Strong dollar, anyone looking to import?
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I once paid "honest ron" a $1K no questions asked to "indicate I was serious about having a look"... never got that back when it didn't work out... dont trust anyone when dealing in or out of country....
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For some time I have been looking for an aircraft. Finally I found what I was interested in on the West Coast and used the services of Jeff and Sheila Sharman at Jarlin Aviation who inspected, bought, packed and shipped the aircraft (with an Export C of A) to me. They were absolutely upfront and professional to deal with. He is a South African and she an English Rose living near Sacramento. You would do well to find a better team to help you find a GA aircraft in the States. I went there several times to see the aircraft with Jeff who is a qualified mechanic, in summary great hosts and decent people running a good business. Good luck with your searching for those looking. Controller and Barnstorm are both excellent sites as well. 
Sprucegoose
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HH,
Believe it or not $1:20 is what some economists are forecasting (although they are the new snakeoil salesmen these days)
Believe it or not $1:20 is what some economists are forecasting (although they are the new snakeoil salesmen these days)
Yes, but on the other hand, I remember buying cheap Buds in the US in 1978 when we had something like 1.23. It's just great that we finally get back to screwing them - rather than the other way round!
Make the most of it folks ! Happy days,
Make the most of it folks ! Happy days,
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niceguysa45,
Depends exactly what type of aerobatic flying you are intending to do...
A mate and I are rebuilding a Pitts S1, it was airworthy when we got it but it hadn't flown for 15 years - it is in outstanding condition underneath, the wing fabric was shagged though.
When the US dollar sat at a smidge under 80c we bought quite a few parts that we needed for our machine out of the states, HP pistons, Raven Aileron kit and bearings plus some other bits and bobs. Definately a great time to take advantage of it!
Regarding the aeros machine, PM me if you like, but depending on your background you could buy a very nice Single seat Pitts and have a machine capable of advanced level for well under US$40K. However, a Super Decathlon has 2 seats, symmetrical aerofoils and inverted fuel and oil, I have only flown a Citabria, but those Super D's go amazingly well, great, great machine for training, and anything up to and including Intermediate aeros.
I am entertaining the idea of getting a two place machine in the next 12 months or so, for a bit of fun and to do ratings. Possibly a certified 2 seat Pitts, or a Christen Eagle II, we'll see. Whatever it is, it will be a biplane.
Depends exactly what type of aerobatic flying you are intending to do...
A mate and I are rebuilding a Pitts S1, it was airworthy when we got it but it hadn't flown for 15 years - it is in outstanding condition underneath, the wing fabric was shagged though.
When the US dollar sat at a smidge under 80c we bought quite a few parts that we needed for our machine out of the states, HP pistons, Raven Aileron kit and bearings plus some other bits and bobs. Definately a great time to take advantage of it!
Regarding the aeros machine, PM me if you like, but depending on your background you could buy a very nice Single seat Pitts and have a machine capable of advanced level for well under US$40K. However, a Super Decathlon has 2 seats, symmetrical aerofoils and inverted fuel and oil, I have only flown a Citabria, but those Super D's go amazingly well, great, great machine for training, and anything up to and including Intermediate aeros.
I am entertaining the idea of getting a two place machine in the next 12 months or so, for a bit of fun and to do ratings. Possibly a certified 2 seat Pitts, or a Christen Eagle II, we'll see. Whatever it is, it will be a biplane.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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If anyone's thinking of buying an aircraft from the states I may be able to assist.... I am thinking of bringing a machine in myself and may need to fill some space in a container. I am a LAME and have a U.S A&P as well as an aussie and U.S ATP so what that means is I can do most of the leg work, relocating aircraft in the states to where they will be packed for shipping, and upon arrival reassembly as well as put the aircraft on the aussie register...
Sprucegoose
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At a $1-70 I may even be able to afford something... Should be a great time for upgrading engines/avionics too!
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Buying an aircraft is a bit out of my price range, however courtesy of a nice tax cheque I've got coming, there are a couple of big-ish ticket items like GPS and headset I wouldn't mind updating.
What sort of experiences have people had with using US based pilot supply retailers? I know there are issues with warranty / replacement from Garmin which have to be considered, however most Australian retailers are still pretending the dollar is worth about 0.80USD so things might still end up worthwhile if the price and postage are right.
What sort of experiences have people had with using US based pilot supply retailers? I know there are issues with warranty / replacement from Garmin which have to be considered, however most Australian retailers are still pretending the dollar is worth about 0.80USD so things might still end up worthwhile if the price and postage are right.
Following this thread with much interest...
I am finally approaching a position where I can seriously consider ownership but would like some opinions of those who have done it before.
I would like to think that purchasing an S1S or similar from the states is a realistic and sensible option but weary of the prospect of most airframes having been 'thrashed' already, has anyone had experience with paying an local US lame to conduct pre purchase inspections on something they have only seen on the Internet? How does this look as a cost breakdown for the first 2 years of ownership. Initial purchase 30-45k, pre purchase inspections 2-3k, shipping 10k, Initial registration and required repairs 10k, hangarage 2k, 100 hourly x 3 10k, obviously this is assuming nothing to major go wrong
This is without wet running costs but does that look about right? Fingers crossed it's on the high side...
I am finally approaching a position where I can seriously consider ownership but would like some opinions of those who have done it before.
I would like to think that purchasing an S1S or similar from the states is a realistic and sensible option but weary of the prospect of most airframes having been 'thrashed' already, has anyone had experience with paying an local US lame to conduct pre purchase inspections on something they have only seen on the Internet? How does this look as a cost breakdown for the first 2 years of ownership. Initial purchase 30-45k, pre purchase inspections 2-3k, shipping 10k, Initial registration and required repairs 10k, hangarage 2k, 100 hourly x 3 10k, obviously this is assuming nothing to major go wrong
This is without wet running costs but does that look about right? Fingers crossed it's on the high side...
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Mad Mike
Paying a local US LAME can sometimes be a waste of time, countless stories of folks who have done that to find these guys too lotsa $$$ and wrote up what the seller wanted. You have to go and with your own loyal LAME from here. End of story.
As for S1S.....do you want a really good machine at not unrealistic money? If so i know of one that is available. PM me and we can get you in touch with the owner, save all the trouble for no more $$.
J
Paying a local US LAME can sometimes be a waste of time, countless stories of folks who have done that to find these guys too lotsa $$$ and wrote up what the seller wanted. You have to go and with your own loyal LAME from here. End of story.
As for S1S.....do you want a really good machine at not unrealistic money? If so i know of one that is available. PM me and we can get you in touch with the owner, save all the trouble for no more $$.
J
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Jaba is right, there are some serious crooks out there. An aquaintance bought in a 182 recently, apparently with only about 700 hours on it. He even went over to look at it. The seller had supposedly replaced the crank on account of the dreaded A/D and did a 'full' engine overhaul at the same time. The guy also got a bunch of what he now knows to be cowboys, to put in some extra avionics because it did not have an ADF amongst other things. They made a real pigs ear of the job, putting a big plate over the panel to cover up a stuff-up they made cutting holes for new instruments, telling him they had to 'strengthen the panel'. It later transpired the instruments did not work properly were not overhauled as he had been informed - and worse still, apparently had forged paperwork. The American prebuy inspector missed all of that. On arrival in Aus, the buyers LAME found the packing and shipping company had done a 'quick and dirty' and had cut wiring, hoses and even control cables during dissassembly, costing a fortune in extra reassembly costs. Then worst of all, his Australian LAME found that during the 'engine overhaul' they had put the crankcase nuts on upside down... really worried now about what they may have done inside the engine and thinking of a bulk strip to check it all out. He has reported all of this to the FAA and has investigated getting some retribution through the American legal system. The legal stuff is a waste of time and not worth pursing because he cannot get costs, which would be enormous. It seems he is wasting his time with the FAA too. The 'avionics' facility does not now exist (actually it does, its changed its owner and trading name).
Soooo, its buyer beware! Having said that I have done it several times and have only found honest, decent folk, although its always has minor 'complications' and takes longer and costs more than it should. There are a few no- no's.. Firstly, I would never entertain a field overhauled engine - just too risky. Nothing less than a factory engine or maybe one of the major FAA approved engine overhaul shops is sensible. Do your homework... check out everyone you deal with. There are lots of databases to check stuff on, like the FAA and NTSB accident databases. Keep delving until you feel absolutely confident you are getting what you think you are dealing with who you think you are. Do your title checks etc etc.
Its good advice to see what you can get here though - although many Aussie advertised prices are in Cookoo land, the market is very flat and depressed due to the high AUD and it might be surprising what can be negotiated. its certainly a lot less aggro to buy something already here.
Soooo, its buyer beware! Having said that I have done it several times and have only found honest, decent folk, although its always has minor 'complications' and takes longer and costs more than it should. There are a few no- no's.. Firstly, I would never entertain a field overhauled engine - just too risky. Nothing less than a factory engine or maybe one of the major FAA approved engine overhaul shops is sensible. Do your homework... check out everyone you deal with. There are lots of databases to check stuff on, like the FAA and NTSB accident databases. Keep delving until you feel absolutely confident you are getting what you think you are dealing with who you think you are. Do your title checks etc etc.
Its good advice to see what you can get here though - although many Aussie advertised prices are in Cookoo land, the market is very flat and depressed due to the high AUD and it might be surprising what can be negotiated. its certainly a lot less aggro to buy something already here.
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That is all correct, you DO have to be extremely careful when buying over there, but that is true for any purchase of the like wherever it may be. You can order a title search and full aircraft information held by the FAA online, use reputable sellers and avionics shops if you can, factory overhauls etc, BEWARE the cheap buy, it's usually cheap for a reason. Send your LAME over probably cheaper in the long run for both doing the deal and inspecting the aircraft also when the time comes to put the machine in a container, use someone that shipping aircraft is their bread and butter..
I agree with Jabawocky too. There is a very small number of mechanics in the US who can be trusted to do a pre-purchase inspection of a Pitts or 1D. I know of several people who have bought aeroplanes only to end up with an expensive project.
MadMadMike - you didn't mention GST & insurance on your S-1S?
MadMadMike - you didn't mention GST & insurance on your S-1S?
