I did some searching on here for info about this kit plane and came up with no results. It looks like it has had some good success down in Australia! Wondering why it's not more popular here in the states? I realize Australia doesn't have the Mountains we do, but there's a lot of bush flying that goes own down there and this thing sounds like it was built up to take the abuse of landing on unimproved strips.

The only Karatoo I could find that was for sale in the US looks like it sold pretty cheap!
http://www.rraircraft.com/j6-karatoo-ve ... -sold.html
Considering a Kitfox kit with no engine and in a pile of parts cost $10K more it seems like was a real bargain.




In the near future I'd like to either start on my own homebuilt, buy a partially done project or maybe just buy a ready to fly plane. I do have my Private but no tailwheel signoff and would like to do that soon. I have a lot of training to do before I ever do any of that backcountry cowboy flying that a lot of you guys do, but it's definitely where I'm aiming to go with my flying. Since my first flight in 1991 I've only flown into grass strips twice (3 times if you count sailplanes) and all of that flying was done on the East Coast. Problem with not owning your own plane is your not allowed to take rental aircraft to unimproved strips (at least not the places I rented from on the East Coast). Boring holes in the sky with a 172 back their got quite boring and for the last decade I've focused on Motorcycle Touring and now that I've crossed off a lot of epic rides I'm looking to get back into flying.

I don't have an A&P but I've worked as an apprentice at an FBO in college and have lots of mechanical experience and work at a large Aerospace company, so I'm not intimidated by working on or building my own plane; the biggest hurdle is the TIME commitment it takes to build a plane from some drawings and a pile of tubing and staying motivated for years on a project.

I live in Colorado and the cost of a certified plane that can overcome the Density Altitude here is prohibitively expensive (and I don't have a lot of interest in spending much time flying over the plains or doing X countries out to Kansas or Nebraska). If the government would allow you to do engine modifications on a Cessna 150 that'd be an ideal entry level aircraft for me, but I don't think with my 225# self a standard 150 is going to be able to get off the ground with any decent amount of fuel in it. Now if I could toss in some high comp pistons, different cam, exhaust, ignition and fuel injection into a 150 legally I would probably go down that route.

(Sorry for all the detail about myself but figured I'd give some background in order for the best replies)

Flying this Super Cub back in College really planted the seed in bush/backcountry flying:

I believe the Canadian registered airplane you’ve offered for illustration is a Bush Caddy. Kit is or was manufactured in Quebec.

Good luck!

My opinion is that any Aeronca tandem seater has the most cabin space available. Offered in nearly limitless models from 65 to 200 hp. Just pick your price range. Champ, Citabria, Decathalon, Scout. They all have their mission.

For experimental, Rans, Bushhawk, wide body Cub, etc. would be some I would try on for size.

I have recollections of some experimentals with Aeronca styled fuselage mated to Supercub wings. Might be a possibility.

Pinecone wrote:I believe the Canadian registered airplane you’ve offered for illustration is a Bush Caddy. Kit is or was manufactured in Quebec.

Good luck!

My opinion is that any Aeronca tandem seater has the most cabin space available. Offered in nearly limitless models from 65 to 200 hp. Just pick your price range. Champ, Citabria, Decathalon, Scout. They all have their mission.

For experimental, Rans, Bushhawk, wide body Cub, etc. would be some I would try on for size.

I have recollections of some experimentals with Aeronca styled fuselage mated to Supercub wings. Might be a possibility.

You're thinking about the Epic 3000 kits pit out by Nick Smith in Ontario. Its a Scout with Supercub wings. He also makes lighter kits based on Champs. And a whole gambit of supercubs and bushmasters.

Thanks David. I’ll check it out.

The Bush Caddy pictured is registered in Peace River. Surprised you haven’t encountered it.