First Time Buyer
Moderators: John Dean, Moderator
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First Time Buyer
Hello LAA members and Guests, can you help please. I have flown all my professional life on military fast jets and now commercial big jets. However, I really miss stick and rudder flying and it has been my dream for many years to have my own aircraft. To that end I am very keen to buy a microlight/group A aircraft but I know didly squat about them.
This is what I do know. I cant afford a new one.I have a budget of approx 15k. I'm looking for 2 seat side by side with a folding wing that could be kept in a trailer. Ideally, powered by a Rotax 912 UL (but I fear this is being optimistic), if not then a 582 blue top.
What do you suggest I should be looking at? Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.
This is what I do know. I cant afford a new one.I have a budget of approx 15k. I'm looking for 2 seat side by side with a folding wing that could be kept in a trailer. Ideally, powered by a Rotax 912 UL (but I fear this is being optimistic), if not then a 582 blue top.
What do you suggest I should be looking at? Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.
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This might have fulfilled your requirements...
http://www.afors.com/index.php?page=adv ... 770&imid=0
Two seat side-by-side: check
Folding wings: check (at least I think so)
Rotax 912: check
£16,000: almost check
http://www.afors.com/index.php?page=adv ... 770&imid=0
Two seat side-by-side: check
Folding wings: check (at least I think so)
Rotax 912: check
£16,000: almost check
033719
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Tim
as, in your words, you know diddly squat about GA aircraft,you might consider a group share as your first venture. After some initial training (groups will probably insist on some experience) you will be able to gain experience flying with other members. The range of aircraft available to you will also increase.
The first rule of buying or building an aircraft is to define the mission. You may find that bimbling along in a rag and tube microlight isn't quite enough and that you want something faster.
Come to the Rally at Sywell in September, look at all the options, talk to owners, and cadge some rides for the cost of the fuel.
You've started on a splendid path. Keep at it and good luck.
John Michie
as, in your words, you know diddly squat about GA aircraft,you might consider a group share as your first venture. After some initial training (groups will probably insist on some experience) you will be able to gain experience flying with other members. The range of aircraft available to you will also increase.
The first rule of buying or building an aircraft is to define the mission. You may find that bimbling along in a rag and tube microlight isn't quite enough and that you want something faster.
Come to the Rally at Sywell in September, look at all the options, talk to owners, and cadge some rides for the cost of the fuel.
You've started on a splendid path. Keep at it and good luck.
John Michie
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Nick, Brian, Bill & John.
Thank you very much for your comments they are all very helpful. I live in rural Devon where shares in aircraft are very thin on the ground. I can get a share in a C42 at Dunkeswell but that is about 50 mins away for me and having flown it, I dont like it. Some of the best air time I ever had was as an air cadet in the 70s and 80s (remember!) flying the kirby cadet and Sedburgh and so the idea of a non rigid skin aircraft I find quite appealing. I am looking to store in a trailer to avoid hangarage and UV damage and I have the space at home. Plus, I love aeroplanes, always have since I was a child and the thought of having my aircraft on my premises that I can tinker with at leisure puts a smile on my face. Hence thats the plan i'm workingwith and I intend to research as much as I can over the next few months so I dont jump in blind and uninformed. To that end I am sure that I will really value the information generously provided through these forums.
The LAA engineering team are being very helpful, and patient, as I explore the regulations behind servicing and certification.
Anyway, I believe that there is a website where you can find certification details of specific aircraft ie specific tail numbers to confirm certified weights and useful load etc. Can anyone point me in this direction?
Also, I believe you can find out who last did the Permit to Fly inspection so again can someone point me in the right direction for that please.
On your advice, I'm going to the LAA rally on the Sunday so if you see a 6' 1" mid fourties, greying gent strolling around purposefuly then say hello Tim.
Kind regards
Tim
Thank you very much for your comments they are all very helpful. I live in rural Devon where shares in aircraft are very thin on the ground. I can get a share in a C42 at Dunkeswell but that is about 50 mins away for me and having flown it, I dont like it. Some of the best air time I ever had was as an air cadet in the 70s and 80s (remember!) flying the kirby cadet and Sedburgh and so the idea of a non rigid skin aircraft I find quite appealing. I am looking to store in a trailer to avoid hangarage and UV damage and I have the space at home. Plus, I love aeroplanes, always have since I was a child and the thought of having my aircraft on my premises that I can tinker with at leisure puts a smile on my face. Hence thats the plan i'm workingwith and I intend to research as much as I can over the next few months so I dont jump in blind and uninformed. To that end I am sure that I will really value the information generously provided through these forums.
The LAA engineering team are being very helpful, and patient, as I explore the regulations behind servicing and certification.
Anyway, I believe that there is a website where you can find certification details of specific aircraft ie specific tail numbers to confirm certified weights and useful load etc. Can anyone point me in this direction?
Also, I believe you can find out who last did the Permit to Fly inspection so again can someone point me in the right direction for that please.
On your advice, I'm going to the LAA rally on the Sunday so if you see a 6' 1" mid fourties, greying gent strolling around purposefuly then say hello Tim.
Kind regards
Tim
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Hi Tim, the 582, 2 stroke engine blue top is an improved version to help with the warming up period of the engine, in laymans terms, the Rotax 912 is a four stroke engine, both are water cooled. The 2 stroke will drink more fuel and be cheaper to purchase, the 912 will drink less and I would say it is more realible, which in general 4 strokes are. This is a very broad brush, but may give you a bit more insight.
Will Greenwood LAA/PCS
Will Greenwood LAA/PCS
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Re: First Time Buyer
Tim Couston wrote:Hello LAA members and Guests, can you help please. I have flown all my professional life on military fast jets and now commercial big jets. However, I really miss stick and rudder flying and it has been my dream for many years to have my own aircraft. To that end I am very keen to buy a microlight/group A aircraft but I know didly squat about them.
This is what I do know. I cant afford a new one.I have a budget of approx 15k. I'm looking for 2 seat side by side with a folding wing that could be kept in a trailer. Ideally, powered by a Rotax 912 UL (but I fear this is being optimistic), if not then a 582 blue top.
What do you suggest I should be looking at? Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.
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- Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2010 12:19 pm