C of A aircraft

Brian Robe · Post by **Brian Robe** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 2:15 pm

Can anybody help with advice.
I am considering moving from flying an Aeronca Champ which is a permit aircraft to something a bit faster (100mph at least). Dont get me wrong I love the Champ which is ideal for my 450 metre strip on a hill in Northumberland and I can maintain it myself but she who must be obeyed would be happier with something side by side probably with four seats, high wing and faster.
I was tempted by a Piper PA 22 taildragger curently advertised by Plane Trading but it is on a CofA. What are the annual costs of this certificate. The aircraft in common with others on a CofA is offered at a reasonable price. In fact I have noticed CofA aircraft dropping in price rapidly. As far As I know the only four seaters on Permits are the Jabiru J430 (expensive) and the big Jodel. My nearest maintenance engineers are Clive at Carlisle and Graham Fox at Bagby both of whom I intend talking to.
Its a nice quandry to be in.
Brian.

Nick Allen · Post by **Nick Allen** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 3:39 pm

You might do better posing the question of CoA costs on, for example, the Flyer forum, which has a large readership well versed in these matters, and not afraid to share their opinions. (There are other four-seat Permit aircraft, by the way, but if you think the Jabiru is expensive, then an RV10 is even more so; and then there's the Mission M212...)

Post by **John Dean** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 4:05 pm

A fellow resident at our airstrip has a PA22 although it is only a two seat aircraft. It is an annex II aircraft and I understand this involves a slightly different maintenance regime from those with an EASA C of A.

He has a very good arrangement with his licensed engineer where he does all the work in their workshop except for a few items he doesn't have the equipment for. If you could find a similar arrangement, it could be very beneficial.

Brian Robe · Post by **Brian Robe** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 6:18 pm

Hi John.
The fellow with the PA22 has the sort of relationship I would be looking for.
I will have to do some reasearch and find out about annex II etc.
Would it be possible for me to e-mail him with his permission?
Nick I will take your suggestion and post on the flyer forum.
Input from others is allways welcome. I have only ever flown and owned Permit aircraft.
Regards.
Brian.

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:21 am

Your average total maintenance bill is likely to be around £5500 a year. (that is actually an average over 4 years of a friends aircraft). Also if you go for a bigger engine do consider the cost of fuel and if the aircraft can run on Mogas. A Jodel 1050 would give you the best of all worlds, allowing you to stay on a permit and get extra space.

One other point. When you present a maintenance company with an aircraft they have not worked on before you always get a big bill first time round.

Rod1

Nigel Hitchman · Post by **Nigel Hitchman** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:06 pm

I also understand that if the maintenance organisation you want to use doesnt already maintain this type, then they have to apply to the CAA to add it to their list of approved aircraft - at a cost of course and also buy all the approved manuals for the type.
There are a few people who are lucky, like John's friend with the PA-22 and get a very good deal from their engineer, but I guess each engineer will only do this for particular friends, as they have large costs to recoup that their business has to pay the CAA in order to operate and they are going to have to charge that to some of their clients!