Which airplane for LSA club?

[[email protected]]

Hey folks,

I'm starting a flying club with a Light-Sport Aircraft and I can't
decide what type of plane to buy. (I'm going to buy and then sell the
shares. Doing it the other way around seems to lead to nothing but talk
and procrastination.)

I, personally, have become infatuated with light amphibians like the
Buccaneer II and Avid Catalina. However, I suspect there would be a
broader market for a factory plane like an Aeronca Champ/Chief or
Luscombe 8A.

What's your opinion? Would you buy into an experimental amphibian?

Thanks,
Mike

[Ron Wanttaja]

On 31 May 2006 16:21:58 -0700, wrote:

> Hey folks,
>
> I'm starting a flying club with a Light-Sport Aircraft and I can't
> decide what type of plane to buy. (I'm going to buy and then sell the
> shares. Doing it the other way around seems to lead to nothing but talk
> and procrastination.)
>
> I, personally, have become infatuated with light amphibians like the
> Buccaneer II and Avid Catalina. However, I suspect there would be a
> broader market for a factory plane like an Aeronca Champ/Chief or
> Luscombe 8A.
>
> What's your opinion? Would you buy into an experimental amphibian?

One thing to be very, VERY careful of: Some of the new LSAs are powered by
engines that cannot tolerate aviation (e.g., 100LL) fuel. As you might expect,
needing to carry a gas can to the nearest Shell station rather cramps your style
on cross-countries.

When you're shopping, check the fuel limitations. The classic light airplanes
like the Aeroncas can run avgas or mogas (with the STC), of course.

Ron Wanttaja

[Al]

"Ron Wanttaja" > wrote in message
...
> On 31 May 2006 16:21:58 -0700, wrote:
>
>> Hey folks,
>>
>> I'm starting a flying club with a Light-Sport Aircraft and I can't
>> decide what type of plane to buy. (I'm going to buy and then sell the
>> shares. Doing it the other way around seems to lead to nothing but talk
>> and procrastination.)
>>
>> I, personally, have become infatuated with light amphibians like the
>> Buccaneer II and Avid Catalina. However, I suspect there would be a
>> broader market for a factory plane like an Aeronca Champ/Chief or
>> Luscombe 8A.
>>
>> What's your opinion? Would you buy into an experimental amphibian?
>
> One thing to be very, VERY careful of: Some of the new LSAs are powered
> by
> engines that cannot tolerate aviation (e.g., 100LL) fuel. As you might
> expect,
> needing to carry a gas can to the nearest Shell station rather cramps your
> style
> on cross-countries.
>
> When you're shopping, check the fuel limitations. The classic light
> airplanes
> like the Aeroncas can run avgas or mogas (with the STC), of course.
>
> Ron Wanttaja

I've thought about this, but don't have the bucks to underwrite it. See:

http://www.sportaircraftworks.com/mermainmain.html

Al

[Jay Beckman]

"Al" > wrote in message
...
>
> I've thought about this, but don't have the bucks to underwrite it. See:
>
> http://www.sportaircraftworks.com/mermainmain.html
>
> Al
>

The Mermain is nice ... I like the Sport Cruiser too...

Jay B

[Robert M. Gary]

Ron Wanttaja wrote:
> On 31 May 2006 16:21:58 -0700, wrote:
> When you're shopping, check the fuel limitations. The classic light airplanes
> like the Aeroncas can run avgas or mogas (with the STC), of course.

The MOGAS STC is almost becoming useless as more states require ethinal
in the gas (which the STC prohibits). When I talked to EAA about this
they didn't seem to have any plans to keep the STC going by updating it
to allow for modern MOGAS. The A&P school in Sacramento has a C-172
that runs on French Fry oil, STC and all. You just have to go behind
the McDonalds after dark and steal their trash greese.

-Robert

[Gig 601XL Builder]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hey folks,
>
> I'm starting a flying club with a Light-Sport Aircraft and I can't
> decide what type of plane to buy. (I'm going to buy and then sell the
> shares. Doing it the other way around seems to lead to nothing but talk
> and procrastination.)
>
> I, personally, have become infatuated with light amphibians like the
> Buccaneer II and Avid Catalina. However, I suspect there would be a
> broader market for a factory plane like an Aeronca Champ/Chief or
> Luscombe 8A.
>
> What's your opinion? Would you buy into an experimental amphibian?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
>

The sLSA 601XL might be worth looking at not an amphib but the 601XLi is IFR
approved for the NON-LSA club members.

[Al]

It's all about insurance.

Having said that...I, for one, would love to be in a club with a Zenith
Zodiac 601.

Al
1964 Cessna 172

wrote:
> Hey folks,
>
> I'm starting a flying club with a Light-Sport Aircraft and I can't
> decide what type of plane to buy. (I'm going to buy and then sell the
> shares. Doing it the other way around seems to lead to nothing but talk
> and procrastination.)
>
> I, personally, have become infatuated with light amphibians like the
> Buccaneer II and Avid Catalina. However, I suspect there would be a
> broader market for a factory plane like an Aeronca Champ/Chief or
> Luscombe 8A.
>
> What's your opinion? Would you buy into an experimental amphibian?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
>

[[email protected]]

Al > wrote:
> It's all about insurance.

> Having said that...I, for one, would love to be in a club with a Zenith
> Zodiac 601.

> Al
> 1964 Cessna 172

No kidding.

I was in the FBO this morning and asked the chief instructor when their
172RG was going back on line from it's gear up some months ago.

I was told it wasn't; the insurance on the RG is eating them alive.

I then asked about their announced plans to get into LSA.

I was told it was up in the air. It seems the insurance company
doesn't have any history on LSA so the rates reflect a worst case
estimate.

They are looking at other insurance but don't hold out much hope for
either RGs (especially Cessna singles) or LSA for the near future.

<snip>

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

[Stache]

Mike,

I am new to your group, but have been around the hangar for a long
time. If I may suggest before you purchase an aircraft to check out my
web site: www.stacheair.com I wrote a book that can help you decide
how and what to do to purchase a aircraft with address, telephone
numbers, web address and lots of information to assist you. On the
site your will find a Light-Sport and Experimental aircraft section.

I hope the information provided can assist you in your search.

Stache

[Doug]

I can tell you that amphibians are pretty complex aircraft to fly and
have a very high accident rate. Seaplanes in general have a high
accident rate and add on gear failures and incorrect gear postition.
Fraught with peril. For a partnership, suggest you stick with land
plane.

[ET]

wrote in
oups.com:

> Hey folks,
>
> I'm starting a flying club with a Light-Sport Aircraft and I can't
> decide what type of plane to buy. (I'm going to buy and then sell the
> shares. Doing it the other way around seems to lead to nothing but
> talk and procrastination.)
>
> I, personally, have become infatuated with light amphibians like the
> Buccaneer II and Avid Catalina. However, I suspect there would be a
> broader market for a factory plane like an Aeronca Champ/Chief or
> Luscombe 8A.
>
> What's your opinion? Would you buy into an experimental amphibian?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
>


StingSport ($110K loaded) for the high end, Allegro ($63K basic) for the
most affordable, maybe go for both as you club grows. Now that Cessna
has announced an LSA that may soften the insurance market a bit.

The Rotax 912 runs just fine on 100LL, it just needs it's oil changed
more often.

--
-- ET >:-)

"A common mistake people make when trying to design something
completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
fools."---- Douglas Adams

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"ET" > wrote in message
...
> Now that Cessna
> has announced an LSA that may soften the insurance market a bit.
>

I would hardly say, "Cessna has announced an LSA..." The press release says,

"Wichita, Kan., June 6, 2006 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced today it is studying the feasibility of
developing and producing a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). "

http://cessna.com/news/article.chtml?ID=uNeM5dkFJMRDtaEFYIxDyrDvxYh2Zrr08 DQj5rb0IwV1R6VtDK


Does anyone think they can get one to the market for <$100K?

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> said:
>I would hardly say, "Cessna has announced an LSA..." The press release says,
>
>"Wichita, Kan., June 6, 2006 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of
>Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced today it is studying the feasibility of
>developing and producing a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). "

It also says they're going to have a proof of concept vehicle at Oshkosh.
I'd take seeing that over a HondaJet any day.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
Like most computer techie people, I'll happily spend 6 hours trying
to figure out how to do a 3 hour job in 10 minutes.
--Rev. James Cort, ASR

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Paul Tomblin" > wrote in message
...
> In a previous article, "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> said:
>>I would hardly say, "Cessna has announced an LSA..." The press release
>>says,
>>
>>"Wichita, Kan., June 6, 2006 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of
>>Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced today it is studying the feasibility
>>of
>>developing and producing a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). "
>
> It also says they're going to have a proof of concept vehicle at Oshkosh.
> I'd take seeing that over a HondaJet any day.
>
>


Why not the best of both, a Honda LSA. Get the price right and they could
sell a combo of the S2000 and the LSA. Having owned an S2000 I can tell you
that it would be a match made in heaven. If you can get it in the S2000 it
will fit in the airplane.