Which Aircraft

[glidingdoc]

Hi Guys,

Could anyone offer a suggestion of what sort of aeroplane I ought to be looking for?
I am 6' 2" tall and need a plane capable of lifting two pilots weighing 15 stone each and a couple of overnight bags for a weekend away and still leave sufficient useful load for fuel for two to three hour's endurance.

Budget is up to £20,000. Any ideas?

Steve

[Ian Hoolahan]

Depends if you want sole ownership or happy to share, we have members your size in our RV7 group, for 20K you could do a 1/4 share in an RV7/8 or a 1/3 in a 4/6 which would give you a good standard nice performing aircraft.

[Seanjd]

Hi
I can't really advise on what to buy, but as an owner of a Aeronca Champ 7AC, can tell you that will NOT be suitable due to AUW. Although you can get thim in your budget.
A lot 3-axis microlights will also not be suitable, if you want to fly legally, but again a good few are available in your budget.
There are loads of Jodel variants that may well be around or under £20k but you may struggle to fit in one. I tried a 115 and was too tall at 6ft 2". Couldn't shut the canopy!

Keep a look out on AFORS for anything within budget, and maybe post a wanted advert on there.

Good luck.

Sean

[mike newall]

Plenty of load capacity in a Champ for those chaps.......

On a C-85 though

[tnowak]

Two pilots at 15 stone each: 420 lb
Two overnight bags (typical minimum): 30 lb
Say, 2.5 hrs max range plus 30 mins reserve for a C90 or 0-200 engine type engine (20 l /hr): 115 lb

This works out at around 565 lb total payload (or nearer 600 lb if you want something with 3 hrs range plus 30 mins reserve).

You are most likely looking at one of the larger Jodel range, a Piper Super Cub or something similar.
Not that familiar with the range of kit built aircraft available which may meet your needs, so best to ask the LAA.
Add to the mix your height requirements and the choice reduces somewhat.

A 20,000 budget significantly reduces what you are likely to find if you want sole ownership.....

Tony Nowak

[Nick Allen]

Grob 109 or Dimona H36 motorgliders get close to the spec. There are several H36s for sale in that price range on the continent. (Not Permit, of course.)

[Seanjd]

Plenty of load capacity in a Champ for those chaps.......

On a C-85 though

Depends on the model of Champ though, as to Max Weight limit