spares can be had via X Air UK. They provide a nice, efficient and friendly service with a usually very quick turn around.
Fantastic suspension on the gear copes really well with rough strips.
582 totally reliable if looked after and cheap to run - if you don't rev it out you can cruise one up on about 12lph of Mogas & oil premix. Two up and revving it will see fuel consumption increase substantially.
Don't expect to go anywhere fast - cruise is approx. 55Kts, flying faster just sucks fuel.
Handles like a dream, lovely to fly, easy to land.
Approx 230Kg empty which gives a useful load of approx. 220Kg.
BMAA quite painless to deal with.
Farm strip fun for circa £5K.
Has made me very happy!
All a year late for this thread of course!
Last edited by Grass_Strip_Goat; 31st July 2017 at 12:08.
Reason: Failure to appreciate age of thread!