FTLComm - Tisdale - October 18, 2000

This is how people are getting into the air in this era of high fuel, insurance and maintenance costs that have grounded conventional general aviation. This splendid example of an aircraft is classed as an "ultra light" powered by a 100 hp air cooled snow mobile engine and built as a club project. The sturdy all metal Bush Caddy weighs on 650 pounds and can take off at 1,200 pounds which means it is an efficient aircraft. The design is pure utilitarian a small machine with simple continuous shaped wings and a businesslike tail dragger undercarriage. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this aircraft is the sensible and high quality workmanship throughout that give the machine a look of quality and durability. The three blade fibre composite propellers

are necessary to get the

power out of the little engine. But even though this is a small and compact engine its hundred horse power makes its power to weight ratio substantially more favourable then the venerable 65 horse powered J3 Piper Cub with its steel airframe and dopped covering. This side view picture shows off its clean lines and the almost Cessna-like tail. When it comes to the office the ultra-light regulations show as this aircraft, even

though it has a GPS mounted

on the left is two shy of the tradition sacred six flight instruments with no DG and no artificial horizon. I believe the pilot uses a portable VHF radio. The simplicity and light weight controls are most interesting with a centre yoke that allows the aircraft to be flown from either side of the two seats. I do not quite understand the rudder peddle arrangement. Behind the seats is an amble space for luggage or cargo with a solid metal bulkhead separating the tail section. Clearly this is a remarkable vehicle and as you can see from its name plate it was built in Quebec in June of 1999 being the fifty-nineth version according to the

serial number.

Transport Canada has significantly more stringent piloting regulations then are in effect in the United States and this is a good thing when you realise that this is a realy honest to goodness airplane that needs to be shepherded by a trained individual with a valid flying license. Though this machine is equipped with a landing light it is really a fair weather flier. Even a Cessna 150/152 is a very light number in gusty conditions and downright ugly to be in with even a modest amount of precipitation. An aircraft with as much wing as this and weighing as little would handle weather but the pilot and passenger would not experience a pleasant ride.