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Buying a Colomban Cri-Cri

Whilst on lunch break today I was talking to a colleague about how I would one day love to fly the Colomban Cri-Cri. For me, the smaller the aircraft is, the more fun it is, and I have often daydreamed of flying an aircraft that is small enough to wear. Well, I don’t think they get much better than the Cri-Cri.

Coincidentally, a friend of my colleague is selling one. It needs some work (it’s currently in a few pieces) and is missing instruments, but comes with several spare carburettors. Fitting instruments and putting it all back together shouldn’t be a problem – I’m an aircraft maintenance “engineer”, working at a great company that would hangar it for free (or a case of beer). I’d also appreciate the opportunity to learn the aircraft inside and out.

The problem is… well… I can’t really find a problem? I had dreamed of aircraft ownership some time in the distant future and suddenly it is very achievable, very soon. The only hitch I can think of is financial (being fresh out of an apprenticeship and inexperienced after a career change), though I think this can be offset by saving on hangarage and maintenance. I have absolutely no idea what insurance costs, so this is something I would have to look at. I have 150 hours total time, but fly regularly.

Can anybody provide some words of wisdom, either for or against? Any personal experiences with the Cri-Cri are especially welcome.

EDLN/EDLF, Germany

What engines are fitted, and what is their condition? Can they be replaced or overhauled easily when necessary? I can imagine with the JPX 2-strokes typically installed, notwithstanding that there’s two of them (a clever design) you’d want to be going through them regularly. Also I understand that the engines aren’t made anymore.

“Several spare carburettors” being supplied sounds to me like there were some engine issues, possibly unresolved, that may have led to the plane being disassembled. Either way, I suspect safety will dictate the engines being fully gone through and debugged before flight, with parts supply that needs to be verified.

In my experience safely in planes like this is all about very careful attention to condition and maintenance, it’s not a hands-off activity. Also bear in mind that its not if you’ll have a single engine failure, its when and how well you’ll do in response. Insurance will not prevent you from being hurt if you screw up and will be the least of your worries.

Last Edited by Silvaire at 16 Dec 18:45

@NinerEchoPapa, I have the same kind of tender feelings about Cri-Cri and am in an exactly the same situation as you with respect to maintenance. Our company specialises in engine overhauls, including historic ones, so I’d speak from my professional viewpoint: when dealing with these tiny two-stroke engines, especially with a type that’s no longer in production, I’d be sure to keep a spare one.
On the flying side, keep in mind that Cri-Cri is not your typical ultralight – it has a high wing loading and a highish stall speed. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if its T-tail made the stall quite unpleasant (though don’t take my words for it).

LKBU (near Prague), Czech Republic

These guys were good too.

http://www.aaiu.ie/node/297

I’d honestly put my feet up and sleep it off, until the feeling had subsided. I’ll give you their number if you like to chat first hand with an owner.

Buying, Selling, Flying
EISG, Ireland

Who needs 2-stroke engines if you can fly a jet? See here.

NinerEchoPapa wrote:

For me, the smaller the aircraft is, the more fun it is, and I have often daydreamed of flying an aircraft that is small enough to wear.

Yes but at some point you will want to take at least minimal luggage, travel a bit and flying with 2 persons is just more fun.

www.ing-golze.de
EDAZ

I’d guess the market value of a disassembled Cri-Cri is between 5 and 10K, so there won’t be many two seaters that will be in the same cost range

Aircraft like this are regardless for local flying, to prove that it can be done on 30 HP, and to enjoy it. The TBO of the engines in my service might start off as something like 50 hrs – more like a Motocross engine than a plane engine.

The original Quickie is a similar sort of plane, although I have to say that to me with the original 18 HP Onan generator engine replaced by a carefully maintained Rotax two-stroke it becomes an alluring, if hazardous, concept for speed on the cheap.

Last Edited by Silvaire at 16 Dec 23:23

I always quite fancied one. Silvaire is spot-on about the engines but I disagree about single seaters. There’s a lot to be said for cheap currency and not flying anything that is too big for the task. I think I’m right in saying that there are no readily available engines proven for it, and that some of the original engines were too small (insufficient to maintain altitude on one engine). The last I heard, people were experimenting with engines designed for large models, though Limbach has a few engines on its website that sound plausible candidates. My question would be how easy would it be to re-engine one under the German homebuilt regime?

Last Edited by kwlf at 17 Dec 00:19

An interesting and fairly comprehensive AOPA article on the Cri-Cri is here

In relation to JPX engines, this and this are interesting, some for sale.

Last Edited by Silvaire at 17 Dec 03:52

Sebastian_G wrote:

Yes but at some point you will want to take at least minimal luggage, travel a bit and flying with 2 persons is just more fun.

It’s another concept entirely, and definitely not more fun There is nothing that can be compared with flying a single seater, and a small tiny Cri-Cri must be something ultimate in this respect.

Engines is a thing. I’m not sure I would use an engine that is not produced anymore. Surely there must be lots of suitable 2 stroke or rotary engines out there?

The elephant is the circulation
ENVA ENOP ENMO, Norway
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