Microlighters

Hello Everyone,

I have been doing a bit of research into finding the right plane to buy but I am still confused.

The basic requirements are that it must be a 2 seater, side by side, have a reasonable range and good short/bad field capabilities, be able to carry at least some luggage and not be too slow, at least 85mph cruise would be good. A 4-stroke engine is preferred as is good visibility (for photography) Last but not least it should not be to expensive to buy or maintain ! The plane will be used mostly for a bit of cross country work and bush flying to get to good photo spots in the wild.

We (I am buying with a partner) have narrowed it down to the following planes, have we missed any good options ?

Cheetha
Bushbaby
A-22 Foxbat
Savanha

Any suggestions ? Anyone with experience with the above planes ?

Thanks, any information or advice will help !
Kind Regards,
Tanya

As per my previous post:

Since I've been looking around for an aerie in the last little while, I always find myself looking around at the "planes" section in CNA...

I found an absolute gem, called the World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2006/7...

It's a book that cover (probably) ALL Leisure aircraft, including over 1,500 Aircraft, Paragliders, Ultralights, Microlights, Paramotors, Hang Gliders, Gyrocopters, Paraplanes, Light Sailplanes, Engines, Accessories, etc...

It has a picture, short write-up and specs for them all!

This is an absolute must-have for anyone interested in (leisure) aviation in general, or for people like me, who want to buy one and need to compare!

I found it at CNA in Canal Walk, Cape Town...

Very very cool stuff!

It's also available as an on-line site at www.widola.com...

Check it out - everything you ever wanted to know and more...

Stan.

TanyaK wrote:Cheetha
Bushbaby
A-22 Foxbat
Savanha

Hi Tanya,

I would suggest that you add the following to your list of options.

http://www.catoaerotech.co.za

Regards
John ZU-CIB

Hi Tanya,

Check out this a/c as well

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB2/viewtopic ... =skyranger

ForensicFlyer wrote:As per my previous post:

Since I've been looking around for an aerie in the last little while, I always find myself looking around at the "planes" section in CNA...

I found an absolute gem, called the World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2006/7...

It's a book that cover (probably) ALL Leisure aircraft, including over 1,500 Aircraft, Paragliders, Ultralights, Microlights, Paramotors, Hang Gliders, Gyrocopters, Paraplanes, Light Sailplanes, Engines, Accessories, etc...

It has a picture, short write-up and specs for them all!

This is an absolute must-have for anyone interested in (leisure) aviation in general, or for people like me, who want to buy one and need to compare!

I found it at CNA in Canal Walk, Cape Town...

Very very cool stuff!

It's also available as an on-line site at www.widola.com...

Check it out - everything you ever wanted to know and more...

Stan.

Hi Stan,

Thanks, I think my partner has a copy of the book, sounds familiar, will ask him !

One other requirement would be local support though, it is a REAL pain to get a "new" plane imported and past the CAA

Kind Regards,
Tanya

John Young wrote:

TanyaK wrote:Cheetha
Bushbaby
A-22 Foxbat
Savanha

Hi Tanya,

I would suggest that you add the following to your list of options.

http://www.catoaerotech.co.za

Regards
John ZU-CIB

Hi John, hope you are well !

Thanks for the information, will do a bit of research on this interesting plane. I am just a bit concerned about the small wheels, might limit the rough landingstrip options ? I also see the MTOW is 650kg, not a microlight !

Kind Regards,
Tanya

Tanya, also have a look at the bantam. My ONLY crit on this, is that the plane sits rather low to the ground. We have one at our airfield, and the owner (Jica ) is as happy as a pig in poo.

Otherwise, my bet - The Cheetah.

loansharkblv wrote:Hi Tanya,

Check out this a/c as well

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB2/viewtopic ... =skyranger

Hi Bryan,

This look very interesting ! We will investigate this one, it looks like it would fit our requirements very well, thanks for pointing this plane out ! I can see a trip coming soon.

Kind Regards,
Tanya

kb wrote:Tanya, also have a look at the bantam. My ONLY crit on this, is that the plane sits rather low to the ground. We have one at our airfield, and the owner (Jica ) is as happy as a pig in poo.

Otherwise, my bet - The Cheetah.

Hi KB,

Yes, we have had a look at the Bantam, looks good but maybe a bit slow ? The sample I saw was also not completely enclosed but that might be an option. With the Jabiru engine it is a good option though.

Thanks !
Kind Regards,
Tanya

demon wrote: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

yes, the bantam is not completely closed cockpit, but I have heard, that because of the high wing, you don't get wet / wind blown.

Budget? (Assume in the R250K range)?

Cheetha
Bushbaby
A-22 Foxbat
Savanha

Importing is not a big deal, but it takes time and you are exposed to the exchange rate which is going west fast....

Based on the above I suggest you priorotise (sp?). They all have + & -. Some are better than others at certain things. What you gonna be doing most?

EG - The Savanha has prob best STOL characteristics, with others not far behind. If you going to "ROUGH" strips read no strip, maybe a road/track/field then Maybe the Sav is the one to go for. If going to use airstrips (ground/grass etc) then maybe it not a priority?

As I have said before Budget/Mission and best try to match the 2. If flying alone 90% then side by side maybe not such a big issue for eg. Obviously visa versa applicable....

Just an observation, see the 2 seat Jabi is not there? Maybe the fastest of the lot and good support....

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

kb wrote:yes, the bantam is not completely closed cockpit, but I have heard, that because of the high wing, you don't get wet / wind blown.

Interesting, yes, the Bantam looks quite cosy ! Will have a better look at it, my partner is sharing a hanger with one at the moment.

Thanks !
Tanya

RV4ker wrote:Budget? (Assume in the R250K range)?

Cheetha
Bushbaby
A-22 Foxbat
Savanha

Importing is not a big deal, but it takes time and you are exposed to the exchange rate which is going west fast....

Based on the above I suggest you priorotise (sp?). They all have + & -. Some are better than others at certain things. What you gonna be doing most?

EG - The Savanha has prob best STOL characteristics, with others not far behind. If you going to "ROUGH" strips read no strip, maybe a road/track/field then Maybe the Sav is the one to go for. If going to use airstrips (ground/grass etc) then maybe it not a priority?

As I have said before Budget/Mission and best try to match the 2. If flying alone 90% then side by side maybe not such a big issue for eg. Obviously visa versa applicable....

Just an observation, see the 2 seat Jabi is not there? Maybe the fastest of the lot and good support....

Hi RV4ker,

Yes, 250K is a good ballpark.

I think the main "mission" of the plane would be to take us to places like the Kalahari and Namibia for some nature photography (both keen photographers) with a tent and a few other things. I agree, the Sav might be the best option since often the runways would be simply open stretches of dirt. I have seen photos of Bushbabies in the bush as well.

The 2 seat Jabi was ruled out mostly because of it's (percieved?) weak shortfield capabilities. My partner might be flying one soon so that perception might change soon. Most of the flying would be 2 up so side by side makes more sense as it is easier to point things out to the other person, plus some other benefits

Thanks for the input, this is quite a complicated decision if you want to get it right first time. It is geat to be able to talk to people with so much experience !

Kind Regards,
Tanya