Opinions on this little thing...

vkhosid said:
Close....12,000....but still, question remains...
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Too bad. The ad title said "$12" and no mention of any extra thousands til the bottom of the page. It looks like fun way to tool around the sky and not have to pick bugs out of your teeth from grinning whilst piloting. ;)
 
How feasible is it to slap a transponder on that thing?
 
The $12 price-tag aisde, any opinions on the plane and/or adding a transponder to it?
 
I’m not a fan of flying behind (or infront of) a 2-stroke engine, but that’s just me. You can have it.
 
It clearly has an electrical system. But I can't tell if it has a charging system. Sometimes these small aircraft expect you to charge the battery each time, since the battery lasts about as long as a tank of gas anyway. Which is great for everything but transponders. Transponders tend to be energy hogs. That said, I've seen it done where the transponder is driven off the battery. Given the environment, you'd need a radio, too, but that's easier and you could use a handheld.
 
vkhosid said:
Why do you say that?
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You tell me. This is a statement from Rotax for their 503 engine.


Limitations
The manufacturer acknowledges the design limitations of this engine to be:

“This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage. Engine stoppage can result in crash landings, forced landings or no power landings. Such crash landings can lead to serious bodily injury or death...This is not a certificated aircraft engine. It has not received any safety or durability testing, and conforms to no aircraft standards. It is for use in experimental, uncertificated aircraft and vehicles only in which an engine failure will not compromise safety. User assumes all risk of use, and acknowledges by his use that he knows this engine is subject to sudden stoppage...Never fly the aircraft equipped with this engine at locations, airspeeds, altitudes, or other circumstances from which a successful no-power landing cannot be made, after sudden engine stoppage. Aircraft equipped with this engine must only fly in DAYLIGHT VFR conditions."
 
vkhosid said:
Hey guys, I was just flipping through the pages of craigslist, and came across this add relatively close to home. Figured I'd ask your opinions on this thing and whether or not its a good option from flying out of either KLVK or KSQL....

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/avo/d/2007-excalibur-two/6597023793.html
Thoughts?
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If the engine is sound and you take good care of it and have common sense, aside from it being kinda ugly and not a tailwheel, I'd fly it.

vkhosid said:
How feasible is it to slap a transponder on that thing?
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It's experiemental, so shouldn't be too crazy, but I'd wager over 2k depending (ADSB) on how you want to go about it, how handy you are and what the plane currently has installed.

The question I would have is does it have, or if not can somewhat easily get, a N number


vkhosid said:
I feel that a comment like that requires further explanation...
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You'll find some folks even in GA are scared of small aircraft unless they look like what they are used to, much as the same way the general public is scared of Cessnas and the like.

I really wouldn't pay much attention to that.


Ryanb said:
You tell me. This is a statement from Rotax for their 503 engine.


Limitations
The manufacturer acknowledges the design limitations of this engine to be:

“This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage. Engine stoppage can result in crash landings, forced landings or no power landings. Such crash landings can lead to serious bodily injury or death...This is not a certificated aircraft engine. It has not received any safety or durability testing, and conforms to no aircraft standards. It is for use in experimental, uncertificated aircraft and vehicles only in which an engine failure will not compromise safety. User assumes all risk of use, and acknowledges by his use that he knows this engine is subject to sudden stoppage...Never fly the aircraft equipped with this engine at locations, airspeeds, altitudes, or other circumstances from which a successful no-power landing cannot be made, after sudden engine stoppage. Aircraft equipped with this engine must only fly in DAYLIGHT VFR conditions."
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Sounds like a engine built in our new and "enlightened" litigation happy era, with a "warning" written by a small army of lawyers, you know the same guys that thought of these gems

hairdryer.jpg
 
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Ryanb said:
I’m not a fan of flying behind (or infront of) a 2-stroke engine, but that’s just me. You can have it.
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Kansas Flyer said:
2 strokes can be pretty temperamental and tend to be less reliable than 4 strokes.
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I haven't really had bad luck with 2 strokes, in fact, in my experience working with small engines the 4 strokes tend to be much more finicky. Plus, from a mechanical standpoint the 2 stroke has extremely few moving parts and is pretty "self sufficient" from that regard.. not much that can go wrong in a basic 2 stroke as long as it gets fuel, air, and a spark (yeah they say that abot 4 strokes, but each combustion cycle in a 4 stroke requires a ton of magic to happen with cams, lobes, valves, etc.

I mean, how much abuse does your weed-wacker take? I've never had mine just suddenly die mid trim. Sure, they idle like garbage and will sometimes quit idling, but I blame that on weed-wackers just not having enough flywheel inertia. 4 strokes need much more babying.. and most plane engines you fly behind if you look at them wrong they'll crap out on you

2-strokes where the go-to engine in the marine industry.. because of their lightweight and absurd simplicity. Reliability is important when you are way off shore. There are plenty of two stroke diesels out there in operation as well. Really, the main reason 2-strokes died off, is because of enviro regs.. and they tend to loud and smelly

That warning on the Rotax thing to me sounds more like some lawyers had a field day. Because, you know, life has no risks and we personally never make mistakes in this happy unicorn land, if something goes wrong it is someone else's fault, typically a large evil money hungry corporation (/s) ruled by sneering men in suits
 
I think that there are 2-seat certificated options under $20k that will fly better, be safer, and have better resale value.


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^awesome. I showed my friends that in college and they thought it was the greatest thing
 
You guys do as you wish. I don’t really care.
 
it seems fine if you want an ultralight, but if you want a real airplane, which it kind of sounds like when you talk of transponders, there are better options.
 
mscard88 said:
Now now Ryan, be nice or we'll make you take time out. :rofl:
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Eh, I did enough of that during my younger days. :p

I knew posting that warning statement would cause a few people to get into a tizzy. Like I say, that’s my opinion about this aircraft and engine. If you like it, more power to you.
 
Transponder may not be required even for the Mode C Veil. Requirements are engine driven electrical system AND aircraft originally manufactured with a transponder. Doubt that was.

Now in terms of where you wanna fly, having recently ventured into the world of Ultralights...and even though it is a light sport we fly with the mentality of WHEN our engine will go out, not IF. (I have had two engine outs in one day in my PPG). I would fly that all day long around Hollister, but not SQL!
 
Shawn said:
Transponder may not be required even for the Mode C Veil. Requirements are engine driven electrical system AND aircraft originally manufactured with a transponder. Doubt that was.

Now in terms of where you wanna fly, having recently ventured into the world of Ultralights...and even though it is a light sport we fly with the mentality of WHEN our engine will go out, not IF. (I have had two engine outs in one day in my PPG). I would fly that all day long around Hollister, but not SQL!
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I thought it was if the aircraft was originally manufactured with an electrical system, not transponder?
 
Salty said:
I thought it was if the aircraft was originally manufactured with an electrical system, not transponder?
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Yup...you are correct. Just re-red the regs and that just refers to the electrical system, not transponder.
 
Have you ever flown one? Try flying it ,and if you like it go for it. I like the idea of the chute.
 
Eric Gleason said:
I think that there are 2-seat certificated options under $20k that will fly better, be safer, and have better resale value.


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Here's a example of how a ultralight can make sense, if it's wasn't for my new boat maxing out my hangar something like this probably would have ended up in my hangar at some point, with n numbers and some basic lights and stuff it would be a great short range backcountry commuter and also a excellent for the joy of flight / burger run machine.



Here's one for sale from a quick google search

"N3PUP ELSA • $6,500 • FLY CHEAP • 55 hrs tt on 40 hp moseler engine, factory airframe.Selling due to my age (79) no tirekikers. • Contact Daniel B. Mclamb, Owner - located Clinton, NC USA • Telephone: 910-214-0939 • Posted May 18, 2018 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Email Advertiser • Save to Watchlist • Report This Ad"

That's burning 3.5GPH of auto fuel at 100% power BTW, and on a engine that can be rebuilt for a few thousand or less in a fully enclosed backcountry plane that's basically a baby Piper cub.
 
Well, I was looking at this thing and figured it was a great way to get off the ground, cheap.

I sincerely appreciate you clarifying your comment about not wanting to use the Rotax, Ryan.

The main thing I would be doing is putting around SF and the the surrounding areas...as far north as Santa Rosa, as far south as Monterey or Harris Ranch, and as far east as Sacramento...that's pretty much it. I should mention that ideally, I'd like to bring a passenger with me.
 
James331 said:
Here's a example of how a ultralight can make sense, if it's wasn't for my new boat maxing out my hangar something like this probably would have ended up in my hangar at some point, with n numbers and some basic lights and stuff it would be a great short range backcountry commuter and also a excellent for the joy of flight / burger run machine.
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Cool video. Didn't quite like how he was positioned while hand propping that though, but that's a different subject.

vkhosid said:
I sincerely appreciate you clarifying your comment about not wanting to use the Rotax, Ryan.
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You're welcome.
 
Ryanb said:
Cool video. Didn't quite like how he was positioned while hand propping that though, but that's a different subject.


You're welcome.
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It was a little odd, he also seemed to keep it on the ground for awhile and also touch down a little hot. Still from what I've seen bang for the buck those N3s seem like a ton of plane.
 
This looks very similar to my Challenger II including the Rotax. It is classified as experimental amateur built and has an N-number. Mine has 1,400 hours on it (mostly by the previous owner) and has never had an engine die although I believe it's been rebuilt 5 times. That doesn't mean it can't happen on the next flight but I think there are a lot of people who run scared from a 2 stroke for no reason. These are fun little LSA's to fly but make sure you get some training! They are not good in the wind. They are so light that any gust really blows you around. The 2 stroke takes some getting used to. During descents you are at an idle, otherwise they overheat the exhaust manifold. Make sure it has an engine monitor. Mine has a rectifier in the engine for battery charging so I do have a hand held radio/intercom and electric start. I don't know if there's enough power for a transponder. VNE is 100 knots and cruise is 70 so don't be in a hurry to get anywhere.

Super fun but just like any airplane, always be planning your next landing!
 
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