Hey, guys! First post by a long-time lurking GIRL pilot. I've got about 230 hrs, mostly in a 100 hp Champ but also 150 hp Citabria, Micco SP26, and UPF-7 time. I really wanna be a bush pilot when I grow up and have bugged my husband into being interested in a bc plane. Saw this one on barnstormers and wanted some thoughts on it: http://barnstormers.com/classified_6221 ... +170B.html

We already own an experimental exhibition plane, so I understand all that goes with that. A turbo'd 200+hp plane is total overkill for the flying we'd be doing down here in the flatland, like running rivers and lake beaches but, ya know, females are often irrational when it comes to shopping...

deadreckon wrote:Hey, guys! First post by a long-time lurking GIRL pilot. I've got about 230 hrs, mostly in a 100 hp Champ but also 150 hp Citabria, Micco SP26, and UPF-7 time. I really wanna be a bush pilot when I grow up and have bugged my husband into being interested in a bc plane. Saw this one on barnstormers and wanted some thoughts on it: http://barnstormers.com/classified_6221 ... +170B.html

We already own an experimental exhibition plane, so I understand all that goes with that. A turbo'd 200+hp plane is total overkill for the flying we'd be doing down here in the flatland, like running rivers and lake beaches but, ya know, females are often irrational when it comes to shopping...

I bet it would be fun!
It's been for sale a while.
http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6836

But what are the FAA limitations on the experimental conditions?

You will want to read the Operating Limitations as it will tell you exactly what the limitations are for that aircraft. I am not a big fan of the Exhibition category, you may not be allowed to take the plane out on camping trips in the back country. Cool plane though!!

Mrs. Deadreckon, glad to have you on the site. I too have been watching that plane. Looks like an awesome plane. Besides the Exhibition category, I would do a little research on that engine. I would be a little worried about overhaul costs, TBO, and how many cylinders one might have to replace on that engine. The turbo would be really nice when you do some higher altitude flying.

-Kneel

Wow, sorry 'bout the repost on this plane. You guys answered my exact question a year ago? Thanks for the responses! About the engine and maintenance...we have a turbo'd Seneca II with the same engines and happen to have an extra tsio-360 sitting in the hangar. How's that for luck? And, my husband has an experimental exhibition plane, to satisfy his aerobatic needs, so I'm not afraid of it. A note on that, too, is that as long as a plane has gone through Phase 1, flight testing, you can fly 'proficiency flights' within a 300nm radius of your home base without prior notice to a fsdo, or any other noisy official agency. You do have send in a letter to your fsdo, annually, to let them know of any intended flights to airshows or out of your proficiency area.

But Gump said run and Glidergeek did infer you might be a fool to buy it, so.....hmmmm...

P.s. My husband has a plane obsession, I take no responsibility in owning more planes than vehicles. (we sold those, amongst other things, to buy planes!)

Glidergeek wrote:But what are the FAA limitations on the experimental conditions?

Don't expect to use it like a normal category aircraft but within the Exp\Exhibition category you normally could fly to an "event" such as Johnson Creek. Just being there for show is an exhibition and flying while there is considered exhibition too. If the normal category limitations apply you would only have to notify the FAA in advance of the event. Expect to submit to the FAA an annual list of planned events. You normally would fly direct to and from that event, avoiding flying over densely populated areas except for take off and landing. Without an FAA notification you normally would be restricted a 300 nm range of that base.

For more details, here is a non-FAA assessment of how the Experimental/Exhibition Category can be used if you missed the deadline to switch your aircraft over for the ELSA back in 2008. Much of this article would pertain to the type of flying you could do with that C170 within the Exhibition category. This category does affect resale prices because of the added paper requirement.

http://www.rainbowaviation.com/exhibition.htm

My 2cents.
Exp/exhibition knowledge, check
Turbo knowledge, check
One year Lust, check.
Do it.
If I listened to all the opinions I'd never have my turbo. I've NEVER failed to smile when the boost knob gets spun.

dirtstrip wrote:

Glidergeek wrote:But what are the FAA limitations on the experimental conditions?

Don't expect to use it like a normal category aircraft but within the Exp\Exhibition category you normally could fly to an "event" such as Johnson Creek. Just being there for show is an exhibition and flying while there is considered exhibition too. If the normal category limitations apply you would only have to notify the FAA in advance of the event. Expect to submit to the FAA an annual list of planned events. You normally would fly direct to and from that event, avoiding flying over densely populated areas except for take off and landing. Without an FAA notification you normally would be restricted a 300 nm range of that base.

For more details, here is a non-FAA assessment of how the Experimental/Exhibition Category can be used if you missed the deadline to switch your aircraft over for the ELSA back in 2008. Much of this article would pertain to the type of flying you could do with that C170 within the Exhibition category. This category does affect resale prices because of the added paper requirement.

http://www.rainbowaviation.com/exhibition.htm

Yes I know, seeing as my glider is in the experimental cat. I'm supposed to submit a program letter annually, I suppose the only time you'll have to worry about it is when the FAA is there to help. My Ops limits are for exhibition/racing, when I'm exhibiting I'm racing and vice versa

This 170 has been for sale for some time -believe there's only one (1) . Pretty much a specialized unit -Experimental has some limitations -usually anywhere from home base out to fuel range . Some airports will not allow experimental aircraft operations, probable not all that bad for a personal airplane. Fuel range might be the limiting factor .

This is another one:

You might... MIGHT... be able to go to the FAA and get the certificate upgraded to a one-time STC. Remember, all certified airplanes and all modifications to airplanes technically start out as experimental, until the FAA upgrades their experimental-flight test certificate to standard or whatever.

No guarantee, but you might be able to go to the FAA and say you got this airplane which someone had made into an experimental, and you want to do this right and not off in the margin, and what would they want you to do in order to prove to them it is viable for a one-shot STC.