Mychael

Thanks. I did find the link and some video of Jan being interviewed at a fly-in.. The concept seems good but seems to be in the early stage of development and I simply do not have the money to be part of the R&D in my own aircraft if I were to get one. I found a discussion group and your correct in that opinions (probably like most things in aviation hobby) seem to be quite polarised to one side or the other with still not a lot (at least from what I was able to see) hard facts and data.

Not heard of the Viking engine. I'll google it unless someone has a link for me.

Thanks everyone. Specifically I am considering a SkyRanger Swift. Their info site lists suitable engines as being the AeroVee 80Hp or the Rotax 912. The Rotax would be an excellent choice but the $ factor comes into it a bit for me as well.

Thanks, A bit cheaper in terms of purchase price also if I understand correctly. not sure but how much though. Mike

Goodaye Dave, apologies that I do not recall your name but sure sounds as if we must have crossed paths. At one time there were 3 Luton Minors at Berwick.. Mine VH-ULL red and silver and all flying rudder. VH-RFT White and Yellow with a BP sticker on the fuselage and owned by Bruce Hearn and VH-RPH Yellow and Black and if I recall correctly owned by a Tony Holtham or Holder. RFT & RPH both had fin and rudder setup. I keep contact with Keith and Elsa Hatfield having attended their 60th wedding anniversery a few years back.. Both now live in retirement homes, Keith is now past 90yrs old. His two aircraft the Leopard Moth and the Miles Falcon both which I've flown in are now located at a Private hanger near the Lillydale airfield. Mike

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who owns or has flown or particpated in assembling a Skyranger kit. Thanks, Mike

Great you had those photo's to post up of the Flur-R-Bug. At one stage both resided at Casey airfield and I have flown both of them. I cannot recall which way around it was but one was owned by Sanda Veenstra and the other by Steve Chapman. They were fun to fly but mind numbingly noisey, no-one wore headsets in those days. My Luton Minor was VH-ULL.

As no-one has replied maybe my posting will bump it up again. Whilst a previous owner and fan of the Rotax engines I also would be interested in an Aerovee engine as an alternative.

Goodaye Owen. I also stumbled across your blog, just today as a matter of fact.. Tried to leave a reply to your engine failure story but it would not go through.. Anyway I enjoyed your story. Mike

Just Mike, living in the Sth Eastern side of Victoria. I first started flying in 1972 at Casey airfield in Berwick. Working there on weekends and school holidays for the princely sum of 50cents an hour (not a typo). I paid for most of my training that way. Soloed at 16 and got my full GA ppl on my 17th birthday. Casey Airfield gave me my love of homebuilts and antiques and I got to fly or ride in some good stuff over the years. There was no RAA back then and the SAAA called itself the ULAA (ultralight aircraft association) We used to go to meetings at BP house in St.Kilda road Melbourne. I've owned a Luton Minor with a two cylinder J.A.P engine, later on a 1947 Luscombe 8A. Unfinished projects that got sold on were a MiniCoupe and much later an X-Air. I've done a bit of gliding over the years just getting back into it now and also joined up with RAA, I'll have to do the conversion training to get my ratings taken across. Hopeing to buy another aircraft later in the year but it will be RAA registered.