Thought experiment - school taildragger
Sherburn had a C140 for quite a while but even in happier times with a bigger membership and cheaper flying they could not make it pay. I think it was less ph than even the 150s.
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It happens that I work on an airfield where hangerage is ludicrously expensive and inconvenient. (In common with most of the rest of the south of England sadly). Hence my spec - there are loads of great aeroplanes if you can keep them hangared. But you need a hangar.
A VANS-RV8 on a CofA ?
I've seen a PA38 clear a 10 foot hedge with concrete blocks similar to those on India-Mike's Chipmunk attached. Nothing should be tied down in the winter that badly.
I must admit I know nothing of Rallyes - tailwheel or otherwise. Enlighten me?
G
A VANS-RV8 on a CofA ?
I've seen a PA38 clear a 10 foot hedge with concrete blocks similar to those on India-Mike's Chipmunk attached. Nothing should be tied down in the winter that badly.
I must admit I know nothing of Rallyes - tailwheel or otherwise. Enlighten me?
G
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Originally Posted by Jan Olieslagers
To most recreational fliers, a taildragger has nothing but disadvantages (harder to land, more expensive on insurance, less common thus more expensive on maintenance)
Another thought: Extra 200. Unless you're seriously good in the aeros department it's more aeroplane than you'll ever need, but cheaper to operate than a 300. Cambridge aero club have (or used to) have one on their rental fleet. Blew my socks off, that's for sure.
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What Silvaire says.
Also, the 235 was the only model they wheeled out of the factory-gates as a taildragger, intended as a tug and ag-duster. Has a proper stick, not one of these huge ugly yokes, and 4 seats. The tatty ones start at around 25K Euro, but there aren't that many around. I believe that there is a mod available, however, with which one can take one of the dozens of available cheaper, smaller-engined tricycle-geared Rallyes and convert it to a taildragger. 180 hp springs to mind, which means less fuel-flow, but still ample oompf.
Also, the 235 was the only model they wheeled out of the factory-gates as a taildragger, intended as a tug and ag-duster. Has a proper stick, not one of these huge ugly yokes, and 4 seats. The tatty ones start at around 25K Euro, but there aren't that many around. I believe that there is a mod available, however, with which one can take one of the dozens of available cheaper, smaller-engined tricycle-geared Rallyes and convert it to a taildragger. 180 hp springs to mind, which means less fuel-flow, but still ample oompf.
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Well as I said at the start, I don't have the money - it's a thought experiment.
I think that an aeroplane should look nice to persuade people to rent it - which frankly does eliminate the Rallye.
Cubs and Austers are fabric covered, so out.
The Chippie is a gorgeous aeroplane, but I suspect may frighten many PPLs, the Gypsy is a bit of a nightmare to own, and also could do with hangaring. On the other hand with covers on the control surfaces - and a Lycoming engine, it would be great. Then again, a Lycoming engined chippie - if I can find one - would cost me £30k+, and I might get lynched by the historic aircraft community if it got damaged by a careless PPL.
My instinct at the moment is that if I had the money, £20k spent on a Cessna 140A would be the best option. It's a good price, parts should be readily available, Cessnas are easy to look after, and a 2 seater doesn't provide any real handicap for training and renting.
Although - I also wondered about doing the microlight thing, and going for a relatively new Thruster T600T...
?
G
I think that an aeroplane should look nice to persuade people to rent it - which frankly does eliminate the Rallye.
Cubs and Austers are fabric covered, so out.
The Chippie is a gorgeous aeroplane, but I suspect may frighten many PPLs, the Gypsy is a bit of a nightmare to own, and also could do with hangaring. On the other hand with covers on the control surfaces - and a Lycoming engine, it would be great. Then again, a Lycoming engined chippie - if I can find one - would cost me £30k+, and I might get lynched by the historic aircraft community if it got damaged by a careless PPL.
My instinct at the moment is that if I had the money, £20k spent on a Cessna 140A would be the best option. It's a good price, parts should be readily available, Cessnas are easy to look after, and a 2 seater doesn't provide any real handicap for training and renting.
Although - I also wondered about doing the microlight thing, and going for a relatively new Thruster T600T...
?
G
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I don't know, what is most tailwheel training on nowadays? Super Cubs? Citabrias?
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Hang on. You're dismissing the Rallye because of its looks, but will consider the Thruster? I know, "eye of the beholder" and such, but honestly, the Thruster over a Rallye?
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If it was me, I would bite the bullet and get some hangarage. I would then get a basic Citabria (7ECA). Relatively cheap to run and a reasonable basic intro to aeros.
PS. Have you ever had a go in a Thruster? Awful little thing.
PS. Have you ever had a go in a Thruster? Awful little thing.
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Thrusters - lovely little aeroplanes. I have a little over 100 hours across the variants.
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100 hrs and how many engine failures? 
I took me a while to figure that closing the throttle gave a pitch-up and opening it the opposite. I stand by my "awful" comment.
I took me a while to figure that closing the throttle gave a pitch-up and opening it the opposite. I stand by my "awful" comment.
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The chipmunk cross wind limit is low and needs care when taxing.
It might not be such a problem in the military days using a big field or having excess to 3 runways. But when you have only got one and its not south westerly in direction then there is too many days that aren't flyable.
Also parts arn't too a penny either.
I agree with Ghengis a140a would probably be the best bet.
The aircraft manufactoring industry really is in a mess when it doesn't even have a suitable aircraft available on the market.
And the rf I'm associated with does have a Chipmunk on the books. 160 solo 185 dual if anyone is interested.
It might not be such a problem in the military days using a big field or having excess to 3 runways. But when you have only got one and its not south westerly in direction then there is too many days that aren't flyable.
Also parts arn't too a penny either.
I agree with Ghengis a140a would probably be the best bet.
The aircraft manufactoring industry really is in a mess when it doesn't even have a suitable aircraft available on the market.
And the rf I'm associated with does have a Chipmunk on the books. 160 solo 185 dual if anyone is interested.
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You sat there looking at an engine in front of you and 2 feet above your head and expected a pitch up with increasing power?
Possibly I find the experience relatively comfortable since I got to solo in a different fuse-tube construction aeroplane - the good old Spectrum, 5 of which I think are still flying!
G