What to buy ?

[TanyaK]

My Bantam is down the road or we can make some arrangement for you to visit Rhino or me fly over to Petit.

Hi Agent, hope you are well !

Thanks for the offer, I will see what I can do, I might be down in CT this weekend for work though, will see where my new boss sends me !

I would love to take you up on the offer though :D Thanks ! Will make a plan and let you know.

Kind Regards,
Tanya

[TanyaK]

Tanya
Dont rule out the P&M GT450 trike
80-90mph cruise, 450kg mtow (easily)
great economy and stiability, plus all the usual trike advantages

Hi Demon,

Yes, I have heard that the GT450 is awesome ! My partner has seen it fly and he had lots of good things to say ! My only problem with it is the tandem seating and the lower "bad weather" flying capability, not sure if that holds for the GT450 though ? Is it better than other trikes in turbulant conditions ?

Thanks !
Kind Regards,
Tanya

no comparison to other trikes in turbulence
last weekend at hazyview i was taking flips at 14h00
i will be at the heidelberg breakfast on sat if you want a test flight

Thanks for the offer Demon ! I would love to try the GT450 ! I will see how my weekend pans out, might have to work though (new job !)

Kind Regards,
Tanya

[RV4ker (RIP)]

T

Have done a bit of flying in Kalahari (Bray, Tosca and furhter West) The pans in Kalahari are BAIE PLAT and there are plenty sports to put down. I have landed on them with a C182RG (which has a dodge nose wheel). Do inspections etc and avoid the dark (wet) patches, but that said it has rained plensh recently, so should be dry for next 10 years...

BOTTOM LINE - They can all do it. Key is to find the right match for you. GO FLY THEM ALL, pref with your partner for hr or more. Namibia is a LOOOOOOONG way if it too cosy.... Taildragger (excluding Sav) are possibly better as the U/C is more robust and field maintenance is easier. (I have taken off & landed on the skid where the tailwheel used to be rather than try to get field service or trailer the 400km back to civilisation)... Tailwheel breaks off you can fix it. Nose wheel breaks off you have huge problem$$$ if far from civilisation... A true bush plane is one which can be maintaned in da bush. Look at something that runs on Mogas and fabric is possibly easier to patch than the plastic fantastics. High wing gives you some shelter when temp is 40+ deg and better clearance over the odd bush

I fly a tandem and with my kids (all under 6 yrs) it is difficult, but with co-joe it not at all bad and the viz can not be beat. Camer can take pic's both sides, but due to speed I can't remove canopy so not idea for air shots. If going to do air shots consider removable doors and again high wing has benefits over low wing. Better viz downwards.

2c....

Good luck and enjoy it....

[TanyaK]

WOW ! Thanks Everyone for all the information ! So many options !

I must say the Skyranger looks very good as well, it has many features that looks right for what we want and the price is good. Looks like we will be making a trip to EL soon.

Thanks for the help, this forum and you guys are tops :D

Kind Regards,
Tanya

[RV4ker (RIP)]

I had so much fun while test flying all the options when I have bought aircraft, I am finding myself leaning that way again just to go through the whole "testing" process.

When I bought the Cubby, I test flew some 10 or 12 aeries. It was huge fun and a great learning experience. NEVER exclude any aeries by what you hear. FLY THEM YOURSELF. Don't rush it and enjoy the process. It was a bit of a let down once I had finally made the choice. The cheap airline flights means test flights in KZN or EC are couple R100bucks. Most guys/gals will put you up and entertain you as well. That why I love the ML fraternity. It not what you fly, simply that you fly......

Off my soap box now ....hat coat door...

[TanyaK]

T

Have done a bit of flying in Kalahari (Bray, Tosca and furhter West) The pans in Kalahari are BAIE PLAT and there are plenty sports to put down. I have landed on them with a C182RG (which has a dodge nose wheel). Do inspections etc and avoid the dark (wet) patches, but that said it has rained plensh recently, so should be dry for next 10 years...

BOTTOM LINE - They can all do it. Key is to find the right match for you. GO FLY THEM ALL, pref with your partner for hr or more. Namibia is a LOOOOOOONG way if it too cosy.... Taildragger (excluding Sav) are possibly better as the U/C is more robust and field maintenance is easier. (I have taken off & landed on the skid where the tailwheel used to be rather than try to get field service or trailer the 400km back to civilisation)... Tailwheel breaks off you can fix it. Nose wheel breaks off you have huge problem$$$ if far from civilisation... A true bush plane is one which can be maintaned in da bush. Look at something that runs on Mogas and fabric is possibly easier to patch than the plastic fantastics. High wing gives you some shelter when temp is 40+ deg and better clearance over the odd bush

I fly a tandem and with my kids (all under 6 yrs) it is difficult, but with co-joe it not at all bad and the viz can not be beat. Camer can take pic's both sides, but due to speed I can't remove canopy so not idea for air shots. If going to do air shots consider removable doors and again high wing has benefits over low wing. Better viz downwards.

2c....

Good luck and enjoy it....

Hi RV,

Interesting, yes, I have done quite a bit of "bundu bashing" before in a 4x4 and have often looked at all the open spaces with longing eyes !

I agree on the taildragger, I think it is the best option by far with a nice set of fat wheels. The fixing of the "plastics" is also a good point, will keep that in mind. I also think a high wing is the best option, also easy to use the wing to support a tent :D

Thanks for the pointers, hope we can make the right decision, and soon.

Hope to meet you someday "out there in the blue" !
Kind Regards,
Tanya

[TanyaK]

I had so much fun while test flying all the options when I have bought aircraft, I am finding myself leaning that way again just to go through the whole "testing" process.

When I bought the Cubby, I test flew some 10 or 12 aeries. It was huge fun and a great learning experience. NEVER exclude any aeries by what you hear. FLY THEM YOURSELF. Don't rush it and enjoy the process. It was a bit of a let down once I had finally made the choice. The cheap airline flights means test flights in KZN or EC are couple R100bucks. Most guys/gals will put you up and entertain you as well. That why I love the ML fraternity. It not what you fly, simply that you fly......

Off my soap box now ....hat coat door...

I agree the "research" can be a lot of fun ! I am already having fun and have only had 2 test flights !

What about the Cubby ? Other than tandem seating it is also a good option in my book and has "the look" as well.

I agree 100%, the ML guys are amazing ! I cannot believe how great everyone is to me, thanks everyone, hope to meet you all one day.

Yes, flights are cheap and with our work being all over the country it is often possible to combine business with pleasure

Tanya

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Cubby is not a bad aerie, but has a bad reputation. Some like the VW others don't. Your choice. Systems are dead simple and maintenance is cheap. Flies very well and I love it, but I have a soft spot for aeries with a little wheel. The newer ones are reported to have 9hrs endurance. Luggage space is a bit ltd though for your application I suspect...

PS
Due to bad reputation you can get them really cheap. I saw 1 advertised for R150K neg somehwere.

AGAIN
Go fly them.

[TanyaK]

Cubby is not a bad aerie, but has a bad reputation. Some like the VW others don't. Your choice. Systems are dead simple and maintenance is cheap. Flies very well and I love it, but I have a soft spot for aeries with a little wheel. The newer ones are reported to have 9hrs endurance. Luggage space is a bit ltd though for your application I suspect...

PS
Due to bad reputation you can get them really cheap. I saw 1 advertised for R150K neg somehwere.

AGAIN
Go fly them.

Hmm, still a great looking plane, have always loved a Cub, my first flight EVER was in a J3 Cub in Australia, was about 14 but remember it like yesterday !

Nothing wrong with the VW, I know my partner also likes them, used to race them and can rebuild one in his sleep ! He also build a KR2 with a VW a long time ago.

Yes, fly them we will, it is the only real way to know if they are "right" for our application.

Tanya

[Weg]

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.

[Hazzard]

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.

[grosvenor]

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

[Morph]

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

[RV4ker (RIP)]

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....

[RV4ker (RIP)]

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.

Not SA Plane, simply made in SA from US plans...

From Barnstormers....

CUBBY • SOLD!! THANKS TO BARNSTORMERS • $19,900 O.B.O. Homebuilt 1983: Continental-65 HP: TTAF 637: SMOH 637: new aluminum gas tank, wing strut forks, wing bolts, shock struts and cords.

CUBBY • $9,000 • SOLD!! THANKS TO BARNSTORMERS • Home built cub, 0-200 smoh120 hr Airframe 120 hr. radio & Mode c Needs Annual. Good Brakes and cover

CUBBY • $28,000 • PRICED FOR FAST SALE • Great little plane, always hangered, 28'6" wing span, uses @6gph, cruises @92mph, stall 39, empty wt 879, useful load 471, rate of climb 490, annualed Oct/05, only 140 hrs on this plane, has 115 hp lycoming 0235-C engine, trim tab on elevator, skylight, electric start, marker lights, no landing headlight, two 13 gal wing tanks & 1gal header tank (behind rear seat), fabric in good shape, white with dark green nose cowling and stripes, wood Sensenich propeller, navcom radio ), no trades.