Cheap Xenon for sale... Deal or no Deal - Fact or Fiction

[NC_Scott]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to get into sport piloting with a gyrocopter and from what I have researched the Xenon is one of the nicest gyros around. From what I see at their website they are not cheap but I came across one for a fraction of the cost. Its suppose to be complete with a Hirth F-30ES 105 hp and new rotors. They claim there was a small accident where the tip of the rotor made contact with the ground on a low flight turn. They also claim everything was repaired.

Its listed as a 2006 model but was sent over from France as a kit and put together by an ex US military copter pilot in 2007. From what I read they were not back then available as kits or even today, this is the first thing that makes me say... hmmmm
Also the price is less than 1/3 of what they go for new. Second hmmmm
Its located outside of Las Vegas, I figured since the US community of Xenon owners is not that big someone here probably knows about it and can give me some info if its legit or not!

p.s. I live south of Raleigh NC. does anyone know where I can get gyro flight lesson that would be near me. From what I gathered from other sites there are 2 guys in S.C and 1 in VA. but nobody in N.C.??

Thanks and look forward to any help and becoming a long time member here!
Scott

[animal]

Gary Neal is probably the closet CFI 864-583-4319 he is in S.C.


I have a Falcon Gyro project for sale, if Intrested check out my build thread in the link below, located Greensboro n.c.

As for the Hirth engine stay away,read the post by fiveboy about his hirth,they are only good for door stops.

[Timchick]

Is it in flying condition and being flown now? Have you seen any photos? If you can get it that cheap my recommendation is to throw away the hirth engine and replace it with a Rotax 912.

[Brent_Brown]

1/3 of what they are now. still 20,000 for it. I would ask if they can domo it flying. and if they would sell it without the engine. Get photos and post them here. I live in Linden NC come down and see me we can put a gyro together in no time. If I had the time that is.
Brent

[CSmith]

here's the link to e-bay where it's listed

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130313878542&viewitem=&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

[Learjet]

They claim there was a small accident where the tip of the rotor made contact with the ground on a low flight turn. They also claim everything was repaired.

I'd be very cautious as to what the true nature of this accident was and the extent of damage done. With a rotor ground strike (in flight!!!) it is quite feasible that the rotor head and mast may have incurred considerable stress or damage.

Ditto Timchicks advice on the Hirth....

If it is one the early kit-built xenon's than I hope it's not the one referred to in this thread !!!?????

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12840

http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2006/06/28/photos/crash.jpg

and which Xenon's Raphael Celier commented as follows:

First time i see the photo, yes it happend one year ago,
the owner of that xenon, bought it 2/3 years ago in a full kit form, and so it was the very early version ; and i was informed by him that he decided to modify lots of things, mainly the complete control system, while mounting his kit.. Yes, the engine is an Hirth F30 injection, giving us lots of trouble, and no support from the engine manufacturer.

The above accident pic and story is from the Pahrump Valley Times http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2006/06/28/news/crash.html and I see the ebay seller's location is also Pahrump.

Scott I'd recommend that you do some careful background checking.... There's a price to pay for a cheap deal. caveat emptor

[NC_Scott]

All I can say is... WOW

I got the feeling reading this forum that you guys are a close group and MAN I was not disappointed!!

After all the wondeful replies AND picture of the crash I think I will PASS 100% without regrets. :peace:

Now the search continues, if anyone knows of a nice one for sale in the NC area please let me know. What do you guys think about the Monarch's?

Thanks,
Scott

[Learjet]

Hi Scott, learning to fly a gyro is like learning to ride a bicycle or drive a vehicle. And you'll appreciate that when it comes to buying one, being able to already ride or drive makes all the difference when choosing which one to buy. So you'd be on the right track to make finding a good gyro instructor and getting professional instruction your priority right now. Irrespective of what type of gyro you train on initially, you will be far better positioned to make an informed choice when it comes to buying one. :-)

[RotorTom]

The things missing in these early kits are too numerous to mention. The mast, rotorhead, tail, motor configuration, prop, landing gear, pre-rotator and many other things are lacking in this version.

You would probably end up spending as much or maybe even more (than a new Xenon) to get it up to the standards of current Xenons.

There are two Xenons currently for sale in the US. Both around $100,000.

While it seems quite high for a gyro, Xenons are really more like sport planes (fast, enclosed, glass, comfort, etc.) and probably should be compared with other sport planes like the Flightstar CT and others (and they are all well over 100-grand).

[Xenon-designer]

Dear NC Scott,

I can only confirm that this machine is generation 1, (now is generation 3) it is not possible to transform it with a Rotax. It was hard landed, and repaired without our original parts. Therefore, we do not know the status of that machine. I would recommend the highest carefulness.

[Mike484]

I would have thought that for $20,000 and another $20,000 for repairs/mods would have been a good buy, thanks Xenon-designer for setting this straight. With the info you have given there is really no way of determining how much you may have to invest to make this machine right.

[Learjet]

It was hard landed :wacko:

There's an understatement...

[Steve_UK]

Hi

The Pahrump Valley Times in Nevada, USA reported this incident on the 28th June 2008 - a photo showed a yellow Xenon.

Research on the public FAA website shows early Xenon N75506 with an owner in that same town and state - registered in 12.07 - cancelled in 8.10.

The construction number is shown as X009 - this might be kit #9 from ABS of France prior to Celier Aviation of Poland.

Steve