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Unlike the Buc II which used a center mounted
throttle the throttles on the Aventura II are comfortably located on
the left and right hand side of the plane on the side armrest
tubes.
The rudder is operated by cables, the elevator and
aileron controls use teleflex cables.
The craft comes standard with electric flaps, with the
actuator switch located on the dash. The manual elevator trim tab is located
between the seats. The Aventura II is available with a manual retract
system, or an electric retract. Both systems retract the the main
landing gear and the tail wheel at the same time.
For the manual system a "Johnson Bar" is located
forward of the pilots in the center between the seats. The pilot reaches
forward releases the gear and pulls back which raises the gear. To lower
the gear he again releases it and gravity brings the gear down where it
locks into place.
The electric system which is considerably stronger
allows the use of larger wheels, and can actually lift the plane. The
control is again located in the center forward of the pilots. Activation
of the gear is via a control lever, you push it forward to retract and
back to lower the gear. The electric system has two lights which show
whether the gear is up or down and locked. Green light means your
landing on grass. Blue light your landing on water.
The instrument panel stretches from one side of the
cabin to the other allowing for pretty well any instrument configuration
a pilot could want. Easy access to the rear of the panel is achieved by
removal of a front hatch cover.
Entering the Aventura II for the first time can be a
little awkward as unlike the Buc II there are no down tubes to grab onto
to help enter the cockpit. Pilots face forward, shorter pilots can step
on the wheel with one foot, and then enter the cabin by placing
their other foot on the seat and then sliding down into the seat. Taller
pilots will support themselves with one foot while stepping into
the craft, using their arm
for support and sliding into the seat.
 One
of things pilots must consider when they are looking at this type of
aircraft is that, unlike a float plane that can be pulled up to a
dock so people can board, this style of aircraft with the sponsons
out on the wing, and a center hull is difficult to dock.
This means that you need a specially constructed
dock which allows for the sponsons, or have a ramp or area where you
and can drive the plane in and out of the water. If neither is
available - you are going to get wet, getting in and out of the
plane.
The pilot seats are a very thick and comfortable sling
style, supported at the back and front. There are a set of storage
pockets on either side for storing maps etc. The plane flown for this
report had seat belts with shoulder harnesses.
There is another storage area above the fuel tank
behind the pilots, and the craft can be fitted with a storage area under
the front deck lid.
Pilots are protected from the wind by a large
windshield, which has a set of side deflectors located about head level
on the side of the windshield. These do a very good job of defecting the
wind away from the pilot when flying.
The craft comes standard with a 12 gallon fuel tank,
which can be upgraded to 18 gallons. The Aventura is fueled from
outside of the cockpit via a fuel filler located just behind the pilot
enclosure under the wing.
Forward, side, and rearward visibility is excellent,
because of the large windshield, and no doors which allows the pilot to
actually stick his head out to view backwards. A set of rear windows
panels also add to the good visibility.
For those needing to transport the plane the wings can
be removed by two people in about 30 minutes. The rudder, elevator and
horizontal stab can also be removed in about the same time. |
