Bruinpilot
Member
I apologize as I am sure that a million similar threads have been posted, but on the other hand, no two situations or motivations to build a homebuilt are alike.
I have been reading for about a month since I have considered trying to make a homebuilt, and I think that I will force myself to draw this process out for at least a year before making the final decision as to which aircraft kit is the right one. Over the past month, the rv7 has rapidly risen to #1 on my top five list (which also has other Vans aircraft on it!). A friend has really been pushing aircraft #2, which is a simpler tube and fabric airplane. How can I have two such disparate aircraft as #s 1&2? People will surely say that I need to "define the mission" better -- perhaps that is the case, but my mission is not very specific. I hope,for those patient enough to read this, to get some input.
I will start with a brief description if myself and "the mission," or at least the perceived mission at this point. I have been flying for decades (but I don't think I'm an old guy yet! I started very young.) I have flown all kinds of airplanes, but never built from a kit. My friend who is pushing aircraft 2 owned a glasair but never built one. Here is what I perceive as my mission. First, I want the experience of building. (Any kit plane should be able to fulfill that, right?) I have a brother and my best friend are IAs and told me that if they watch and document what I am doing that it may even be a good start toward getting the time for an A&P certificate. (cool bonus) Second, I want to build an economical machine. If I could build one that required no hangar, that might be a done deal, however, I think I will ultimately be stuck with that expense. I have read that many of the aircraft with folding wings or trailer able designs may not be convenient, or even safe over time of repeated disassembly. So, I have come to terms with eventually getting a hangar when the build is complete. I like the fact that the rv has a reasonable fuel burn for burning holes in the sky, but is downright efficient when one actually goes somewhere. Aircraft #2 burns less for the local work, but the rv crushes it cross country. This is where the mission comes in, because aircraft #2 really beats the rv for local work and hitting up the dirt strips. Well, where I currently live, and expect to live in the future, I probably won't be hitting the dirt, or living in my dream home in a little tiny mountain or desert town. (My job keeps me near the big cities.). So the third mission parameter, is that I want a machine that is fun to fly. I can have great fun landing on small dirt back country strips in aircraft #2, but I live in Houston now, so the back country is a little far right now. The rv, I've heard is also fun to fly, some light aerobatics are great fun, plus, I think the rv might be just fine on some smaller grass strips, which while not really rough back country stuff, would really put a smile on my face, and with its performance, I could visit quite a few. Fourth parameter, and this is where the rv kills aircraft #2, is that we have a lot of family and friends about 1000 miles away. That's still a day trip with a fuel stop for the rv, it sounds more like an epic voyage for aircraft #2. My final considerations are more minor, as ultimately both the rv7 and aircraft #2 are capable of them. My wife insists that any airplane that we own or build must have side by side seating (sadly no decathlon. I took her up in it and she didn't like it, but she loved the Grumman Traveler that I used to own, which is like a bigger slower rv! I loved the fighter like handling, at least compared to the trusty old 172.) maybe that is why aircraft #2 pulls on my heart strings a little, because it is like a non aerobatic version of my decathlon, with side by side seats. The final consideration that I have, is that my wife tells me that she really wants me to teach her to fly (I am a cfi). I don't think she really wants too much solo time, but wants the accomplishment, and would feel safer when up with me if she could fly. So that is in the cards some day. My son as well may want to learn, but that is over ten years off (time to finish a kit!) This is where my friend thinks that aircraft #2 would make a much better trainer, and he is probably right, although an rv may make a better instrument trainer, if I equip it properly. I personally have taught people to fly in all kinds of aircraft, so I know that teaching in the rv may be possible. I also do have a Cessna 172 available in the family, but it is 1800 miles away, so worst case we go there for the first 10 hours of flight time...
Anyways I know this is ridiculously long winded and I appreciate the time anyone takes to read or comment. I will still have many months to ponder this. I am going to order the tool box kit from Vans within the next month or so, just to evaluate if I have the skill level required. I think that thing is a great idea. It's cheap and they say it requires almost all the skills needed to build. I have rebuilt my truck's motor, but don't know how well working on my truck will translate to building a plane. We will see. Thanks for the input.
I have been reading for about a month since I have considered trying to make a homebuilt, and I think that I will force myself to draw this process out for at least a year before making the final decision as to which aircraft kit is the right one. Over the past month, the rv7 has rapidly risen to #1 on my top five list (which also has other Vans aircraft on it!). A friend has really been pushing aircraft #2, which is a simpler tube and fabric airplane. How can I have two such disparate aircraft as #s 1&2? People will surely say that I need to "define the mission" better -- perhaps that is the case, but my mission is not very specific. I hope,for those patient enough to read this, to get some input.
I will start with a brief description if myself and "the mission," or at least the perceived mission at this point. I have been flying for decades (but I don't think I'm an old guy yet! I started very young.) I have flown all kinds of airplanes, but never built from a kit. My friend who is pushing aircraft 2 owned a glasair but never built one. Here is what I perceive as my mission. First, I want the experience of building. (Any kit plane should be able to fulfill that, right?) I have a brother and my best friend are IAs and told me that if they watch and document what I am doing that it may even be a good start toward getting the time for an A&P certificate. (cool bonus) Second, I want to build an economical machine. If I could build one that required no hangar, that might be a done deal, however, I think I will ultimately be stuck with that expense. I have read that many of the aircraft with folding wings or trailer able designs may not be convenient, or even safe over time of repeated disassembly. So, I have come to terms with eventually getting a hangar when the build is complete. I like the fact that the rv has a reasonable fuel burn for burning holes in the sky, but is downright efficient when one actually goes somewhere. Aircraft #2 burns less for the local work, but the rv crushes it cross country. This is where the mission comes in, because aircraft #2 really beats the rv for local work and hitting up the dirt strips. Well, where I currently live, and expect to live in the future, I probably won't be hitting the dirt, or living in my dream home in a little tiny mountain or desert town. (My job keeps me near the big cities.). So the third mission parameter, is that I want a machine that is fun to fly. I can have great fun landing on small dirt back country strips in aircraft #2, but I live in Houston now, so the back country is a little far right now. The rv, I've heard is also fun to fly, some light aerobatics are great fun, plus, I think the rv might be just fine on some smaller grass strips, which while not really rough back country stuff, would really put a smile on my face, and with its performance, I could visit quite a few. Fourth parameter, and this is where the rv kills aircraft #2, is that we have a lot of family and friends about 1000 miles away. That's still a day trip with a fuel stop for the rv, it sounds more like an epic voyage for aircraft #2. My final considerations are more minor, as ultimately both the rv7 and aircraft #2 are capable of them. My wife insists that any airplane that we own or build must have side by side seating (sadly no decathlon. I took her up in it and she didn't like it, but she loved the Grumman Traveler that I used to own, which is like a bigger slower rv! I loved the fighter like handling, at least compared to the trusty old 172.) maybe that is why aircraft #2 pulls on my heart strings a little, because it is like a non aerobatic version of my decathlon, with side by side seats. The final consideration that I have, is that my wife tells me that she really wants me to teach her to fly (I am a cfi). I don't think she really wants too much solo time, but wants the accomplishment, and would feel safer when up with me if she could fly. So that is in the cards some day. My son as well may want to learn, but that is over ten years off (time to finish a kit!) This is where my friend thinks that aircraft #2 would make a much better trainer, and he is probably right, although an rv may make a better instrument trainer, if I equip it properly. I personally have taught people to fly in all kinds of aircraft, so I know that teaching in the rv may be possible. I also do have a Cessna 172 available in the family, but it is 1800 miles away, so worst case we go there for the first 10 hours of flight time...
Anyways I know this is ridiculously long winded and I appreciate the time anyone takes to read or comment. I will still have many months to ponder this. I am going to order the tool box kit from Vans within the next month or so, just to evaluate if I have the skill level required. I think that thing is a great idea. It's cheap and they say it requires almost all the skills needed to build. I have rebuilt my truck's motor, but don't know how well working on my truck will translate to building a plane. We will see. Thanks for the input.
