I was a bit interested this morning too, so I did a quick hunt around on the internet. I think Daves guess is a bit on the low side. Airframe : going by costs of 150/152 from the latest aviation trader (about 12 aircraft) costs range from 30k to 65k but typically fell in the 45-55 range for aircraft with about 6000 hrs on the airframe. (the $30k one was a real outlier and would be a bit of a clunker I reckon, the 65k one "only" had 2000 hrs on the airframe, least used by a long way). So Airframe : average 48K, best 65k Had a look at Lycomings 2010 price list for O-360s (there are 140+ types ! not counting IO, AEIO etc) With exchange, a new O-360 $41k, rebuilt zero hours $29k. BUT up front they say they are reluctant to exchange different types, so add 20% to either of these prices for a straight out purchase (though you should still be able to sell the old engine locally and recoup something). Then looked for conversion prices. Found a site called Aeroprices which quoted a tailwheel kit as US$2225 and an engine upsize kit as US$5835-7622. HOWEVER (and this is the interesting bit) the STC for both these kits was owned by "Aircraft Conversion Technologies" who seem to have folded as a business in 1999. The STC ownership seems to have then passed to "Del Air" who have little in the way of info on the web (only reference by third parties). They could be gone too. Who owns the STC? The upshot being the prices given must be pre 1999 prices so a conservative 50% inflation since then (I would bet closer to 100%) gives: Tailwheel kit $3300 (which seems neither here nor there in the overall cost of the work) Engine fit kit $9800 ------------------------- Finally if we were to buy a 150/152 on the Australian market and upgrade it as above (not counting labour!) an "average/cheap" conversion would be about $90k and a "top of the line" job would run to about $120k. I haven't allowed any cost for labour (and chasing around after who owns the STC etc). I expect you would get some change (but not much) out of $10k After this expenditure you would still have a 30+ year old airframe. Regards SWK On Fri 01/10/10 10:06 AM , Dave Donald icans...@y7mail.com sent: Why would you want a taildragger 150/152 (even though they exist)? If you get a tricycle 150/152 that nearly every GA pilot trained on, they are a ready source of tug pilots (when endorsed). And you don't have all of the issues of ground handling that goes with a taildragger. Airframe 20k Engine 35k Conversion 15K = 70k Pretty rough figures across a couple of years - the engine may be more or less depending on condition. Also, most modded 150/152 have a recurring problem shaking the rivets out of the tailplane skins/spar, but with proper maintenance this risk is mitigated. Dave ------------------------- FROM: Colin Campbell TO: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. SENT: Fri, 1 October, 2010 10:04:54 AM SUBJECT: Re: [Aus-soaring] "Super Motor Falke" and towing Can anyone supply information on current cost purchase and conversion of C 152 to taildragger and 180 hp engine transplant and a LAME who has done it before? Colin C On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 9:37 AM, Mike Borgelt wrote: As proved at Kingaroy over the last 20 years. Mike At 09:41 PM 30/09/2010, you wrote: One has to ask the question - why? If cost is the answer then a 180HP Cessna 150/152 is the best alternative. Tom --- On Wed, 29/9/10, Richard Skinner wrote: From: Richard Skinner Subject: [Aus-soaring] "Super Motor Falke" and towing To: Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net [4] Received: Wednesday, 29 September, 2010, 4:57 PM Does anybody out there have any information regarding the launching of gliders by Motor Falke, or indeed, any other motor glider that may be used to launch? I’m not aware of it in Australia but I understand that there may be some such happening in Europe? I am aware of Ultra lights acting as tugs but I’m specifically interested in motor gliders. Regards Richard Skinner skinn...@bigpond.net.au [5] 08 8431 8249 0419 818 024 If you want to grow old as a pilot, you've got to know when to push it, and when to back off. Chuck Yeager P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net [6] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring [8] _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net [9] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring [10] Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments since 1978 phone Int'l + 61 746 355784 fax Int'l + 61 746 358796 cellphone Int'l + 61 428 355784 email: mborg...@borgeltinstruments.com [11] website: www.borgeltinstruments.com [12] _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net [13] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring [14] Links: ------ [1] mailto:mborg...@borgeltinstruments.com [2] mailto:skinn...@bigpond.net.au [3] mailto:skinn...@bigpond.net.au [4] mailto:Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net [5] mailto:skinn...@bigpond.net.au [6] mailto:Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net [7] http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring [8] http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring [9] mailto:Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net [10] http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring [11] mailto:mborg...@borgeltinstruments.com [12] http://www.borgeltinstruments.com/ [13] mailto:Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net [14] http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
_______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring