Here’s your chance to have your own warbird that will carry 4 people, its robustly designed and built to be aerobatic, has a Lycoming IO-540 engine and will cruise > 165 MPH! The IAR SA Brasov IAR 823 was built in Romania in the 70s and 80s for the Romanian and Angolan Air Forces as trainers. Of the 78 total planes built, about 40 were imported to the US around 2000. Here’s the link to the Wiki webpage for more details on the plane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAR_823 As a trainer, it’s built with throttle and prop controls on the left hand sidewall and center console, as well as landing gear and flap switches for both pilots. Primarily aluminum structure with fabric covered ailerons, elevators, and rudder.

N2087P was donated by an accomplished pilot who has aged out of flying. He described it as having flying qualities like an aerobatic Bonanza. This example has 1387 TT and only 250 hrs. since the engine was new. The prop has been upgraded to a 3 blade Whirlwind aerobatic prop, the original straight exhaust pipes were replaced with balanced headers, all plexiglass has been replaced and front sets replaced with more comfortable, automotive seats. It has been hangered since it was imported and the Condition Inspection is in work. The modifications performed required only logbook entries because it’s Airworthiness is Experimental – Exhibition. The compression checks (all in 70s) and engine run were performed when I visited to take the photos. The paint is an off-white in ok shape (add some tan blotches to it and you’d have a desert camo paint job!). There are a few areas where the paint has flaked off and surface corrosion has started ( but its all treatable).

While it’s A/W is Experimental – Exhibition, there are plus’s and minus’s to that:

Plus’s

• Only an A&P is required to perform annual Conditional Inspection
• Owner can make upgrades and do maintenance w/A&P supervision
• Most warbirds fly in this A/W category

Minus’s

• The current Operating Limitations would need to be modified thru your local FSDO
  
  • Current allows a 300 mi radius for proficiency flying and longer flights via Annual program Letter (see example)
  • Current Operating Limitations do not allow flying in Class B airspace

The negatives about this plane is that it has only flown 5 hours in the last 10 years. There is some corrosion seen in the cylinder borescopes but the mechanic did not see any pitting and thought that would just be cleaned up once it got running. It is hangered at Watsonville, CA and will be sold with a fresh Condition Inspection, “As Is”, Where Is”.