Buying a Globe Swift or....?

Owen Genzlinger

Owen Genzlinger

New Member
I've been looking for a smaller airplane, 2-4 seats that is speedy (140+knots) and is cheap to own/operate.

I've been thinking of an RV or a Global Swift. Buying a home made airplane would make me a little nervous but I'm sure by using the proper procedures it can be fine. I'm about to start A&P school and an experimental plane would be fun to own and play with.

A late uncle of mine had a Globe Swift and I've been thinking about it. I know just about nothing of them and wondering if I could get some insight. Here is a blurb from the discription

1946 GC-1B Only 800 TT; 20 SMOH by Mattituck Cont IO-360
with new Lord mounts, hoses, etc 20 SOH by Sensenich on McCauley prop
Many mods including gear doors, cowling, wingtips, aux fuel, aft battery,
shoulder harnesses, Clevelands, Gross Weight increase; New headliner 2009;
Imron by Reese 1991 still looks great; always hangared Annual done May 2011.
New battery. Avionics are becoming somewhat dated but are all working.
Flown regularly.

I know the plane is in great condition because I knew the owner personally. It's still a yoke but that's ok with me, it can be changed later. What I'm wondering about are the mods. If someone could point me toward a web page that explains them or could let me know what each one does and what other mods I should look into that'd be great!

With that engine what type of seeds can I expect? I'll be operating out of Denver and figure that engine should work great up here.

Any other general information on the Global Swift/resourses would be fantastic as well!

Thanks
 
I think you'll find a Swift isn't as swift as the speed you've outlined unless it has a 210 hp engine in it. If it does, you'll have to decide if you want to haul a passenger or fuel as it probably won't haul both. Either way, a Swift probably won't hit all three requirements you've stated.

A Van's RV or Glasair certainly fit your requirements, but you'll have to be okay with an amateur built experimental (or build one yourself).
 
What about a Navion? it will go a bit slower, but they are cheap to buy, some model will fly you around at 9 GPH doing 120-130 kts with 1000Lbs of useful load!! do you still wanna fly in a sardine box aka Mooney.
 
swisspilot said:
What about a Navion? it will go a bit slower, but they are cheap to buy, some model will fly you around at 9 GPH doing 120-130 kts with 1000Lbs of useful load!! do you still wanna fly in a sardine box aka Mooney.
Click to expand...

Speed, comfort, affordability. Pick 2 because you aren't getting all 3 together.
 
swisspilot said:
What about a Navion? it will go a bit slower, but they are cheap to buy, some model will fly you around at 9 GPH doing 120-130 kts with 1000Lbs of useful load!! do you still wanna fly in a sardine box aka Mooney.
Click to expand...

A Navion is a LOT slower. It is also as nimble as a DC-6.

That being said, it's a fantastic airplane. I grew up with one as the family airplane and learned to fly in it. Want to own one again sometime.
 
WacoFan said:
I would never buy an airplane with a nosewheel or a flat motor. Except maybe a Navion because they are cool, but only a Navion.
Click to expand...
I'd buy this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swearingen_SX-300
What they don't mention there is the thing is fully aerobatic, while also being a very good cross country cruiser, sipping on fuel for the TAS it achieves. The magazine's I've read say 220 true is not uncommon.
Anything Swearingen had a hand in, I'll gladly fly.
 
The SX-300 sure is pretty. But you'll pay $300,000 for a good one, and there is limited availability of parts.

For half that, you can get a good F1 Rocket which will be almost as fast and arguably a better aerobatics machine. A third of that will get you a fantastic RV. I even saw a Super-7 for sale under $100,000. There are many Swifts and RV's around $50,000.

If you are spending $300,000 on an experimental, the competition is this: http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=1240547

And I am spent.
 
NickH said:
The SX-300 sure is pretty. But you'll pay $300,000 for a good one, and there is limited availability of parts.

For half that, you can get a good F1 Rocket which will be almost as fast and arguably a better aerobatics machine. A third of that will get you a fantastic RV. I even saw a Super-7 for sale under $100,000. There are many Swifts and RV's around $50,000.

If you are spending $300,000 on an experimental, the competition is this: http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=1240547

And I am spent.
Click to expand...
Ya, I want that.
 
This has been helpful thanks guys! I love the different ideas swirling around. I'm not set on a swift or an RV... I guess what I want is a free airplane that runs on sunshine and goes 250knots. However, until they figure pot how to do that, I'll have to pay for a plane and put 100ll in it.

What I'm saying is that I'm open to suggestions on what all else is out there. That sx300 looks sweet but 300k is a little outside my range. Aerobatic would be a great plus, but looking for a decent xc machine really.

Of the RVs out there, which would be worth looking at for the xc purpose?

Thanks again guys, this has made me widen my search as of what is all is out there.
 
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