Howdy y?all. Hoping to get some sound feedback and advice from the good folks here on VAF about this crazy idea I have about building an airplane. Like many that have come before me, I am embarking on this journey having many personal reservations about my ability to even complete such a project, and am further consumed by anxiety and fear that even if I should finish it, that my final product might tarnish the reputation of the manufacturer, and disgrace all the artists who have painstakingly crafted so many of what I consider to be the most beautiful aircraft ever built.
In speaking with other experts in the field (none of whom have actually built an aircraft on their own) the common advice I receive is that I should just buy a plane that is already built, as it will save me time, money, and possibly my marriage. Though likely to be good advice, it is the process and the challenge of building the plane, and the expectation that I will be so intimately familiar with every thread of its fiber that when it is completed it will be part of me, that really has me so excited to take on such an endeavor.
But my primary motivation for building the plane is to share it with others...
Okay, that?s all a bunch of ****. I really want a plane so I can fly up to Arkansas and Colorado to go fishing. There?s no trout in Texas. I need one that?s fast, sips fuel, and can land off pavement, preferably as close to a fish as possible. And I have to look good doing it. It can?t be big enough to take everyone that wants to go, but big enough to take a kid, or a wife, or a dog, or someone who will buy ALL the beer when we get there. But most importantly, it?s got to have room for a Yeti cooler that I can fill with fish!
After months of careful consideration, and houndreds of hours spent here researching, I have finally decided to build the RV-9. I have exactly 1.9 hours of tailwheel time about 17 years ago, so it seems the only logical choice. After all, why not build a plane that I don?t know how to fly when I don?t know how to build a plane in the first place? Makes sense to me!
My questions are very simple and probably will have no answers of opposing opinions:
1. Should I get my head examined befor ordering the kit?
2. I?m planning on ordering the IO-320 with a Catto 3-blade prop. 2nd choice would be the Sensenich GA prop. I really would prefer to keep it simple and light. Am I limiting myself significantly for flying into high density altitude airports/grass strips by avoiding a CS prop? Of the two I listed, would one have any significant benefit to the other? I cannot afford to leave any fish behind!
3. I don?t really intend on landing anywhere too rough, but love flying on grass strips. I was originally going to build a 9A, but have been horrified by all the stories I?ve been hearing and reading about with respect to coming to rest inverted. Has this problem been rectified? Any viable engineering solutions? I?ve finally come to terms with learning to fly a taildragger however, but any input would be appreciated as I would still consider the 9A.
4. Eventually, I want to teach my kids how to fly my plane. Anyone else have any experience teaching kids in the 9? I can barely get these kids interested in driving a car, so I certainly don?t want to overwhelm them in a taildragger when maybe they could get the spark in a 152.
5. Are there any RV groups in the DFW area? Would be nice to meet some nice folks who have similar interests. I could also use the technical and motivational support and my wife would probably like recommendations for a local mental heath provider!
Let the good times roll.
In speaking with other experts in the field (none of whom have actually built an aircraft on their own) the common advice I receive is that I should just buy a plane that is already built, as it will save me time, money, and possibly my marriage. Though likely to be good advice, it is the process and the challenge of building the plane, and the expectation that I will be so intimately familiar with every thread of its fiber that when it is completed it will be part of me, that really has me so excited to take on such an endeavor.
But my primary motivation for building the plane is to share it with others...
Okay, that?s all a bunch of ****. I really want a plane so I can fly up to Arkansas and Colorado to go fishing. There?s no trout in Texas. I need one that?s fast, sips fuel, and can land off pavement, preferably as close to a fish as possible. And I have to look good doing it. It can?t be big enough to take everyone that wants to go, but big enough to take a kid, or a wife, or a dog, or someone who will buy ALL the beer when we get there. But most importantly, it?s got to have room for a Yeti cooler that I can fill with fish!
After months of careful consideration, and houndreds of hours spent here researching, I have finally decided to build the RV-9. I have exactly 1.9 hours of tailwheel time about 17 years ago, so it seems the only logical choice. After all, why not build a plane that I don?t know how to fly when I don?t know how to build a plane in the first place? Makes sense to me!
My questions are very simple and probably will have no answers of opposing opinions:
1. Should I get my head examined befor ordering the kit?
2. I?m planning on ordering the IO-320 with a Catto 3-blade prop. 2nd choice would be the Sensenich GA prop. I really would prefer to keep it simple and light. Am I limiting myself significantly for flying into high density altitude airports/grass strips by avoiding a CS prop? Of the two I listed, would one have any significant benefit to the other? I cannot afford to leave any fish behind!
3. I don?t really intend on landing anywhere too rough, but love flying on grass strips. I was originally going to build a 9A, but have been horrified by all the stories I?ve been hearing and reading about with respect to coming to rest inverted. Has this problem been rectified? Any viable engineering solutions? I?ve finally come to terms with learning to fly a taildragger however, but any input would be appreciated as I would still consider the 9A.
4. Eventually, I want to teach my kids how to fly my plane. Anyone else have any experience teaching kids in the 9? I can barely get these kids interested in driving a car, so I certainly don?t want to overwhelm them in a taildragger when maybe they could get the spark in a 152.
5. Are there any RV groups in the DFW area? Would be nice to meet some nice folks who have similar interests. I could also use the technical and motivational support and my wife would probably like recommendations for a local mental heath provider!
Let the good times roll.