Can you easily swap them out with the 4-stroke, or is the airframe different and can't handle the higher speed and added weight?
Yes, an Avid Mk 4 can easily handle a 912, Subaru, VW, or a small Continental. But if anything other than a 912 they will get nose heavy fast. Plus only the 912 will make tbem light enough to be an amphib. The airframe doesn't need modification except for a new motor mount and minor cowl modification.
Also, in researching the Avid it does not appear that you can buy a kit anymore? Apparently Aidale aircraft have taken over but there website is sparse with information.
www.airdale.com The site does mention an upgraded version of the MKIV they call the airdale Backcountry, which sounds really nice. But they don't mention if they even sell the kit or anything else about it. Does anyone have any information about this plane. They also say that you can upgrade the MKIV with the backcountry changes, is this a kit? Could I buy a used MK IV and then upgrade that with the Backcountry mods, that sounds like a great way to have a better plane at a lower price.
Airdale is basically just supplying parts for Avids, and unfortunately no complete kits. So probably not practical to go that route. If you decide you want an Avid, just find a Mark 4 kit, project, or a flying example as even a stock Avid is a great airplane
In doing more research more planes are coming up as possibilities that I need to consider. Not sure if I should open this up to more questions on this forum. But now I am considering these planes:
Avid MK IV, Kitfox 4, Rans s7, Highlander, Backcountry (if it actually exists), Taylorcraft, Aeronca Champ.
An older Avid or Kitfox are the only choices that will meet most all of your criteria. Rans S7 will be well over your budget, but will meet most of your other criteria. The Highlander will meet or exceed all of your criteria, but will be at least 3 times your budget. The Taylorcraft and Champ will meet a lot of your criteria but neither were ever certified with amphib floats, so cannot be fiitted with amphibs. They can however use straight floats, but to work well you will need at least 85 hp engines as stock 65 hp engines on either airplane will be very underpowered for float operations. Oh, and all these choices (except for the Highlander or a newer Kitfox) will not be able to carry that 100 lbs of baggage weight when on amphib floats.
More about my goals, and I forgot to give my price range.
Looking for something no more than $25k
I live in a community on a tropical island in a 3rd world country. We are looking for something for additional transport. We want a float plane so we can fly over the water giving us more safety in the event of a engine failure.
I am a low time pilot, so I want something I can handle safely. Here is a list of our needs and priorities in a plane.
- Above all else we want something safe, reliable, and strong (tough).
- Under $25k
- Able to carry at least 50lbs of baggage, actually 100lbs would be best but not sure any of these can do that.
- Be able to easily fit amphibious floats, but also remove and put regular gear on if need.
- Regular gear would allow for dirt, gravel, grass landing with good STOL capability.
- Cruise at 100 mph - this is not a hard requirement but a definite nice to have.
- Plane can accommodate other engine options. I know auto conversion are difficult and aren't particularly compatible with my top requirement of safety. But one thing about the Backcountry that is appealing is that is uses a Subaru engine, which is a lot cheaper than the 912.
- Not be too tight for two people. I'm 6'1 185 so I'm hoping for a little bit of room. I sat in a kitfox once, but I think it was one of those low wing sportier kitfox models, I can't remember now. But anyway I remember is was way too small for me to have any semblance of comfort.
BTW - cosmetic appearance is the least of our concerns.
Thanks all for the advice, hope you can point me in the right direction.
One of the biggest obstacles is going to be the 25k budget. But it can be done.
Based on my experience with my 80 hp 912 powered Kitfox 4/1200 that I fly on amphib floats, that's what I would try to find. 912 powered Model 4's are a bargain in my opinion, and can still be had for 25 k (without floats). Oh, and ironically I am just over 6 ft tall, and 185 lbs, and fit in my Kitfox 4 just fine, even with passengers bigger than myself. I do however have bubbled doors, as they give the cabin approx 5 inches of added width.
And then later I'd find or build a set of Zenair or Czech 1150 or 1200 amphib floats for it. Then the only thing you will probably not meet from your list is being able to legally carry that 100 lbs of baggage (on amphibs). But all other criteria will be met. And in an emergency you can carry that baggage weight if you have to. The airplane will easily handle that weight, but unfortunately the paperwork won't :)
