A recently completed
spreadsheet analysis
of the cost to build a Quickie from scratch in 2011 suggests that a complete kit of materials could be purchased for around US$7000.00 without the engine, which would most sensibly be sourced locally.
The 1980 cost of the Quickie Aircraft Kit was US$3100.00 without the engine (US$850), engine installation kit (US$550) or custom upholstery kit (US$125). By 1982 this had risen to $3295.00 for Package 1 and $1770 for the Package 2 (engine and installation kit combined) not including any of the myriad options.
When you consider that over 30 years have passed, the value is still there. I've recently seen rock bottom minimal aircraft like the Affordaplane for sale at AU$12,000.00 and the performance of such a design is woeful. In the Quickie's league there are still very few contenders.
For me, the cost of shipping 240lb of materials to Australia is still a huge consideration, but as the USD is now hitting lows not seen in the last 35 years it becomes more and more viable. Tonight the AUD is at $1.06 against the greenback.
Might be time to take the plunge!
