Here is the scenario. 1000 hr pilot in a Skylane with an IFR rating and approximately 30 hours in a taildragger. The question I am looking for thoughts on; removing the monetary factory, does one buy, say, an older 90hp supercub with no flaps (old school but a very capable airplane) to gain more hours before upgrading aircraft, OR just buy something like the Carbon Cub SS in the beginning and continue learning and developing the taildragger adventure flying skills with one of the top performers built today? I know there are a lot variables but just looking for the insight to the theory most believe in. I have several influential pilots/instructors in my life which provide mixed answers, so just reaching out to others to hear your thoughts and input.

Thanks

If you can afford the carbon cub, this is a no brainer. You aren't going to learn anything in the 90hp cub that you can't teach yourself in the CC.

Ditto above: if cash no object, get CC.

If you can afford the insurance then I would say there is no reason to spend time in a plane that you don't want to ultimately be in. I wish I had your dilemma!

CW

soyAnarchisto wrote:If you can afford the carbon cub, this is a no brainer. You aren't going to learn anything in the 90hp cub that you can't teach yourself in the CC.

X2.
This is a no brainer if you've got the cash.
Why learn in something else and transition into the plane you really want?
Get the Carbon Cub and don't look back.
BTW, I know where 2 really nice CC's are for sale.
Sadly they don't fit into my retirement plans.

I really can't relate to your dilemma,
But I'll wish you well, and happy flying

If cash is no issue get two, one on amphibs and one with 31" tires.

Unless you are very fortunate, buying and selling can be a real time suck. Best to spend your days flying instead of brokering.

i have a better idea if money is no object instead of getting to, get 3! 1 on anphibs, 1 on 31 inch's and one for me!

Don't waste time and money buying selling and upgrading planes. Buy the best well equipped airplane you can afford. You will be happier from the get go!

Better yet, buy a Rans S7 or Highlander or Kitfox which will outperform the Carbon Cub for less than the price of a old ratty Super Cub and you can do all the maintenance yourself.

CarbonCub, your ultimate plane.

With a fresh tailwheel endorsement and 150 hours total time I bought a Stearman, my ultimate plane, and lived to tell about it.

If I could afford to buy, insure, and fuel a CC I think I would have one.
I'll expound on Av8r3400's comment.....buy the CC and then come see me. I will give you the deal of the century...I'll trade you straight across for my S-7. The S-7 is an awesome plane and I really have no qualms with its overall performance since it is great with very low fuel burn and reasonable speed.

Av8r3400 wrote:Better yet, buy a Rans S7 or Highlander or Kitfox which will outperform the Carbon Cub for less than the price of a old ratty Super Cub and you can do all the maintenance yourself.

While I do love my S-7 and it does perform well, it is no match for most Carbon Cubs. The one's with the O-200 boat anchor for sure but the rest are pretty incredible planes. I fly with several fairly regularly. There's a dealer here that has new and used CC's all the time so I get to go head to head with them quite often. I have yet to see one that wasn't awesome. A decent Highlander is fairly close in price to the low end CC's.
I'm with WW, if you buy a CC and want to trade straight across, I'll be happy to work out a deal.

Wow, all good ideas for sure. having a buddy with carbon cub in challis, id. they are a good small bird for sure. but if its not about the cash i would for sure no doubt do a king katmai skylane...now that is a WOW!
maybe both if that was a possibility...! the katmai is a lot of $, but a lot of airplane for sure. i've seen 'em everywhere in the frank, but then i've seen stock 206's in the same places too....!

The CC boys sure were sure embarrassed by the Just crew this past Airventure (by their own words in the morning briefing). There was also a ratty old Kitfox IV-1200 that was coming and going in half the distance of the CC there, too.

I will stand by my statement from what I saw this past summer. There is equal if not better performance available for quite a bit less than the $175,000.00 asking price for the CC.

(Which is almost as ridiculous as this is…)

Perhaps, but the build and finish quality of the CC aircraft is incredible, and for some people only a Cub will do.

Sure and I could land and take off in less than 100 feet in my old Challenger ultralight. Whats your point? You're comparing apples to rubber ducks. You can buy some clapped out Kitfox for 15K and go flying. But it will never match a Carbon cub for overall performance.
The Just aircraft at Airventure that was there was their new slatted super STOL. And that is just as pricey as many of the Carbon Cubs.
The Avids and the Kitfoxes are great planes but they are not in the same league as far as fit, finish and overall performance as a Carbon Cub.
I've personally seen several CC's take off and land in 4 plane lengths and then climb out at 1500+FPM.(at 4650 base elevation) There's no Kitfox IV that can do that in 1/2 the distance. And you're not shoe-horned into a cabin designed for elves. For me,at 5'10 220 lbs, a kit fox/avid is a one man and a child aircraft.
The original poster said "removing the monetary factor". So for most people that equates to a Carbon Cub.

Texasrlm wrote:buy something like the Carbon Cub SS

If you want a really tricked out SuperCub and still have an excellent useful load, and don't mind waiting to have one built, or build it yourself, you should take a look at the Mackey SQ-2.

Happy to give you a ride in mine when I bring it down from Alaska in the Spring.

http://www.supercub.com/

Remove the monetary factor?

Buy the "other" 206...




Gump