Cheetah Sierra

[kfowler]

cheeta serria

 

i was talking to Garry Morgan today about the cheetah sierra which is a new plane not really it is the cheetah all metal skin with the 3300 jabiru a cruise speed of 130 knt very interesting i think that i will get one

 

 

[Guest Sabre]

Excellent news...make sure you take some pics when you get it

 

 

[kfowler]

i will start the ball rolling in about a month will try for photos then

 

 

[Guest disperse]

any ideas on price yet ? i really like the joey2 but really stretching the buget for me but really worth it.. so im eagerly awaiting news on the sierra

 

 

[Guest disperse]

THANKS Chris so all up somewhere between 50/55k would get you in the air im guessing/ praying.....sounds fantastic;)

 

 

[Guest disperse]

got another one for ya all.....

 

i havent started training yet...so accual flying time 0 hrs how much harder/easier/different is flying a cheetah/ sierra to say a J160

 

because i dont know what is going to come first for me , the funds for a plane or the clearence to fly. so if the funds come first i would like to start (hopefully finish) building a kit

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Disperse - forgot about your question and just found it again.

 

I have flown the J160 a bit (took one to Narromine this year) and the Cheetah (noone has flown the Sierra yet) so I can answer your question as well as anyone I guess.

 

They are very different aircraft in some respects, and similar in others. For example, high wing jab, low wing Cheetah. 42 knot (ish) stall Jabiru with flaps against 30 knot stall Cheetah and it doesn't even have (or need) flaps.

 

On the other hand, they are both nosewheel aircraft with wings.:)

 

Learn in a Jab, then spend some time dual in a Cheetah to get used to it. This is true of any new plane you fly. A little dual time to find out how it ticks.

 

The Cheetah is beautiful to fly and has no vices. The low speed handling is amazing when you consider it will also cruise at 120kt. You really have to work at stalling it, and even then it is flying again by the time the nose comes level to the horizon. It will not spin unless you try hard, and will recover if left alone. Another amazing aspect of its flight is that it is always in trim. I have not yet had to adjust trim for any phase of flight. I don't know how that works. Probably to do with the all-flying elevator and mass-balanced control surfaces.

 

The handling is direct without inviting over-control. It just feels sporty.

 

Ground handling is very different and requires some practice. Fully castoring nosewheel versus the Jab's steerable nosewheel.

 

I'm impressed. So much so I bought the company. (joke - just showing my age)

 

Executive summary:

 

Don't stress it. Learn in whatever (a Gazelle or even a Hornet with monster truck tyres to make it easy), then convert dual with someone experienced on type.

 

Check my sig for the final word.

 

Ross

 

 

[Bigglesworth]

Just got some pics of the sierra from Garry today.

 

Looks excellent, won't be long now.

 

 

 

 

[slartibartfast]

I've got a bunch I took at the same time. We tacked a few things on for these shots.

 

You get the gist though.

 

I thought I'd start a new thread called "Cheetah Sierra" because I thought there would be a lot of interest in this aircraft. There should be. This thing will rock - although I believe it is overkill. The Cheetah will still win on the "swings and roundabouts" school of design.

 

But the Sierra will cruise at 130kn at least and will climb like a very climby thing.

 

Photos when I get a chance.

 

 

[Guest disperse]

I LOVE IT.......only thing is I dont get is the seeminly lack of interest in the JOEY 2

 

i mean common 150kts cruise ???????

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Disperse, the main reason Garry won't do the Joey anymore is the build time. It is wood and takes a lot longer to build than a Cheetah. He designs and builds wonderful aeroplanes, and he wants everyone to be able to build them in reasonable time. The Cheetah and Cheetah Sierra are the current leaders in kit built performance sport aircraft in my opinion.

 

Plus, his time is at a premium. Life is short. Lunchtime doubly so.

 

You might convince him to supply a Joey 2 kit if you really want one, or even just plans. Just call and chat.

 

 

[Guest Flyer40]

will climb like a very climby thing.

Homesick angel maybe????

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Homesick angel maybe????

Too cliché.

 

 

[Bigglesworth]

Just "climb like a Sierra"

 

Enough said

 

 

[slartibartfast]

I know there is a lot of interest in the Cheetah Sierra. I have been there for much of the building of this sweet bird, and have even contributed a few things here and there to its build while building my own Cheetah 100 (Garry's idea - I prefer Cheetah MKII) in the same hangar.

 

Garry is fairly web-illiterate, so I thought I'd post some photos of its current state.

 

Enjoy.

 

[ATTACH]3475.vB[/ATTACH] That's my baby in the background.

 

[ATTACH]3476.vB[/ATTACH] The wheel fairings are propped up on ice cream containers. These will be removed before flight.

 

[ATTACH]3477.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3478.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3479.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3480.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3481.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3482.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3483.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3484.vB[/ATTACH] Dual controls. There will be dual differential toe discs when the third set arrives - I got the 2nd.

 

[ATTACH]3485.vB[/ATTACH] Garry and kiwi mate David checking the line of the canopy.

 

[ATTACH]3486.vB[/ATTACH] The prop blank he designed for the Sierra. 60/60 with more meat in the centre.

 

[ATTACH]3487.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Here's a few from the last couple of weeks.

 

The Sierra is nearly ready to fly. Should be a goer next week.

 

[ATTACH]3901.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3902.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3903.vB[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]3904.vB[/ATTACH] Garry finishing the panel. It took us a few hours to diagnose a problem where the co-pilot mic wouldn't work. Even tried my radio.

 

One of those electrickery things where even if the multi-meter tells you all is well, if you remove the wire from the d-plug and resolder it, it works.

 

The Sierra promises to be a little magic. Watch this space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Admin]

Pretty small elevator on that 2nd picture there Ross

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Well picked up Ian. I'd better call Garry before he tries to fly it.

 

I think I have time tonight to post a few of my baby in BW's thread. I'll see how it pans. My darling wife is off practising with her ABBA choir for an upcoming (very) public performance.

 

Life is good.

 

 

[Ultralights]

in the next few months i will be in the Market for my 2 seater, yes, i already have my Vampire, but i am also after a 2 seater, i have a shortlist,with the savannah at the top, would it be possible to get a pretty accurate costing of getting the Cheetah into the air? kit price plus all the extras?

 

thanks

 

 

[slartibartfast]

I can't get too commercial Rob, but I think it's OK to say that Garry is knocking $3000 off the kit price of the Cheetah and Sierra at the moment. That takes the Cheetah under 20 grand. Add a cheap Jab zero hour and minimal instruments - you could fly it for under $45,000 and 6 months hard work.

 

Even better, he is going to sell his current Cheetah. Put in an offer now and it's yours in about 2 months (when he doesn't need it anymore). I have been flying this aircraft a lot lately. I love it more each time I fly it. For example, I wasn't going to fly it at all last weekend because I had heaps to do, but it was sitting there doing nothing, ready to fly (someone was coming but didn't show up), the day was beautiful, the will was weak. You know, one rivet, one peek. I couldn't resist.

 

I think it has 150 hours and 300 landings.

 

If you jump in now and talk to Garry, you'll get a bargain. A sports plane at an agricultural price.

 

Ross

 

 

[Guest Flyer40]

Got an email from Garry today with the long awaited news. Since no one else has posted it, here's the finished Sierra.

 

Gotta say I really like those colours.

 

[ATTACH]3952.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

[Guest danda]

This is an awsom aircraft it will be improved when he fits the moulded canopy which is coming soon, I have to tell you I believe that Garry is on a real winner and all Australian made, now that has to be a plus.

 

I got to tell you all that I'm in love (come on lotto)

 

Don

 

 

[Bigglesworth]

Considering he started building it in July, and spent a few weeks designing things like dual controls, and is a very busy man, that means it has a very good build time.

 

Remember, there is a temporary special price on it, so be quick.

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Garry spent yesterday pulling out the joysticks and redoing them. For the next one he is going for a redesign. He knows how they should go now.

 

No point me taking more photos because the canopy and cowls were off all day, so he will send some better shots soon and I'll post them here.

 

The completed plane weighed in at 313Kg. Much lighter than expected with an all-metal construction with thicker square tubes and a 6 cylinder 3300. Lots of useful payload left.

 

The 60/60 prop didn't work out. The engine ran to 4000 rpm completely unloaded. It wants something much beefier. I wouldn't be surprised to see this plane go 150 knots in cruise. Garry will make another prop - about 68 with more mass outboard.

 

 

[Bigglesworth]

Some more pics, Not sure if one is the same as earlier post, but it looks pretty enough to have it on again.

 

;););)