Hello everyone,
I am considering buying a homebuilt ultralight aircraft that a fellow has for sale. The kit was an Amateur Homebuilts "John Doe". I am asking around since there is very little info online about these planes and I believe that the company isn't in business anymore. I have only seen pictures but at a glance it seems to be a good design, at least it is what I am looking for. Stol, tandem seating, great visibility among other things.
Do any of you have experience with these planes? It sports a continental 0200 engine which seems like it should be enough although the only performance specs I found online called for a 0240.

Any opinions/advice is much appreciated Gents.

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That may be the one and only example. I vaguely remember hearing the name several years ago, it never seemed to be more then a one off is my best guess. That does not mean it isn't worth a look, if the price is right and it's not a radical design but largely based on what has gone before. I can think of a few great airplanes that were one offs, hand built by guys without the funding perhaps to elbow their way into a crowded marketplace. They, when sold, made their new owners real happy.

The fact that it is unsupported and a one off perhaps, could really work in your favor when it comes to negotiating a price. Why not get a very experienced all around light airplane guy (you must not be or you wouldn't be asking what you asked) to really check it out, one who won't be biased by it's one offness, it does after all look pretty conventional. Heck maybe you can get it for what the engine is worth, it's a buyer market when it comes down to it.

There is a short vid on youtube of another one for sale... only half built. That's the only other example I could find.
It has a lot of things going for it. Built by a professional who's been building airplanes for 38 years according to him. This was supposed to be his last personal airplane but he has fallen ill and is selling it with only 5 hours time on it.
Asking $28 000 he says he spent $32 000 just to build it not including three years labor.

google credited this guy as the draftsman for making the john doe. http://www.bizwiz.com/networking/americanhomebuiltscorp

Found these on You Tube









That one looks like it has a cowling for the LOM engine. Similar to the one in that Preceptor STOL King that was owned by our own Bravo Hotel.





http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/my-new-weird-plane-slats-10476

Hey thanks for the info guys. Have to say that I'm encouraged to buy this thing. That take off vid is impressive.
Should I replace my aging truck or buy an airplane.... Ha!