I’m in a bit of a Rapide mood lately, and I have a few questions before I raid the Newcastle Aeroclub archive next week……
1: Are there any Rapides which were based at Newcastle-upon-Tyne still around? (Not including the few remains buried into the moors near Hexham…) If not, are there any colour pictures of them operating around the North East?….
2: How much does a Rapide project go for these days? Are there any which could be available in the next few years?
3: Operators – how much does it cost to operate one for use as a fare-paying passenger aircraft? ie. sightseeing flights
4: How much did the FSM at Speke cost? And would the company involved build another?…..
Thats all for now…… Thanks as always, LL
By: longshot - 25th May 2009 at 14:54
Sunderland rapide thread
Nice to see the photos still on the old thread(mostly!)…..deleted photos are an Achilles heel on this otherwise interesting forum
Here is THAT thread!:p
By: Lindy's Lad - 25th May 2009 at 12:15
1: Doh!
2: Damn
3: Damn
4: You’re probably right….
Cheers!
By: Fournier Boy - 25th May 2009 at 06:37
I’m in a bit of a Rapide mood lately, and I have a few questions before I raid the Newcastle Aeroclub archive next week……
1: Are there any Rapides which were based at Newcastle-upon-Tyne still around? (Not including the few remains buried into the moors near Hexham…) If not, are there any colour pictures of them operating around the North East?….
2: How much does a Rapide project go for these days? Are there any which could be available in the next few years?
3: Operators – how much does it cost to operate one for use as a fare-paying passenger aircraft? ie. sightseeing flights
4: How much did the FSM at Speke cost? And would the company involved build another?…..
Thats all for now…… Thanks as always, LL
Well as best I can…..
1. Dont know sorry (failed already!)
2. Difficult – projects just do not come up. There are a few non flying Rapides in the UK but many people from many different companies have tried get hold of these and its just not going to happen. Price wise I’ve seen Rapides that have had many many thousands of pounds (well over the £100k and up) spent on them to get them in the air. Keep in mind overhaul on a couple of Gipsy Queens is going to cost you around £65k! Values of airworthy aircraft (not that many come up for sale) are significantly lower than the cost of a rebuild. There is currently one for sale in New Zealand – for around 1.5 times market value.
3. Well it depends how many hours and what you do with it. For operating sight seeing flights you would need an A-A AOC, to take people and land away somewhere, an A-B AOC. Apart from having the infrastructure and qualified people to hold an AOC, the Operations manuals written and approved and the licenced airfield on your side to operate. Your certificate is going to cost you around £15000pa. EASA requires the engines to be overhauled every 12 years or at Hours TBO whichever is sooner, so budget £13000 per year towards your engine fund. Add to this parts such as magnetos, brakes, Fabric every 20 – 25 years, general cabin wear and tear, insurance, landing fees, fuel, oil and maintenance at around £40 per hour and it becomes a very expensive aircraft to operate!!!
4. Probably the best way forward!
Rgds
FB
By: Lindy's Lad - 23rd May 2009 at 23:17
so much for my aging memory and the search function on here……
By: Newforest - 23rd May 2009 at 22:03
Here is THAT thread!:p
By: Thunderbird167 - 23rd May 2009 at 20:18
G-AJSL operated from Usworth and sat in the hangar for along time after being pranged.
There is a photo on the Usworth thread by Moondance and some details in the Airfield Focus on Usworth.
MacSmith Air Charter also operated a Rapide from Newcastle
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd May 2009 at 17:29
Rapide FSM at Speke
Regarding your question 4. Yes they might. PM me and we can discuss.
Anon.
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May 23, 2009 at 3:50 pm