Bacchus:
I love reading the opinions of those who do not own nor have they ever flown an Allegro 2000. Well, I own one and have been flying it for close to two years now. Like you I spent a great deal of time deciding what light sport to buy based on the limited funds I had available to spend. Please read on:
The best deal on a light sport for the money I had available was in the used market. I paid $48,000 US for a like new Allegro 2000 with 350 total hrs. After weighing the price, performance, and specifications it was the only choice, and I am not sorry I bought it.
The first real test for the airplane was the maiden flight after purchase. I bought it in Reno, Nevada and flew it back to my home town in Punta Gorda, Florida. That was a distance of over 2,500 miles across numerous mountains, deserts, and not always so desirable weather. The little airplane exceeded my expectations.
The average burn rate was 3.75 gal per hour at 110 mph. The airplane actually got better gas millage than my car and best yet that was on auto gas. Not bad for a 100 hp. engine The Rotax 912s outperformed my past Cessna fitted with a very heavy 160 hp Lycoming.
The Allegro 2000 is highly under rated and has been the underlying cause for declining prices since the 2007 model came out. It is every bit as good as the newer model for less than half the price. The improvements in the 2007 model are more cosmetic than performance based and I know because I flew one to see the difference. The only noticeable change is the headroom height and bubble door/windows. They fly the same and the usefull load for both is still over 500 lbs with full fuel.
I have heard the complaint on the elevator, rudder and aileron trim differential pressures. I say "hogwash." I have not flown an airplane yet that had equal pressures. Like any airplane, each individual aircraft will have its own characteristics. You quickly become accustomed to them and settle into normal flying. What no one seems to mention, is the ease at which it takes to fly the Allegro. A 10-year-old child could do it. The control stick is more like a joy stick than a control stick. Up, down, turn and bank is all done with effortless wrist action.
Like any light airplane the rudder authority is more prevalent than a heavier, standard category GA airplane but far less that the J-3 Cub I owned years earlier. If you buy a light sport airplane you are going to have to use the rudder unlike some standard category aircraft like a Cessna 172.
For economy, ease of flying, maintenance minimums, and price overall, you cannot beat an Allegro 2000 hands down.
Oh, and by the way, the HOBS has just turned over 600 hrs on my Allegro and the only thing I have ever had to do is regular oil changes. With the oil pump return pressure spring and gear box service recommended at 800 hrs by Rotax, the TBO will go from 1,500 to 2,000 hrs.
You would not be sorry for purchasing a good, used Allegro 2000.
Regards,
ivinest
