Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site ulose.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!decvax!ulose!bob From: bob@ulose.UUCP ( Robert Bismuth ) Newsgroups: net.aviation Subject: Re: Re: Homebuilts Message-ID: <130@ulose.UUCP> Date: Wed, 30-Oct-85 08:42:52 EST Article-I.D.: ulose.130 Posted: Wed Oct 30 08:42:52 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 2-Nov-85 03:23:10 EST References: <3024@mhuxd.UUCP> <1172@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP> Organization: CADMUS Computer Systems, Lowell, MA. Lines: 55 <-------- a blank line --------> > Doug Pardee -- Calcomp -- responded: > > Not true. Well, if there were any left it wouldn't be true. But when > the sales dried up they all went away. A stripped 152 was really quite > inexpensive; but essentially 100% of U.S. sales had the "152-II" > dress-up and avionics option. > > I'm trying to remember if there are any 2-place GA planes in production > in the U.S. I don't think so. T-Craft closed up earlier this year. > Varga closed up last year. The Skipper and Tomahawk went away a couple > of years ago, and Cessna has shut down the 152 production line. The > Super Cub and the old Bellanca tail-dragger lines are trying to be > revived, but I don't think they've succeeded yet. Maybe the Arctic Tern > is still going, I don't know. > Well, not that this is intended to flame Doug, but, last time I saw a price tag for a C152 it was in the high 30s, close to $40k - and that was with only the basics required for non-instrument instruction. I wasn't aware that Cessna had shut down the line - a friend of mine just ferried a brand new 152 from Kansas to one of our local flight schools. As for other 2 placers in production, Decathlons and Citabrias still are and the line has just been bought out by Great Lakes Aircraft Inc. They will be produced here in NH at their factory. Also, don't Lake Aircraft produce a two place amphibian? If I were looking for a new craft, I certainly wouldn't consider any of the 2 place commercially built planes. For $33k one can buy a brand new Maule M5 which seats 4 and has stol performance. Of course, if one wants aerobatic capability, then it's a different story. In that case, I still wouldn't go with a production craft, I'd build my own (which is what I shortly intend doing). After all, who can afford the $80k to $100k for a Pitts or Great Lakes? (Real planes have both wings, right? :-) ) Still, pilots shouldn't give up in seeking out production craft. I still think that owning and flying a 2 seater classic is something everyone should try, at least once. They are cheap to fly, maintain and loads of fun. Two points for those of a politically supportive frame of mind: the EAA is starting to canvas for a return of the 1930/40 type of certification and for limits on aircraft manufacturer's liability. While they'll probably fail on the second item, they might succeed on the first and thus could be born a new generation of Cubs, Funks, Aeroncas, Ercoups, Luscombes, etc. This generation might even be affordable by non-millionaires like me. -- bob (decvax!ulose!bob) (The above highly opinionated text is solely of my own contrivance and does not in any way reflect the opinions of my employer or anyone else. Feel free to agree or disagree with anything I have said - reality is, after all, only what you believe it to be.)