So you want to buy an aircraft?
You are about to embark on one the most meaningful and rewarding journeys of your life. Owning your own aircraft (or sharing one with friends) is one the purest forms of freedom. Take to the skies and go (almost) anywhere you want any time you like, or just soar around the clouds.
Owning a fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter is now more possible than ever before. But how does it work?
How it worx
Conversation
You and your use case are unique!
Do you want to monitor power-grid infrastructure with a UAV, count elephants with a gyrocopter, get to a business meeting on the other side of the country quickly, or buzz around the hills with your little son in an ultralight?
Allow our experienced team of advisors to walk you through the selection process of choosing...
Make & Model
We don't offer airliners, fighter jets or attack helicopters, but you will be surprised what kinds of aircraft are available from us as certified or non-certified. Currently, we are focused on light manned and unmanned aircraft in the sub 5700kg category. Have a look at our current line up HERE, but if you find a kit aircraft you would like to own, let's talk, we can probably build it for you. The main thing is, the plane should fit your mission and be safe.
Engines
The heart of every aircraft (other than gliders and balloons) is the engine (or engines), it is also one of the most complex, expensive and safety-relevant components. What type of engine you need depends on what kind of flying you will be doing, how fast, at what altitude, with which load, which fuels are available to you and what your budget is. We have a selection of engines that we consider reliable and we are experienced with, but our engineers are also open to talking about alternatives.
Prop & Spinner
Some say that your choice of propeller is one of the most important and there are so many options out there it can be overwhelming. We will help you choose the solution that is the best match to your aircraft, engine and the type of flying you intend to do. If you are willing to make the investment, you can also go full FADEC and fixed-speed, but that is up to you and again, you don't have to decide alone.
Avionics
Nowadays, you can have almost airliner style cockpit instrumentation in your light aircraft. Or you can choose only an airspeed indicator, radio and transponder and do the rest with your ipad. You can set up half the cockpit with an old-school six-pack so your students learn the basics and the other half with modern digital instrumentation. Or let us design the perfect setup for you. Your choice.
Paint Job
We will help you understand the options and considerations, but this is the space where you can let out your inner Picasso. Or keep the aluminum glowing or just have the whole thing painted white (or camouflage).
You say it, we get it done.
Payment
Now that we have specced out your customized aircraft, we can calculate what it is going to cost to get all the the components to our (or your) facility and build it. If you are our fist customer in your country, or you are ordering a category of aircraft that we are building for the first time, there will be some unknowns from the import, tax and registration side of things.
You will need to pay 50% up front before we place any orders, another 30% when we start building, and the final 20% on delivery.
Build
We collect all the components needed for your customized aircraft through our global network of established suppliers and assemble your aircraft in our facilities in Kenya or South Africa. In some cases, we can assemble the aircraft in your facility, if appropriate. Skilled technicians weld, rivet, lay-up composites, run wires, paint, and mount engines.
You can be involved in the build as much as you like. However, in our experience, the more you are involved in this rewarding activity, the better you you will understand your aircraft, and the better aviator you will be.
Fly
Throughout the build we have regular quality control steps by professionals of the craft and towards the end of the process we begin with inspections by internationally certified inspectors and start test flights to make sure everything is perfect. We can deliver your new favorite toy to it's new home and take care of all the regulatory and registration aspects.
Because safety is so important to us, we include some personal training on how to care for and operate your aircraft in your specific environment.