f1rocket
Well Known Member
This is the fourth airplane that I've built and it was finished in May, 2005. It took me approximately three years from receipt of the empennage kit to first flight. The Rocket currently (as of Dec, 06) has about 120 hours on it. Flight performance is staggering. I can routinely cruise over 200 KTAS sipping just 9.5 GPH (11,000 MSL/ WOT and 2200 RPM) or I can blast off and climb at 3500 FPM guzzling about 28 GPH. Top speed at 1,000 MSL, WOT, 2600 RPM is 214 KTAS.
Larger Image Front View Larger Image Rear View
The paint job was completed by Bobby Potts at Tuscaloosa Interiors. He did a fabulous job and I highly recommend him. It is a PPG base coat/clear coat system using colors from the Chrysler automobiles between 2000 and 2005. The scheme is a combination of a scheme that Scheme Designers completed for me, with some last second changes that Bobby made as he completed it. A complete set of exterior pictures can be found here.
Larger Picture Left Side Larger Picture Center Larger Picture Right Side
The panel is self-expanatory. I love the GRT EFIS units. I plan to add the XM Weather Option this spring. This is an all electric airplane with dual alternators and a single battery.
The seats were done by DJ at Cleaveland. She sent me a couple of extra skins and I made sidewalls myself. I added some walnut trim across the bottom of the panel and down the sides to give it a little spice.
Up front, I'm turning a MT Propeller on a Aerosport IO-540-D4A5 which is a standard 260 HP engine with Airflow Performance tuned injectors. I use B&C alternators up front and on the vacumm pad as a backup. I also use a B&C starter. I custom built a plenum system and oil cooler system that has worked great up to this point.
I can't say enough good things about Mark Fredericks and his support at Team Rocket headquarters. Mark is a real stand up guy and has always taken care of any issue I've had. Most folks know this already, but you can follow the entire build process on my web site.
Fly safe everyone.
Larger Image Front View Larger Image Rear View
The paint job was completed by Bobby Potts at Tuscaloosa Interiors. He did a fabulous job and I highly recommend him. It is a PPG base coat/clear coat system using colors from the Chrysler automobiles between 2000 and 2005. The scheme is a combination of a scheme that Scheme Designers completed for me, with some last second changes that Bobby made as he completed it. A complete set of exterior pictures can be found here.
Larger Picture Left Side Larger Picture Center Larger Picture Right Side
The panel is self-expanatory. I love the GRT EFIS units. I plan to add the XM Weather Option this spring. This is an all electric airplane with dual alternators and a single battery.
The seats were done by DJ at Cleaveland. She sent me a couple of extra skins and I made sidewalls myself. I added some walnut trim across the bottom of the panel and down the sides to give it a little spice.
Up front, I'm turning a MT Propeller on a Aerosport IO-540-D4A5 which is a standard 260 HP engine with Airflow Performance tuned injectors. I use B&C alternators up front and on the vacumm pad as a backup. I also use a B&C starter. I custom built a plenum system and oil cooler system that has worked great up to this point.
I can't say enough good things about Mark Fredericks and his support at Team Rocket headquarters. Mark is a real stand up guy and has always taken care of any issue I've had. Most folks know this already, but you can follow the entire build process on my web site.
Fly safe everyone.
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