Thank you all for your consideration, very much appreciated.
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Originally Posted by bkervaski
Welcome aboard! You should have started here  |
Yes indeed. When I started, the RV8 didn't exist, nor did the nifty match hole/CNC milling for kits. Much has changed for the better.
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Originally Posted by fliier
That does seem a little nuts.
Orphaned = Classic
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We are quite worried that with a complete lack of FRP parts, that the insurers will eventually reject hull coverage. Trying to get an answer, but if this occurs, then there won't be any recovery for a loss. That said, a lot of folks have a wonderful time flying antique airplanes and love scrounging to keep them flying.
And pilots are all nuts, which is what is so interesting about aviation.
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Originally Posted by mdmba
I now have about 100hr in my RV8...absolutely LOVE it..such a fun plane to fly. Im 6'3' 270lb and LOVE all the space upfront for myself!! No more bumping shoulder with anyone. Recommend doing some transition...the LAST to be sold would be the 8, if that has any indications of what i think of it!
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Will definitely get lots of tranny training. Do you fit in the back seat and do the baggage compartments allow you to manage CG effectively? I am 210 pounds and would like to accommodate a decent XC load with a 180 hp engine and CS prop.
We do get lots of strong crosswinds heah in Texas, but I am also tired of "driving" airplanes around. That is what is appealing about the taildragger, but the RV14 is a consideration as well. The 14 seems to be more of what I've been doing for the last 40 years, however.
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Originally Posted by DRMA
Have you considered the option of finishing the Glasair since it sounds like you are almost there, and if you find you aren't happy with the lack of factory support you can sell it and put the money towards an RV-8?... Just my silly opinion.
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Appreciate your opinion.
Yes, agonized for many years about finishing vs stripping the FWF for other projects. The Glasair saga has been going on for a long time. They went Chapter 11, switched ownership, made good progress, but began to develop the Sportsman, which has been a success and will likely be certified in the next couple of years. The Chinese owners want it as a trainer "over there". The demise of the Glasair wasn't a surprise.
If I finish it, then there likely won't be an RV project. The resale has already plummeted, and I probably won't have the time to do another build. I wouldn't wear out the Glasair in my remaining flying life, but if anything gets crunched, it could be a long time before it flys again. I don't think that I would be able to finance an RV kit with the proceeds of the Glasair.
Right now, I would lose the price of the Glasair kit, but keep the engine, prop, avionics, for the RV. If all of that is installed and flown, the resale plummets. Pretty sad to see some of the beautiful Glasairs flying out there worth so little, but the market went elsewhere, and it turned out to be a good decision to pursue a more utilitarian airplane.
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Originally Posted by rv7charlie
The -8 is a great choice.
You'll obviously need help, disposing of the now orphaned Glasair project. When's a good time for me to get it out of your garage?
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Thank you for your kind offer.
You never know, I may call you back on that!
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Originally Posted by mbauer
Best to find a RV-8 locally that you might bum a ride in, or spend the time and money to go to Oregon for a flight there.
Going to Vans might be the time to take a little extra cash along for a down payment. RV bug just might bite...
What happens if you don't like it?
Best regards,
Mike Bauer
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Thank you. Does Vans typically run "show specials"? If so, perhaps I will target Sun and Fun as a decision point. The RV's have a much lower wing loading than the Glasair, which is one thing that I'd like to sample. Love the cockpit, and first time I sat in one, I began to regret the Glasair drama that has been ongoing for a couple of decades.
BTW, I used to work the Glasair booth at airshows (friend ran the place), and have met Van a half dozen times. He is quite "different" in that context by the way, always interesting to hear his insight.
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Originally Posted by rv7boy
An old fighter pilot, eh? I'm thinking there are a few "old fighter pilots" in the DFW area that you should link up with, starting with maybe Danny King.
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I will see if I can find him. Right now, I just want to learn about the layout of the airplane, what I'd need to do to accommodate my existing engine. Will probably sneak over to the RV8 forum with some specific questions.
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Originally Posted by grayforge
It's a shame that Glasair isn't supporting builders that are part way through their builds. ...At least giver builders a period of time to order the remaining parts they need before shutting down production. Sheesh.
On the other hand, If I had a Glasair with the engine mounted already, I'd attempt to finish it.
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Yes, it's been an issue for a long time. FRP was awesome before CNC milling and matched holes, not anymore. Might be a surprise, but after their experience with the Glastar and Sportsman, Glasair was actually talking about a metal wing for the Glasair. It would be quicker to build and lighter! They never could get the capital from their owner to proceed. Might have saved the general design, had something like TWTT been available for a low wing speedster.
I do think that they are still selling existing parts inventory. Probably had a run on 'em.
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Originally Posted by jrs14855
I think it may be only a question of time before someone starts offering all the composite parts for the Glasair. While they have stood the test of time they would be so much better done all in carbon fiber.
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I hope so, and am still waiting a bit to see if anyone comes forward. Unfortunately, the current molds are unserviceable, and have been left in the elements to deteriorate. New molds would take a significant investment. So far, despite plenty of wealthy Glasair owners, not a peep about anyone being interested. I will watch closely for a few months, but am not optimistic. This has been coming for several years, and those with means (many in the racing community) will simply move on to better platforms.
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Originally Posted by tspear
If you have the engine mounted, what is left?
Systems work? How many parts do you really need?
Otherwise, look local for an RV-8 to get a ride in. Less likely to cause an impulse contract purchase.
Tim
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I have the canopies, panel, belly pan and paint left. Need to purchase the final avionics and paint.
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Originally Posted by Jaypratt
Finish the plane you started.
Then start your RV8 build. You will have room to keep both in your new hanger
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Have a new shop, not a new hangar. More or less resigned to this being a one shot deal, I'm sixty, approaching retirement. The options seem to be- finish Glasair, switch to an RV project, or go get a glider rating and just let someone else worry about all of this.
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Originally Posted by Robert Anglin
No, we went through this a long time ago, ...I went there for the first time, I got the run of the place and talked to everyone that I could find about their job and what they thought along with how they did it and felt about their work. ...Hope this helps, Yours, R.E.A. III #80888
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That is sort of what I am thinking too. My biggest concern is that the RV8 might be replaced by a slightly larger, easier to build model, or that Van's is about to collapse due to a Bernie Madoff style ponzi scheme that invested builder deposits to free incarcerated Nigerian princes. Not because there is a shred of evidence of any of that silliness, it is just my luck.
So all things considered, Van's is a good outfit and a well capitalized going concern? Any negatives that would give you pause?
Thanks again for your thoughts, gents.
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