Murphy Moose: Buyer's Guide

The Murphy Moose is a big, rugged bush kit aircraft — a large-cabin experimental built to haul people and gear into the backcountry, on wheels, tundra tires, or floats.

About the Murphy Moose

The Moose is a large, high-wing kit aircraft accepting a range of engines (often radial or big Lycoming/Continental), built for utility and backcountry hauling. As a big experimental, build quality, engine choice, and documentation drive value; a reputable build finances more easily.

Typical used price (2026): ~$70,000–$160,000. Condition, avionics, and engine time drive value within that range.

Is the Murphy Moose Right for You?

The Murphy Moose suits owners who value the capability and community of the homebuilt world and understand that experimental ownership is different — from insurance to financing to maintenance. A well-built, well-documented example from a reputable builder is what to look for.

Ownership & Operating Costs

• Fuel: depends on the engine; often efficient for the performance.
• Insurance: available but priced on the airframe, engine, and your experience.
• Maintenance: owner-maintenance latitude is a benefit; a builder network helps.
• Documentation: keep build and maintenance records complete.

For a full framework across models, see our aircraft ownership cost guide.

What to Check When Buying

On an experimental, build quality and documentation are everything — review the build logs, condition inspection, and builder reputation. A well-built, well-documented aircraft from a reputable builder finances and insures far more easily.

Financing a Murphy Moose

A Murphy Moose finances through the subset of lenders that accept amateur-built collateral — larger down payments (often 20–30%), somewhat higher rates, and shorter terms — with build quality and documentation key. Jaken Aviation is a brokerage, not a lender — we shop your loan across a national network of aviation lenders.

Frequently Asked Questions