Wilga 2000

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:32 pm

Is there anyone here with experience on the Wilga 2000?

Preferably on floats?

What are its positives and negatives?

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:43 pm

I heard that there was no room to carry anything... all I know!

Longtimer · Post by **Longtimer** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:52 pm

These folks might be able to help you out.

An amphibious version of EADS-PZL's PZL-104M Wilga 2000 light aircraft made its debut at an Alaskan general aviation show in Anchorage last month. The Wilga 2000 was fitted with CAP 3000 straight floats by Campbell River, Canada-based Sealand Aviation, which is pursuing supplemental type certification for the aircraft on Wipline floats.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:00 pm

I heard that there was no room to carry anything... all I know!

There is plenty of room in them, in fact you can quickly remove the back seats and sleep in the thing.

What I am looking for is someone who has flown one and what they think about how they fly.

Preferably the Lycoming powered one.

CarbHeat · Post by **CarbHeat** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:52 pm

kevind · Post by **kevind** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:56 pm

talk with the cadet glider guys in comox.

They had one but have have been trying to (or have) sell it

Adam Oke · Post by **Adam Oke** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:14 pm

Sure does make an excellent tug!

GreatSlave · Post by **GreatSlave** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:56 pm

I had the pleasure of spending most of a summer flying a round engine one, C-FAEM, 20 some years ago in eastern Manitoba. I believe it was the second one in the world on floats at the time. While I was perhaps a little too green at that point of my career to realize it's full STOL potential it was quite impressive compared to the 180 that I had been flying previously. I would really like to fly one again someday now that I know a bit more about STOL flying.

There is lots of room and the seats are removable. I even remember doing a medevac with a stretcher in place of the two seats on the r/h side and a nurse in the back seat. Probably the slowest medical evacuation flight since the wind in the wires days. It would jump right off the water but then take half an hour to get out of sight. The practical payload was about the same as a 180 but on paper not so good.

The radial was a great little . but the air start was a pain. The airframe was like a tank with corregated skin everywhere. Nothing like the Bud can feel of a Cessna. The handling characteristics were very predictable and it would fly with next to nothing on the clock. Doing a full flap takeoff (an approved maneuver) with a 10 kt wind the aircraft would just levitate out of the water without any time on the step.

All in all a great little aircraft from a pilot's perspective but perhaps not the best commercial money maker.

Kev

Chuck Ellsworth · Post by **Chuck Ellsworth** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:02 pm

Thanks Kev, that is what I was looking for.

I have a customer who is considering buying one for flying into the mountain lakes out here in the west coast.

Short take off and landing capabilities is what he is after...cruise is secondary.

He was all hepped up about buying a turbine powered Maule, but after flying one for him I talked him out of that idea.

Invertago · Post by **Invertago** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:28 pm

Cat Driver wrote:What are its positives and negatives?

I assume looks are not important and this discussion is based only on personality? ... kidding actually I like how they look just like Im a fan of the A10 as well.

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:55 am

I think all of them eastern european planes look SUPER cool!

With a reliable Lycoming in it, I'll bet it would be a great plane. That's just a guess. The visibility looks great and with the pop up side doors, I wonder if it would be any easier to dock on floats. Hmm.

Let us know what you think if you end up flying one, ..

-istp

bmc · Post by **bmc** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:42 am

....I'm surprised Randy didn't sell you on the Helio for short takeoff.

beaverbob · Post by **beaverbob** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:15 am

Hi .
As far as I know, Sealand in Campbell River is the dealer.
Bob

Chuck Ellsworth · Post by **Chuck Ellsworth** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:28 am

....I'm surprised Randy didn't sell you on the Helio for short takeoff.

Oh, he did.

However I am only acting in an advisory capacity to a client who is looking for an airplane to suit his own personal wants.

Hi .
As far as I know, Sealand in Campbell River is the dealer.
Bob

Thanks Bob, actually it is Bill's airplane we are looking at, however at the moment it does not have a Canadian C of A so I am just fishing for info.

I gave him some time in the Husky but he does not like the tandem seating arrangement....for sure the guy will buy something.

Captain_Canuck · Post by **Captain_Canuck** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:48 am

V1Rotate (pic with cow on the tail) has a lot of time in it with Cadets.

Talk to him

gapper · Post by **gapper** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:14 pm

Is that one cool looking machine!!! Are they available in here in Canada, with full certification? I just got this wonky idea in my head about buying one, then selling shares of the machine to some outfitters somewhere in northern Yukon. Does anybody know how much one would cost?

Invertago · Post by **Invertago** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:28 pm

Are they still in production? I remember the Cadets having issues getting parts at one point and figured when the plane broke it would be a nice parade display center piece.

CarbHeat · Post by **CarbHeat** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:57 pm

The company was sold to Airbus from what I remember, so parts were no longer in production.

Don't quote me on that.

Wilbur · Post by **Wilbur** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:30 am

The spar runs across the top of the cockpit right above the front seats and taller people typically have to sit either ahead or behind it, which isn't the most comfortable for everyone. The rear seats have plenty of shoulder room, but if you are taller than 5'10" you can't sit up straight. Reminded me of the back seat in a Porche 911. Goes slow and burns a ton of gas. EADS was the builder and shut down the production line a year or so ago. Parts might be an issue as there aren't alot of them around in N.A. Lots of parts in Europe, except for the cowlings, from the round engine versions. Good at what it was designed for.

cessnafloatflyer · Post by **cessnafloatflyer** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:07 am

I flew one in CR with Sealand and Bill a few years ago on wheels. I remember that the control yoke felt like i was holding onto a big bagel, the windows let in too much sun and it was hot and that the computer kept telling me through the headset that there was a charging problem (which there wasn't) and a fuel problem (which there wasn't.)
Ok, this doesn't answer the real question -- how about calling Bill and asking. He really is honest and knows his stuff.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:34 am

Ok, this doesn't answer the real question -- how about calling Bill and asking. He really is honest and knows his stuff.

As I explained at the start of this thread I am only looking for as much pertinent information as I can get from people who have flown or operated these airplanes to better help me advise a client on whether or not to buy one of these airplanes.

I have already been talking to Bill and spent an afternoon at his hangar last week looking at the airplane he has for sale.

Unfortunately it does not have a Canadian registration nor a C of A on it right now so I was unable to fly it.

mag check · Post by **mag check** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:58 am

Did you get the PM?

alpine · Post by **alpine** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:58 am

I have operated a Wilga 80 on floats 10 years ago and a Wilga 2000 also on floats for the last 3 seasons. On take- off at gross weight on CAP 3000 floats it outperforms a 185 anytime and light weight it even beats the Super Cub. Useful load of the Wilga 2000 on floats is between 950 and 1000 lbs. It holds 100 gal of fuel (7 hours endurance). It is a very well and strong built aircraft. It features push rods instead of control cables, steel cage cabin like the Helio. Low maintenance cost. Visibility is like in a helicopter and it is a joy to fly.
If anyone wants more detailed info, don't hesitate to call or contact me by e-mail
Wendel
250-846-9488 bus, 847-9385 evenings / info@alpinelakesair.com

Wilga 2000

Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000

Re: Wilga 2000