Aerobatics plane as commuter.

I was just checking all the prices for Yaks and Sukhois... and you can get a nearly new for 70K USD. On top of that they look like mini WW2 fighters and you would never worry about snapping a wing

So... better purchase then a used 152? Can you carry ANY luggage with them? Fully certified for North America?

 

What's the cost per hour to operate?

How available are parts if it breaks down while you're on the road?

What kind of avionics are on the Yak and Sukhoi? Can you shoot and approach with one? Are they IFR certified?

How often do you hear about "snapping a wing"?

 

All of that..and sometimes, acro craft that are certified to higher G-loads have lived much harder lives and can be slightly MORE prone to snapping a wing. Still exceedingly rare, but I wouldn't worry too much about in-flight breakups unless you plan on penetrating thunderstorms or other foolish behavior.

There are some other less expensive acro capable options out there that are newer, simpler, and maybe a bit easier to live with. Granted, you lose the semi-warbird factor.

 

You gotta be careful with Warbirds also in that I think there are rules governing when and where they can be flown. Not saying they're enforced much but I know guys with L39's that have to get local FSDO permission to fly.

Not something I'd want to have to deal with.

 

Get yourself a nice straight tail 150 and call it a day.

 

Well, an aerobatics plane would also be more fun to fly, no?

 

It would be similar to driving a race car to work everyday. About that comfortable.

 

I've heard that the top aerobatic show pilots (like Patty Wagstaff) have other pilots reposition their planes to the next airshow rather than fly them there themselves.

One of the reasons is the time savings for them, but also, I've heard it is very tedious to fly those things cross-country.

 

I don't think they hold a lot of fuel, so your range would be limited. The controls are very responsive so it makes them a little twitchy.

 

Why not just look for a 152 Aerobat? They're pretty cheap. I think they're pretty similar if not identical to a regular 152 in terms of x country performance and capacity...and you can safely and legally do Cuban eights with 'em!

Just out of curiosity, do you have a solo aerobatic endorsement yet?

 

No, but the school I did my PP training in has a certified instructor, so it's possible.

 

How about a Decathlon? Or a Super Cub?

 

What is an aerobatic endorsement?

 

A friend of mine bought one of those Extra 300's and picked it up in Texas or Oklahoma I forget which, to fly back to Washington. He was flying along with a handful of stick and sneezed. When he looked up there was 4 G's on the meter.

After flying it a few times I saw why; very sensitive.

 

Well...the endorsement of a qualified instructor who has experience teaching aerobatics...because no one here does aerobatics sans instruction, right?

Where I am, we have to have the instructor's word in order to solo the acro equipment. Not a bad idea, methinks.