Bushmaster compared to....

[cook11]

How do the Bushmasters or any stretched Pacers compare to the Cessna 180/185 or 206 on wheels and floats performance wise? What is cheaper to own and operate? I think I know the answer....😏

[PACERGUY]

A CESSNA 180 with a 0470 will usually burn less fuel than a 160 supercub/pacer with a borer prop. The Cessna GPH burn is more but the speed is also much greater. Usually ends up being cheaper to fly a 180/185 on longer trips (one hour or greater). Base price, a good Cessna 180 can be found for 80 grand. The 185 or 206 is up in the 120 grand or higher for a good 206 but now you are carrying 6 people. Fabric planes are a lot easier to fix if you get them dinged so they are good for hard core off runway work. It is very hard to beat a properly equipped 180/185 in all around performance when compared to a bushmaster/stretched pacer. Cost may be more for the Cessna but in the long run you get more performance.
DENNY

[Stephen]

The Cessna is a heavier plane, the lighter stretched Pacer should feel like the PA14 and be more like flying a Cub. It can get in and out of tight places and should be much cheaper to operate than the Cessna. Both excellent airplanes in my opinion.

[Steve Pierce]

Flew the river last night with a C180. I was turning 2400 rpm making a river run probably burning 8.5 GPH and he was burn 7 GPH. In my opinion an O-470 cost more to maintain than an O-320 but it has lots of power.
11589

[JPerkins]

Most of the bushpilot folks I talk to up here with lots of experience (10,000 - 40,000 hours in small planes) say that if they had to own one plane it would be a 180. That being said, none of them ever flew a bushmaster. I still find it surprising though how many times I get the same answer when I ask.

[Steve Pierce]

Ditto with the people I know who have a C180 or a Super Cub or both. Parts are high, way more expensive to maintain than anything Piper.

[Don D]

Built, owned and flew a 200hp Bushmaster for several years. Loved that plane. Would haul anything you could get in it or on it. Great short rough field plane. Would take it where I wouldn't take a 180. Earley light 180 is the best ever all around.

[CamTom12]

Built, owned and flew a 200hp Bushmaster for several years. Loved that plane. Would haul anything you could get in it or on it. Great short rough field plane. Would take it where I wouldn't take a 180. Earley light 180 is the best ever all around.

Just curious, why'd you get rid of it?

[Don D]

Engine was getting tired and I didn't have the $$ to overhaul the IO-360.

[rstewartfarms]

Hello I'm new too this forum. I recently bought a plane that's similar too a bushmaster it has a 0-360 engine wings from Nick Smith in Ontario it has sticks rather than yokes it's more like a widened super Cub than a pacer. I would be interested in reading anyone's experiences or information about the airplanes.

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[Stephen]

Hello I'm new too this forum. I recently bought a plane that's similar too a bushmaster it has a 0-360 engine wings from Nick Smith in Ontario it has sticks rather than yokes it's more like a widened super Cub than a pacer. I would be interested in reading anyone's experiences or information about the airplanes.

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Give us more information about your plane. Pics?

[rstewartfarms]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170228/0134abc99f148e14de85c64f10bedde5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170228/c4673aa643ef4b515a4991f541c1b3dc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170228/0606a0803541515243eb30e1edc45eea.jpgIt was built in 2012 by a fellow in Nova Scotia. I bought it last summer. It's wing span is 38' and length is 24'. Here's a few pics

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[Stephen]

Nice looking airplane!

Have you flown Cubs? How does it compare?

[rstewartfarms]

I've never flown a Cub I had a 170b before this plane. A friend of mine has flown Cubs he has flown this plane and thinks it's fly's alot like a Cub. I really like how it performs on skis.

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[rstewartfarms]

Stephen I've been following your bushmaster build it looks interesting. The pilot that did my check ride in this plane fly's a 180 he said he like everything about my plane except the doors ha ha. He is taller guy

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[daedaluscan]

I've never flown a Cub I had a 170b before this plane. A friend of mine has flown Cubs he has flown this plane and thinks it's fly's alot like a Cub. I really like how it performs on skis.

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I was very interested in that plane when it was for sale, but since I live on the bc coast it was just not easy to go and look at it. I have a 170B now but would like to go experimental. Where are you located?

[rstewartfarms]

I live in carrot River Sask

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[scotthayd]

I have a 180 HP bushmaster on 2440 floats.
From the guys I have talked to that own cessna 180s on floats, the bushmaster will get off the water with almost as much as a 180 with a P.Ponked engine and wing-x wing extensions will do.
I haven't compared them side-by-side, but I was pleasantly surprised hearing that :cool:.

[scotthayd]

rstewartfarms, what skis are those on your bushmaster?
I'm considering putting mine on skis and would like to hear about the experiences of others first.
My current thought is to put on the aeroski (http://aeroski.net/aero-ski-model-r2800-for-piper-pa-18/) -- not sure if people have experiences with those.
The way winters are going in Anchorage, it would be nice to know I can land when I get home and taxi to my tiedown!

[rstewartfarms]

Hello I have federal 3500a skis on my plane

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[scotthayd]

Sounds about right -- how do you like them?

[rstewartfarms]

Really good they really hold the plane up good in fluffy snow they came with a wheel penetrating tail ski but I just put a straight ski on that I had

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[scotthayd]

Built, owned and flew a 200hp Bushmaster for several years. Loved that plane. Would haul anything you could get in it or on it. Great short rough field plane. Would take it where I wouldn't take a 180. Earley light 180 is the best ever all around.

Why was the 180 better than the bushmaster?

[Stephen]

14685

My Bushmaster when it was newly modified in 2017.

It has an 0-320 putting out around 180 hp with high compression pistons, port and polished, electronic ignition and Sutton exhaust. The prop is 82-41. Empty Weight is 1180 lbs. Cruises at 2450 rpm 105 mph and stall (with new Sullivan tips) at 30 mph. Useful load is 920 lbs. My plane has left pilot door, sticks and 48 gallon tanks but, that's not required for the Bushmaster.

Advantages of Bushmaster compared to a 180. Lower stall, cheaper to maintain, lighter controls, easier to repair or modify, more rugged landing gear for off airport landings.

Disadvantages compared to a 180. Lower cruise speed, tighter cockpit, more difficult entry for pilot, no constant speed prop.

[cook11]

Stephan,

Looks good! What electronic ignition do you use and are you running dual electronic? Are you running Ly-Con ported/polished cylinders?

[scotthayd]

14685

My Bushmaster when it was newly modified in 2017.

It has an 0-320 putting out around 180 hp with high compression pistons, port and polished, electronic ignition and Sutton exhaust. The prop is 82-41. Empty Weight is 1180 lbs. Cruises at 2450 rpm 105 mph and stall (with new Sullivan tips) at 30 mph. Useful load is 920 lbs. My plane has left pilot door, sticks and 48 gallon tanks but, that's not required for the Bushmaster.

Advantages of Bushmaster compared to a 180. Lower stall, cheaper to maintain, lighter controls, easier to repair or modify, more rugged landing gear for off airport landings.

Disadvantages compared to a 180. Lower cruise speed, tighter cockpit, more difficult entry for pilot, no constant speed prop.

Awsome! Now if you can just get a cub belly-pod approved!

[Stephen]

Stephan,

Looks good! What electronic ignition do you use and are you running dual electronic? Are you running Ly-Con ported/polished cylinders?

Yes, Ly-Con did the cylinder work. I have single electronic Electro-air ignition on the right side. And, Slick mag on the left.

[Stephen]

Awsome! Now if you can just get a cub belly-pod approved!

I usually leave my rear seats out and that works.

[Don D]

Loved my Bushmaster. If I could afford it, I would love a nice 180 a little more. 180 hauls a good load, flies pretty slow, flies pretty fast and looks pretty cool.

[Stephen]

Loved my Bushmaster. If I could afford it, I would love a nice 180 a little more. 180 hauls a good load, flies pretty slow, flies pretty fast and looks pretty cool.

"...pretty cool."

Maybe, but not as cool looking as a 170, that's if one likes aluminum airplanes.

[scotthayd]

Yes, Ly-Con did the cylinder work. I have single electronic Electro-air ignition on the right side. And, Slick mag on the left.

Have you seen benefits from the electronic ignition?

[Stephen]

Have you seen benefits from the electronic ignition?

Mainly reducing our kids inheritance. It did make the engine run smoother. There may be a slight reduction in fuel consumption but, I did not have a fuel flow gauge prior to the ignition system. The increased hp is slight. The power is increased some at altitude. I'm happy to have it but, can't say it is worth the cost.