What to buy ?

[TanyaK]

Being the size that I am I decided to go for tandem seating arrangement of the Savage. While some might says that the down side is that the passenger sits behind you, the positive is the space it opens up, and all controls are duel (front and back). I am 6ft 2in and 135 Kg's and fit comfortable into the front or back of the Savage, (pilot sits up front). It flies with me front or back and comes with all the latest “mod cons” as you prefer. Check out the website, (www.aerosavage.com). The finish is one of the best in its class and is powered as standard with a 912 or 912s. There is one flying out of Rustenburg currently with the second due into South Africa, (Cato Ridge, Durban) within the next 5 weeks or so. Best of all, it comes for about € 37,500. ex VAT and shipping.

Hi Donald,

The Savage sounds interesting, I would prefer side by side seating but it is not cast in stone, if the other advantages makes it worthwhile it is not a problem. I will do some more reading on it, the price also sounds good.

Thanks for the information,
Kind Regards,
Tanya

[TanyaK]

Tanya
We have a lady A-22 Foxbat owner who operates her aircraft in Mozambique, 100miles north of Beira. She flies the Foxbat to the camp in June each year and back again in December. When in SA, it's based at Aviators Paradise, just north of the Magaliesberg. As Debbie is currently only avail on sat phone, I'll PM you the contact no. of someone else who has travelled long distances in a Foxbat, including touring Namibia.

Dave
www.dreamwings.co.za

Hi Dave,

This is interesting ! Sounds a lot like the kind of flying we want to do, I will contact the other person who's info you gave me and also lookout for Debbie when she is back.

Thanks !
Kind Regards,
Tanya

[TanyaK]

The fact of being able to fly and open and close the doors in flight versus, having to remove doors is a big one if you are going the be taking photos. If you see a good shot or you are getting hot simply pop the door open and take the pic. As far as I am aware only the Bushbaby and the Skyranger with the halfdoor option can do this. The others would require the complete removal of the doors while on the ground.

Next if side by side you are going to need comfort and space, the wide body Bushbaby (Explorer) is just the thing. You would also need accessable luggage areas to pack camping gear and luggage.

When if comes to price the Foxbat is way out of your range, at R420K with a long waiting list. However this is an exquisite plane, very comfortable and super fast. Can't fly with open doors though.

The Cubby is a pain because only the RHS door can be opened and I very much doubt if this can be done in flight. But Tandems are more comfy for two big folks, you don't rub shoulders.

My choices would be
Bush Baby Explorer
Cheetah XL
Skyranger

I think the Savanah is a good plane, great value, full metal but I think the large dash will get in the way of some good shots.

Oh and finally, with no disrespect to Agent, but the Bantam is just downright ugly

Hi Morph,

Good point on the doors, I was not aware that you can open some doors in flight, this would be a major plus in my book ! This makes my current favourite the Skyranger look even better. The Bushbaby Explorer is also a good option with quite a few around and pricing that is also good. The Cheetha is great, have seen what can be packed into one but new they are quite expensive for what you get.

I would still prefer side by side, the two of us fits into a Jabiru quite well so I am sure a Bushbaby or Skyranger would be wide enough.

The Foxbat is a bit expensive but we have decided that the budget is flexable if it is really worth the extra, I will have a careful look at the Foxbat based at Petit.

I must say I am not that keen on an all metal plane, maybe this is unfair as I might have the wrong perception but I feel the need for something more flexable for the rough strips, if a metal plane flexes it might be damaged ? Maybe I am wrong !

No comment on the looks of the Bantam, just now someone says "But she is a girl and she is only buying a plane because it is good looking" :D

Thanks for all the information,
Kind Regards,
Tanya

[TanyaK]

A cubby is quite different from a Cub - surprised that someone hasn't complained about the similarity in names. A cubby is a South African-made aeroplane.

Hi Weg,

Yes, it is different but still similar ? I know it is smaller with a different engine but the seating, wings shape and general layout is similar.

I have not seen one in real life, only on photos but will look out for one.

Thanks for the feedback,
Kind Regards,
Tanya

[TanyaK]

A cubby is quite different from a Cub - surprised that someone hasn't complained about the similarity in names. A cubby is a South African-made aeroplane.

Cubby is actually the plans they (the local ones) are based on. Locals made by Wings for Africa are actually designated as "VAN STADEN J MF CUBBY". The plans were available in US I think. It basically a 2/3 scale J3, but yes it is not a Piper Cub, but it is all about the price. Cubby's ICAO ID is also J3. The Cub was supposed to be the VW (peoples car) of the skies. Now at well over R300K they are hardly affordable IMHO. Original Cubby was R120K fly away. Based on price of a Piper Cub you could theoretically buy 2 Cubbies and each have oodles of space. Get dedicated chat frequency and it be like tandem, but with freedom to do your own thing..... (Just thinking aloud - No disrespect to any other aeries or their owners, but a 65HP J3 is possibly not a xcountry machine. I did Bloem to Grand Central a couple years ago in 4hrs 15mins. It was not fun as we were coming home. Seems way back always longer than way there. Truckers were overtaking us like we were standing still. Think ground speed was in region of 49kts avg.

The savage is great little aerie. Have had a good look at the FARG based one, but again exchange rate is against you and 912 is expensive although reliable.

Dave Gros has a couple realy nice aeries in KZN and def worth a visit. Don't take checkbook as temptation to fly one home will be HUGE....

Hi RV,

I have always thought of the Cubby as a kind of "scale model" of the J3. I know the real J3 is a bit slow for what we want to do, also it is not a ML and that would mean more time needed to get a PPL, though that is where I want to end up anyway over the longer term.

I have to say the photos you posted of the Cubby are really great, brings back fond memories, it does have a certain appeal and it looks like there are some real bargains around as well ! Maybe for shorter, more local trips ? Maybe the answer would be to get two planes and use what is best for the "mission" ?

I think we need to pay Dave a visit, looks like he has some interesting planes in KZN and it is not that far away, I will try and remember to leave the checkbook behind, but I know myself and my partner and things can happen very quickly !

Have a great day,
Tanya

[Rudix]

Hi T !

The Skyranger looks like a good option to me, but I suppose so does the Bushbaby Explorer. Not easy to decide, like RV said, fly them all and then decide !

I must admit I am partial to the Cubby, I used to fly a 1/3 scale R/C J3 for a long time.......

Till later,
Rudi

[Morph]

Pluses on the Skyranger side are the following
1. Very simple design, using straight aluminium tubing so easily repairable in the field. The covering material, although not the best looking is quite durable.
2. If you buy the kit it is the fastest to assemble.
3. The dash, although not particularly beautiful being flat is very useful as a storage shelf inflight i.e. you can have the camera plus lenses etc on top of it. In other planes you are going to have things in your lap, on the floor or behind you
4. The Jabiru 85HP motor option is a good one. 2000 hours TBO and now runs on Mogas as well as Avgas. Gives you good reliability and performance and consumption.


Go here for more details and the agents http://microlighters.co.za/viewtopic.php?t=730

[John Young]

Hi Tanya,

This is an interesting thread. If I upgraded I would be split between the Foxbat and Rally. Both have their own pro’s, but I will leave that up to the experts.

By the way, both parties are well known to me and are true professionals with tonnes of experience with whom I would be happy to do business. I think that this is an aspect to consider.

NOTE: - By implication, this does not mean that other dealers are all rogues.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

[TanyaK]

Pluses on the Skyranger side are the following
1. Very simple design, using straight aluminium tubing so easily repairable in the field. The covering material, although not the best looking is quite durable.
2. If you buy the kit it is the fastest to assemble.
3. The dash, although not particularly beautiful being flat is very useful as a storage shelf inflight i.e. you can have the camera plus lenses etc on top of it. In other planes you are going to have things in your lap, on the floor or behind you
4. The Jabiru 85HP motor option is a good one. 2000 hours TBO and now runs on Mogas as well as Avgas. Gives you good reliability and performance and consumption.


Go here for more details and the agents http://microlighters.co.za/viewtopic.php?t=730

Hi Again Morph,

Yes, the Skyranger seems to be a great option ! I also believe we will go for the Jabiru engine, looks like the best option and Rudi is very happy with the one in his Shadow. You have to see the engine idle at abt 450 rpm to appreciate the smoothness and it has plenty "go" at full power and a fantastic sound !

The kit might be an option, it does allow you to really get to know your plane and you can build it exactly the way you want, from reports it sounds like you can really assemble the plane in a short time and with 2 people working it will be fun as well, my partner has build a plane before and is quite keen to do it again..

Kind Regards,
Tanya

[TanyaK]

Hi Tanya,

This is an interesting thread. If I upgraded I would be split between the Foxbat and Rally. Both have their own pro’s, but I will leave that up to the experts.

By the way, both parties are well known to me and are true professionals with tonnes of experience with whom I would be happy to do business. I think that this is an aspect to consider.

NOTE: - By implication, this does not mean that other dealers are all rogues.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

Hi John,

I still like the option of the Foxbat but it is quite a bit more expensive than the other options. Will hopefully be able to have a good look at one the weekend, maybe if you look at the extras included it is not that expensive.

Kind Regards,
Tanya

[emil]

before you make up your mind...when you come for the bantam flip i will take you up in the sting...any time of the day...and then make up your mind

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Sting is out budget by some way I think. I dead keen on a 914 RG though

[Rudix]

Pluses on the Skyranger side are the following
1. Very simple design, using straight aluminium tubing so easily repairable in the field. The covering material, although not the best looking is quite durable.
2. If you buy the kit it is the fastest to assemble.
3. The dash, although not particularly beautiful being flat is very useful as a storage shelf inflight i.e. you can have the camera plus lenses etc on top of it. In other planes you are going to have things in your lap, on the floor or behind you
4. The Jabiru 85HP motor option is a good one. 2000 hours TBO and now runs on Mogas as well as Avgas. Gives you good reliability and performance and consumption.


Go here for more details and the agents http://microlighters.co.za/viewtopic.php?t=730

Hello Morph,

I like the kit option, it is always good to know how the plane was build, and how strong it is ! It does look like the Skyranger has plenty space and the big panel makes for lots of place for "toys". I think looks are not that important here but I do like the "utility" look of the Skyranger anyway.

I won't even think twice about the engine, a Jabiru it will be !

Safe flying,
Rudi

[emil]

Sting is out budget by some way I think. I dead keen on a 914 RG though

send me a mail and we can make a plan for a test flight this is the 914 turbo with EFIS panel...but not RG... the RG i think is a bit soft for rought fields.... and there is only like a 8 mph difrence between the 2

[Rudix]

before you make up your mind...when you come for the bantam flip i will take you up in the sting...any time of the day...and then make up your mind

What bothers me with the Sting is the short life expectancy of the airframe, as low at 1000 h according to some sources ! That plus the price and low wing config rules it out in my mind.

Safe flying,
Rudi