Aerodis America/CRSS Orion, Rigel and Theta Projects

[hesham]

From Indonesia,

CRSS AA-200 Orion :four seat composite-built ligt aircraft powered by
a 180 hp Textron Lycoming O-360 A4A engine.
CRSS AA-300 Rigel :tandem two seat jet trainer aircraft powered by
1900 Ib Garrett TFE109-3 engine.
CRSS AA-330 Theta :a single seat aircrfat derivative of AA-300 as
light attack aircraft.

 

[windingroad]

Re: Re: Aircraft from different countries

hi hesham~ never know the CRSS AA330,will it be a derivative from Serbia G2?

 

[hesham]

Dear Wind,

I think it is not,because that don't mention in Jane's encyclopedia of aviation Ed. 1995.

 

[Stargazer]

Can someone explain why these American projects by Aerodis are listed by hesham as Indonesian projects by CRSS?

 

[hesham]

Hi,


the AA300 Rigel was two seat jet trainer,intended to compete in US Joint Primary Air-crew
Training System (JPATS),and the AA330 Theta single seat tactical light attack aircraft,project
only.


http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1991/1991%20-%200704.html

 

[hesham]

Hi,


here is the Aerodis AA200 and AA300.


Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1991-1992

 

[kenneth]

searching on the net i have come across the AA200 Orion. but who is the actual designer of this aircraft?

Jean Grinvalds or Dave Thurston?

Jean Grinvalds is said to have designed the G801 and G802 models, and then (the G802?) was adapted for the US market as the AA200 Orion - Wikipedia

however in other sites, it is mentioned that Dave Thurston designed this aircraft.

so who designed the Orion?

 

[hesham]

Hi Kenneth,

in Jane's book,they said; the AA200 Orion is not related to French Grinvalds G-802.

 

[Stargazer]

searching on the net i have come across the AA200 Orion. but who is the actual designer of this aircraft?
Jean Grinvalds or Dave Thurston?
Jean Grinvalds is said to have designed the G801 and G802 models, and then (the G802?) was adapted for the US market as the AA200 Orion - Wikipedia
however in other sites, it is mentioned that Dave Thurston designed this aircraft.
so who designed the Orion?

in Jane's book,they said; the AA200 Orion is not related to French Grinvalds G-802.

According to my research for the Thurston page on my upcoming website, the AA200 Orion appeared circa 1990. It was a four-seat all-composite landplane with Lycoming O- & VO-360 pusher engine, redesigned by Dave Thurston for for Leonard Wolf's Aerodis America, and based on the French Grinvalds G.801. Two examples were built [N200AX, N200AZ].

Two development projects were studied: the AA300 Rigel, designed by Thurston Aeromarine Corp., with composite structure designed by Martin Hollmann, and the AA330 Theta, also designed by Thurston.

So it is correct to say that these are all Thurston designs, although the initial model was redesigned from the Grinvalds.

 

[kenneth]

Thanks hesham and thanks skyblazer for your clarification

the wikipedia page about the Grinvalds Orion does not make that clear distinction between the two designs.

again thanks

 

[hesham]

Hi,

http://archive.aviationweek.com/image/spread/19890626/21/2

 

[Fordman932000]

I know where N200AZ is.. it is definitely an interesting piece of aviation history. It is in dire need of a restoration, or to be turned into a static display for an air museum. Anybody want pictures?

 

[walter]

Hi Fordman932000!
Yes Please !!

 

[hesham]

I know where N200AZ is.. it is definitely an interesting piece of aviation history. It is in dire need of a restoration, or to be turned into a static display for an air museum. Anybody want pictures?

Welcome aboard Fordman,and yes I want.

 

[Foo Fighter]

Yes please, any and all pictures welcome.

 

[Fordman932000]

Here are some photos on N200AZ in its current condition.

 

[Fordman932000]

Nose cone, both engine cover panels, all of the original blue vinyl seats and trim, propeller, and drive shafts are all there..... original motor is MIA, as are many of the avionics as there are many blank spaces in the instrument panel. Would be a neat restore project..... the model that is in the above ad is also on the property and could use a little restoration.

 

[Foo Fighter]

A very sad state to leave an airframe in.

 

[Fordman932000]

Agreed, it has some wing root damage due to the trailer deck failing under the wings. It was covered religiously for years until about a month ago the tarp came off. My dad saw it years ago just the tail sticking out and we both became interested in finding out what it was. His original thoughts were a gorb, then a grinvalds..... then the tail number revealed its true identity.

 

[Concinnity]

Hello everyone. I have been trying to find an Orion to buy. Does anyone know if this plane is for sale?

 

[Fordman932000]

This one is part of an estate.... it could be for sale. It would need some help. There is no motor, and there is wing root damage to each wing. I believe it is repairable.

 

[Concinnity]

This one is part of an estate.... it could be for sale. It would need some help. There is no motor, and there is wing root damage to each wing. I believe it is repairable.

Thanks for your reply. I guess it depends on the price? Could you find out any more info for me?

 

[Fordman932000]

Other than price what do you want to know? It would be a complete restore. It is one of 2 ever made..... kind of really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to be discounting if it is in good shape or not..... i doubt you can find another one. I have been trying to get an air museum interested in taking it so it doesn’t get forgotten. Although if another private party was willing to get it back to its original state i suppose it would be good.

 

[Concinnity]

I hadn't realised there were only two made. Looking at the pictures, which unfortunately only show the right hand side, it looks as if there were quite a few changes made from the first, original Orions. I would like one because of the performance and the uniqueness of the pusher concept. I haven't been able to find out much at all about these US aircraft, so any information you have would be very much appreciated. As for pricing, that would depend on whether it is classed as a 'no parts available' orphan, or a rare valuable prototype of a technology leader, or something in between. I would like to fly one. I am in New Zealand, where the licensing regime is kind to rare and one off aircraft, though that, of course, complicates any potential purchase with the logistics involved. I would need to know it's FAA status too. Thank you for your prompt reply.

 

[Fordman932000]

The tail number can be searched on the FAA website for status. It had an airworthiness certificate and was flying in the early 90’s i believe. There were more Grinvalds Orions made than the Aerodus Orion AA200. The tail number is N200AZ. The plane is located in Washington state USA.

 

[Holstein]

Hello everyone. I have been trying to find an Orion to buy. Does anyone know if this plane is for sale?

There is an partially completed Grinvalds Orion for sale in Mindelheim , Germany
It is listed on Ebay at:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Eigenbauflugzeug-Marke-Orion-G801/172948715815
If you can not read German, the seller says he is selling because he is too old and in poor health, so he can not complete the project.
There are no instruments or engine included in the sale.
The asking price is €5475, but it is negotiable. (In German "Preisvorschlag senden" is "make me an offer")
If your web browser has funny defaults, and will not display it, 172948715815 is the Ebay item number.
Mindelheim is a typical Bavarian town that is about 120 Kilometres directly west of Munich.
He will not ship the plane, you or someone must come and pick the plane up. (Nur Abholung)

 

[hesham]

Nice find Holstein,and welcome aboard.

 

[SorenThePilot]

Hello, everyone! While browsing Craigslist, I came across N200AZ, and, not being able to identify the plane, looked up the tail number and found this thread. I live literally less than 7 miles away from N200AZ. I can’t believe I never knew it was there. I am going to see if I can check it out tomorrow for everyone. I’ll come back with the results!

 

[SorenThePilot]

Shame. I didn’t come back with any pictures and my request to see the aircraft was denied.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Bad luck. Thanks for trying!

 

[hesham]

Shame. I didn’t come back with any pictures and my request to see the aircraft was denied.

Thank you Soren.

 

[thefox]

I know its an older post, but I purchased this project and have since transported down south to begin the restoration. Anymore information than what is posted above would be helpful

 

[hesham]

Welcome aboard Thefox at first,

and good news,here is a more Info from JAWA.

 

[thefox]

Wow, tbh I didnt expect anyone to have anymore information on it. It appears to be a well put together aircraft, structurally sound with a little bit of wing damage as stated before. The hour meter shows 17 hours, which I assume is test flight time. Would love to find notes and logs

 

[Sudiro]

From Indonesia,

CRSS AA-200 Orion :four seat composite-built ligt aircraft powered by
a 180 hp Textron Lycoming O-360 A4A engine.
CRSS AA-300 Rigel :tandem two seat jet trainer aircraft powered by
1900 Ib Garrett TFE109-3 engine.
CRSS AA-330 Theta :a single seat aircrfat derivative of AA-300 as
light attack aircraft.

Why Indonesia? Cause Indonesia was investor to Aerodis. Check my blog for more details: https://aviahistoria.com/2020/07/31/pesawat-latih-jet-buatan-indonesia-antara-ambisi-dan-oportunis/

Yeps, Aerodis used money from Cipta Restu Sarana Svaha, to made AA200.

 

[hesham]

Amazing site,and CS500 is new for me.

 

[hesham]

Hi Sudiro,

we saw from this firm,a series 200,300,400 & 500,was there AA-100 or not ?.

 

[jbf626]

Hello everyone. I have been trying to find an Orion to buy. Does anyone know if this plane is for sale?

There is an partially completed Grinvalds Orion for sale in Mindelheim , Germany
It is listed on Ebay at:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Eigenbauflugzeug-Marke-Orion-G801/172948715815
If you can not read German, the seller says he is selling because he is too old and in poor health, so he can not complete the project.
There are no instruments or engine included in the sale.
The asking price is €5475, but it is negotiable. (In German "Preisvorschlag senden" is "make me an offer")
If your web browser has funny defaults, and will not display it, 172948715815 is the Ebay item number.
Mindelheim is a typical Bavarian town that is about 120 Kilometres directly west of Munich.
He will not ship the plane, you or someone must come and pick the plane up. (Nur Abholung)

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/596023981387946/ there you go if your still interested!

 

[Prodr1guez]

Hello Guys,

I'm the current owner of the Aerodis America AA200 (Serial #001), the wing indeed needs some work the rear spar has been completely torn off. I have an engine and I'm currently looking for an engine mount. since there's little information on this plane and the manuals don't really say how the engine mount should be made. Does anybody know a shop near Texas that can create engine mounts? any help will be appreciated.

 

[Fordman932000]

Ever find engine mounts? Do you have any idea what they are supposed to look like? May sound a little wierd to ask, but there is a not normal engine that was potentially going to end up in that specific airframe that may have them attached. No guarantees, but might be the right stuff……Awesome that someone has gotten this project that wants to make it whole again!