Sportcopter Vortex...maybe for sale?

[StearmanLady]

I've got a brand new Sportcopter Vortex kit still in the crate with a Rotax 582 (67 hp), folding mast, prerotator and precision instrument panel.
Since purchasing the gyro, I have moved to a residential airport, but I have also started restoring a 1944 Stearman biplane.

The new price of the kit I have is almost $25K. I bought mine at early pricing, so if I could get $18K, I would sell it.

See www.sportcopter.com.

Thanks!
Julie in Vancouver Washington

[Chuck Irby]

Wow, Stearman Lady, I think I'm in love with you.

[StearmanLady]

Wow, Stearman Lady, I think I'm in love with you.
I think that has happened before. Be forewarned, though, it's a mutual aviation addiction or nothing at all. :-)
;)

[GyroRon]

Sorry to bust any bubbles but be forewarned! Chuck passes more gas in his sleep than a Exxon station!

See chuck this is a joke! not a personal attack!!!

[StearmanLady]

Does anyone know what the list price would be for a new set of McCutchen Skywheels 25' blades? I'm hoping to figure out what would be a similarly priced Sport Rotor blade.

Sportcopter is placing the order for my final parts (engine, blades, prop and instrument panel) for the Vortex I bought, and I need to let them know what blades I want.

I originally paid for an upgrade to McCutchen blades, but I suspect they will want to substiture one of their own manufacture. I need some basis for that conversation...hopefully by this coming Monday!

Thank you!!
Julie

P.S. I'm not offended by Ron's joke. :-)

[StearmanLady]

Steven,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. You are an observant one! In a nutshell, I took delivery in 2003 for a machine ordered prior to Sportcopter making their own blades. They had some very tough times for a while. I'm pleased that they didn't declare bankruptcy and more pleased that they have come through okay. And, really happy that they are following through on my machine after all these years. They did produce it with all of the recent upgrades, so I've got a nicer kit overall.

As for my question, I found the Skywheels website, and they are no longer in production. The 2003 price was listed at $2900 for 25 footers. A 7x25' Sport Rotor lists at $2000, the 8x25 for $3000.

Julie

[scott heger]

JUlie, Jim V got rid of the Skywheels, because of surface cracks that appeared on them. In all fairness, this is after doing many loops and some hard flying. That is not what a normal gyro pilot is going to do. I had original 25X7 SportRotors. They were fine blades, but a pain to keep shined up. Jim made me a great deal on a trade in for 25X8 new style painted blades. At the time I traded the old blades in, they had 150 hours of solid hard flying on them. He wanted them back for inspection and to to verify how the blades were holding up in real world applications. The new SportRotors are great, smooth right out of the box, without any adjustment.They have very good all around performance , and float well. There are cheaper good blades available from others, but with SportCopter just 14 miles away from you; why pay to get them shipped across the Country, when SportCopter has great customer service, and they are right next to you?

If you have not yet, go take a short ride in the SportCopter trainer, and you will see why we all like gyros so much. If you don't have a great experience, then sell the kit. You could have that gyro kit built in 2 weeks. Jim normally lets his customers build at his factory, and helps with any questions. It doesn't get much better with you being so close.




Scott Heger, Laguna Niguel, Ca SportCopter #054 N86SH

[StearmanLady]

Thank you, Scott.

I will definitely be getting the blades from Sportcopter. The reason I was price shopping is because the Skywheels were on my original order, and I knew that Sportcopter isn't using them anymore. How the prices might compare is simply info to be used as a basis for negotiation. Although I have the kit, I was short some of the aftermarket items at the time of delivery.

The Sportcopter folks ordered my engine last week, though, and are pulling together the last few items for me (prop, rotorblades, instrument pod). It helps to have done ones' homework before telling Kelly and Jim what I want.

I really appreciate all the input. This forum is a bit like going straight for the Cliff Notes without bothering to read the book before a test. It sure helps.

[Harry_S.]

Julie: Sure hope we don't lose you. If you have not taken a demo ride in a gyro, might I suggest you do. With your experience, you'll love it.

Being as you have ordered a kit, you've probably already flown in gyro's...if so, forget what I said. Anyway, I envy your having the Stearman. Good luck

Cheers.

[StearmanLady]

Julie: Sure hope we don't lose you. If you have not taken a demo ride in a gyro, might I suggest you do. With your experience, you'll love it.

Being as you have ordered a kit, you've probably already flown in gyro's...if so, forget what I said. Anyway, I envy your having the Stearman. Good luck

Cheers.

Harry,

Thank you! I'm enjoying the personalities that mingle here.

I have been up in the gyro, but only once. I flew with Jim Vanek in his 2 place Sportcopter. I'm quite sure it wouldn't take long for me to get hooked!

Julie

[Vance]

Julie, You use the language well, are sensitive and kind. You have an elegance in your style. I hope that you stay around too.

Thank You, Vance

PS. I am not sparking with you, as I am very happily married with two grown children and a grand daughter.

I just feel that you will add a touch of class and perspective.

[Udi]

Julie,

I have some practical suggestions, if you don’t mind.

If you haven’t paid for it yet, I suggest that you don't take delivery of the engine and rotor blades. Different people have different preferences, and your potential buyer may want to have different engine and rotor blades. It would be easier to sell the kit without engine and blades.

Also, a "used" Rotax engine with 0 hours does not have the same value of a new Rotax engine from the dealer. Will the warrantee run out whether the engine is being operated, or not?

Someone in Colorado was trying to sell a brand new and built Sport Copter for a long time. I don't know if he found a buyer yet, but at the time he couldn't get the $18K he was asking for. One reason for his problems, I suspect, was that his "new" Rotax engine wasn't the latest model “blue head”.

Good luck!

Udi-

[GyroRon]

there is a guy in California with two sportcopters both brand new with only a handful of hours on them and priced real good, Both have been for sale for over a year. Sportcopters are really nice but too darn expensive.

[scott heger]

Steve, I don't think the Rotax warranty has to start until after you put it in service. I think you get like a 6 month grace period to install it after purchase, or until you turn in the warranty card. JUst took delivery of a new 582 "e" box for the Vortex. Going to keep as a backup or sell the other 582 "c" box,approx 210 hours which is still running strong...any takers????

Scott Heger, Laguna Niguel, Ca SportCopter N86SH

[Kevin_Richey]

Say Scott:

How much do you want for it?

I'm interested if the price is right...

[StearmanLady]

Vance, you are a prince! Thanks for making my day. You fellows have endeared me enough that I will likely stay around.

Udi, thank you for the input. I think you might have something there. I HAVE already paid for the engine and blades, but I suspect that the Vanek's will work with me if I find a buyer.

For whatever reason, the name has slipped my mind, but my father was once a sixth owner of an earlier Vancraft. The man who bought out his share moved to Colorado...Colorado Springs? We stayed in touch for a while, but I've lost his number. He and his wife had bought into a Papa Murphy's pizza franchise.

There are probably a couple of others who were in partnership with Dad who are on this forum. I should dig out the names someday. He was a bit of a renegade, but a wonderful influence. I am definitely my father's daughter, but with a touch more of the FAA's influence.

GyroRon... you, too, could own a Vortex, but it might cost you! It's tough to have it all. Sometimes having lots of cheap vices aren't as much fun as one or two really good ones. That Pacer might make interesting barter material, if you ever get real serious. ;)

I've tried to maintain some standards in my addictions, and I think I've done okay. Thanks to all for all the great input. Please don't stop!

Julie

[scott heger]

Steve K, I don't have to "yank" on my gyro anymore. It adds electric start.

Scott Heger, Laguna Niguel, Ca N86SH

[GyroRon]

Class? that is one thing I am sure I have little of :o

[GyroRon]

Steve I knew that... peckerhead!

You going to El Mirage? I got a invite from Capt Todd and am thinking real seriously about trying to make it happen. That time of the year is busy for me though...