Hello all,
I'm looking at the Smith Miniplane or Baby Great Lakes. They seem to be about the same size; are the cockpits the same size? I'm 5'10" and 200lbs, I know that it'll be thight. Are the cockpits the same size as a Pitts? It'll be easier for me to find a Pitts to try on than a local Smith or Baby.
It seems like the Smith is more often overbuillt than the Baby. I see plenty of Miniplanes listed with 0-290s and 320s, putting them empty at max gross. More often, the Baby's have C-65s or C-85s. There's a Baby on Ebay right now w/ a C-65 that will hold me and full fuel just below gross. Not sure about CG!
I'm looking for my 1st airplane. Small enough to share a hanger, small engine that sips gas, and 1-seat-is-enough. I rent our club's Citabria if someone else wants to fly ;-)
Do they have similar flying characteristics? My impression is that the Baby is lighther and more composed in the air. I'm just looking for an open-air machine that will put a smile on my face with the occasional barrel roll.
I'm learning aerobatics in a Bucker Jungmann, the front cockpit fits like a glove, hopefully the Smith and Baby are just as accomodating ;-)
Brian
Edited by: beberle
