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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.)