Chris & Gary

Hi Marshall!

If the limited payload suits your mission, you can't go wrong with a well maintained Sport Cruiser and the best way to verify the one you choose is right here in the knowledge shared by the  folks on this forum. My previous 50+ flying years were limited to Lycoming and Continental engines so the high revving Rotax with a gearbox was a leap of faith. I needn't have worried. The Rotax is safer and stronger than any other. It is also simple and forgiving to fly behind.

Your 456 would be an "in the ballpark" trade for a high-time legacy Sport Cruiser if you could find an interested owner. Things I would watch for are:

1. Corrosion / damage anywhere on the nose gear leg or attach points.

2. Unairworthy changes made to an S-LSA such as equipment not authorised by the manufacturer.

3. ADs not complied with such as the AK-451 ELT replacement.

Good luck in your search!

Gary

Thanks for sharing another great tip, Shawn!

Shawn,

A lot of the "smooth" part came from you. Chris and I appreciate all your good advice. The Sport Cruiser organization is missing the boat by not closely supporting the existing customer base. Satisfied customers sell new airplanes. Maybe that attitude was why the Piper relationship was so short. 

Thanks again,

Chris & Gary

Update! N520PS has a new nickname. "ELSA". The process was relatively painless. We've received immense help from this forum. You have all made our entry into the LSA world much easier. Thank you! We've also met some competent friendly people in the form of LSRM and DAR here in Florida. Now on to the mods to our "new" E-LSA cruiser.

Chris & Gary

Sounds like you were successful in converting to ELSA. If so, congratulations! I’m in the process myself with expert assistance from this forum. Would love to hear the details of your project. 

Steven,

Welcome! We are new owners too. You have definitely come to the right place. These folks have tons of Sport Cruiser knowledge and are very generous in making new owners welcome with money saving advice. Good luck with your beautiful new aircraft.

Chris & Gary

Jacksonville, Florida

We purchased our white & red 2010 PiperSport in Titusville recently with a little over 400 hours on the clock. After the mandatory 5 hours insurance check out it was repositioned to Craig Exec in Jax. The plane appeared cosmetically perfect and well maintained except for trailing edge flap damage from stray feet. This is our first foray into light sport. Our previous flying experience was with Aztec, Comanche B, Pitts S2B, Great Lakes and the usual 182's and Pipers. One point I noticed during check out was that the PiperSport taxis just like our S2B only without the S turns. Kind of like having the tailwheel on the wrong end.

We have done some minor work so far (reline brakes, replace tires) and have some more to do so we'll be looking for an experienced LSRM in this area.If anyone can recommend someone we would appreciate it!

From the logs it looks like the right brake has been bled and fiddled with a lot. It was leaking from a loosened b-nut on the right caliper when I got it back to Jax. Back in 2011 at 184 hours it had the right gear leg, tire and tube replaced. Hard landing, I suppose? BRS repack had not been done so we got that accomplished. 5 year hose replacement has never been done so that is next.

We are looking forward to Leisurely, low and slow cross countries in our new bird. Hope to meet some of you along the way.

Gary & Chris Goodenow KCRG, hangar 15