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 -





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/



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?



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...

[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

[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!

[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