Post inspection review thoughts...Feedback appreciated please

[Seaplane Paul 3]

Gidday GIdday guys,

So was able to inspect New Zealand's only Avid Amphibian. Stored in a hangar she hasnt below flown for 19 years. The owner bought it from the original builder. The original builder flew it for ten years and logged  some 320 hours. The new owner flew it three times (all from land) before a propeller/engine issue resulted in a forced landing. Aircraft trailed to the hangar and never flown again. Engine and propeller sent for over haul, no problems found, but never reinstalled.

Was impressed with the build quality and really like the concept. Have 1,987 alights and flown seaplanes commercially for years but am now looking for a recreational one.

At 6'1" I found almost zero leg room between my knees and the panel, and when sitting in the pax seat, as I will when instructing from her, the undercarriage level dug most painfully into my left thigh. Due to 

Here are some pictures...Alone here at the end of the world would appreciate the groups thoughts on purchasing her thank you.

Edited 1 Aug 2022 by Seaplane Paul

[ChrisBolkan 130]

It looks pretty clean to me. Is there any damage from the forced landing? If not try and get it cheap and have fun making fly again!

[Seaplane Paul 3]

It looks pretty clean to me. Is there any damage from the forced landing? If not try and get it cheap and have fun making fly again!

Gidday Gidday Chris,

Love your positive answer, especially the "have fun making it fly again!".

I'm more a pilot than a builder though...Did you build yours?

[ChrisBolkan 130]

I haven't built a plane from scratch or from a kit. But I have rebuilt or disassembled and reassembled the ones I have owned. I don't consider myself a builder. That takes a certain long term goal and reward mindset that I just don't have. I like to analyze, solve problems and come up with creative solutions. That lends itself well to working on and fixing planes that have already been built.

I don't think one has to be a builder to thrive with experimental aircraft, but it sure helps if you have a big dose of curiosity, are mechanically and electrically inclined and like fixing and tinkering.

[Seaplane Paul 3]

I don't think one has to be a builder to thrive with experimental aircraft, but it sure helps if you have a big dose of curiosity, are mechanically and electrically inclined and like fixing and tinkering.

Thanks Chris. 

Am very curious and have always respected engineers. 

[flywise 169]

you might be able to get a little more legroom by making the seat back cushion thinner. Also you can convert the mechanical gear to an electric gear, eliminating the gear lever (like I have on my Catalina) 

also note that in flight the ailerons need VERY little side to side movement for a big effect.