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Considering buying a Smith Mini Plane

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Jwhallon

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Hello,

There is a SMP on Barnstormers I've been following for the past month owned by Michael Plecenik, located in San Angelo, TX. It is a modified version with extended and widened fuselage, O-290 D with McCauley metal prop. I'm wondering if this airplane is a good fit for me.

Here is a video link to the actual N# Smith Mini. [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3V6qLKKyM[/ame]

First and foremost I have never owned an airplane before or flow in a SMP and am also fairly low time pilot with a whooping 110 hours in Cessna 172s and Pipers and also need my tail wheel endorsement, so not ready to purchase tomorrow. From what I've read online it seems like a good starter plane to build experience and would be a little more fun for me because I love biplanes.

I've flow from the front in a Acrosport and a Steerman; are they is any way comparable? How are the SMP flight characteristics? What can I expect from maintenance for a fabric covered airplane? Insurance coverage?

Lots of unknowns, but one step at a time. Basically trying to figure out if this plane would be a good buy to build experience and have some lazy afternoons joy rides in.

Thanks for reading and any help you offer!

-Jess
 
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