Buying a Micro Light

[Carel]

Buying a micro light aircraft (trike in my case) is a uniqe experience. You have a budget for a R 50,000-00 plane but start looking at R 100,000-00 planes. Eventually you realise that it is not yet Christmas and you need to lower your expectations. Now you looking at R60,000-00 planes and harass the owners to lower the price. After kicking tyres, pulling and pushing bars, starting up engines, watching it fly and seriously looking for "defects" that will save a few thousand bucks on the price you find that plane that speaks to you, just to realise that it is R 5,000-00 over your budget. There is no extra funds as the wife, bank, employer and whole family think that you are mad and looking for a way to hasten your expiring date.

Eventualy after kicking the owner in the nuts and in the face while he is down you get YOUR price, albeit R 3,000-00 more than budgetted.

At last the plane belongs to you and suddenly you realise that the colour scheme and a few thousand other things are not entirely to your liking (The plane was perfectly flying and maintained when you bought it)

So,

A new paint job,
New GPS,
A newer GPS,
New seats,
New tyres,
New comms,
New instruments.

And ?

You HAVE the money to do this, and most of this "upgrading" are considered bargains as it was barterred via Microlighters or services rendered by forum members. Your R 53,000-00 plane end up costing R 65,000-00 and it was the best buy of your life, till you start all over again.

Can`t wait to purchase my second plane.

My N$ 36,000-00 Windlass end up as N$ 44,000-00 plane. Added GPS 12 and later GPS 196, Boom extension, New tyres, Two helmets, Saddle bags (Donated free of charge - Forum member), Paint job and about a thousand other things I can`t remember.

Enjoy being a Micolighter, and remember that Micro Lights do not really age, but rather are in a state of continious upgrading.

[Big-D]

Carel you speaketh the truth brother - Why do we get so obsessive with airys - I am on my 4th trike in 4 years - I analyze absolutely everything when it comes to trikes. - Take off roll, LIFT, LIFT, Did I mention LIFT, fuel burn, Hands off speed, stall speed etc. The I take photo's that I can study at home about what needs to be changed next or what other fancy gadget can go where

My car cost a whole lot more than my trike, I spend 3 hours a day in it - I can hardly remember what model it is, nevermind stats like pull away and fuel burn - But planes - Different story


Eish We have a cool hobby/obsession