Bush plane home builts

Bobby868 · Post by **Bobby868** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:42 pm

If you had the time and money to build or buy a Home built bushplane what would you get and why?

Driving Rain · Post by **Driving Rain** » Fri May 26, 2006 2:54 pm

I've had a hand in buildiing three Super Cub clones that are homebuilt experimentals. The last two are powered buy Lycoming 0-320 engines that were removed from Cessna 177's. That engine features the single mag drive to run both mags. We bought both engines from Penn Yan for $10,000 Can. Both only had 1900 hr. total time. They both were very good engines and we installed electronic ignitions to replace one mag and added a tuned exhaust. They perform as well or BETTER than new S Cubs.
One was sold to a minnow trapper and he loves it. Before he bought it he was held hostage to the ever increasing AME fees and parts prices to maintain his certified S Cub. Now he can maintain it himself and he saves big time. Both aircraft were put on new floats. The minnow man bought a pair of EDO clones from Eddy Peck in Nova Scotia and the other aircraft features a pair of Montana floats that we put together from a kit we bought from Murphy Aircraft in BC. who originally developed the float kit. We didn't like how cheap the construction was so we added doublers to the sister keels and used real rivits instead of the kits pull type. We also added EDO water rudders and pump outs... they turned out real nice and are much lighter than the EDO's We made all the struts from wrecked aircraft struts and mounted the plane taller on the floats struts so we don't bump our heads under the wing. All in all for private flying a home built is the way to go.
When we were building the wing on the last aircraft we added a third flap hanger and extended not only the length to 8 feet but how far it comes back so it's more like a Husky flap. We could do this because we also illiminated the wing hoop tip and went with a square tip and placed the aileron out to the wings end. We also re contoured the fusalage to to be that of the wing so it looks like one wing from tip to tip. This third aircraft really performs because although it has the same span as any super Cub the wing area has been maximized.
When we started these projects we deceided to build a super cub jig so now there is a forth one in it getting welded up at this time.

Boss Hawg · Post by **Boss Hawg** » Sat May 27, 2006 7:50 pm

I'm flying a Murphy Rebel which is a homebuilt kit. It's a great airplane but the floats are for sure the weak spot. They are the most delicate floats you can imagine. You have to be real careful around docks, and landing in rough water or with heavy loads. We use it for getting to and from outpost camps and I think overall we're pushing it a bit harder than what it was meant for, but it absoutley would be a perfect private floatplane.

Blakey · Post by **Blakey** » Sat May 27, 2006 11:14 pm

Bobby868 wrote:If you had the time and money to build or buy a Home built bushplane what would you get and why?

Been pricing insurance for 185's on amphibs have we?

Bobby868 · Post by **Bobby868** » Tue May 30, 2006 5:45 am

Blakey - Ya insurance, maintenance and gas on the 185 is a killer not to mention initial purchase price. I'm not giving up on one but maybe I'll hold off for a year or so and get some more float time and tail time under my belt.

I've been really looking hard at the Murphy Rebels. They do seem like a good kit; though from what has been mentioned here the floats do give me cause for worry. As a low time float guy I know I'll be pounding them a bit hard.

Blakey · Post by **Blakey** » Wed May 31, 2006 12:39 pm

Bobby - I don't personally think that you can get a better all-around floatplane than a Cessna 180/185 but the cost of running and insuring one, especially for a low-time float pilot, is prohibitive. Why do you want a 185 so badly? If you need 4 seats then you really can't get away any cheaper than a 180, if you don't need 4 seats or if you don't really need amphibs, then you can get a lot of great floatplanes for a lot less in initial cost, insurance and maintainance. Any one of the many excellent Super Cub clones such as Driving Rain has described are available either new or used and they are outstanding performers and great learning aircraft but they only have 2 seats. It's a choice you have to make but there is a lot of money involved.

I made the same choice myself several years ago and I found that I did need the extra capacity so I decided on a 180. I was lucky to find an excellent partnership opportunity and this may be an answer for you as well. It's still not cheap but it is more affordable than trying to fund a 185 on amphibs all on my own. Best of luck and keep us posted on what you end up with!

rigpiggy · Post by **rigpiggy** » Wed May 31, 2006 6:15 pm

try this link a 2+2 w/ a 180 hp engine she'll perform like a 180 http://www.wagaero.com/kitplanes.html

Blakey · Post by **Blakey** » Wed May 31, 2006 9:09 pm

rigpiggy wrote:try this link a 2+2 w/ a 180 hp engine she'll perform like a 180 http://www.wagaero.com/kitplanes.html

No question of this at all. Anyone who has built or flown a Wag-Aero product knows how good they are. Their "Sport Trainer" is what the Cub would have been if it was built in the 90's! There's nothing like having an airplane that you built yourself and one that is brand new but the fact is that you can buy a decent, older 180 for less than what it will cost you to build a 2 + 2 kit yourself. The subject of maintenance costs will figure into this decision but you have to be honest with yourself. Are you really skilled enough and prepared to do all your own maintenance? If not, there's no advantage to owner maintenance and several disadvantages.

I would never say that you shouldn't buy or build an owner maintenance floatplane, just that you have to be doing it for some reason other than saving money because you won't! You can always buy something older for less money.

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:26 am

I built the Murphy Elite. O-360 Lycoming with a Hartzel Constanst speed prop. Works great on wheels. I built Murphy's 1800 floats but used as many solid rivets that i could. The floats are on and rigged but waiting for T.C. to inspect the installation before I try them out......

Homebuilts ARE the way to go!

Will I build another Murphy? Ask me after I have a couple of hundred hours on floats...... but If I do build another I would buy someone's orphaned project....... there are some good deals to be had if you shop smart.

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:45 pm

I've got a thing for murphy products!

Have spent a bit of time in a 0-360 powered rebel and a 540 powered super rebel.

Great machine for the overall costs.

l_reason · Post by **l_reason** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:08 am

If you like a Rebel but are not sure of the floats everyone puts them on take a look at these floats. http://www.clamarfloats.com/ . I worked there for a while, manufacturing floats. I was not a believer in anything that was not metal until I saw some of the design and destruction testing that was done on them. They are super tough and just as slick. They make strait and anfibs from 2200 to 3500.

niss · Post by **niss** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:18 pm

I reason, what do you fly and where abouts do you fly?

Boss Hawg · Post by **Boss Hawg** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:33 pm

I ran into a guy this past winter who had a company that made wooden floats for ultralights and homebuilts. I wish I could remember the name of the company. Anybody ever heard of these?

niss · Post by **niss** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:31 pm

What a bout homebuilt prices but not homebuilt labour?

Bush plane home builts

Bush plane home builts

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