blackhawk799

52 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

Are you guys serious?

 

I gave you leads on 4  low wing aircraft (as stipulated) all powered by Rotax 912 (as stipulated) - all under $80 k (as stipulated) all capable of economy cruising above 120 knots for a ULP consumption of 16-19L/h or so AND you start talking about high wing rag & tube that will be lucky to see 105 knots flat out.

 

Perfectly legitimate however me thinks your just having a fantasy 

Hi Skippy I guess your reply is aimed at Bosi. 

Do you know much about the europa monowheel?

8 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

J 230 Good aircraft - you cant use all of its luggage (weight) capacity under RAA 600 kg - do the maths and you will find that its empty weight compromises its lifting potential - other aircraft have empty weight of 300 kg (+- either side) can lift more.

 

Just checked out Plane Sales Europa/Rotax for $38K - be hard to find a better cruiser

Have seen the ad for the Europa monowheel. Looks nice but never seen a monowheel yet in real life , are they much different to nosewheel? What sort of extra training I'd be looking at ? 

The cruise speed is impressive 

1 hour ago, RFguy said:

i think that's a good idea. The 160 looked clean in the photos. It will help you understand what you need from your 2nd airplane....

Yes exactly my thoughts too. Yeah the Jabiru looks clean and tidy on photos but going to go and see it in real next week 

BH

Some interesting points 

RFGuy I have actually been negotiating the purchase of a Jabiru 160 . I think it might be the same one that you mention from gumtree.  I have considered the option of converting to RPL and I know eventually I will but right now I'm in that stage of my training where I am close to getting my RPC and you just can't resist the urge to buy your own plane ASAP and have the freedom to fly whenever you can. I'm sure most here have been through this. 

I have thought carefully about my options for the near future and a Jabiru  160 perhaps stands out. At 312kg empty and 540kg MAUW it can carry me and my wife (120kg combined) and 20kg of luggage(which I feel would be enough,  wife might disagree) we would still be able to carry enough fuel to have 6 hour+ endurance and cruise around 90Knots . Spares would be most easy to source and probably cheaper too. So it does tick all the boxes for me , for now. In time, as with everything else in life I'll probably want something faster and nicer so may move into GA as the wallet permits! 

BH

6 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Do you have:

 

A purchase price range ? 

"Mission" objective ?

 

The above will limit/guide your search eg (very rough)

 

Fast glass is likely to be $60K + in pre loved and $120 K + in new kit and $140K + in factory build

Mission - STOL mostly "rag & tube" as low as $20K in pre loved

 

There are Jabs grazing in the long grass or hiding in a dusty corner of a shed, on nearly every RAA airfield - make some enquiries and you might just pick up a reno for a song

 

 

I want to be able to tour around Australia so has to have a reasonable range and endurance , preferably cruise at 90KIAS at least (dont want to be anything under 85) . Preferably Rotax powered. Price range is upto 40k but willing to go up to 50k for the right plane. I know I'm asking too much right?

On 29/09/2020 at 5:21 PM, NT5224 said:

G'day Blackhawk 

 

A first purchase is always an exciting time, but be sure you dont let your heart get ahead of your head!  This is probably a great time to be buying a used aircraft and there are some great ones around  If your 3000km  from an aircraft in the NT, then I'm guessing its in the Top End.   Flick me a PM,  I might be able to help... 

 

Alan   

Hi Alan , just saw your post , thanks for the offer. But I am no longer purchasing this plane in NT as the seller has backed out for reasons unknown to me . So I am back to square one looking for my first plane again! Cheers for the offer 

BH

Goodday all!

wow ! I didn't expect to get so many responses to my post so thank you to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts

Quite a few very useful pieces of advice from each one of you who commented . I am feeling a little more wiser and appreciate all the input . I hope this thread will also help out a lot of other first time plane buyers like myself .

I will be taking my next steps a lot more carefully now then I originally would have , I realise there is a lot more to it than I first thought! I will keep you guys posted on my progress.

Cheers

What OME said.

Plus, I think 3000km is too far away for you to even contemplate a buy. You need to find something you can personally go see, and take an aircraft mechanic with you.

Watch this video:

 

A friend bought a plane (that we actually knew) some years ago. It had not flown for 6 years. Was assured that as it was in a LAMEs hangar it would be checked over and be ready to go. No, we didn't want to risk it and so took a trailer nearly 1300km to go get it. We got it home, got it back together, had it checked over and sent the engine away for a part overhaul and thorough checkover. It was known to have had oil cooling problem. Judging by what the LAME had done with the cooler location and ducting and hoses, it was no wonder. Instead of the factory fitted straight oil hose nipple, it had a two piece right angle arrangement, a straight hose nipple screwed into a 90 degree adapter. The straight item blocked 3/4 of the oil flow in the 90 degree adapter. It would not have lasted five minutes on a flight home.

Hi 440032 ,

Thanks for your thoughts and sharing the video , I will watch it tomorrow as its a pretty long one!

Narrow escape that ! Just goes to show you cant really take anyone's word when it comes to planes .

Do you think for me it might just be the better option to pick the airplane up in its present condition and put it in a trailer and bring it home then fix it up myself (with the help of other trained people of course) I have the option to do that at a reasonable price. Cheers

Preferably get someone experienced with Rotax's and fabric. Many LAME's are not....

The RAA have a listing of their L2's.....

Can I ask what state it is in?

The aircraft is located in NT , I am in SA. No border restrictions but 3000km is a bloody long way away!

Can you please post the link for RAAus L2 listings as I cant find it , thanks

Hi Old Man Emu ,

thanks for your honest advice

as I say , I am new to all this and I want to do it properly by learning from all you experienced lot here.

I don't want to be flying around in an unsafe plane . Hence why I want to have it checked out independently by a qualified person who knows what they are doing. I don't fancy the idea of getting expensive surprises either so would much rather pay an inspector for a thorough examination and if any issues are identified use that to negotiate the price down .

Cheers

G'day everyone ,

I am an inexperienced pilot (50 hours in total, if that matters) and looking at buying my first ever aircraft so please go easy on me if I sound like a complete noob . I already have a kit built plane in mind which at the moment is located about 3000km away from where I am based so its not so easy to just go and have a look at it . The said airplane also hasn't been flown for a good few years due to owner's personal circumstances. It is powered by a Rotax 912 ULS . The body is mainly fabric which I have been told is in very good condition but will be examined before the sale. The owner has agreed to do all that is necessary to make it airworthy again prior to the sale. I believe the engine requires a service and hoses and rubbers changed. Is there anything else that I should be mindful of ? I understand the aircraft would also need a condition report before the sale. How does one go about arranging this and is it expected to be paid for by the owner or the buyer. Any other tips and things to watch out for would be highly appreciated . Cheers