Fast single seat homebuilt

[cambioso]

Having lost touch with the PFA scene over the last 15 years (since I owned my last racer), I would like to purchase a fast, reliable, single seat Permit type for general running about (and Fun!!).
What can you suggest, and what kind of prices are we talking about?.

Thanks,

Camb.

[AerBabe]

Pitts?
Exactly how little do you know? Nobody wants to patronise you, but you don't want them expecting too much either!

[Juliet Papa]

Well - if I were in your position, there would only be one contender -

http://www.silence-aircraft.de/Data/sl-messerflug.jpg

:}

more info here:

http://www.silence-aircraft.de

and yes, they are PFA OK AFAIK,

JP

[G-ASSV]

The Midget Mustang is pretty good!

[cambioso]

Good point Airbabe and I won't feel patronised!!

8500TT
1000+ tailwheel (F1 racers, Pitts, Extra, Stearman, AN2(!), that sort of stuff!!
Earn my living flying Bizjets.
Pitts too slow and I need to put a smallish bag behind the seat.
I think the Twister is superb, but I'm sure that they are a lot of Dosh I've only got about £15-20K.

Thanks

C.

[stiknruda]

cambioso - there are some pretty quick Pitts' out there (155mph + cruise) and the D/E/S models all have a luggage space in the turtle deck. However your budget will only cover the bottom end of the C model so I agree that they are probably out for you.

Know of a very nicely built CassuttIII that was sold for £17k recently, there is a chap in Notts who regularly tries to flog his Cassutt for about the same price so I'm sure that he might do a deal!

Stik

[Genghis the Engineer]

Rand Robinson KR2?

Much cheaper than your budget, on the PFA approved list, quite fast (140kn ish I think), taildragger - nominally a 2-seater, but in reality about 400lbf total payload (fuel+single+bag) which should suit you fairly well?

http://www.fly-kr.com/

http://www.fly-kr.com/02092226.jpg

I think I saw one for sale last year at about £10k, which by the look of it is about what it would cost to build.

G

[Evil J]

If you find something, do let me know coz its what Ive been after for ages- that Cassutt by the way is superb-last seen advertised for about £8k- 200 mph for 8k,...cant knock that-if only I was 6 inches shorter and 6 stone lighter I would have bought it a year ago!!

The KR 2 is good but I think really need to be a single seater...it would be a roomy single seater rather than a very cramped 1 +1, if anyone (Ghengis?) would be able to do the conversion for me I would be havin one of them! Usually acouple for sale in the back of "Popular Flying"

[Genghis the Engineer]

Problem with modding to single seat is that you need to move...

- Seats
- Sticks
- Pedals
- Instrument layout
- Harness attachments
- There's probably some control (flap lever, etc.) in the centre that'll get in the way.

Fine at the design stage, but with an existing kit I don't think I'd attempt it personally.


Just another passing thought, also quite cheap and fast, 2-seat tandem with slightly limited payload (and on the PFA approved list) what about a Rutan Varieze?

http://www.aviationtrivia.homestead.com/files/VariEze.jpg

G

[Evil J]

The KR2 I looked at had a centre stick which would fit nicely between ones legs.

the seat was just one piece all the way across so would not be an issue- the other stuff I'll agree with you on. Although as I dont think I said, the one I viewed hadnt been completed so much of that sort of stuff hadnt been done yet so i dont think would have been a problem.

I'm amazed there isnt something out there though:-

single seat
cruise 120 kts plus (on something ubiquitous like the Rotax 912)
range of 500 nm
for around the £10-15K mark
able to take full fuel and a 100kg pilot

Some come close but all fall short-unless I've missed one???

[Genghis the Engineer]

If there are 2-seaters that will do that, where's the problem? There's no rule requiring you to fly with a passenger. You can even insure it as a single seater if you want and save yourself a few hundred each year.

G

[Evil J]

Single seaters are generally disproportionally cheaper as they are "less desirable" - I have found 2 seaters fitting that bill are out of my price range.

Eg your average Europa is 25-35K

[Floppy Link]

Perhaps not as fast as you'd like,
but it is FUN. And it's for sale. PM for details...

http://www.espotlight.co.uk/gbtbi/listings/55.jpg

[18greens]

Hmm. Permit to fly , fast, 20K per share,definately fun, its got to be the mighty Hunter.

[Algirdas]

Trouble with a Hunter is, 20k is probably your monthly running bill.

[18greens]

Running costs weren't in the spec. I followed spec, whats the problem, apart from £1000 per hour vanishing down the jet pipe. Anyway all most people do with money is waste it on food and shoes and stuff.

Jet noise, the sound of freedom.

[Algirdas]

Can't argue wid dat, 18g!
A:ok:

[ShyTorque]

How about the VANS RV8/8A?

Ok, it's really a tandem 2 seater but if you want a fast aircraft, here it is!:ok:

[MikeSamuel]

RV-3 is still available as a standard build kit. Single seat, 200mph. What are you waiting for! Not many in the UK, don't know the score on importing homebuilts but I don't think its common.

Good luck whatever you decide on!

[Evil J]

I'd love an RV3 but your talking at least 3£0K again

[cambioso]

Thanks very much for all your replies and advice....much appreciated.
I'm off to see a Cassutt next week, but I'm still open to ideas/offers!
Have a good weekend everyone,

Camb.

[rebelrabbit]

Harmon's F1 Rocket, can't find link at the moment though. Google it.

rr

PS: harmonrocket.com

[cambioso]

Hi chaps I'm still looking!!

Have looked at a couple of Cassutts (I've forgotten how on earth I used to get in the "slabwings" to race them - it's not elegant these days that's for sure!!).
I've also looked at the Midget Mustang for sale in pilot....nice but they want far too much money (so those "in the know" tell me).
So......back to good old PPRuNe....what is there out there?

Single seat
Tailwheel
Fast 140kts+ cruise
250Nm (ish) range.
Bit a room for the bag down the back
circa £12-15K

MONEY WAITING!!!!

Camb.

[Feck]

The RV3 fits your needs exactly...fast, aerobatic, STOL. Why, I've even got one. ;-)

[Monocock]

Genghis

Is it right that if you only insure a two seater for single seat use that the premiums are reduced?



:hmm:

[Loc-out]

Yes, all good stuff mentioned and some nice machinery also.

There is a problem with high speed/high wing loaded/high stall speed light A/C. If the fan stops the resultant landing speeds are going to be relatively high therefore increasing the chances of serious injury/death upon touch down on anything but the smoothest of surfaces.

The Hunter (built like a tank) too has a very high wing loading/landing speed but you need to "bang out" before the A/C hits the ground. In most of the other A/C mentioned on this thread, that "safety"feature is not an option.

[cambioso]

Dear ****,

Can I get an RV3 for £15K.....? .......I don't think so !!

Yours sincerely,

Camb.


I'm really serious about this aircraft purchase thing....cash waiting!

[shortstripper]

Well a Taylor Titch would fit the bill admirably ... but I don't know of any for sale!

There lays your main problem :hmm: Even single seaters, with that kind of performance are well sought after and jealously guarded by their owners. I haven't seen anything for sale that meets your criterion lately accept KR2's or possibly a pulsar (both two seat but often cheap). There is a WAR Thunderbolt replica for sale at the moment that might do? Other than that I'm afraid you're in for a wait.

SS

[Feck]

Camb,

I've just done a google search which gave a US RV-3 for sale for $35K. Might squeeze into your £20K upper limit.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Genghis

Is it right that if you only insure a two seater for single seat use that the premiums are reduced?



Yep, can't do much about the 3rd party cover, but the passenger liability premiums get a lot cheaper.

G

[cambioso]

Just to update...
I took delivery of my Midget Mustang last week.
It was the one in Pilot mag, the sellers and I at last found common financial ground and she was mine!
Have flown her 4 times now and she's SUPERB.
My "tame" engineer has already modified behind he seat to take my bag, fixed the brakes, and we're away.....!
Many thanks for all of your advice, assistance, and wind-ups!
If you see a bright red MM struggling to land/take-off.....be sympathetic....please...I'm doing my best !!
Have a safe weekend...
Camb.

[Feck]

Congratulations! Enjoy, I'm sure you will :ok: