which secondhand RA-AUS aircraft to look at in $30k-$60k range???
 

Would be interested in any tips/advice re which makes/models of second-hand aircraft (RA-AUS, 24-xxxx) to focus on/look at in the say $30k to $60k range from a reliability point of view. So any make/models stand out as particularly reliable? Or perhaps is it more appropriate to ask about particular engines that have a good track record? (noting would want to get someone [mechanic?] to look over plane prior to any purchase)

Side question would be are there any make/models that are know to be able to carry a little extra baggage weight than others? (perhaps not much in it given the RA-AUS weight limitations they have to all design too?)

There are a lot of aircraft to choose from and many that will suit your stated purpose. There are only two problems, the registration category and your price range.

The 24 registration category is for factory built aircraft that are allowed to be used for training. Most of these aircraft hold a very high used value and most won't come close to $60,000 and nowhere near $30,000.

You may need to look at a 19 category registered aircraft which is an amateur built aircraft. In the 19 category look for a proven design that is still supported, easy to maintain and something which is not orphaned like a manufacturer out of business, one of design or a heavily modified kit design.

There are countless dozens in this category that are in your price range.

Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with this following aircraft and will have no benefit, financial or otherwise from its sale.

I was speaking to a pilot yesterday at our airfield. He has just spent two years restoring an Aeronca Chief and it has just taken to the skies, (quite a beautiful nice old aircraft) this means he is selling his existing aircraft which may be of interest to you. It is an X-Air Hanumun with folding wing option, it has a Rotax 100 hp engine, been hangered every day of its life and he was mentioning yesterday that he only wants $34,000 for the aircraft (which in my opinion is ready good value for something that originally cost around $55,000 as a kit)

If this is a sort of thing you are interested in please PM me and I will send you his contact phone number. The aircraft is located at Jacobs Well on the Gold Coast.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....08678915b8.jpg
This is NOT the exact aircraft but it looks the same, just different colour

Sorry I forgot to mention so have added this later, any RA-Aus aircraft you purchase will need to go through what is called a condition inspection before it can be sold. Make sure you get a condition inspection done by a very well-known and active maintenance authority holder who is approved for inspections on RA-Aus aircraft. It is really important that he is independent and does not know the aeroplane or the owner. This way you will get a very accurate condition report and know the exact problems or faults that may exist with the aircraft. The condition report is not cheap, probably $500 from somebody that really knows what they are doing and needs to travel to your location but it is better to spend $500 (which he may be able to negotiate off the selling price of the aircraft) than it is to lose $40,000 or whatever you are spending on the aircraft by purchasing an aircraft that has not been accurately described

The latter good advice:-) As long as the machine has a Rotax you cant go wrong:-)

thanks mcoates/machtuk - only point was I was aiming for an aircraft that in the future that could operate in controlled airspace (class C/D), and from what I have understood on other threads it basically seems to align with a "factory build" ra-aus aircraft..

The 24-xxxx aircraft for sale currently for sale on aviationclassifieds.com.au that I looked at for example were these: machtuk a couple have the Rotax engine which you did recommend...

• Jabiru J160D: 24-7649 $48k
• Jabiru 170C: 24-5398 $56k
• Skyfox Gazelle: 24-3432 $29k (Rotax 912)
• Tecnam P92 Echo Super: 24-4567 $55k (Rotax: 912 ULS)
• Storch HS Fly Synthesis: 24-4258 $52 (Engine: Jabiru 2200)

[ps..oh... didn't check these for transponder re operating in class C/D airspace)

only seem get get 1 allowance :( - just clicked on empty

Hi mixed,

I have been reading your discussions and am wondering if you have considered a TMG (Traveling Motor Glider). Firstly - they are not "gliders", but rather capable traveling machines based on modern gliding technology - typical traveling speed is 80-100kts using 18-20 liters per hour cruising anywhere between 500ft and FL200 (with breathing oxygen). They are very comfortable to fly and have a decent payload capability. Their gliding capability also makes them an extremely safe aeroplane, because if you for instance have an engine failure at, say, 5000ft, you can glide usually more than 35km before you have to land - a great safety factor !

I circumnavigated Australia in a TMG last year - not once, but twice - and my next longer trip is from Adelaide to Cape York and back. As long as you hold a CASA PPL, there are no restrictions to operate in any airspace (except Class A above FL250 :)). Most of them are powered by Rotax engines which means you can use Mogas. It is also possible to do quite a bit of maintenance yourself (under GFA control). The TMGs I am using are registered under CASA, but they could also be registered under the GFA, as long as you are a member of the Gliding Federation. Further, in these, you can turn the engine off, feather the prop and have a great day soaring the clouds and waves such as one of the most spectacular ones in the world, the Morning Glory Cloud at the Gulf of Carpentaria. If you are tempted to consider this, let me know and I can give you a lot more details off-line. If you would like to know more about what I am doing with these aeroplanes, have a look at www.airborneresearch.org.au, or if this link gets deleted, search for "Airborne Research Australia" in Google. Cheers, Jorg

I am not sure a "not cheap" $500 would be near enough!
A pre-purchase with a written report with some travel would be a very long days work.

A pre-purchase is pretty much an annual inspection + a very in depth look at the log books + AD/Bulletin search and compliance. This is often followed up with quotations or approximations for compliance or rectifications and numerous follow up questions (email/phone).

The reality is it is probably around two days labour (16 hrs) + transport and parts (oil filter) all for $31.25 per hour!

$31.25 per hour will not get what is required - I do not even think it covers the award wage for a qualified person. I would expect an individual would want at least $50 per hour + costs and a company more.

Geez that X-Air really does look like it's pretty high up, must have a good heater too to roll up your sleeves.
Karijini49, those planes on that website look awesome with their wing pods.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....3981323d7d.jpg

Love the rego of one them too.

Thanks for the flowers, cattletruck. Yes they are awesome machines, especially for what we are doing with them.
Last year, I flew **in one day** with one refuelling stop at Forrest from Morawa, WA to Nullarbor Motel, SA (800nm) using just 140 litres of Premium Unleaded Fuel - try that with any other means of transport.
Actually both regos are meaningful - VH-OBS stands for "Observations", VH-EOS for "Earth Observation System".
They are heavily modified Traveling Motor Gliders. The normal (unmodified) versions are also superb traveling machines (Diamond Aircraft HK36TTC-Dimona) - and hard to beat regarding "smallest environmental footprint". We have one of those in our "stable" too for training and there are hundreds of them flying in Europe, a few in Australia.
Jorg