FlyBoy8
Active Member
First off, I?m itching to start building my plane. I?ve been thinking about building an RV for at least the last 10 years, and have been on this site ?researching? for the last year or so.
First a little history. My dad has owned a few different power planes and I flew with him quite a bit when I was in my teens to early 20?s (I?m 50 now). He also owned a glider/sailplane for a few years and we both got our private rating back in the early 80?s. I have a little over 100 hours in gliders. Also, I started taking power lessons and got up to about 10 hours (solo?d), but had to quit due to unexpected financial issues.
Fast forward almost 30 years. Now I?m married with 3 kids ranging from 13 to 17. My wife is onboard with me building a plane, but she says she wants to get her license too, just in case we are flying and I have a heart attack or something. I think it?s great that she wants to get her license.
Now for my plan. I love the -8, and it?s the one I really want to build. I?ve been to Oshkosh twice and Dan King let me sit in his 8, and was very nice to answer all my questions. He said I should build what I want! Also, I?m 6?5?, so I thought the 8 would be the best fit?
I?m sure I would be happy with a 7 too, and if my wife, and possibly kids, are going to get interested in aviation, it would be better if they were ?up front? to see how things work.
I would start flight training (most likely at Chino CA) at some point in the build with the hope of being able to do my own test flights etc. I just don?t know how feasible that is for a low time pilot. Insurance is also an issue I?ve been researching. Could I even get insurance for an -8, with only my flight training, tail wheel, and transition training under my belt?
Also, the money I have to devote to all this will necessitate a 4+ year build, since I have to factor in the cost of flight training etc.
So, I thought that maybe I should build a -12 first, and get some time in that, assuming it would be easier to get insurance for, and then build the -8 later. But, the -12 isn?t really what I want, and I could probably build a budget -7, or -8 for close to the $65k a -12 would cost.
So, I keep going around and around, 8, 7, 12, 8?
I?m very interested in your comments and suggestions.
Mike
First a little history. My dad has owned a few different power planes and I flew with him quite a bit when I was in my teens to early 20?s (I?m 50 now). He also owned a glider/sailplane for a few years and we both got our private rating back in the early 80?s. I have a little over 100 hours in gliders. Also, I started taking power lessons and got up to about 10 hours (solo?d), but had to quit due to unexpected financial issues.
Fast forward almost 30 years. Now I?m married with 3 kids ranging from 13 to 17. My wife is onboard with me building a plane, but she says she wants to get her license too, just in case we are flying and I have a heart attack or something. I think it?s great that she wants to get her license.
Now for my plan. I love the -8, and it?s the one I really want to build. I?ve been to Oshkosh twice and Dan King let me sit in his 8, and was very nice to answer all my questions. He said I should build what I want! Also, I?m 6?5?, so I thought the 8 would be the best fit?
I?m sure I would be happy with a 7 too, and if my wife, and possibly kids, are going to get interested in aviation, it would be better if they were ?up front? to see how things work.
I would start flight training (most likely at Chino CA) at some point in the build with the hope of being able to do my own test flights etc. I just don?t know how feasible that is for a low time pilot. Insurance is also an issue I?ve been researching. Could I even get insurance for an -8, with only my flight training, tail wheel, and transition training under my belt?
Also, the money I have to devote to all this will necessitate a 4+ year build, since I have to factor in the cost of flight training etc.
So, I thought that maybe I should build a -12 first, and get some time in that, assuming it would be easier to get insurance for, and then build the -8 later. But, the -12 isn?t really what I want, and I could probably build a budget -7, or -8 for close to the $65k a -12 would cost.
So, I keep going around and around, 8, 7, 12, 8?
I?m very interested in your comments and suggestions.
Mike