Thread: Has anyone imported an aircraft?

Originally Posted by harry

some times we get a bit lost in our desires and our will to achieve those desires
the ability to achieve those desires is sorted out with the addition of money..
ron, if you can sit back and enjoy that training you had, and keep that in a special part if your achievements in your life, great.


now to the importing and learning to fly a friggen half baked homebuilt piece of **** helicopter,
in your case, forget it.

if you want to know more on homebuilt aircraft and how to do it pm me,

but i don't do heli's.

Yep, I know what you are saying, Harry. I can afford to get PPL rotary training. Whether I could actually get the licence is another issue!

Are you anti-heli or just anti-homebuilt heli? I'll PM you - although a phone call would be easier!

An issue that needs to be resolved is maintenance in Oz. Can one maintain it oneself or I do I need a LAME to do it? Rotorway say:

As the builder of the aircraft kit you are authorised to maintain it. It's a good feeling to know that everything has been serviced and checked to your own exacting standards.

Does this apply to aircraft built by others or just oneself? If it needs a LAME, then costs could blow out.

Garycol's probably right about just hiring as needed.

Can one learn on a Rotorway or would I need to take the usual Robinson route? If I could learn on a Rotorway in the USA, it could be cheaper to go there to get the PPL.

So much to learn. So little time.

Hi Ron,

Currently, in order to perform your own maintenance you need to have built at least 50% of the aircraft. Yes, you need documented proof of this.

If you purchase an amateur built aircraft then you must use a LAME for all maintenance other than pilot approved maintenance.

If you are serious then I would highly recommend joining the SAAA (Sports Aircraft Association Australia). SAAA - We are the Builders of AUSTRALIAN EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT

My kit aircraft is from Van's: Van's Aircraft - Total Performance RV Kitplanes need to dig up some photos but you will get the idea...

Cheers
Ron

Thanks Ron.

That rules out buying a completed aircraft. LAME costs might be prohibitive.

I wasn't keen on the idea from the point that one doesn't become as familiar as when building oneself.

Ah well. Pipe dreams. I'll look into joining the the Association although I'm not that interested in building a fixed wing aircraft. I did see there is a Piel Emeraude for sale in Oz for $35K. http://www.aviationadvertiser.com.au...il.php?id=1579

Rotary wings are my thing although I do have fixed wing model aircraft.

I built my first flying model heli (rubber powered contrarotating blades) over 50 years ago. I have 4 or 5 internal combustion engined helis in the garage (I've forgotten how many. There may be more. I know I have a 20+ year old unbuilt Graupner heli kit in a box)

Hi Ron.

What about a Gyro Copter?

There's a guy at Baan Baa - just south of Narrabri - that builds them.

Here's a link to a bit of a story about them. Magni Gyro

I have thought about them, Roger. I should look a bit more closely. Certainly a lot cheaper. Those gyros look pretty good.

I haven't been to Baan Baa since 1968-69 when I used to go to watch sailplanes (I was working at Moree Satellite Earth Station at the time).

Gyrocotoper are much cheaper with the same amount of fun.
Medicals are no where near as bad as a choppers lic.
They are hard to fly like a chopper and you must look at where you are in life to decide if you want to go there.
My gyro was lic with a proven track record , log book etc.
In fact the main place it used to operate from was Eskine PK and fly all over western sydney until that site was developed.

ooh ron,
you seem to have been bitten by the aircraft bug.

i do saaa experimental c of a's, but not heli,
i can put you in touch with a heli mate up here, he knows his stuff.

rotorway, as above, talk to my mate peter, he knows about them.

gyrocopter - not a good idea. sorry, i am a lame, seen too many broken.

maintenance - if you build it, and do the saaa maintenance course you will be able to maintain that part of the aircraft which you built provided you built 51% of the aircraft.

if you go to the casa website you should be able to find
'instrument no. 43/11'
which is the power to maintain your own aircraft.

I'm afraid I've loved aircraft since I was a kid. I had a huge collection of photos, slides, scrapbooks, etc. I was in the RAAF Air Cadets, flew model aircraft since I was pre-teen (first control line model with Taipan 2.5 diesel when I was 12 - I still have the engine and control handle), tried to join the RAAF (failed due eyesight), have flown full-size gliders.

I could never afford to get a PPL when I was younger. Now I can but I doubt I'd use it enough.