Hi - First time here

[Guest Mark Mac]

Just wanted to say Hi.

 

I think I have a story common to some. Grew up as an Air Cadet in Western Australia in the Eighties, a bit of mucking around in gliders, and a couple of laps with one of the Flights (10 Flight, Bunbury) Instructors in a C150 at Bunbury. Did some hours in a Skyfox in the Early Nineties at Parafield (All I can remember is the wind). Refreshed my thirst in a Sportstar at Gympie in 2007, and now living in Canberra and slowly finding the time and budget to take up the Sport over the next couple of years.

 

Interested in finding a location nearby. Will be living at Tarago, NSW from next year so probably Goulburn, or maybe Moruya?

 

Have been marking time by flying light aircraft in X-Plane Flight Simulator 'by the numbers' (As opposed to screaming around doing aerobatics). Surprised how easy it was to translate that to the actual flying experience in the Sportstar.(More to do with the software than my flying I think)

 

Looking at a kit built as a way to get into the Sport, after doing enough hours in training (Have not yet started my Certificate.) to make sure it is still the Sport for me.

 

Have a 'Short' List to choose from:

 

• Zenithair CH 601
   
   
  
• Sonex Waiex
   
   
  
• KR-2S
   
   
  
• Morgan Cheetah (Maybe Sierra?)
   
   
  

 

Will be going to Narromine this year to have a look around and get into the scene.

 

Looking forward to being around the forum

 

Mark.

 

 

[farri]

G`Day Mark and ,

 

It realy is much better in the real ones.

 

Cheers,

 

Frank.

 

 

[skydog]

What choice?

 

Mark

 

What plane did you see at Narrowmine that you liked?(assuming you made it in the bad weather)

 

Slarti, a big contributor to this site likes and owns a Cheetah and I must say they do look the part.

 

My only suggestion is to slow down, take your time over choosing a plane and really understand exactly what your current and future needs are, then what type of cockpit and controls you like (eg, stick vs wheel, centre stick?, right hand stick, whatever makes you comfortable)

 

Lots of other issues too such as vision, cost, baggage allowed, seating comfort, engine preference, like Jab vs Rotax.

 

No need to rush and buy only to discover a nicer aircraft a few months later.

 

Took me 5 years to make up my mind!!!

 

HAVE FUN IN THE PROCESS

 

 

[Guest Mark Mac]

Narromine was excellent

 

Hi Skydog, thanks for the words of advice.

 

Made it to Narromine and the weather was great, looked at the weather forecast and changed plans to be there Friday Morning, which worked out well, as it was the best weather day.

 

Have been comparing kits and aircraft via a spreadsheet for a while now, started with a list about 25 long.

 

Of course the numbers were only good to see what I didn't want, as nothing beats actually being in them for comparison. Of course with only the few hours that I have, and no Pilot Certificate as yet, I am very dependant upon the PIC to give me feedback.

 

My general requirements have boiled down to the following:

 

• Low Wing
   
   
  
• 100+ Kt Cruise
   
   
  
• Good Hands off stability
   
   
  
• Benign flight behaviour
   
   
  
• 2 Pax + full fuel + (small)Tent and sleeping bags - approx 10-15 kgs
   
   
  
• Metal
   
   
  
• Inexpensive
   
   
  
• Local Supplier/Agent
   
   
  
• Reasonably short <1000 hour build time.
   
   
  
• Maybe trailerable
   
   
  
• Non-contortionist entry/exit
   
   
  

 

I must say that Narromine was an excellent chance to walk around most of the short list.

 

And even better I have to give an excellent wrap to Garry and Ross. Both my son and I were given an opportunity for a flight, myself in the Sierra, and my son in Ross' Cheetah.(Interestingly enough my son had already picked the Cheetah as his most preffered out of the list)

 

We were very grateful for the time they both spent with us in the air, and answering questions on the ground.

 

I would strongly recommend anyone looking for an Aircraft to spend some time talking to Garry.

 

Just have to find a bit of time to get a flight in some of the others.