I have a multi-engine, land and sea, commercial instrument license, but have been out of the flying game for some years (except for fooling around in a friends C-172 occasionally, or flying the right seat of a float plane for a couple of hours every summer in Canada.)

I'm hoping to retire before too long and would love to have an airplane that will tote two folks and minimum gear, maybe 250 to 300 miles range and can be converted to floats without major modification. I've got about 700 hours of tail dragger time, having owned a PA-18, a Citabria, a Teal Amphibian, a C-140 and a Luscombe 8E.... and about 2500 total hours if you include jets, light twins and spam cans. I'm realitively experienced in flying in upper lattitudes, having flown all of those tail-draggers to Alaska and selling them up there(after screwing around the state for a month or so).

What I know absolutely nothing about is modern light aircraft or two place ultralights.

Where is a source that I could look at some new designs for VFR a/c ? I'm not interested in building, but not opposed to buying a well designed, already assembled kit plane.

I also have no clue to what the things now cost.

Any suggestions or website direction?

The plane would be used almost entirely in Canada. I have access to a little hanger and a 1500' strip (on a 2 mile lake) in middle Manitoba near Ashern.

Ernest,

you might like to take a look at the kitfox range of airplanes. The newest version is called the eurofox and lifts two average sized people and about 80 kgs of baggage. They also have a very good STOL capability......

Take a peek at www.kitfox.co.za and www.lyda.co.za.

I believe a Grand Caravan on floats is what you need.

I love that plane. We can all go fishing with you .... and take a fourwheeler and maybe even a boat or two.

Capacity

208A - Pilot and typically nine passengers, or up to 14 with an FAA FAR Part 23 waiver. Cargo capacity 1360kg (3000lb).

208B - Passenger accommodation same. Cargo capacity for 1587kg (3500lb).

Grand Caravan - One pilot and up to 14 passengers.

Let's go fishin'

JudgeG,

Here are a couple of websites I frequent to dream about owning an airplane I can't afford. You can get a clear picture of what various planes are going for these days. I currently own a Cherokee 180 but would die to have a Cessna 185 sitting atop a set of Wipline amphibs. I suspect (once I regain reality) a fella could find a decent Taylorcraft and sort out a set of floats and have quite a nice adventure within a reasonable budget. I suppose someday when I can afford my Cherokee I'll think about upgrading. Enjoy.

www.controller.com
www.aso.com
www.barnstormers.com
www.ebay.com (go to ebaymotors and scroll down to aircraft)
www.skywagons.com (these guys always have very nice planes to drool over).

Take a look at the short wing Pipers or an older Maul M5 airplane.

The 150-160hp Pacer on straight floats might do what your looking for.

A Maule or a 185, the rest are just too underpowered and more is really cubic dollars.

JudgeG, how much money can you spend? If you can find the shekels, I would recommend a PC-6 – or as known the world, the “Pilatus Porterâ€


This is a turbo prop aircraft, extremely economical to fly and maintain and has excellent short take-off and landing capabilities (STOL) allow it to operate in environments which are inaccessible to many other aircraft.
Skis would let you land on glaciers and snowfields, and fitted out with floats, the PC-6 is equally at home on water. With the turbo, you should never have to worry about power.
The Pilatus Porter design is over 45 years old and she has flown all over the globe. You gets what you pays for but this is a lot of aircraft.
Some of these ex-military are available and you can luck up - some times!
Go on over to http://www.csaircraft.com/ and dream a little - you can find a lot of used aircraft for sale here - just be sure and tote your checkbook along!
Good luck with whattever you choose!

Ultralights and kit planes do not fit the image of a retired, sophisticated feller like you Judge.

Get a cub.

Aviat Husky

Judge, I've got to agree with Palmer.

Regards, Wayne E.

quote:

Originally posted by Palmer:
Ultralights and kit planes do not fit the image of a retired, sophisticated feller like you Judge.

Get a cub.

Depends on the kitplane. If I had a half a million $$. . . .


www.lancair.com look at the propjet.

I'll second Palmer. If it's fun you want - get a Cub.
Plus they are not bad investments either.

Allen, I bought Jeff's Cub just so I had a spare. He has a nice PA-12 for sale now.

There you go yer honor - a Piper PA-12 super cruiser - get in contact with Phil, go get your plane, arrange a moose hunt and fly it to your strip in Canada.

Maybe I should sell my citabria and beat you to it.

Since everyone else is dreaming for you here’s my pick.
Maule M7 420

Back to reality though, if my pocket book could handle it I would go for an older Maule over most any thing. An M-4 220 is a real go getter. You should be able to find a good one for less than 50 grand. What’s your budget by the way?

Shawn

Pretty, but talk about a $500 dollar saddle on a $50 horse.

JudgeG

I have a Maule M4 210c for sale in Canada (Revelstoke BC). PM me if you'd like more details.

Palmer, Taj has decided to stay in Zambia and is selling his floats. give Jeff a call if anyone is interested in them or the Pa-12

Phil,
Will do. Who is Taj guiding for?

Athol Frylink and Adrian Carr @ Luawata Safaris.
their concession is the area between Luangwa North and South national Parks - which Adrian's father started.
Athol flys a Zenair but wants a cub. I'm waiting to see if Taj ships his PA-12 over.

I was just thinking that Taj would like to have his cub over there.

I hope to hunt with Taj again some day. You and Rocky can take pride in his raising. He turned out just right.

Thanks Allen. I always figured he got his looks and brains from his father -- as his mother seems to still have hers. I PM's you his e-mail address

Yeah, right, Wendell. Only problem with that Caravan is that it's not a Twin Otter...

Ernest: Long time no see. I second Bluetick's offering. My one and only seaplane experience was in a Cessna 210. Not bad. jorge

How does one put a retractable 210 on floats?
Or should I be asking how long a C-210 floats ?