The Vlog has begun. This is my introductory flight in the Skyreach Bushcat. Can't wait until my plane is finished and ready to go. Until then I will enjoy this memory.
I dont think I've ever seen anybody look that excited really awesome.good luck with the Build I'm in south africa and have the previous version the cheetah and its magnificent.its currently having a 912uls fitted and a 72inch meglin prop for better climb.
I'm so looking forward to it myself. Should be starting in a week or so. Hopefully I'll have a new video every week or two, depending on how much we get done.
For the past year I’ve been investigating LSA/Experimental Aircraft. The Bushcat was the first one I looked at, and now I’ve come full circle. I think I’ve made my mind up and your video was the clincher. Thank you -I’m excited!
Steve great to have you on the Bushcat train! You gotta talk to Daniela and Jeremy Knoll at Aerosport, they will get the ball rolling for you. Tell them BushcatTom sent you. And stay tuned, videos of the build are forthcoming.
Wow, that looks like a lot of fun! I got to help build a BushCat in a work experience program. 25 school students (including me) and 5 supervisors assembled a kit BushCat in 7 days! I would love to fly one someday, but till then, I'll keep watching your videos. Good luck with the rest of your build, and happy flying!
Tom, Just ran across your vlog!! I read a couple comments!! So you are building your plane from a lot!!? I am going to follow you and watch it from the beginning!! Way to go sir!! You will be an inspiration to myself and my aviation loving brother!! Hope that someday he and I will be able to experience the feeling of GA SPORT FLYING as well!! He ( my Brother ) is an awesome mechanic and we would love to put one of these birds together ourselves!! Happy building sir!! We will be asking you questions from time to time I am sure!! G -Man
Hello G-man. Welcome aboard. I think by the time you’re finished watching all the videos you’ll be writing a check for your BushCat. Tell AeroSport Bushcat Tom sent you.
I was very close to choosing the green and black scheme myself, but then I wanted to be more unique. There will be no Bushcat like mine once it's finished. Thanks for watching.
Tom! Another great video. I had the pleasure of flying with John Payne when the BushCat was on the rental line at Galt. Fun plane and a great CFI. Glad to see him up flying! When do you take delivery? Congratulations. That’s exciting.
Hey Cory, you've been one of my main inspirations for getting into bush flying. I've done an entire video series of the build of my plane. Check it out! And thanks for watching!
Hey Tom, nice video. Great production values, this coming from a long time documentary and corporate video producer. I've been intrigued by the Bushcat since I saw the tail-dragger version flying at Galt a couple of years ago. I'd be interested in your take on a Bushcat-CTLS comparison. I'm flying a CTLS out of Racine and flying with a friend in his PA28-160 based at Galt.
Thanks for the kind words about my video. I love making them, as I do flying. Having been trained in the CTLS I have to say the Flight Design is a pleasure to fly, but the Bushcat is a FUN MACHINE! Light and graceful (and not twitchy on the stick) she goes where you point it and doesn't wander. I felt like I was wearing the plane--that it was an extention of my body. I don't get that feeling in the CTLS. And man what a climber the Bushcat is! I think our take-off roll was less than 300 feet. I just could not help smiling the whole time I was in it. Like I said in the video, the Bushcat is a hoot! Can't wait until mine is finished. July can't arrive soon enough.
I see that operating the flaps handle seems to be awkward... having to switch hands at the controls in order to extend or retract the flaps does not seem very practical. What your opinion on that?
I was flying one the other day and the canopy detached. The drag was so bad that i could not keep it straight and level and trimmed. Luckilly i was in the circuit and managed to do a really rough base and final and managed to land it in one piece. Phew....
Looking at the accident events was surprised the lack of events a few nose overs worse one was guy hit terrain in Australia. I don't count that against the aircraft these I think go back 7-8 years. Not sure I like where the flap handle is located seems like be better if it was above the other arm he had to reach across hold the stick with his other hand then right hand reach up and set flaps up.
At first I had the same feeling about the flap handle. But now it’s such a natural thing for me to do that quick hand change on the stick, it’s absolutely no issue at all for me. Thanks for watching.
I hate that you have to let go of the stick to put in flaps. or reach over with the left to either work the stick or flaps. seems a bad design. can the flap lever be relocated
It's really no big deal for me. I'm supposing they put the flap handle in the middle to enable the pilot in either seat access. Great for flight training with that and also the dual throttles. Every plane has it's design quirks, but this one is not an issue for me. I will usually keep my hand on the stick and reach over with my left to pull the flaps. Others will reach over with the left hand to hold the stick and pull the flaps with the right hand. The pros far outweigh the cons IMO. Thanks for watching.
Oh many things. Price for one. The Bushcat is most definitely the best bang for your buck. Ease of maintence. Ease of repair. Bolt on construction allows you to swap parts out in a jiffy. You want to recover the plane someday? (not that you would have to for a long long time), recovering the entire airframe with Trilam takes about 4 days. Try to do that with a dope and fabric aircraft.
Hey, odd questions maybe, but I'm trying to gather some "how does it fit" data. :) Can I ask your height, and how you felt in the seat? Ankle and knee angles feel natural, too straight, or too bent? Were you slid forward to reach the pedals at all, or slid as far back as possible to avoid crunching up your legs? Overall legroom observations? Thanks!
The Bushcat feels great in the seat. I'm 6' and about 225 lbs. Plenty of headroom. You are in a reclined position and your knees are bent just a little bit, right to the height of the bottom of the panel. The rudders are perfect for my frame, not too far, not too close. It really is a good fit. You feel like you're wearing the plane. Stick placement is in the perfect spot, and with the arm rest behind it you can relax without having to hold your arm up. When I first sat in it, I knew this was the one. I bet you'll have the same experience.
I appreciate the info, and the time you put into the reply and the video. At 6'1" (mostly legs) I've been a little nervous about the BC legroom, and you're the first 6-footer I've gotten feedback from. Thank you!
"eighty, seventy, sixty?" "Yeah, lets keep it at eighty, seventy, sixty..." Like speed is of no relevance to flying aeroplanes? Also; "Gonna be my first flight in a Bushcat before I get mine..." What, you just bought that with no idea what it flew like or having a test ride? 0_o
80-70-60 is a general speed reference for the pattern. Keep the plane at 80mph on the downwind, 70mph on base, 60mph on final approach. Yes, purchased the plane after doing my research without a test ride. I knew it would be a fantastic aircraft and I was right. Thanks for your questions.
The cabin heaters work well. There are two, one for each occupant. And a separate on/off switch for each. Even on really cold days, my wife leaves her heater off. That’ll give you a clue. Thanks for watching.
