Kitplanes for Africa - Kitplane Frequently Asked Questions

Most of the engines installed burn fuel at a rate of approximately 12 - 17 Litres / hour normal car fuel. The highest cost on engine maintenance is about R 150.00/hour. The yearly AP inspection is R650-00/year. This brings the total running cost to R180.00/hour excl. insurance.

The BUSHBABY is classified as a Non-Certified type aircraft (NTCA), which means that the owner/builder is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the aircraft. (Saving on expensive AMO costs) The aircraft must have a yearly Approved Person (AP) inspect the aircraft.

Although there is no regulation regarding third party insurance, it is advisable to carry third party insurance. Comprehensive insurance can be obtained from various companies that specialize in aviation insurance.

The BUSHBABY may be registered as a Microlight or Light Aircraft. The Microlight pilot's license (MPL) consists of a minimum 25 hours of training. The private pilots license (PPL) consists of a minimum of 40 hours training.

The covering of the aircraft is the most rewarding part (next to the maiden flight) of the project and contrary to popular belief anyone can do covering. We use the time-tested method of polyester fabric with nitrate and butyrate sealers and butyrate paints. The fabric is pulled tightly over and attached to the fuselage with special fabric cement. The fabric is then heat shrunk until tight. The sealer is applied to the fabric.

The difference between the Microlight and Light aircraft is purely weight. The microlights maximum all up weight is 450 Kg while the light aircraft is 550 Kg. The Microlight empty-weight may not exceed 248Kg. If fitted with the 2-stroke motor the empty weight should be well under 248kg. The light aircraft has no minimum empty weight. Keeping the empty weight as light as possible is important (no unnecessary instruments and gadgets) as this means a heavier payload can be carried.

The total kit can be transported with a 6' Venter trailer. All large components are packed into the fuselage, while the smaller components are packed in smaller boxes. The fuselage is fastened onto the roof of the trailer and all the other components are placed inside the trailer. Most builders opt to come and collect the kit as this enables them to meet the staff at KIT PLANES.

NO SPECIAL, SKILLS OR TOOLS ARE NEEDED
The BUSHBABY kit comes complete with all the specialized work already done. All welding is done, the ribs are cut, and the flapperons come completed. All the builder makes are small brackets out of the supplied aluminium and steel strips. Following is a list of most of the tools needed: steel files, electric drill and stand, 3.2, 6, 8 & 10min drill bits, 10, 13 & 17mm spanners, steel rule and measuring tape, pop rivet gun, clothes iron, small bench vice, hole countersink, spirit levels, steel etch primer, paint brush, carpet knife Optional tools: (nice to have but not essential) Angle grinder or power file, orbital sander, drill press, bench grinder, cordless drill and belt sander.

The BUSHBABY powered by the 582 ROTAX is the best combination available. The engine is relatively cheap and produces 65 hp for 48 Kg installed. The 912 Rotax (80 hp 4-stroke) engine is much heavier and so the gain in hp is offset by the gain in weight. The 912 outcruises a 582 by upto 10mph but the take off and climb performance stay the same. One of the reasons that the BUSHBABY performs the way it does is its lightweight, thus it is more important to keep the aircraft empty weight down than fitting stronger (heavier) engines.

The majority of BUSHBABY’s are tail draggers. The aircraft was designed to operate out of rough fields, thus the tail dragger configuration. The tri-cycle undercarriage is best suited for prepared runways. Most people forget that all earlier aircraft where tail draggers and that every air force pilot started on tail draggers. Compared to the tri-cycle aircraft the tail dragger aircraft is more challenging to fly and once mastered the pilot will wonder what all the fuss was about.

At present we recommend that owners wishing to finance a completed Bushbaby contact their finance institutions. Currently most financial institutions do not finance kits.

We are presently situated at the Komatipoort Airfield in the Mpumalanga Lowveld. At the new field we will have our show room, offices, a welding shop, repair shop and service centre. Basically a one stop shop for all your NTCA needs.

Most of our demonstrations are done at Komatipoort airfield, although we do have agents in other parts of the country who will help with demo flights and are available to answer all your questions. Contact us to find out about the agent nearest to you.