Low cost strip plane - what would you recommend?

[ChampChump]

If you get nowhere meanwhile, my Temporary Champ may be for sale in a few months. Jodel D120, that is. Real Champ definitely not. I've had a few idle enquiries already, thus proving their popularity.

Those who have flown her so far have had no big trouble with cabin space.

I still think that if you want to run happily on Mogas, a Rans 6 or 7 would tick as many boxes as is possible, albeit without the charm of the oldies. But I don't think you included beautiful in your original specifications, did you?

Edited to add I think OH reckons to run his Rans for a genuinely all-in £30 ph. That's everything all in. Can't beat that. 'Course, you'd have to learn to love the Rotax shake, like a dog coming out of the water...

[SteveKR]

"I don't think you included beautiful in your original specifications, did you? "


you're right, I didn't but now that I come to think about it, a bit of olde worlde charm is probably part of the spec. There are a couple of Jodels advertised at the moment that I'll be making equiries about over the weekend, and have PM'd Rich about the Champ.

BTW - thanks all for the advice - it's been extremely useful. As Rich said, I've come to the conclusion that I'll have to make some compromises.

[Rich Valler]

Steve, no pm received ...
Rich

[mike newall]

CC - Are we getting closer Chuck ?

Rich - Pheeew !

[ChampChump]

Mike, yes we are...just waiting for the b....y humidity to drop.

Himself was heard to answer a question by someone not long back "Will she be ready by summer?" A straight answer, even... "Oh yes"

'Course, there still seems to be a long way to go but once that spraying is done...and the struts...and the paperwork...and...

a HUGE party.

This is my new positive attitude, worn in the face of disappointments and c*ck-ups. Whatja think?

[James L]

Steve,

An alternative angle - I own an Avid Speedwing with a Jabiru 2200 and it does all the stuff you ask. Only downside is that it's quite small, so your height could be an issue.

It uses mogas at 11.5 lph, wings fold if required, nimble in the air, stalls at 40mph, cruises at 85-90mph and it's a steel airframe. I've landed it in some unusual places and it delivers. I just love it.

The only downside I find is the ground handling - it's sketchy when the tail is raised, but it will soon turn you into a dancing hero.

It's not really a traditional choice, and people will always refer to it as a microlight, but perhaps worth a look?

Mine, yesterday:

[Rich Valler]

Himself was heard to answer a question by someone not long back "Will she be ready by summer?" A straight answer, even... "Oh yes"

CC, I think a key word may have been missed ... this

"Will she be ready by this summer? .... "

Roll on the party!

Rich

[Jonathan Holland]

Hey, that's me in the Tcraft photo!!!! I wish I could say I was 6 feet and 11 inches but I'm not. Yes, you're right Rich, the view out of a Tcraft needs the neck of a camel, but they're still good machines.

[ChampChump]

ChampChump wrote:
Himself was heard to answer a question by someone not long back "Will she be ready by summer?" A straight answer, even... "Oh yes"


CC, I think a key word may have been missed ... this

"Will she be ready by this summer? .... "

You're just worried about losing your place on the Concours podium, methinks....

All we need is a reasonable temperature, some lower humidity and ....oh, yes, I see what you mean...

[mike newall]

James,

Are you hoping if you water it, it will grow into a proper aeroplane

Nic,

Nah, mine won't win any cups, but let me know when you are ready and I will pop down in - oh, 40 minutes

M

[ChampChump]

40 minutes? Barely enough time to study the fields in Lincolnshire...as one must...