Expedition Aircraft Bigfoot

[Zzz]

A search turned up only a brief mention of the Bigfoot in a 185 vs 206 thread, but I think this thing is deserved of some more attention. What a beast!

The Expedition Bigfoot (specs) is designed and built by the same people behind the Found Bushhawk XP (FBA-2C2), which has a longer history than most people realize. The Found brothers had their FBA-2 certified by the FAA in 1964, and the same basic design went on to become the Bushhawk. Now the Bigfoot takes it even farther.

Plane and Pilot recently featured the Bigfoot in their April 2011 issue.



Here's a link to their Facebook page where they store their photos.

[88H]

Zane:

Does look like quite a bird! But what amazes me is how efficient and effective aircraft designed 50 years ago look in comparison to the brand new stuff.

1200 lbs usable. My 59 180 does better than that. And most 185s will beat the 1500 figure. 19 gls per hour, my 180 can be dialed down to 11 or 12 and still produce better airspeed than those posted in the article.

Maybe I just didn't see it, but I couldn't find the purchase price referenced in the article. However, I wouldn't be surprised if it were north of 500k.

It does look more comfortable with more space, but probably no more comfortable than a 206.

Frankly, at 100 - 150k, a well equipped 206 or 185 still looks like a hard value to beat. Certainly the performance numbers still look better.

Maybe it is because of my age, but my hat goes off to a anything that is still operating after 50 or 60 years and effectively competing with the "new kids on the block". Space is certainly a little tighter and little less comfortable, but I think I will stick with my old, but reliable 59 180.

Just the old guys two cents worth!!

Larry

[Littlecub]

I realize these were 'less than common', but did/has anybody here 'worked' the early version of this plane up in the Northcountry? They are billed as 'one tough bird' with their welded square tube fuselage structure, but how do they 'work'??

Thanks in advance.......
lc

[Durango Skywagon]

I have been up to their production facility and done alot of research into this bird. Roomy, tough, easy to load, lots of horsepower. The wing seems to be built for heavy lifting as opposed to cruise performance or short field, they wanted it to appeal to commercial operators. This company used to be called found aircraft and their reputation among northern operators is very good. The found Bushhawk was a solid working plane and popular with folks looking for an easier plane to load and work than the 185.

They say (expedition) that if a new 185 were certified today that the current certification procedures would mean the 185's performance numbers would be reduced, that the numbers for the Expedition are real world, and the original numbers for 185 were more theoretical, ideal conditions. Don't know if there is any truth to this.

They were taking orders for this plane a few years ago for $465,000. I am sure its north of that now. They are also way behind on production. This bird was supposed to be out years ago, they basically build one a month in a small shop.

I love my 185, but there's many things I envy about this plane. Price and fuel burn are not among them though.

[cstolaircraft]

I think they are a bit on the heavy side of things. bring the weight down to about 1900 to 2000 it might be as good as a c185. The c 185 will always be best think about getting parts for one out in the middle of no where. bigfoot no! 185 sure thing to get one.

[low rider]

I dont care what anybody says....I want one