I haven't found any discussion on this type here. Does anyone have any time in a "French Beaver?"

No, seriously, anyone have a PIREP? Looks pretty cool.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Holste_Broussard

I've got some French Beaver time - eye watering performance but the maintenance was overwhelming and ultimately drove me off.

Never been in one of the planes but the split tail looks enticing. There was one on barnstormers recently, high amongst the deterrents to actual ownership was the Experimental Exhibition categorization which would put you on a fairly short leash. That and the healthy engine would bleed you dry, just like real french beaver.

Vick wrote:I've got some French Beaver time - eye watering performance but the maintenance was overwhelming and ultimately drove me off.

Well played Sir.

Vick wrote:I've got some French Beaver time - eye watering performance but the maintenance was overwhelming and ultimately drove me off.

Never been in one of the planes but the split tail looks enticing. There was one on barnstormers recently, high amongst the deterrents to actual ownership was the Experimental Exhibition categorization which would put you on a fairly short leash. That and the healthy engine would bleed you dry, just like real french beaver.

Ha, ha!

The Experimental Exhibition category is a good point to bring up, and is most likely why they sell for 1/5 of the price of a Canadian Beaver. The basic definition seems to be really restrictive -- only exhibiting the aircraft, or using it for film work, etc. But there also seem to be cases where different aircraft in that category are given more or less loose leashes? Maybe someone on here has more info on it. I'm guessing loading up the family, bikes, camping gear and a dog and filming ourselves flying it to Idaho wouldn't count as film work...

I had a Nanchang CJ6 in experimental exhibition. You have a 300nm "practice" radius that is a free fly zone. If you want to go anywhere you have to notify the FISDO if going out of that area. My FISDO guy said "I don't care where you fly it just email me where you are going and keep a copy of the email with you if you are ramped and so your insurance is valid." I never had any problems in the several cross countries I took. Also in that category you can do all maintainance and modifications it just has to have an A&P sign off the annual condition inspection. Always wanted to fly a Broussard. Flown a Beaver a couple of times though. Don