a beat up with questions!!

[crazyintherain]

gday aviators. . . just doing a fly by in search of answers to the many questions a new pilot and hopeful aircraft owner can muster up.

 

Some background.

 

Finished my PPL in May and plan on returning to the North West to get involved in several projects that will require me to cover great distances in the outback. Lots of bush flying in the Kimberley and Territory. Obviously with only 80 hours up my sleeve and most of it in C150, DA20 and C172s I don't have much experience on the RA side of flying so I am logging in here to see what I can learn.

 

Am presently researching aircraft ownership and operating costs for an older C172 as my old man flew 8000 hours of mustering and general bush flying all in a C172 and that's what he's been advising. However, he's been out of the game for 15 years and has no idea about the developments in RA (he probably doesn't know what RA stands for!!)

 

My main question is this. Which, if any, RA planes on the market will stand up to the demands of bush flying in Northern Australia? Distances, heat, rough strips / tracks / fencelines / salt flats etc etc. 1 pilot. 2 passengers. Light utility.

 

Any advice or pointers or links to web sites that might shed more light on operating costs much appreciated. . ..

 

blue skies

 

CINTR

 

 

[skydog]

Welcome.

 

My advice is to go buy the recreational australia magazine from the newsagent as their is a lot of info there including planes for sale etc but there is a ultralight version of cub out which I think may suit your needs.

 

Flying fast and rough fields usually dont mix with aircraft so you will probably be stuck at around the 100 knots plus mark. Ultralights are light and not as robust as a C182 ETC.

 

Fact is a new U/L will be far cheaper to maintain and run than an old Cessna.

 

 

[Admin]

Here is the website of those new cubs:

 

CubCrafters: THE CLASSIC. REINVENTED.

 

Nice looking aircraft

 

 

[Deskpilot]

I've flown a SportCub with balloon tyres. Just what you're looking for CINTR. Mind you, they don't come cheap. If you want a TIF you'll have to come to Aldinga, S.A.

 

 

[storchy neil]

no raa planes one pasanger to many neil

 

 

[Guest basscheffers]

For new aircraft, the Foxbat might not be a bad one either.

 

But... you say pilot plus 2 passengers: RA limits to just two seats, so either change your requirements or stick with GA.

 

GA planes are more expensive to maintain, but a $30K C152 compared to a brand new $100K RAA plane leaves you $70K to spend extra in maintenance over the years! In the end its probably the same, but it goes from a capital to a cashflow issue.

 

On advantage of RA-Aus is that you are allowed to do all your maintenance yourself, so no need to find a LAME in the middle of nowhere or fly hours to get to one.

 

 

[skydog]

balloon tyres

 

Admittedly late in viewing the video of cubs etc with balloon tyres landing on river flats and short landing to a stop within metres I was neverthe less so impressed with the plane and the pilots.

 

Thinks, Must get or download that video sometime?