A frequent comment I hear is that the price of recreational aircraft are too high. Some pilots have been stating this for 18 years, since a couple years before Light-Sport Aircraft emerged.
Back in 2002, many believed that the new LSA-to-come would cost $50-60,000. Right or wrong (about those price guesstimates), that range today would be $72-87,000, after correcting for the decline in the dollar’s purchasing power. The truth is that you do have some new choices at that price point but for many, such a cost remains out of their budget for any recreational vehicle, airborne or otherwise.
To those pilots, I often suggest a good, used aircraft and we have more such LSA every year, many of which are excellent buys. Yet, how about we drop down the price further?
How About a Used
Part 103 Ultralight?
Long before LSA were introduced, I flew a single-place Buccaneer with a Rotax 377. No, that’s not a typo. Everyone knows the Rotax 447 but some never heard of the 377. The twin-cylinder model, a step up from the popular single cylinder Rotax 277, the 377 was actually a solid engine in its day. It was light and it was not expensive.
Throughout aviation history, airplane builders worked hard to shave pounds, ounces, or grams from their designs. If light is right, then ultralights do it best.
Fortunately for those trying to fly with a smaller investment, a number of vintage ultralights are available with many brands still enjoying good parts support. The right used ultralight might address the interest of a pilot who simply wants a fun, recreational aircraft to enjoy without taking out a loan.
Many other pilots prefer something new and today’s Aero Adventure makes the follow-on to the Buccaneer, called the Aventura line — a single place … two-place, very modestly-priced kit … deluxe powerful model and … SLSA version to follow by summer 2020. They can also connect you with used aircraft.
Yet for many, the Buccaneer XA could be a load of fun for just the right price. Plus, Aero Adventure — in addition to offering brand new flying machines — is also supporting parts for the Buccaneers.
With value in mind, I’m pleased to announced that in this month of April, Videoman Dave has done a super job of reviving ultralights from the ’80s and ’90s on his Ultralight Flyer YouTube channel …but only for those aircraft models for which parts are still available. Orphaned models may still be worth your look but you may be on your own for parts.
This month, I’ll walk you through each of these aircraft with a bit of perspective. Come tour some low-cost aircraft, all of which still have replacement parts being supplied.
First Up — Buccaneer XA Amphibian
About a decade after the first factory built ultralight aircraft appeared in American skies, seaplanes arrived. Not float-equipped land planes but boat-hulled airplanes. At first no one thought such a design could meet Part 103 tight empty weight limit. They didn’t count on a creative crew from the lake region of Florida.
One of the top-rated ultralight aircraft, ‘er… vehicles, of the early 1980s was the Buccaneer amphibian.
Dave wrote, “Over 40 years have passed, yet many of the aircraft — such as Buccaneer XA — introduced during this time, are still safely flying today, and being offered for sale on the used ultralight market.”
In his series of short (5-minute) video clips, Dave provides information on the Ultralight Flyer YouTube channel’s recommendation for aircraft that we have flown, owned, and/or built.
For those wondering if they should consider an older ultralight, Dave reported that to be included in his survey, all these aircraft must be supported by manufacturers that produce parts so that repair and continued airworthiness can be maintained.
In the video below Dave took a brief look at the Buccaneer Amphibian XA.
Buccaneer XA
Who, What, How?
Buccaneer XA is a single-seat amphibious ultralight originally offered in kit form. Designed by pioneering light aircraft designers, Jack Hutchinson and Bruce Pemberton, Buccaneer XA was originally manufactured by HighCraft AeroMarine, then Advanced Aviation, and finally Keuthan Aircraft. Another standout developer of the day helping Jack and Bruce was Bobby Bailey, designer and manufacturer of the Dragonfly hang glider tow plane. Bob lent his knowledge to the early design and production of Buccaneer XA. In 2020. Buccaneer is supported by Aero Adventure.
First introduced in 1984, Buccaneer XA was the first amphibious single-hull ultralight to enter the market. It featured bolt-together aluminum tubing for the main frame fuselage, with a center mounted fiberglass hull bolted to it. Buccaneer’s wings, tail section, ailerons and rear fuselage were also constructed using aluminum tubing joined by gusset plates and bolt joints, then covered with slip-on, sewn-Dacron sailcloth “envelopes.”
Buccaneer’s hull and two wing sponsors are fiberglass, making the early design a genuine composite.
All but very early models used standard three-axis, stick-and-rudder controls in a taildragger, pusher configuration. The design set a standard that is emulated to this day.
Power was originally supplied by the then-popular Rotax 277, a 28-horsepower, two-stroke engine. Later models were powered by the Rotax 377, 447 and 503 engines. All these were discontinued by Rotax but many examples exist, often with rather low hours so keeping these engines flying remains possible.
The Bucc’, as it was affectionally known, uses a center-mounted stick, with a left-hand throttle.
Retracting the gear was an entirely unique task. The pilot had to grab the gear leg, pull it out of its retainer socket — it was secured by a sturdy elastic inside the tube — and hook the wheel onto a gear support bar mounted nearby. The pilot reversed the process to lower the gear. My own experience with this “retract” system showed it was not difficult unless the engine idle was too high. If so, the engine kept pushing the aircraft through the water making inserting that tube back in its retainer rather challenging.
Climb rate on the XA with a Rotax 447 engine was 750 feet per minute. Cruise leveled off at 55 to 60 miles per hour and stall speed was 25 miles per hour. All these numbers made Buccaneer quite docile for novice seaplane pilots to handle.
Dave’s Recommendations
If you are considering purchasing a used Buccaneer Amphibian XA it is The Ultralight Flyer’s recommendation that the plane’s fabric be tested. This is a simple, non-destructive test — you do it somewhere that isn’t structural.
You should also throughly inspect the airframe, wings, landing gear, and the control systems.
If the history of the engine is unknown Dave recommends that the exhaust be removed and the pistons inspected for wear and seizure.
At the time of production of this video (April 2020), The Ultralight Flyer estimates the retail value of a used Buccaneer Amphibian XA from the 1980s to be between $5,000 and $7,500! Your government Covid 19 check could make a substantial downpayment!
I have a Buccaneer SX. I can’t find one on the net but I can find the SX. Are they the same? I bought it real cheap and right wing is crunched. People tell me I can get a new one. Where at, I keep hitting a brick wall. Manufacturer aero design model Buccaneer SX. Any info my way or contacts I would appreciate it. Thanks, Sky
It’s impossible to know but surely a Buccaneer SX and an SX that looks similar are the same model. When an aircraft is kit-built, the builder (that is, the “manufacturer”) can name it as he or she wishes so FAA’s entry can be accurate with different names.
For present-day service on a Buccaneer, go to Aero Adventure.
Where can I get plans only for an amphibious Part 103… Buccaneer XS, or what have you?
I have never heard of plans for such a configuration, but Aero Adventure, present-day builder of the aircraft that succeeded Buccaneer, may be able to help.
Thank you. I see the letters are backwards as it is SX instead of XS. I will get with Aero Adventure on this.
They wouldn’t sell plans only, and after searching relentlessly, I’ve decided to extrapolate plans from free drawings of the Super Petrel LS.
Ok, so how many folks just cringed and said a prayer for me?
I’ll try harder… I’d like to cover the wings and fuselage with PVC sheet coated with aluminum radiant barrier. I purchased 4′ x 500′ rolls to insulate additions to my home and noticed it’s super resilience to tearing. No air pass thru, so no need to coat like Dacron, and will be super resistant to radar with all the aluminum surfaces. (LOL!?)
I figure if I keep all dimensions exact, from limited profile drawings, I’ll still end up with a different C.G. I’m figuring it’ll then be a matter of moving ballast?
Extra credit. I think I found evidence that the Super Petrel LS uses a DAE-31 airfoil?
Oh… also wondering why aluminum wing frames aren’t welded. Is it because of difficulty, or, is it just figured that it’ll rattle itself to pieces?
Look for Buc-Amphib. Admin is Len Gaultois
How much is a price of a used Buccaneer?
Hello José: At the end of the article, an estimated price is shown for a used Buccaneer. This is only an estimate as each seller may set the price of his aircraft.
I have a Buccaneer XA that I modified with a home fabricated aluminum 2-inch wider and deeper fuselage/hull that extends to the middle of the vertical stabilizer. Retractable main gear I fabricated myself too. Just haven’t been able to get away from ground looping her yet. But I did manage to sink her to the wings once. I am a member of the Bucc – Amphib group and they helped a lot. Would love to find out if anyone with a Buccy lives around South Louisiana to meet and trade stories.
You mentioned a Buccaneer-Amphib group. How do you access this forum? I have searched on Facebook and the web but couldn’t find anything.
John: The group is on Facebook for Aero Adventure, manufacturer of the Aventura that followed the Buccaneer. The latter has not been produced for years. Contact Aero Adventure for more info.
I have a Buccaneer XS here in Missouri.
Hey how’s it going? I have a Buccaneer XS and I’m in southwestern Missouri. I run a Rotax 503 with a B-box and a three blade Ivo prop. I live on the water so that’s my landing and takeoff; makes it really easy other than a glassy evening but having a blast at 63 years old. —Bill
My name is Bruce Bech. I live in Southwest Louisiana. I have a Buccaneer II basket case. I would like to visit with someone nearby that us familiar with this airplane. gellica1024@aol.com