Affordaplane

Henni · Postby **Henni** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:01 am

Thanks Bennie my mate - saw that pic before but did not reckognize it as a Raven.

Just out of interest, can anyone verify the price of R54k for the kit? I don't want to contact the supplier as I cannot afford it for the moment & I'm not willing to part with what I've got in te interim.

Henni

Barnstormer · Postby **Barnstormer** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:51 pm

See the Raven in this post (yelllow & red)

viewtopic.php?t=4513

Henni · Postby **Henni** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:57 am

Hi Barnstrormer,

Thanx mate. Won't you us give your unbiased impressions of the Raven please - how does it fly? What are the plusses and the drawbacks?

Anyone have some more pics please? Please post here if you will. I'm sure at R54k/complete kit (everything but paint, instruments & engine), it qualifies as an affordaplane too.

Henni

Barnstormer · Postby **Barnstormer** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:45 am

Henni

Personally, I really like the a/c!

Raven (and maybe this is only for THIS plane, but I doubt) behaves really well. When stalling, a wing doesn't drop. The a/c is responsive, is easy to land, it doesn't slip when turning. Pitch control is VERY sensitive, but you get used to it.

This a/c doesn't have wing tanks, but one header tank. So when full you feel it in take off and flight as the petrol gets less.

I'll comment again later

Barnstormer · Postby **Barnstormer** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:30 pm

Hi, Sorry, Had to mmmm... run.

Anyway...

I think a Raven with wing tanks would be much better.

The Raven can be registered as either PPL or MPL.

This one has the 912 upgrade, which apparently has no real advantages to the 912 80HP.

I would like to know if the +/- R54k price tag is correct.? Apparently the owner paid R68K for this one a few years ago. He paid a further R150k to have the kit built and then added the engine, instruments etc.

So... how much does this a/c kit really cost?

The alluminium used is apparently SA grade and not the same spec as the Zodiac used.

Henni · Postby **Henni** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:28 am

Hi Barnstrormer,

Thank you for the info - seems like a really nice aircraft. The price of R54k for a kit was quoted by the guys in Saldanha in the process of building their kits.

Pity if it costs more now, but in my opinion still great value for money.

Keep well,

Hennie

Barnstormer · Postby **Barnstormer** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:07 pm

Henni

The Raven / Zodiac really build your confidence!

The Raven is the SA version of the Zodiac.
The Zodiac does have a better under carriage; apparently some Raven owners have changed the uc with that of the Zodiac as they have experienced problems.

I still prefer a high wing plane, but the low wing does have some advantages.

I know the Zodiac kits are predrilled which makes it easier and faster to build, plus you know it will be more accurate! In my opinion, this has to increase the aircrafts resale value.

The newer Zodiac also now has flaps, which the Raven doesn't have.

Fuel consumption is between 15 and 23 l/h with the 912 Upgrade, depends how fast you want to get there.

Definitely on my list of planes to be considered once a have the cash!

swiftprop · Postby **swiftprop** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:23 pm

Having looked at the affordaplane.com website, it does look like a nice little project that won't take much time. Plans are only $25 but it does only have one seat. Morph has a point here!

skidmark · Postby **skidmark** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:18 am

Morph, I took a whole lot of pictures while Johan was still building the Raven. I can email them to you to post them on this thread. It has a 912 motor just to sort that one out. He did a beautiful job of the build. By the way Challenger is back safe and sound. Got smacked around at 1000ft in the D200 climbed up 1500ft and was smooth. see you at Mstar. :D :D

Henni · Postby **Henni** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:25 pm

Hi Skidmark,

Please mail me those pics to:

hennie.vanrooyen@exxaro.com

Thanks,

Henni

swiftprop · Postby **swiftprop** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:01 pm

I visited Carl Babst this afternoon in George. He is the person either supplying kits and can also make to order. He is currently building one with wing tanks also. The quality of his work looks very good. Best to contact him for further details on price, availability etc on 0832852525

Postby **Morph** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:24 pm

Henni wrote:Hi Skidmark,

Please mail me those ...

I mailed them to you

Henni · Postby **Henni** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:57 pm

Thanks guys,

I now have quite a few pics to my Raven collection - now I can dream on until I own one.

In the mean time I did a test over the weekend in the Mizer to determine the top speed one up - could maintain 82 mph without loosing altitude (I even chased a gyrocopter and gained on him in the process - he was most probably only doing a leisurely cruise at that stage). Not bad for an old aircraft!

Regards,

Henni

Barnstormer · Postby **Barnstormer** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:05 pm

So has somebody phoned Carl Babst to confirm the pricing or are we all going to bombard him with calls?

Postby **Morph** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:28 pm

I have spoken to Carl Babst.

When he first introduced the model he had a huge stock of aluminium he bought from Atlas aircraft and the price was R54K for the kit. This has now run out and the price has now had to increase to just under R70K for the kit

This includes the entire airframe, rivets, wheels, tyres everything except engine, engine mount, nose cowl, (these depend on the engine choice) upholstery and instruments. Each kit is hand made by him and volumes can be a problem.

He can also supply the airframe completely built at R98K to R108K

At the moment has orders for the rest of the year and has already supplied 40 units

If you are interested call him on 08three 2ate5 2525

Affordaplane

Who is online