Originally Posted by
navygm
I have read every single message you have sent here and thanks for that... So based on the info you all gave me let me explain more in detail my status as I didnt include any information..
I'm a Licenced B2 Avionics engineer ( working on airbus aircraft) but as in my free time I work on GA aircraft in a hangar with a mixture of Tecnams, C152s, C172s, C182s and more which come around.
I did my PPL and was thinking with my friend to evaluate what are the costs of buying a small aircraft for our hour building + IFR training, and occationally we go on holiday
My preference probably would be a Cessna due to the fact that I find them as a very robust aircraft which last very long! (basically I prefer a US built aircraft than european)
With all the respect to everyone in here, based on experience Tecnam are the least favourite, due to unreliability, cheap built quality and the Rotax engine which I prefer it switched OFF than ON
All of the maintenance I can do myself, except an engine overhaul which probably I cannot as we dont have a certified shop.
We may take the option to give our local school to rent it so maybe we cover some of the costs, but that all depends how much will it be used as I hate changing lots of pilot hands and they just dont keep it well mantained.
I live in Malta by the way...
I agree that Cessnas are very robust but I would not dream of owning one because in the UK nearly all maintenance needs to be done, or at least signed off, by expensive professionals. And the cost of an engine repair or overhaul can be eye-watering. That is why I own and operate a LAA permit aircraft. It costs me less than £60 per hour to operate (on unleaded petrol) and considerably less than that when I used to keep it in my garage at home (folding wings on a trailer). I average about 90 hours a year and have been as far as Switzerland (and back) from Scotland. It is not IFR equipped, although you can now fly IFR on certain permit aircraft in the UK.
If there is no equivalent of this in Malta and you can sign some off the maintenance/repair work yourself and get the rest signed off by a friendly licenced engineer, a Cessna 152/172 would certainly be worth considering but even then, I would consider forming a small group to share the costs. Otherwise, rent! The costs of a C182 will be colossal.
Finally, I cannot speak for the robustness of Tecnams but I cannot understand your comments about the Rotax engines. I have done almost 1600 hours on Rotax 912 series engines and they have literally never missed a best (touch wood!). Several people have flown round the world behind Rotax four-stroke engines, which is good enough for me.
The TBO is now as high as 2000 hours and I understand that they regularly make that even in the training environment without a top overhaul or any other major work. But do not take my word for it. In this month's LAA magazine, Chief Engineer Francis Donaldson states:
"Overall, unlike the preceding range of two-stroke aircraft engines, for practical purposes, it's fair to say that the reliability of the Rotax four-stroke range is perceived as being on a par with that of small Lycomings and Continentals.
Indeed, Rotax do make certified versions of these motors....."