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Amphibious Rebel questions

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 4:22 pm
by Mike Davis
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To: <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com> (Murphy Rebel)
From: Bob Patterson <bob.patterson@canrem.com>
Subject: Re: Amphibious Rebel questions
Message-Id: <E0zTciD-00057Y-00@mail2.toronto.istar.net>
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 22:00:21 -0400


Whew !! Here we go again !!! No easy questions ! (or answers :-) )

A Champ, Luscombe, or Taylorcraft would certainly have MUCH lower
performance (I've flown all of them), especially on floats !! You can't
carry three people, or even 2 people & a lot of camping gear, or full
fuel ...
An O-320 Rebel, with 2 people aboard usually gets off the water
in about 12 seconds on amphibs - as low as 6 seconds solo ! And even
faster on straight floats.... (3 people on amphibs takes about 22 seconds)
Rebel climb rate on amphibs is 800 - 1,100 fpm ! The T-Craft might
give 400 - 600 fpm on straight floats, on a good day.
Rebel cruise on amphibs is 108 - 110 mph. Most older aircraft are
lucky to see 85 - 90 on straight floats.

Most people these days don't want certified aircraft - they cost
'WAY too much to maintain, and you're at the mercy of AME's (A&P's), many
of whom use apprentices to do the work, and know little of the methods for
maintaining older aircraft.... (Been there, spent the money - almost $17,000
during a 3 year period just to keep an Aeronca Super Chief (11-CC) airworthy
and legal !! Sold it a year later for $9,500 - and it took 5 months to sell
!)
Similar experiences with the Aeronca Sedan that preceded the Super Chief -
it sold for $10,000 ...

In the U.S., homebuilts <have> sold for less, but that is changing.
In Canada, Rebels have been selling lately for $63,000 to $65,000,
on wheels, with Lyc. O-235 engines. This is because they are considered a
"poor man's C-180". (Actually, 4" wider inside than a 180 !) And where
can you buy a 'brand-new' C-180 - or a brand-new <almost anything> ??!!!
I know of a Rebel with an O-320, on wheels, that sold for $53,000US in
Wisconsin last year.. Considerably more than you'd likely get for a T-craft
!

Suppose you wanted "seaplane doors" for your Champ ?? - tons of
paperwork, STC's, etc., and $$$$$. For the Rebel - just DO IT !!
Amphib floats for an 85 hp. Luscombe - forget it !! Even if you
could afford to get them approved, you'd have a hard time getting it off
the water.

As for interior space & pilot comfort - the Rebel beats ALL of
the older aircraft.

Of course, these are only my views - your mileage may differ ;-) !!


As for the costs, I think you are a little high - we usually average
about $35,000 to $45,000 CANADIAN for a Rebel - that's about $1.50 US !! :-)
Really about $20,000 - 30,000 US, depending on your scrounging skills !
(Of course, if you want Dual ILS and Weather Radar .... :-) )

Item 3 - most folks prefer the 150 hp. O-320's, because they're
less expensive, and can burn car gas (or 'boat gas' - if you are at a
marina).

Items 5 & 7 are special ONLY if you use the "speed cowl" - which is
not a good idea for floats, as it is more awkward to remove for work on
floats. Looks sexy, though !

Item 8 is definitely NOT a good idea for floats - the full span
flapperons get you off faster.

Item 10 is nice, but some of our builders have achieved a nicer
(IMHO) effect by using lightweight automotive carpet velcro'd to the roof.

Item 9 - dual brakes ARE nice for training and checkouts, BUT, if
you're going to be on straight floats, they're just extra weight !! (There
are no brakes on floats :-) )

There - just by skipping those extras, you've saved over $3,000,
or more !!


That's about all ! To me, the real joy of owning a Rebel is the
FREEDOM to change whatever, whenever, to have a truly CUSTOM aircraft.
I can use the propeller <I> want, on the engine <I> want - NOT what some
'burro-crat' decided was suitable and safe in 1946 !


And now, a word from our sponsors ...... :-)

Give me a call when you're ready to order your Rebel !!!
(905) 457-5238 - "Have I got a deal for YOU !!!"

....bobp

----------------------orig.------------------------------------------
At 10:02 AM 10/8/98 EDT, you wrote:
Bob Patterson: Appreciate your thoughtful and learned answers to my naive
questions. Now for a tough one. In pricing out a Murphy Rebel, with these
components:
1. Firewall back
2. Floats (straight) 8. Split flaps
3. Overhauled 160 HP Lyc 9. Dual brakes
4. O-320 Mount 10. Headliner
5. Spinner 11. Float attach points
6. Prop 12. Crating charge
7. Exhaust 13. Misc. (upholstery, radios, instruments,
wiring, etc.)
For those parts I estimate ~ $40,000
Now for the tough question #3. I could buy and rebuild a Champ, Luscombe,
or
Taylorcraft (comparable parts) for a little more ($3000?) and have a
certified
craft that probably has a better resale value but lower performance and
higher
maintenance costs.
So simply, in your opinion, why else should I build any experimental
aircraft over rebuilding a certified aircraft?


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Amphibious Rebel questions

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 4:22 pm
by Mike Davis
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bob.patterson@canrem.com (Bob Patterson)
Wow, I certainly appreciate your great responses to my naive questions.
So
how about five more that will relieve some more of my anxieties.
Questions: 1. Have you any numbers for how many Rebel's are flying?
2. Have there been any in-flight break ups that you know
of?
3. Is there a Rebel accident listing anywhere on the
Internet or
elsewhere?
4. What are typical insurance rates and or problems in
obtaining float
insurance for the Rebel?
5. What would you recommend as the "best" Rebel amphibious
setup,
(engine and airframe)
6. Are there any Murphy builders in my area (Burlington,
VT)
that you
know of?
Thanks, and I hope I can help you out some time in the
future.
George Luhr (MMB) maybe Murphy builder



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