Anyone have time in an AN-2?

[BenWA]

Can anyone here suggest a place/way to get some time in an AN-2, preferably in the western United States, and preferably at a rate that precludes the need to sell body parts on the street corner? Any forthcoming guidance would be welcome and appreciated.

 

[Big Duke Six]

Hmmm, it's been a few years since I've looked at them, but I seem to remember a problem with their certification in the US. If I remember correctly, aren't they certified in the Experimental/Exhibition category? I believe that would prevent anyone from renting one out, even for checkouts. AFAIK, there is no commercial use allowed at all.

Which really sucks because it's such a phenomenal airplane. I think the FAA was afraid they would catch on, and thus do some real damage to the utility/bush aircraft market. JMHO, I could be way off.

 

[freeflyer14]

I jumped out of one.....:beer:

I remember the owner telling me he based it somewhere in TX. Can't remember where. He brought it up to the World Freefall Convention last year in Rantoul, IL. Hopefully he will be back again this year, it was a fun ride up and very cool to jump out and be able to hear the radial purring as I fell away.

http://www.freefall.com/webcam/2006pics/ground/slides/W6G70243.JPG
http://www.freefall.com/webcam/2006pics/ground/slides/W6G70246.JPG

Those are some cool ground shots of it, unfortunately my camera died right before my jump, so I don't have any exit shots of it. :crying:

I do know that it was not a certified aircraft, so for us to legally jump from it we had to declare our jumps as "exhibition jumps". I am not sure what category it was in.

 

[Waldom]

1) I do have experience flying this type, none recent.

2) The airplane must be registered in the Experimental/Exhibition catagory in the United States.

3) I am not aware of any operation that offers flying time in type to the general public.

I believe there are some museum organizations that operate AN-2s. Perhaps you could do a search and contact them regarding joining them. The only other option I can think of is to buy one. There is an airworthy example in Ovid, NY that would sell for $55,000.00 or less.