THE BEST AIRCRAFT?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

WHat are Rans prices like. Last time I checked they were HUGE ..

PS
Sportsman is not a light sport, but if you had 1.6bar, RV10 or RV4 and RV6/7/9 is only way to go..... Check USA market. There are RV's going for <$40K. That is hard to beat, but again they are not light sport....

[John Boucher]

I think the locally built and supplied "Sling" of Mike Blythe fame is going to really become a seriously popular choice in SA and the international market.

Just hope the price stays constant and does not sky rocket out of reach in a jiffy!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Agreed....

[Dish]

No ones mentioned the Bantam yet, 4 or 6 cylinder ?? both great STOL, 2000 hour TBO's forgiving and awesome little planes to fly -

[weedy]

Bugs on the trailing edge

Joking, its a great Ausi product.

[Dish]

This from an oke called "weedy" - ha ha -

How are you my friend....?? comin to Numbi ??

[John Boucher]

I think we are back at horses for courses!

I've flown the Bantam with both the 85hp & 120hp engine. True, the 120hp just makes a serious difference. Really a very a capable aircraft but so too the the following : Cheetah, Bush Baby, Savannah, Kitfoz etc.

I would love to see the Sling fitted with a Jab3300 engine upfront!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

I would love to see the Sling fitted with a Jab3300 engine upfront!

While it makes sense, I doubt there be any soon..... for obvious reasons.....

[John Boucher]

JA... we know that one!

However... if you buy it in a kitform such as a RV etc. and then from there?

[Dish]

yeah JB but without wanting to turn this into a bantam VS the rest thread, consider the prices of the two - the bantam super six is about 350 ?? what else can you get with that engine for that money...?? and yes, its certainly horses for courses....

[Morph]

In these difficult times the best aircraft is the one you can afford to own and fly. Even a MAC CDL or Skyfox as long as you fly

Personally I love my Bushbaby Explorer with 912UL(80hp) motor. I built it myself and I was fortunate to acquire a 2nd hand engine with 170 hours on it for R50K. In total my Bushy cost me R180K to build. If I had to build again now and did not have access to the engine I would seriously look at the Jabi engine.

Having said that, I am already concerned about the 912 weight upfront, 61kg plus accessories (water, radiators etc) making it 75kg. This adds to quite a noseheavy aircraft. The Jabi is even heavier at 81kg plus accessories (oil, no water or radiator) 85-90kg. I have already had an issue resulting in a flip over and making a serious modification to the front axle to handle the extra weight. I know of another bushy with a 912ULS motor, albeit built much heavier than mine, that has had similar issues. The aircraft is at maximum forward w&b which is fine when empty(the w&b moves back when I add humans and fuel), but when the ponies stop my plane takes a much sharper decent towards terra firma, than the 582 based Bushies. If you do go nose heavy maybe consider the tailwheel version.

To me the best engine for the Explorer is the 582. I know it is 2 stroke, but the power to weight ratio is perfect, the balance is perfect. The only difference is I cruise at 85mph dual and they cruise at 75 to 80. Fuel consumption is about the same.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

To me the best engine for the Explorer is the 582. I know it is 2 stroke, but the power to weight ratio is perfect, the balance is perfect. The only difference is I cruise at 85mph dual and they cruise at 75 to 80. Fuel consumption is about the same.

Put the wheel where it should be and there is no more problem.....

PS
Agree the 582 BB is hard to beat..., although with a nice round nose it looks like it was supposed to without the fake cowl...

[Ian]

To me the best engine for the Explorer is the 582. I know it is 2 stroke, but the power to weight ratio is perfect, the balance is perfect. The only difference is I cruise at 85mph dual and they cruise at 75 to 80. Fuel consumption is about the same.

And... if you could get a refurbed 618 you have a really nice performer

I know the difference in performance of a 618 to a 582 on a TBird is impressive... for the same weight

Also what Morph said is true, example - so my flying mate gets a Sportsman, absolutely stunning , but not for the vast majority of my flying which is weekend popping from 1 field to the next talking to other aerie fanatics, throughout the day, not limited to a few "quiet" morning hours, not freezing my sinus (Sav has a lekker heater)... But to fly long distance and still manage short strips he flies at twice my speed and with plenty more cargo.... But then I dont have R1,6 Mio for an aerie(before VAT and any extras, or the insurance, or the money/bowser for Avgas only) Also falling out the sky at 45 knots is a lot harder landing than 28 knots...

Horses for courses....

Cheers ian












Cheers ian

[KFA]

Forgot to mention the Jabi 2200 85hp with analogue instruments and a panel mount MGL radio and headsets fly away for around R350 000 excl VAT. Valid till the 5th of August when we will have our first price increase in approx 18 months.
Happy flying

[Ian]

This is my type of flying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bp_MuzBWXs

cheers ian