bushbaby explorer cheetah xls and Cubby

[Boet]

As a matter of intrest, I built the very first explorer to fly. I made a cost-driven decision to fit a Rotax 582 engine to the aircraft. It really flies very well with this powerplant. To prove my point I once went for a flight around the patch with 2-up ( I x 130kg and 1x 110kg) and full tanks. (100l) No luggage. Temperature about 32 deg C, and 3000ft ASL. Ground run was not much longer. Climb rate was still 450fpm. Self was impressed too! This aircraft is still happily flying along with the same engine.

[noviasa]

Thanks for the reply

What is the take off distance with 2 pax and fuel tanks full?

[justin.schoeman]

Another hugely underrated local product:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8603

Based on the Zenith Zodiac, but much prettier. Pretty much the same specs as the Zodiac though.

Not really the same price range as the other local products though, as I think the kit is about 1/2 the price of the others .

-justin

[noviasa]

So we got down as SA products

Bushbaby explorer
Cheatah xls
Chubby
Raven

Did Raven not built also bigger planes in Pretoria I missed them in the last issue of LSA survey are they still producing. If I stand correct they were producing a mooney look a like?

Justin are we talking about the same ravin factory?

Another hugely underrated local product:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8603

Based on the Zenith Zodiac, but much prettier. Pretty much the same specs as the Zodiac though.

Not really the same price range as the other local products though, as I think the kit is about 1/2 the price of the others .

-justin

[Stephan van Tonder]

My topic on the cheetah. In the light sport category it is my opinion to be the best value for money and size that can be flown with an mpl license. I like the method of construction and the sails can be easily replaced when the time comes. No need for doping and painting.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8486

[justin.schoeman]

Nope - this is older than the SA Ravin.

The Raven is an all metal plane, which can be built as a microlight, or a light plane.

The Ravin is a newer, all composite clone of a Piper Comanche.

[noviasa]

1 but the ravin sa is also a local product?
2 Your Raven is it still in production?

Nope - this is older than the SA Ravin.

The Raven is an all metal plane, which can be built as a microlight, or a light plane.

The Ravin is a newer, all composite clone of a Piper Comanche.

[justin.schoeman]

1 but the ravin sa is also a local product?

Yes it is - although not quite in the same price class! (R1m+) (http://www.saravin.com/)

EDIT: Another local product, but also more expensive is the Slick. (http://www.slickaircraft.com/)

2 Your Raven is it still in production?

It never really was 'in production' - it is more Carl Babst's Hobby. He sells airframe kits and also complete airframes - just add engine and instruments.

[noviasa]

found it was spelling it wrong http://www.saravin.com a SA product! Question since its a kit plane are you allowed to fly a Ravin 500/300 with a mpl?

[justin.schoeman]

found it was spelling it wrong http://www.saravin.com a SA product! Question since its a kit plane are you allowed to fly a Ravin 500/300 with a mpl?

Not quite - this is a PPL only job. Same for the Slick...

[noviasa]

I have read your topic, made great reading and helped me a lot. Its not easy to make a decision on which aircraft to buy. Its not like cars where you grow up. So thanks for the replies. After reading I saw you visit the factory. Did you make a final decision on the plane / engine?

My topic on the cheetah. In the light sport category it is my opinion to be the best value for money and size that can be flown with an mpl license. I like the method of construction and the sails can be easily replaced when the time comes. No need for doping and painting.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8486

[noviasa]

http://www.ravinaircraftusa.com/images/RA_DSL.WMV

Nice video of a Ravin 500 playing in the air

Any more video's of a Cheetah? Or any other SA product

[Stephan van Tonder]

I have pretty much decided on a cheetah yes. Still waiting to feel the Jabiru engine version fly. Probably in this week coming. I really do like the 912s engine but the only thing is the cost. And now with the Rand taking such a knock it's even worse. Having now spent a lot more hours flying a cheetah I am really impresed with her. Just so docile. The one from the school is also a 912s engined version and for some reason this one is incredibly light on fuel we average around 10/11 L of fuel per hour and some of those are short circuits without even removing the flaps so I can get more landings per session in...
Just a quick note so you understand the regulation as to what can be flown on what. Current situation:
Microlights are classed as aircraft of not more than 2 seats - that does not exceed 450KG all up weight. The cheetah is rated to be able to have an MAUW of 560KG but in that case it's not strictly legal to fly it on your MPL 3-axis license.

There is a new license class coming and MPL will be replaced with recreational pilots license(RPL) with a rating inside that of either 'conventional' - this is what is the 3-axis mpl is now - 450kg MAUW - then there will be 'weight shift' - 'Gyro' and LSA - the light sport category. With that you will be able to fly 2 seater - MAUW 600kg planes. This was supposed to be introduced 1 November but I doubt it will. The minimum Requirements to get those license catgeories differ and the LSA comes down to 40 hours minimum - 3 hours of flying dual in controlled airspace doing circuits and bumps, 2 x 90 minute x-countries of minimum 3 legs and 1 out landing.
For airplanes heavier than those minimums or more seats you have to get PPL.

[Mogas]

Welcome Noviasa
Bushbaby movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7IIZ8DWrNE
Arguably the best value money airframe available in SA.
I have flown most of the competition, did my license on the Cheetah, each to his own but IMHO the Bushbaby and Explorer are the sweetest handeling of the lot, espetially the tailie!
Mogas
SA Planes

[johnsa]

Why should a Thalie handle better?

Nobody in favour of the Chubby?

fly safe, drive safe....safe s?