I'm Gonna Build an Airplane

[Rhino]

I started my private pilot's license many many years ago, but never finished due to financial constraints. After many years in military aviation as a flightcrew member, I always had planned to get back to piloting someday. I never did because of the cost of both the licensing process and the aircraft themselves. Well, I've finally decided that I'll never get to fly at this rate, so I'm doing something about it.

The FAA is instituting a new Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft program that allows people to fly certain smaller and less powerful planes without a pilot's license, but with just a Sport Pilot certification. It's supposed to revitalize a general aviation world that was fast disappearing because most folks simply could not afford to fly. I plan to get that certification. I may still go on to a private pilot's license later anyway, so I can fly larger planes, but the Sport Pilot certification is just the 'foot in the door' that I need now. The program should be fully approved sometime this summer.

As for the aircraft problem, I've never really been too keen on renting someone else's worn out old plane, so I've been researching getting my own. Trouble is, almost none are within my financial reach right now, so I've recently taken to looking at kit built aircraft. I was really surprised at the high quality offerings out there. I think I've settled on the Zenith Zodiac XL (http://www.zenithair.com/zodiac/xl/index.html), though that's not certain yet. I can build the whole thing with engine and good instruments for about $35 to $40 thousand. That's less than or equal to the price of my new truck. This kit also can be bought as smaller individual 'sub' kits, so I can 'pay as I go' without having to fork over the entire amount up front.

So, no more excuses, putting off my dreams until they can no longer be achieved. I'm tired of sitting by and watching the opportunities drift away. I'm gonna do something about it. I should start construction toward the end of this year. I can't wait. This is gonna be fun!

[BuckeyeMike]

Good Luck Rhino.....I've always wanted to get my license, but finances always got in the way. I've taken to Powered Parachutes that require no license at all, and it's just the type of flying I enjoy most. Low and Slow. Again...Good Luck!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/claps.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/pilot.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif

[Keith J]

Great design. Anything but a Van's RV. Sorry, too many bad records on those.

I personally like Heintz's STOL designs but that is only because they land nearly anywhere.

[DoctorDoom]

If'n God meant man t' fly, He'd'a given us wings! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

Good luck, bro. I abandoned the idea years ago when the $$$$$$ flashed by. It's not worth the bucks for the little time I'd have spent on it.

[Beowulf]

Need any advice let me know. I'm a licensed aircraft tech and I have all the applicable FAR's for maintenance and airworthiness.

[Rhino]

Thanks Beo. It's considered "experimental" because it's a homebuilt, so it's a different FAR from GA and commercial. I can't remember the number though. I'm planning to build it under the new LSA rules, so that will throw in some additional new angles too. I was an avionics tech for more years than I care to mention and ran an entire aircraft maintenence facility before retiring from the Air Force, but I never turn down help when offered! LOL! I've done aircraft maintenence though, and am very good with my hands. My wife and kids tell everybody that I can build or fix anything. Anyway, I don't plan to start construction til the end of this year, so don't expect a lot of questions soon. Besides, I may still decide to forego the Sport Pilot option and get my private ticket anyway. If that ends up being the case, the aircraft model could easily change. Probably something like this (http://www.mustangaero.com/Mustang%20II/MustangII.html).

[The_RANDy_Corporation]

Sweet Rhino! Good luck. Have fun. Buy insurance!!

[Rhino]

Thanks. Believe it or not, my homeowners insurance will cover it while I'm building. I doubt they'd cover the full cost in case of a loss though. As far as flying it is concerned, I don't plan to leave the ground without at least liability insurance. I probably won't be able to get anything more than that until I pass a check ride and put some hours in the pilot logbook for that particular plane. That's pretty much standard in general aviation.

[DesertFox]

So what ever became of the plan? :question:

[Beowulf]

Experimental yes but still it will have to be in compliance with FAA law. If you fly into public airports, it will have to have current avionics certifications.
We had a man build the exact same plane in his garage and he brings it to us for those certs.
So, how is it going anyway?

[Rhino]

It was placed on hold for health issues. The workshop is going up now.

The avionics in an Experimental don't need to be certified (or TSO'd) unless you're using them for IFR.

Since health issues may yet limit me to a Sport Pilot license, I may have to go with the Jabiru J250 (http://www.usjabiru.com/J250%20Hauler.htm). If my health improves, I'll probably go with the Bearhawk (http://www.bearhawkaircraft.com/index.html).

[BEST45CAL]

I think the sport/recreational pilot certification is a great idea.

The latest GLEIM has the test questions in it for your certification. It should be a breeze to pass if you've been studying for the private pilot exam.

Good luck to you, Rhino!

[Wyatt_Junker]

What about just tying on a bunch of helium ballons to an aluminum lawn chair?

Carry a bb gun when you decide its time to mitigate some altitude.

[Rhino]

That's been done. The FAA was not pleased.

[Lazarus]

We'll expect you to give us a full report on that experimental concept, Wyatt...:thumb:

Rhino, what kind of range does a craft like this have?

I was bitten by the flying bug way back a long time ago when I was young and purdy... And single, I might add... I had to make a day trip from Birmingham to Paduka to check out some railcars some coal baron wanted to lease to my employer... They sent down their own twin engine craft to shuttle me up to Kentucky and back... On the ride back the co-pilot invited me to sit in his seat... So I rode back in the night with the headset on talkin to the pilot and listening to the control towers... That was the closest thing to absolute freedom i have ever enjoyed...

I looked into the private pilot program but the expense of obtaining the license and renting aircraft scared me off...

Keep us updated Rhino...

[Rhino]

The J250 has an 800 nautical mile range. The Bearhawk can go 800 nm on the standard tanks, and 1,000 nm with the aux tanks. Actual mileage may vary. Generally, you can count on realistically getting 80% of what the manufacturer states. None of that really matters though, since most aircraft have a range far beyond the range of my bladder, or anyone else's for that matter.

One of the best things about an experimental is that you can do your own maintenance. That's a huge savings. Realistically, I could afford to buy a plane, but the maintenance would kill me. This way I get to build it over time, spreading out the expenditures, and still be able to afford maintenance.

[Rhino]

Good Luck Rhino.....I've always wanted to get my license, but finances always got in the way.Looks like I may have the same problem if President Bush gets his way. He wants to increase the aviation fuel tax fourfold and assign all kinds of new user fees that would put flying out of my reach again. In fact, it will do that for many thousands of pilots. If that stuff passes, general aviation will all but cease to exist.

[Faithful_Servant]

I started my private pilot's license many many years ago, but never finished due to financial constraints. After many years in military aviation as a flightcrew member, I always had planned to get back to piloting someday. I never did because of the cost of both the licensing process and the aircraft themselves. Well, I've finally decided that I'll never get to fly at this rate, so I'm doing something about it.

The FAA is instituting a new Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft program that allows people to fly certain smaller and less powerful planes without a pilot's license, but with just a Sport Pilot certification. It's supposed to revitalize a general aviation world that was fast disappearing because most folks simply could not afford to fly. I plan to get that certification. I may still go on to a private pilot's license later anyway, so I can fly larger planes, but the Sport Pilot certification is just the 'foot in the door' that I need now. The program should be fully approved sometime this summer.

As for the aircraft problem, I've never really been too keen on renting someone else's worn out old plane, so I've been researching getting my own. Trouble is, almost none are within my financial reach right now, so I've recently taken to looking at kit built aircraft. I was really surprised at the high quality offerings out there. I think I've settled on the Zenith Zodiac XL (http://www.zenithair.com/zodiac/xl/index.html), though that's not certain yet. I can build the whole thing with engine and good instruments for about $35 to $40 thousand. That's less than or equal to the price of my new truck. This kit also can be bought as smaller individual 'sub' kits, so I can 'pay as I go' without having to fork over the entire amount up front.

So, no more excuses, putting off my dreams until they can no longer be achieved. I'm tired of sitting by and watching the opportunities drift away. I'm gonna do something about it. I should start construction toward the end of this year. I can't wait. This is gonna be fun!
Before you settle on a lesser plane, perhaps you should check out these birds:
http://www.lancair.com/Main/propjet.html
<IMG src="http://www.lancair.com/Main/propJet_gallery_images/Eloy.jpg" height=454 width=605 border=0>
http://www.lancair.com/Main/iv_ivp.html
http://www.lancair.com/Main/es.html
http://www.lancair.com/Main/es_p.html
http://www.lancair.com/Main/legacy.html
http://www.lancair.com/Main/legacy_fg.html

The last two are almost affordable, but all of them rock. We get to watch test flights of these birds pretty regularly and the PropJet looks like a rocket taking off and at a mere $143,500, it's a steal.

[Rhino]

I'd love to, but I can't afford a Lancair. $143,500 is just for the airframe kit. That doesn't include engine, prop, avionics, instruments, paint or interior. The finished price for a propjet is around $375,000 to $550,000, which is far beyond my budget. If I had that much money, I wouldn't be so concerned about fuel taxes or user fees. The finished prices for the others are:

Lancair IV - $275,000 to $375,000
Lancair IV-P - $300,000 to $425,000
Legacy (retractable) - $150,000 to $260,000
Legacy (fixed gear) - $125,000 to $175,000

I don't have the finished price for the ES, but it would be somewhere between the Legacy and the IV. All are out of my price range. Besides, if I'm limited to Sport Pilot, I couldn't fly any of those airplanes anyway. The finished price of my airplane will be around $60,000.

I'm no longer planning on building the Zodiac by the way. The current plan is for a Jabiru J250 (http://www.usjabiru.com/J250%20Introduction.htm) if I'm still limited to Sport Pilot, or for a Bearhawk (http://www.bearhawkaircraft.com/index.html) if my medical problems are resolved to the point where I can get a regular private pilot license. The cost of either one would be about the same, but the Bearhawk is a four seater instead of two, carries a much bigger load and is faster.

[CountryGent]

How many .50 cals are ya gonna have on that plane? I can send ya the addy's of more than a few Libtards who deserve to have their roofs shot up.......:thumb::thumb:

[Rhino]

LOL! The recoil from a .50 cal would probably tear the airplane apart.

[dPrasse]

Looks like I may have the same problem if President Bush gets his way. He wants to increase the aviation fuel tax fourfold and assign all kinds of new user fees that would put flying out of my reach again. In fact, it will do that for many thousands of pilots. If that stuff passes, general aviation will all but cease to exist.

A president for the little people ... only Albore and Arnold the Worminator will afford to fly ...

[BuckeyeMike]

LOL! The recoil from a .50 cal would probably tear the airplane apart.

Here's a cheap way for ya to go Rhino...(hope this works!)


http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=61b3901ac51b5c12457145eea53b71bc.1504232&cache=1

[Faithful_Servant]

I'd love to, but I can't afford a Lancair. $143,500 is just for the airframe kit. That doesn't include engine, prop, avionics, instruments, paint or interior. The finished price for a propjet is around $375,000 to $550,000, which is far beyond my budget. If I had that much money, I wouldn't be so concerned about fuel taxes or user fees. The finished prices for the others are:

Lancair IV - $275,000 to $375,000
Lancair IV-P - $300,000 to $425,000
Legacy (retractable) - $150,000 to $260,000
Legacy (fixed gear) - $125,000 to $175,000

I don't have the finished price for the ES, but it would be somewhere between the Legacy and the IV. All are out of my price range. Besides, if I'm limited to Sport Pilot, I couldn't fly any of those airplanes anyway. The finished price of my airplane will be around $60,000.

I'm no longer planning on building the Zodiac by the way. The current plan is for a Jabiru J250 (http://www.usjabiru.com/J250%20Introduction.htm) if I'm still limited to Sport Pilot, or for a Bearhawk (http://www.bearhawkaircraft.com/index.html) if my medical problems are resolved to the point where I can get a regular private pilot license. The cost of either one would be about the same, but the Bearhawk is a four seater instead of two, carries a much bigger load and is faster.

Rhino, ya just gotta cut out some of those non-essentials from your budget. You know the ones I'm talking about -food, shelter, transportation.... :D

[Rhino]

Here's a cheap way for ya to go Rhino...(hope this works!)


http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=61b3901ac51b5c12457145eea53b71bc.1504232&cache=1LOL! I ain't that crazy!

[Rhino]

Rhino, ya just gotta cut out some of those non-essentials from your budget. You know the ones I'm talking about -food, shelter, transportation.... :D....wife.....

[Faithful_Servant]

Originally Posted by Faithful_Servant http://www.freeconservatives.com/images/patriot/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/showthread.php?p=527796#post527796)
Rhino, ya just gotta cut out some of those non-essentials from your budget. You know the ones I'm talking about -food, shelter, transportation.... :D

....wife.....

See, now you're getting the idea. It's all about the proper priorities.

[Rhino]

Were my budget a bit higher, I'd probably go for this (http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv-10int.htm).

[BuckeyeMike]

LOL! I ain't that crazy!



coulda fooled me!

[Rhino]

:rotflmbo: :rotflmbo:

Okay. I may be crazy, but I ain't stupid. Does that sound better?

[BuckeyeMike]

Yeah!

[Timberwolf]

Ditto!

[Towerpainter]

My Dad is building a Storch in the garage... Mom's about to lose her parking space!!!!