Australian builders

[rodrocket]

Sonex kindly provided me with a quote from C&H Freight for shipping and handling a full kit (not quick build) to Newcastle, Australia. I'm unfamiliar with the various shipping companies and would appreciate any feedback from any of my countrymen on their experiences and recommendations. The quote was approximately AUS$5.7k.

Thanks in advance

[Scott Todd]

You should talk to Sonex about packing two or more together and see what the price would be. I bet paying Sonex a few extra hundred dollars could almost package two in the same space as one. Wingtips, cowls, and canopies could nest. The rest is mostly flat stock that wouldn't add much volume. Maybe you could find a friend to buy one and split the shipping. You should also consider shipping an engine/engines and extra canopies with it.

[GraemeSmith]

Thats US$4,100 today. Given current costs of containers Trans Pac - that seems like a deal if it gets it to your front door.

And Scott's comments apply - though given the size of Australia - if your fellow builder is on the other coast - you would probably spend that again!

RodRocket try PM'ing fellow Aussie builder Peter Anson (he also appears in the FB group) and see what he thinks / paid.

[Area 51%]

You should also consider shipping an engine/engines and extra canopies with it.

Sonex automatically ships two canopies on non-domestic orders. Something about cracks outnumbering holes in acrylic. Knowing what I know about Lexan, they should also send an extra windscreen.

[sonex1566]

Hi Rod, I believe that's around what others have paid. If it makes you feel better, I spent about double that over the course of 6 years of scratch building. If I was richer and better organised I could have saved heaps but I made an artform out of forgetting stuff. Enjoy your build.

[peterp]

Hi Rod,
Postage and freight from the states has absolutely sky rocketed the last couple of years. Although it sounds a lot it's pretty good when you compare I have just paid nearly fourteen hundred for one undercarriage spring gear from Grove Aircraft, west coast and close to departure port. Suggest you try to order everything you can think off now and put it all together.
Cheers Peter