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Davis DA2a - G-BPFL – solid, reliable, fast and fun.

Davis DA2a G-BPFL – solid, reliable, fast and fun.

Unique opportunity to own this extremely rare and well-maintained Group A aircraft. Featured as the main covering aircraft in LAA Magazine September 2016, flown and written on by Clive Davidson (photos above). Also Pilot Magazine in August 2002. Attracts a lot of attention wherever it goes.

No damage or accident history, always flown and always hangered; heated hangar for the past 13 years maintaining perfect airframe and engine conditions. Imported from the USA in 1988, I am the third UK owner, loved by each. This is the only aircraft of its type outside of USA and Canada, plus one in New Zealand. Very rare but very easy to maintain using all standard parts.

Airframe - No corrosion on a very structurally solid and over-engineered all metal airframe. Includes Nav lights and Strobe. Total time 2040 hrs.

Engine - Reliable reconditioned Continental O-200 with immaculate Hercules propellor giving improved performance compared to original design containing a 65hp Conti A65 engine. Perfect compressions (70-75/80 on all four cylinders), next to no oil consumption - never been topped up between annuals, new lightweight starter, new Concord battery, starts on first crank and sounds beautiful. Total time - 1,365hrs. Time since Top End rebuild - 312hrs. Full borescope this year by engineer confirming good condition.

Cockpit – Deceptively large (I’m 6-foot 3 inches) with plenty of head and leg room and width for 2 pax (max 2x 80kgs or equivalent) with good sized luggage bay behind seats (max 20kgs). Full panel with 6-pack, Dittel KRT2 8.33 radio, newly installed Garmin GTX 327 transponder, central RAM mount for ipad, USB sockets, analogue engine management and 4-point Hooker Harnesses. A comfortable ride with good visibility. Upholstery is original, so could benefit from an update.

Performance – Upgraded 12-inch wing extensions delivering better climb and AUW performance compared to the original design (MAUW now 563kgs upgraded from 544kgs). Combining the 100hp Conti O-200 and herc prop, this aircraft will cruise at 110kts and climb at 5-600fpm at max weight and 7-800fpm with solo pilot. The numbers and handling characteristics are similar to a PA28, therefore requiring a 500m strip, but fun and easy to fly. 76ltr fuel capacity; 100kts at 20lph, 110kts at 24lph.

Engineering - This aircraft has benefitted from an LAA inspector who is a professional Aircraft Engineer and has scrutinised everything; together we have tightened up all paperwork and brought this aircraft up to a very high standard, both administratively and operationally. There is nothing to hide. Permit May 2025.

I have been the sole owner since 2011 and I have treated it with great care, not holding back on updating and upgrading. I have been supported by the LAA and a very knowledgeable Davis DA2 group/forum from the States who are keen to help. I have toured most of the UK and had holidays in the southwest of France, learnt a lot about engineering and aircraft ownership, and loved it. New buyer will be happy.

Please, only serious enquiries as I am busy with work and a young family, but I will be very happy to spend as much time as necessary to show a prospective buyer every part of the aircraft and its paperwork. Aircraft based southeast of Oxford and paperwork based at my house in High Wycombe. WhatsApp or phone call. Thank you! Pete.

Lots more photos on Instagram account @davisda2

Great article from an owner in the States:
https://www.kitplanes.com/nextgen-heirloom/

A very old but accurate article from 1973:
http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepDavisDA2.html

A couple of vids from the States:
https://buildandfly.shop/product/davis-da-2/