My name is Rob and I've just recently joined the LAA.
Not sure if this is the correct section in the forum, so please feel free to move it or point me that direction!
I'm looking into purchasing a Cassutt Racer for the purposes of Air Racing. This will be the first aircraft I have ever owned and also the first time in using an aircraft that falls under the LAA rules.
My choices so far have come down to a couple of aircraft in the UK, France or the USA. As with most people my budget is not endless so value for money is key especially with the idea of racing!
I'm forming a team currently with a friend of mine and our current goal is Reno air races in 2015 competing in the F1 class and the Jet class.
With this in mind many of the aircraft that I have found in the USA are very attractive value for money wise especially as most have been raced there already. Prices seem to range from $30-50'000 for a complete race ready aircraft. In comparison the Cassutts I've seen so far in Europe are about £13-21'000 which is the same kind of money but they are largely stock.
My big question though is how difficult it would be to import a US registered aircraft into the UK and re-register/certify it here to allow us to fly it and work on it here prior to transport to the US next year to race? (and hopefully compete in the European series at a later date).
Whilst many European Cassutts are in very nice condition they tend not to be on the same customised level as the racers I have looked at so far.
If we bought a stock Cassutt, realistically how expensive and difficult would it be to certify a different wing, tail plane assembly etc?
Thanks in advance for your replies, I have sooooo many questions and still so few answers!
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