if I ever get to a point where I can afford an LSA, this is what I'd get. Such a great aircraft, South Africans know how to build a great plane!

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

They sure do. Skyreach is an amazing company.

Tom, all of your videos are really good. But this one is excellent! It was an informative, educational and honest assessment. I like your pros and cons approach. Truly no aircraft is perfect. When selecting an aircraft you must check the boxes and remain honest with yourself. Everyone wants to go fast, but when they start to look at the $ associated with that increased velocity, they become wobbly in the knees.😵‍💫 Speed = $ (lots of it) and increased complexity along with higher maintenance fees. I’m an older private pilot and at this stage of my life, speed isn’t the big draw it once was. Really leaning towards the Bushcat in an SLSA format. I like the repairable qualities and would be tempted to order a second set of skins stored in reserve. Thanks again.

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Hey Steve, glad you liked the video. You’re right. More speed more money and lots of it. Thanks for watching

It's a shame that Skyreach discontinued making these. At least they are still supplying parts. I came very close to buying one of these. I wound up with an Aeroprakt A-22 instead, but still think this is a great plane.

Hi Tom, I still like to live life like the old say goes ( it’s better to use a minute out of life, then lose your life in a minute) I don’t care how slow or fast is anyone’s airplane goes. I love watching you fly, because I enjoy the scenery. Look, I’m puerto rican and after playing with snow in Chicago for 29 years. my wife and I moved to Virginia Beach VA. Now now after 8 years we are moving back to Puerto Rico and I wish I have a bushcat because watching you Mr. Tom flying at the lowest altitude and doing what 80-85 mph. Anyone can enjoy the flight and the scenery way better. My god I just had a thought. imagine flying all over the island of Puerto Rico and all the surrounding island’s. Imagine. Lot’s of love for you and yours in behalf of my wife and this crazy Puerto Rican from Virginia Beach, VA.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Howdy! Thanks for chiming in. Good luck in your aviation journey. It’s never too late to chase your dreams. Maybe a BushCat will be included.

I just learned about air density today. It’s surprising that the Bushcat should perform better on a ⛄️ day like the one in the video than on a hot day.

@bushcattom

21 күн бұрын

Of course. Cold air always gives you better performance. Denser air has more air molecules. More molecules of air means more lift.

BCT, great video. Insights from a model veteran are invaluable to a potential owner. You did a great job laying it out in a way that could only be done by someone who's been there and done that more than once. You almost had me fooled that Bob wouldn't be piping in. lol, of course didn't disappoint.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the encouragement Mr. Walkaround. 🙂

Tom, this is one of your best videos. Like the narration style.

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Thanks. And thanks for watching.

Loved your video Tom, your passion for aviation shines through.

@bushcattom

2 ай бұрын

Thanks. I live and breathe aviation like Mike Patey does- only on micro budget 🙂. Thanks for watching.

Look into the small diesle heaters. For pre engine warm up. There is a bushcat in the hanger across from me at galt. Dennis super nice guy he tapes his radiators up a bit in the winter. Lol I am adding to my reply didn't realize Dennis was going to be in the video. Guess I should wait till the end before posting

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

😆. Yes Dennis is another fine fellow Bushcatter. He let me fly his plane for my very first BushCat flight back in 2020.

Great video and very informative, thanks for sharing 👍

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

You’re welcome

Looks COLD up there... About time to make plans for Sun-N-Fun to warm up!! Hope you and Sharon can. make it. Enjoyed the flight with you. I hope Sharon is well. We're still waiting patiently here for word from Galt/Wonder Lake... eighteen-month anniversary of placing the order coming up later this month. Best wishes from North Carolina! Cliff and Ellyn.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Yes very cold up here. We just might make it to Sun N Fun. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks for chiming in.

Howdy Bushcat Tom, Appreciate the video and the 'unbiased'😉😉 insights

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Opinions are shaped by experience. So we can’t help but to be biased according to what we’ve experienced. Thanks for watching. I appreciate your “unbiased” comment. 🙂👍

Great video Tom! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Bush Cat. My brother and I placed our Bush Cat order with Aero Sport in December of 2022. The kit was completed and ready for shipment in October 2023. We’re excited for our kit to be put on a ship in 2024 for its journey to the USA and excited to start our build. We plan to put some videos out of our build and flying once completed. We always look forward to your videos.

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the encouragement. Good luck on the build. Enjoy every moment.

Excellent vid....thanks for sharing

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

You’re welcome

Love your attitude about flying. Foe me it's the same and I'll extend that to include motorcycles. They are for my enjoyment along with all their little faults that make them interesting. Oh yeah, the music was a perfect fit with the scenery!

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Exactly!!

Excellent vid Tom. The Bushcat is a great plane, unfortunately it does not meet our mission profile. Your sense of humor is similar to mine and you've often nearly caused a spit take.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for chiming in. Good luck in the hunt.

Really enjoyed that, think you just sparked a fire in me!

@bushcattom

3 ай бұрын

Keep a fire extinguisher handy. That fire can get out of control really easy. Thanks for watching.

Thanks, Tom. I’m in the market for my own airplane and at the moment I’ve narrowed it down between the Bushcat and a Zenith 750 STOL. I appreciate the honest review.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

You’re welcome. Now go make the right choice. 🙂

@CompleteWalkaround

5 ай бұрын

If you're building, BC will be done in half the time

@steve2736

5 ай бұрын

The choice becomes easier when considering that if you prang the wing skin on a Zenith you’ll be unzipping a bunch of rivets. Tear a Bushcat skin and you’ll buy a new one (and while not cheap) it won’t involve drilling out a bunch of rivets and realigning all of the holes then re-riveting, reinstalling and repainting that wing.

Nice video man! Appreciate it. 👍🏻

@bushcattom

20 күн бұрын

Thanks

Lots of good info. Thanks BushCatTom.

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching.

Love your vids Tom, have you ever flown out here to Seattle? When it's not raining it's quite nice.

@bushcattom

3 ай бұрын

Never been out west with the BushCat. Did visit back in 2011. Beautiful area. Thanks for watching.

I am two years off from making a purchase, if I buy a Bushcat it’ll be because of your videos. I wasn’t really interested in these until watching your videos. If they ever get an autopilot solution it’ll make it even more intriguing to me. I think those Dynon systems can run autopilot servos. It might be something I can add myself.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

There’s a BushCat owner that is installing an auto pilot and Skyreach is keeping an eye on that project to see if maybe it’s a viable solution. Here’s hoping. Thanks for watching.

Taildragger Bushcat on skis on the snow is even more FUN!!!

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

That’s what I hear!

Greetings from West Coast, South Africa. Building a Pietenpol here.Thanks for posting.

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. Good luck on the build. Peitenpols are classic!!

@andremarais2706

4 ай бұрын

@@bushcattom Thank you. Must be human nature, we dream of things that live across the Pond.

Excellent video. I wish more owners would produce content like this. I hope to make one for my Dragonfly some day.

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the encouragement. A Dragonfly! Cool airplane!

Very inspiring

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

…as is your comment. Thanks for watching

Yes I love it too, very nice, love it, glad you didn’t have music on , wile talking,

Tom, a very fair and balanced review I thought. When I think of "light sport" I think of "light" and bouncing a lot in turbulence and windy days. Do you have any thoughts on this after 4 years of experience? Same question on summer days with 'turbulence' near the runway and bouncing around a bit. All the best to you and your bride. The videos are terrific!

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for chiming in. I fly in turbulent air all the time. The BushCat handles the bumps very very well. I have a theory as to why that is the case. There are no rigid ribs in the wing. You have a leading edge spar and trailing edge spar. The wing is formed only with batons. So you have this empty space in the wing’s interior while the individual batons sleeved into the fabric material are free to move and give vertically in flight. The upshot is that strong wind gusts are absorbed as they rush into the batoned wing. If you have a metal or composite wing (which is rigid) you end up feeling every bump in the cockpit. Not so with the BushCat. The wings act like pillows to absorb the turbulence. I’ve flown in gusty 45kt winds and the ride is not harsh at all. I’ve flown a 172 in similar turbulence and got a much more jarring ride. No, the BushCat is smooth going in gusty air. Just ask any BushCat owner. They’ll tell you the same. Great design. Thanks for watching.

@john9663

4 ай бұрын

Interesting insight. Thanks again, Tom.@@bushcattom

Super inspiring

@bushcattom

2 ай бұрын

I thank you. You inspire with your comment.

@yaimamalamdar

2 ай бұрын

@@bushcattom truly amazing videos, love the jokes. One of the best channels.

@bushcattom

2 ай бұрын

@@yaimamalamdar thx

I want one!

Tom, do you run on 100LL? I always have and have made sure to change the oil every 25 hours. Just wondering if you had any issues after 500 hours. Thanks! Great video!

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Yes, I run avgas in my BushCat. Reason being that 100LL is always available everywhere I fly. Not so with Mogas. Never had any issues or problems of lead building up in the engine. IMO there's undue concern about 100LL. Do your oil changes and you'll be fine. Thanks for watching.

Tom, I watch your videos all the time! I have a question about your instruments! What are your transponders and radio. If they are f.u.n.k.e. How does the ads-b work for your setup ?

@bushcattom

3 ай бұрын

Radio and transponder are by TRIG. I have a stratux for ADS-B. Don’t ask me anything beyond that because I don’t know. 🙂. I leave the details to AeroSport. Thanks for watching.

Wonderful video! Thank you. A32 vs Bush Cat. 🤔

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

I imagine performance between Aeroprakts and BushCats are very close. Both great airplanes.

Thanks Tom. This video was very informative. I have one additional question. Do you find the seating position with your legs laid out rather straight to be uncomfortable at all? (I've haven't flown in one yet, but I've sat in one several times down at the Deland FL Air Show and that's the first thing I noticed getting in).

@bushcattom

3 ай бұрын

No, I’m not uncomfortable at all in my BushCat, even after four hours on long cross country. It really is like an easy chair. Thanks for your question.

There is emense value in not having to crawl around the stick between your legs in a small plane. I thought that stick coming out of the panel like a yoke on the Cessna skycatcher was weird, until I tried getting into an lsa with dual sticks.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Center stick is the way to go!

The orange on white snow is really nice.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Love those colors too

@user-qm3pn7le4k

5 ай бұрын

And a wonderful video, I achieved my ppl a few months ago.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

@@user-qm3pn7le4k congratulations!!

Thanks Tom, I’m flying in New Zealand and your video really got me thinking about the BushCat & its capabilities. It’s a real option to be considered!!!

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Glad I could help guide the decision making process. Here’s to making the right choice. 😄

I think the Australian made Jabiru also uses the center stick and dual throttles.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Nice.

Dang. I really wish I could afford one. I wonder if you can do a finance option that's not oitrage

I flew a Quick Silver Ultralight with the stick on the right and throttle the left. It was natural that way. I missed by 10 minutes a test flight in a BushCat at Oshkosh a few years ago. I would love to fly in one one day. Ever fly to Griffith Indiana??

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Never been but who knows. I may be up for a flight to Indiana. Always looking for a reason to get in the cockpit.

@mikem1959

4 ай бұрын

@@bushcattom I live in Griffith and would like to check out you plane. Please let me know if you ever come this way.

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

@@mikem1959 will do.

Dumb question for you Tom: do the Bushcat's wings fold back for trailer transport or hangering?

@bushcattom

12 күн бұрын

No they do not

I'm waiting for my Sport check ride in March. Been going between the BC and Rans. I would be BC all the way if it had folding wings.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

Yes folding wings remove the need for a full hangar or even a hanger at all. Good luck on your checkride.

@CompleteWalkaround

5 ай бұрын

They'll fold if you push hard enough!!!

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

@@CompleteWalkaround 😄

Do you know if Aerosport South is still in operation? Their Google address say permanently closed.

@bushcattom

2 ай бұрын

No longer in operation

Oooo you honest man, absolutely dot on and reminds me of my Skyrangers. I used to have one that occasionally opened the door mid flight which was a little disturbing. We fly these beasts and half the fun is pondering over a widget bolt or design flaw with your flying friends. They certainly aren't perfect (like me) but the view from one when you've taken off from a short strip as the suns coming up or as it's going down is worth every bit. I compromised and bought a new C42 which is solid bodied and built by the Germans who know a thing or two. It is faster yes, and it is a more stable beast, but I do still pine for that Skyranger. Thanks for the video fella ace as always

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for chiming in. You’re right about the awesome view of these little planes of ours. Thanks for watching

Do you have to "burp" the engine before starting the engine? Oil sump issue?

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Always with a Rotax. SOP.

Best BeshCat is the TAILWHEEL version.....❤

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Even so. But as soon as the wheels lift off the ground it’s the same airplane. Thanks for watching.

Wonder how wide it is , my hanger door opening is 34’

highest gusts you feel it's safe to fly in?

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

I’ve flown in 30kt winds gusting to 50kts. The BushCat can handle it but it’s not like I go looking for those conditions. My personal minimums: If the TAF says gusting to 25kts I stay home.

Why do one notch of flaps on a big paved runway? That is usually for soft or short field take offs. Why do you need vortex generators on the wings?

@dalemseitzer

5 ай бұрын

I’ve seen them at Airventure for years, agree they are rugged, built for off airport operations. You sacrifice STOL for cruise speed.

@bushcattom

5 ай бұрын

The POH says one notch for takeoff. I must obey the POH. 🙂 VGs reduce the stall speed by nearly 10kts! Also they make stalls extremely docile.

@dalemseitzer

4 ай бұрын

I also like center sticks, easy in and out. You could put a door lift on, the parts are readily available online. I use a complete cover on the oil cooler and use 1,2 or three 2 inch tape depending on the temps. 40 degrees 1 strip, 30 degrees 2 strips, 20 degrees completely covered. I made a cockpit cover from some fabric and bungee straps, prevents rain water from entering. It seems like people opinions are based on previous flying experience, I came up from ultralights, so flying at 80-85 mph is awesome. Those coming from GA say anything less the 120-100 mph is too slow

I know it's not meant to be a cruiser, but have you heard of any plans to offer an autopilot?

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

There is one BushCat owner who is installing an autopilot and the manufacturer is monitoring his work to see if it might be a viable option. We’ll see. Thanks for chiming in.

The "class" MTOW is 1320lb with a useful load of 572lb, which means that with full tanks (25gal @6lb = 150lb of fuel) you have 422lb for occupants and cargo. Since the MTOW is dictated only by the class in which they wish to sell the BushCat, I wonder what's the actual MTOW. Would they say?

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

I don’t know, but I believe it would be quite a bit higher. I have a friend with a BushCat on floats which is rated 1440lbs MTOW and it climbs like a rubber ball. Since performance is comparable to the Kitfox I would imagine their 1550lb designator would be close. Just speculation of course.

Love you flying videos and commentary. Not so much your co-pilot

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching.

did you build it yourself

@bushcattom

3 ай бұрын

No. Factory built. But I filmed it being built.

@electoplater

3 ай бұрын

is the film uploaded

@bushcattom

3 ай бұрын

@@electoplater Yes. Just start at the beginning of my channel. Episode “It Begins” is the first of many all about the build.

Flaps and VGs are good for SLOW takeoff and landing speed. Why? TIRES! The tires wear much less and last much longer if you takeoff and land right at stall speed. Saves $$$$!

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Yup.

How much can I get a good used bushcat plane.

@bushcattom

4 ай бұрын

Good luck finding a used BushCat. BushCat owners tend to keep their airplanes. When they do go on sale they're sold within a few days. My suggestion is to keep a lookout in the ads and if any Bushcat comes up for sale, just buy it no matter what they are asking. You'll be very happy.

I dont like the trim location and it's a hard plane to trim anyway. It's a very draggy plane, it descends really fast when you power to idle. I also am skeptical of it's durability with the sail cloth covering. I think it's also pretty slow, it would be much more useful if it could cruise at 100 Knots. It's does not like turbulence at all, it's very uncomfortable to fly in gusty conditions. Other than that I like the one I fly a lot!

@bushcattom

3 ай бұрын

And don’t forget those terrible non-gas strut doors. Terrible…… Love my BushCat!!! 😉

@serverlan763

3 ай бұрын

The one i fly doesn't have doors on it. The bloke that owns it is too big to fit in it with doors on@@bushcattom

AIRBUS use side sticks

Super sad news no more bushcats just parts and support for those already produced 😞

@bushcattom

2 ай бұрын

Yup. Terrible news.

I am so sold on Bushcat. The cons are nothing.

@bushcattom

3 ай бұрын

I’m right with you. Thanks for watching.