View Full Version : Aircraft suggestions please.
Mister Gash
29th Nov 2001, 17:04
In the market for something aerobatic and tailwheel with reasonable running costs. Don’t fancy a homebuilt and the budget is £30K or (preferably) less. Any ideas?
Gash
Pilot took a look at the options in three price brackets - I think they were <£10k, £10k-£20k and >£20k - which should give you some ideas. I cant remember exactly which issues, but they were published in several parts over the last six to eight months or thereabouts.
Genghis the Engineer
29th Nov 2001, 17:42
Super Cub ?
I have control
29th Nov 2001, 18:50
With your budget I'd be looking for a Pitts or a Starduster Too.
What's wrong with a homebuilt?
Southern Cross
29th Nov 2001, 19:00
Citabria = mildly aerobatic.
Pitts S2A
Chipmunk
Yak 50 / 55 (pushing your budget...)
Tiger_ Moth
29th Nov 2001, 20:45
Aerobatic and Tailwheel huh? What about a wonderful Tiger Moth? They aren't super aerobatic planes but they can loop, roll, stall turn etc etc. I don't know about 30K but I think you could get one for perhaps 35K. Or maybe a Stampe which is similar but with a bit more power.
Chuck Ellsworth
29th Nov 2001, 21:15
How about a Cessna 150 or 152 Aerobat?
I bought an Aerobat and converted it to a Texas Taildragger. Of course it is not a Pitts but I can legally give both aerobatic and tailwheel training for a very reasonable investment, not to mention it is cheap to run as far as fuel cost is concerned.
The conversion cost approx $3000 USD for the kit and S.T.C. We worked around eighty hours to install the kit.
Makes for a sexy looking Cessna 150 with a new paint job and refurbished interior.
.............................................
:D The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no. :D
englishal
29th Nov 2001, 21:42
...import one from the states! I found a 150 Aerobat, in good condition (old boy had just passed away) for $12,000. Add another $5000 shipping and handling and you have a classic aeroplane for $17000 !.....
foxmoth
29th Nov 2001, 23:56
Pup150 probably comes into your range, much better than a Cessna if you want aeros and 4 seats (well 2+2)as a bonus.If you want tailwheel as well, probably best looking at the PFA market, a lot around especially if you are happy with a single seater.
[ 29 November 2001: Message edited by: foxmoth ]
Mister Gash
30th Nov 2001, 15:22
Thanks for the responses.
Maybe I’ll make my money go a bit farther and have a look at forming a small group with something like a Jungmann or SV4C (Tiger_Moth, don’t think I’d get near a Stampe for £30K). Anyone any first-hand experience of ownership or flying these types?
Thanks again.
Gash
poetpilot
30th Nov 2001, 16:29
Flown Jungmann & Stampe. M-m-mmmm to both, & they fly nicer than Tigers, (more precise & controllable) but on balance I'd go for the Jungmann. Grouping sounds eminently sensible - not just the purchase y'know, its the running costs...
I would have thought Citabria/Super Cub would be better for single ownership (assuming the sort of budget you're suggesting.), purely from the maintenance aspect (engine& airframe spares, engineers knowledge, etc etc).
According to where you are, check out your local engineers' expertise, knowledge and preferences - this could be crucial to keeping it airworthy whilst minimising time & expense scrounging for rare parts & specialists.
Mister Gash
30th Nov 2001, 19:41
PP, thanks for the advice. I’ve learnt from experience that it’s very easy to make the wrong decision when you’ve some cash burning a hole in your pocket. :eek:
poetpilot
2nd Dec 2001, 20:17
well yes, Mr G, it happened to me once. Bought a half share in a Chipmunk in the 80s. It was the most expensive 20 hrs flying in a year that I've ever done, either before or since. Most of the time it was being worked on for ADs or cylinder head problems (we spent 3 months searching for a new cylinder head for it).
The flying qualities of the machine were never in doubt. However, the non-bottomless nature of my wallet & Mrs Poet's protests won the day and it went to a better (i.e. more well-heeled) owner in the end. Then of course the value of them shot up after we sold it. Isn't life just one long party?
meslag
3rd Dec 2001, 01:38
if you are around the redhill area, then i happen to know of a share in a modified s1c pitts for sale..
right up your alley... £36 per hour on fuel and oil and 180hp worth of poke...
[email protected]
sorry for the plug
LowNSlow
3rd Dec 2001, 14:03
Most Austers are semi aerobatic but the Aiglet is the best of them (for aeros). If you can find one you'll get 4 seats, 2 sticks a tailwheel and aeros for around 16k.
If you want an aeroplane built like the proverbial outhouse try a Fuji. Slow but again 4 seats and semi aerobatic but this time more like 25k