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nick stone

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  • in reply to: operating a classic aircraft #1288850
    nick stone
    Participant

    “Yes I have heard this before”:rolleyes:
    However not every one has access to spitfires and similar aircraft at the weekend to compare it against. (I wish I could!!)
    How many times has he flown the aircraft? it takes some time to know how to fly the Kraguj in the manner in which it should be flown to get the best out of it.
    The original CAA test pilot, Bob Cole has written in the notes after the acceptence flight test that he found it to be responsive and great to fly.
    The aircraft was never designed to be a high speed fighter, it was designed to be down low in the dirt.
    Having spent many hours rebuilding my Kraguj, I now have great fun flying what is a rare and affordable warbird that is operated out of a farm strip.
    With the Spitfire/Mustang in the 1.5m-2m price tag, I think I will continue to fly my Kraguj which is priced considerably lower .
    Everyone has an opinion, this of course is based on their experience and types they have been lucky enough to have flown. The average PPL with Cessna experience in the Kraguj would have a great day out!!!!!!!!!:D

    in reply to: operating a classic aircraft #1290677
    nick stone
    Participant

    Rebuilding and Operating Classic Aircraft

    Having spent two years and to much money rebuilding a Soko Kraguj that had stood at Elstree for a good few years.
    I must agree there does seem to be a lack of interest.
    When I first came across the Soko Kraguj, I was suprised that such a rare aircraft had affectively been abandoned.
    The Soko Kraguj is a rare aircraft not only in the UK but also Europe, having been operated by the Yugoslav Air force as a fighter and Coin aircraft the aircraft were not often seen outside Yugoslavia therefore there is little known about them.
    There is only one aircraft currently airworthy in the UK, being operated on a PFA permit to fly (which keeps costs down a little)
    The aircraft is outside the limits of the PFA permit scheme at 360hp with a supercharger however it was accepted.
    There is also one airworthy in France, and one in its home land of Serbia
    I have now acheived my goal of restoring her to airworthiness and getting her back in the air,but now have to plan for the future.
    The problems that most operators have has is utilisation, if a rare aircraft is not flown often the standing charges for hangerage insurance etc do not differ the hourly operating rate just goes up.
    May be the answer would be to group an aircraft to reduce all the costs however most restorers after spending so much time at the back of the hanger day and night would find it sole destroying if it was damaged and had to be repaired having just got it back in the air after so long.
    Airshow work is another answer, but again many airshow organiser will only pay for fuel oil accomodation etc but apperance fees would be low or non which still does not help with standing charges .
    The Soko Kraguj is no spitfire but it is rare, when I originaly restored the aircraft,I never thought of its worth,I just wanted to get it back in to the air.
    If most people in restoration sat down and worked out how much it was all going to cost and the hours it would take, it would never happen.
    On the up side to finish there are still a few people out there that put that all a side and carry on regardless in there workshops and give us all the sight and sound of some long forgotten classic aircraft after years of rebuilding .
    For first flight after restoration click on link:

    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BEr4jJ11HNU

    in reply to: Jim Pearce – Russian Warbirds #1281856
    nick stone
    Participant

    Jim Pearce soko Kraguj

    Jim Pearce imported 2 soko Kragujs direct from the Yugoslavian airforce in airworthy condition(having been overhauled)and were registered G-BSXD, G-SOKO being issued with CAA permits to fly
    G-BSXD is now airworthy,
    G-SOKO is being worked on to return to airworthiness

    in reply to: Soko Kraguj first flight #1282086
    nick stone
    Participant

    Kraguj Permit

    Kraguj G-BSXD is on a PFA permit.
    What you first have to consider is that the Kraguj is a long way outside the limits of the PFA and not the normal type on the PFA register. Francis Donaldson had to first approach the CAA for approval for the transfer and was always positive about the transfer and told me quite quickly that this was acceptable.
    Having to raise a new Airworthiness approval note for the Kraguj to be put on a PFA permit took a while, however this period was used for restoration.

    The requirements of the restoration and the standards of restoration were clearly set out in a lenthy and consise letter from the PFA.
    The PFA at the moment seem to be getting quite a lot of bad press over the hold ups in engineering ,in particular the chief engineer.
    I take in to account the problems and challenges that I had to be over come on one project, the PFA are overseeing a large number of projects with numerous problems, of couse everyone thinks that there project is the most important and should have immediate attention (I have done it myself).
    On top of this is permit renewal,development work and new aircraft acceptance it all takes valuble engineering time.

    The PFA has help me to put an aircraft back into the air that otherwise would have eventually been scrapped.
    Currently the CAA are becoming increasing flexable on the restoration and return to flight of many interesting aircraft that in the past may have been refused which is great news.

    Having had the backing and help of the PFA on the Soko Kraguj project has enabled me to restore and return it flight and have not had to spend a fortune doing so for which I am very thankfull.

    I think that in general there are a lot of critics of PFA engineering operations, what you have to ask yourself is without the PFA were would homebuild and aircraft restoration be today, I’d like to be positive and give them a pat on the back .
    yes it is not perfect but nothing is!:D

    in reply to: Soko Kraguj first flight #1283898
    nick stone
    Participant

    Kraguj at Shoreham

    Texantomcat
    The aircraft that was at Shoreham I believe was G-SOKO that is now in Lincolnshire being worked on back to airworthiness
    The other possibility is 30151 that was un register in the UK and has disapeared?

    I do not mean to be rude but have you flown the Kraguj ?
    The comment of it flyng like a bungalow was printed in Aeroplane I believe in a profile of a display pilot.

    The Soko Kraguj is a delightful aircraft to fly, and has a great STOL and rough field performance yes its no “Spitfire” but it is great fun.

    G-BSXD is now on a PFA permit after a long road with advice great help and assistance from the PFA which enables the Kraguj to be kept airworthy within an acceptable budget.:)

    in reply to: Soko Kraguj first flight #1284317
    nick stone
    Participant

    Soko Kraguj

    The aircraft in question is G-BSXD, G-SOKO has long left York its permit expied in 2006 and is currently been worked on to restore its permit.
    In the world currently there are two Kragujs flying G-BSXD and an example in France.
    The aircraft has had very little exposure outside the former Yugoslavia,the aircraft its self has a standard eastern block build, however it has many american parts including the supercharged engine built by Lycoming.
    As a former military aircraft they are extremly good value, this includes operating costs.

    in reply to: Yugoslavian Soko Kraguj #1301274
    nick stone
    Participant

    Soko Kraguj

    There is/was a large quantity (6+ ?) in store within Sopley Camp not far from Hurn.

    Is there any information on the 6+ Kragujs at Sopley Camp nr Hurn, also I heard a report of a fuselarge only of a kraguj stored somewhere in the UK any information or photos?.

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