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.

Maybe the money is getting chunky but I'd have thought a VANS RV-8 was the thing?

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

Those seem like downsides to someone who is *operating* it for rental, but I'd have to say as a 'recreational flyer' myself, I've hardly flown (rented) anything other than tailwheel since getting my rating - it's just more fun/satisfying/involving. Maybe I'm not most..

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.

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.

Is it me, but is the Rallye the second ugliest aeroplane in history after the Shorts Skyvan?

G

They ain't pretty !
They also have the slats on the front of the wings which I suppose is good though

I thought they were all on Permits now and hence not able to be used for commercial training? Apologies if I am wrong....:O

And the Wilga.....

Well my take on all of these comments is that there isn't a flying school suitable taildragger on the market.

Ghengis which one are you going to go for?

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...

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...68626886_n.jpg

?

G

Really why you think a Chipmunk would frighten PPL's? Isn't it the entry level for most starting on a tail wheel?

In terms of renting it out to them, I think it might - plus it's expensive to run, and expensive will scare off most PPLs.

I don't know, what is most tailwheel training on nowadays? Super Cubs? Citabrias?

G

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?:confused:

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.

I see your point - but if doing a deal with a school that limits you to schools that have hangerage, or where you could put one up.

Thrusters - lovely little aeroplanes. I have a little over 100 hours across the variants.

G

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. ;)

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.

Surprisingly enough, none - although I'll admit to several in different types with the same engines :}

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!

http://www.bmaa.org/upload/U200262_spectrum.jpg

G

A Thruster now your talking. Although can't say I'm overkeen on any of the engine options.