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View Poll Results: How old were you when you acquired your first RV12 kit or plane
under 30 5 3.14%
30-39 7 4.40%
40-49 26 16.35%
50-59 45 28.30%
60-69 50 31.45%
70-79 22 13.84%
80 and older 4 2.52%
Voters: 159. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 12-19-2011, 09:02 AM
diamond diamond is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 710
Default RV-12 demographics

I'm curious what the demographics are of the average RV-12 builder. I once thought that most were retired folks with LSA in mind, but more recently it seems the younger crowd is becoming more active. So the question is this. How old were you when you acquired your first RV-12 kit or flying RV-12?
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  #2  
Old 12-19-2011, 09:40 AM
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JoeM JoeM is offline
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Perryville, MD
Posts: 93
Default

I am not a builder yet but plan on building a -12 when I finish my Sport Pilot training. I am 55 and three choices seem to fit my mission and budget, the RV-12, Zenith CH 650 and Sonex. I do not want a build that will take many years and like the -12 as it can be flying in a year or so if you can dedicate the time to build. The support on this site is also a major deciding factor. I will be attending Sebring and Sun-n-Fun in the spring to ?try them on? before making the final decision. I also plan to build E-AB as I like the Jabaru or UL Power, maybe even Viking after I see more in use. Once I am finished building and if the Drivers Liscence Medical proposal goes thru I may start a RV-7.
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MSgt USAF Ret Avionics Tech
Perryville, MD
Student Sport Pilot
Future RV-12 Builder?
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  #3  
Old 12-19-2011, 10:30 AM
rschy rschy is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Apple Valley, ut
Posts: 35
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by diamond View Post
I'm curious what the demographics are of the average RV-12 builder. I once thought that most were retired folks with LSA in mind, but more recently it seems the younger crowd is becoming more active. So the question is this. How old were you when you acquired your first RV-12 kit or flying RV-12?
Yeah.... just a bunch of old farts with a little cash.
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  #4  
Old 12-19-2011, 11:01 AM
diamond diamond is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 710
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rschy View Post
Yeah.... just a bunch of old farts with a little cash.
Nothin wrong with that.
Early poll results showing fairly even distribution between age groups (ed. not so later in poll)

Last edited by diamond : 12-19-2011 at 05:06 PM.
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  #5  
Old 12-19-2011, 11:01 AM
BigJohn BigJohn is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Gloversville, NY
Posts: 1,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeM View Post
......if the Drivers Liscence Medical proposal goes thru I may start a RV-7.
Don't hold your breath on that one.........
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John Peck, CFII, A&P, EAA Tech Counselor, Flight Advisor.
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RV-12 N37JP 120176 Flying since 2012.
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VAF paid through 10/2019.
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  #6  
Old 12-19-2011, 11:04 AM
BigJohn BigJohn is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Gloversville, NY
Posts: 1,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by diamond View Post
......early poll results showing fairly even distribution between age groups
?? Is that the "new math"? Right now the poll is showing 8% under 40, 92% over. I don't see many young folks there....
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John Peck, CFII, A&P, EAA Tech Counselor, Flight Advisor.
?Master Pilot? Award, UFO Member.
RV-12 N37JP 120176 Flying since 2012.
One Week Wonder Build Team, OSH 2018.
VAF paid through 10/2019.
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  #7  
Old 12-19-2011, 11:31 AM
JBPILOT JBPILOT is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Jesup, Iowa
Posts: 1,657
Default Hey Big John - -

Some of us 'kids' have just not grown up yet ! ! ! !
( no plans to either ! )

John Bender
348 hours
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  #8  
Old 12-19-2011, 11:41 AM
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videobobk videobobk is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Near Scipio, in Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,779
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I have seven builders who aren't old enough to get their driver's license--do they count??

Bob
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  #9  
Old 12-19-2011, 12:07 PM
CVal CVal is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Southern MD
Posts: 4
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I will speak up for the younger crowd. I am 26 and actively looking at the rv-12 for the following reasons. I have been a fly on the wall for well over a year and I am getting closer and closer to finally making a decision!

1) I do not have my SP or PPL, my father had a plane when I was younger and would love to get into flying but renting a plane does not appeal to me. The local rental aircraft have been abused and it shows.
2) I want to build my own aircraft, I know I can buy a 30 year old 150/152 for a lot cheaper than a RV-12, however I would rather have a brand new / build by me airplane.
3) I have found that insurance companies will not even consider a pilot with no to little time for a lot of experiemental aircraft. The rv-12 requires about 60 hours of time to get insured. A taildrager RV is around 150 hours that is approx 100 hours of paying well over $100 an hour for a 30+ year old outdated aircraft.
4) I believe that you should not exceed your limitations. The RV-12 is relatively limited even if you hold a private pilot endorsement. It is like getting your motorcycle endorsment. You should learn on a Honda 250 or Kawasaki 500 standard bike before jumping on a Kawasaki GSXR 1000.
5) All my flying would be local and to see family across the Chesepeake. It takes me 2-3 hours to drive (Thanks to limited bridges and no ferries), it would take me 45 minutes to fly.
6) MoGas - need I say more
7) I want to get my A&P, I know I dont need it to work on my own airplane, but it is a life goal of mine. If you take the 3 week class to get you light sport repairman certificate, your E-LSA build counts toward your 30 months of working under your own surpervision.
8) I can build it in under 1000 hours and enjoy flying it while I build my RV-10. Wife eventually wants kids so I need a larger airframe to transport them over the bay to see the grandparents.

I know it isnt for everyone and my reasons are for me and they may not apply to many people, but thought I would share. Feel free to let me know if I am crazy on some of these points!

Hopefully I will come to a final choice on aircraft soon
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  #10  
Old 12-19-2011, 12:48 PM
E. D. Eliot E. D. Eliot is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: San Pedro
Posts: 1,013
Default I'll speak for myself - thanks

My driver's license says that I'm over 70 but unless you want to have a foot race with me, I'm not old - too many fires during my 42 year career as a firefighter. In fact, I do not allow anyone around me to use the word 'OLD'. I am not the same as I was at say, 30, but I certainly am not 'old'. I define 'old' as when you use that word as part of an excuse for not being able to do something. The day that I attain the status of 'old' is the day that I will give up on the idea of flying, my car, my tools, sxx, etc. Functionally dead, I think. And yes, I don't trust anyone over 130!

The RV-12 suits me because I don't need an airplane that consumes 8-15 gallons of 100 octane fuel per hour.
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