Another new guy
I've already got myself mixed up in some auto engine discussions, so I guess I'd better give the introduction as well. Fox, I hope it's okay for me to hijack your thread to introduce myself?
Living in Europe, 39 years of age, father of a 6 year old son who first flew when he was about eight weeks old. Started building a Jodel (all-wood 1958 French design which in its days was in Europe what the RV is nowadays in the US - fast and popular) when I was 27 years old. First flight was 7 years later, powered by a Subaru that I had converted myself. No entirely happy with the engine, I put in a "ready to fly - just add gas" NSI and learned the hard way about the gap between vendor claims and the real world. Just managed to get most my engine delivered before NSI closed shop and MPS took over. Then the engineering effort to make it an aircraft engine could begin...
Got the NSI flying and started to look for a new challenge. Preferably one where I could take revenge on myself for all the things that in 20-20 hindsight I could have done better.
Found just that in a Robin (the 3rd generation of my own plane, basically) that I fitted with an Eggenfellner 3.0 H6, glass cockpit, etc etc for and together with friend Heinz (who is also on this list).
Then decided to try to make it a modest business. Found a customer to do a Jodel wing for. Finished that one a couple of weeks ago, and it looks like an RV7A is heading this way pretty soon.
In the mean time, I'm trying to remember why I became an engineer in the first place by designing an aircraft which I plan to build when time permits. I've got the basics pretty much worked out and will attempt to put the whole lot in Solidworks next. Should be fun.
Oh, and I'm working on Subaru engine number three for my Jodel. Not because the old one was bad, but because I think the new one will be better. Grinding aluminium for the air intakes now.
Anyway, sorry for being long-winded. Just like Fox, I'm really looking forward to learning the required metal skills and think that in this group here, I've struck gold.
Hans