Nic Waugh

Bexbetter, had three RV's blast past me at Tyabb last Saturday as I was dumping speed to get my gear out (all kosha - we were communicating well). Beautiful aircraft. Have to admit, I felt small and slow. One advantage of not having retractable gear I suppose.

Peter, Correct. The Prime is not the aircraft for military training. That's the BK200. it has been sold as a military trainer already. The Prime is designed as a high end recreational.

bexrbetter, you are absolutely right. I was far too loose with my words. The point I was ineptly trying to make was that there will be more and more aircraft like the prime coming onto the market. That as each new model is released, it will be better and faster and have more options than the model it replaces. But I do hope that there are more lower priced, be that slower, be that less optioned NEW aircraft types coming into the sector. Hope that clarifies my comments and thank you for calling me on it. I'm new, I'm trying and I will make mistakes and put my hand up when I do.

Negative Yenn, The tarragon is a different aircraft. there are 3 or 4 aircraft that are coming out that look similar to the Blackshape. Possibly the Millennium Master design was purchased by more than one company. If you check the finish of the Blackshape, specifically inside the cockpit, compared to the others, there is a good deal of difference. Having said that, these other aircraft may well be quite nice. But they are not in AU yet and don't have a type certificate through RA Aus nor a permit to fly. So we are it for this sort of recreational tandem for the time being. Blackshape's operation is substantial and it is backed by a large company (Angelo Investments). Something else to consider when looking at similar aircraft is how long they will be around for. Blackshape has new aircraft in manufacture (Gabrielle BK160) plus a derivative for air force trainers (BK200), so they are not going anywhere. PLA Aviation is backed by Precision Light and Air, a 20 year old instrument company and we are not going anywhere either.

Thanks for the comments Hongie. I would clearly agree. I have said recently to RA Aus that there will be no recreational aircraft manufacturer looking to make their next aircraft slower or with less technology. This is the way things are going to be. I am new to social media (47 year old social media virgin with just linkedin) and its looked after by our marketing lady Zulay. but when I do see comments on our facebook and Instagram (and just found your forum last night) I am amazed by how blunt people are. Nasty even. Its not cricket. All we did was buy import, fly and try and sell something new. If I'd written something or said something offensive, I'd understand. But I'm thick skinned and as long as your group lets me defend myself (which you are), its all good. $300,000 for an aircraft is expensive for some, but not all. I'm an instrument tech and I bought one to get me to site and home faster. It was pretty simple maths for me to work out the time I spend going to large centres and then out to the remote places where I work. We have had about 25 solid enquiries and every one of them, bar the Qantas /Cathay pilots who just want one for a bit of fun, have the same or similar application for the aircraft to me. A sales guy from country NSW radio. A farmer who has two properties 900km apart. I'm not expecting to see any sold at the flight schools or running friends around the bay on Sundays. Have a great flight. more power to your right arm.

No new aircraft sales yet. We have sold one of the demo units to make room for the Gabrielle. Make room in our cheque book that is. plenty of space in our hangar.

Prime ACS_2017 05 18.xlsxBexrbetter, sure will. see attached the price list for the prime. you will see the full calculation of the price. We get 20% of the cost price as our agents fee. so on a 300,000 aircraft, we get $60,000. 2-3 aircraft a year (which is what is expected) and you will see the project does not make money when you include hangar cost (32,000 per year), insurance ($15,000 per aircraft). labour, advertising blah blah. Prime ACS_2017 05 18.xlsx Prime ACS_2017 05 18.xlsx

Birdog. Happy to qualify what you saw as lies. my email address is [email protected] As an unpaid story, we don't get a say in what questions the reporters ask. We also don't get a say in how they edit the footage and what line they take. As an example, one article had me saying that "flying a Blackshape is the closest thing to flying a fighter jet" This is clearly not true. a) you can fly a fighter jet. b) you can fly umpteen aircraft faster, but the next thing out of my mouth (not broadcast) was "in the recreational category" and right now, in Australia at least, I'm pretty sure that's true.

Not one cent. We approached the media through a publicist and every commercial channel except channel nine came to the media launch. Nine could not qualify their insurance status (for a joy flight) in time for the event but would have otherwise come. ABC respectfully declined.

Shu. The current MTOW of the Blackshape is 560kg. We are undergoing the approval process with RA Aus to 600kg.

Oscar, absolutely correct. PLA Aviation and Blackshape internationally for that matter are not targeting existing recreational pilots. We are trying to bring new people into Recreational and General aviation.

SSCBD. as the agent, we make 20%. Happy to run the maths with you as to why the Prime costs what it costs.

Thanks Bexrbetter. In fact all you have to do is ask the networks. If its new and exciting and interesting to their viewers, they will run it. It cost PLA Aviation not one cent. I'm an instrument technician and don't know anyone on the tellie.

Sorry Mick. That's what PLA marketing told me to wear. I'm not a pilot's bum. The other pilot in the article though is a CFI, PPL holder. 6000 odd hours. I think he qualifies for the epaulettes?

The Blackshape Prime is a type certified aircraft. Within your RA Aus Pilots certificate you can get CSU and retract endorsements. Medical is not required for RA Aus pilots certificate, just a valid drivers licence.