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  #21  
Old 05-07-2013, 06:28 PM
E. D. Eliot E. D. Eliot is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: San Pedro
Posts: 1,013
Default Go for it!

Just my opinion but I say 'go for it'. Heck, some of my best friends don't fly RVs!!! Build and fly what you want - not a traitorous act in my mind - that's why there are more flavors of ice cream than vanilla. Enjoy.
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  #22  
Old 05-07-2013, 07:57 PM
roadrunner20's Avatar
roadrunner20 roadrunner20 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bay Pines, FL (based @ KCLW)
Posts: 1,955
Default

My friend has one the first flying Onex & He's based at my airport. His is powered by a Jabaru engine. Interesting design with the folding wings.
He's having lots of fun flying it.
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  #23  
Old 05-08-2013, 09:16 PM
CSJohnson's Avatar
CSJohnson CSJohnson is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 65
Default No Paul, You're Not a Traitor

I'm also considering a OneX build given the incredible economics. A solid performing and flyable airplane for what many spend on an engine for their RV.

135+ MPH cruise at 45 MPG using mogas and acro capable. Folding wings so can be transported on a trailer. Can be stored in a covered trailer or garage so no hanger expense. Operating expenses could hardly be any less.

I created a spreadsheet estimating the cost of building (shop equipment and tools included) a OneX and an RV-8 outfitted to my liking. OneX is $35,414, while the RV-8 is $95,676.

Build time is also significantly less with the OneX being 500-750 hours and the RV-8 being 2,000-2,500.

Low cost to build, time to build, and operating cost.

I would love to have a hanger with an RV-10 and an RV-8 (too big for a -3), but unfortunately that's just not realistic, at least not yet!

I'd be a first time builder, so the OneX might be a great stepping stone on my way to a future RV-8. And that's where I think Vans could really create a winner if they got into this part of the market. Imagine a Vans RV-X with similar cost and performance to the OneX but backed by Vans' engineering and reputation. It would allow first-time builders to join the Vans family with less cost and risk, and our investment in tools, time, and learning are directly applicable toward building one of the "bigger" of Vans' kits.

I'd rather fly higher, farther, faster, and with passengers, but ultimately I'd just rather be flying often!

My thought is to build a OneX as a step toward building an -8. Maybe when ready I could sell the OneX and use the proceeds to buy an ECi EXP IOX-370 Kit Engine!

Chris
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RV-8, Empennage
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Last edited by CSJohnson : 05-08-2013 at 09:35 PM.
  #24  
Old 05-09-2013, 04:42 AM
SvingenB SvingenB is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Norway, Stj?rdal
Posts: 598
Default

The OneX is tempting considering the price. But, the low price is mostly due to the engine. If you want a real aero engine (Rotax/ULPower/Jabiru), the price suddenly jumps into the RV 3/4 range. Then, considering a real aero engine and the simplicity and practicality of the design/build, I must say the Panther looks more tempting.

The OneX is a really nice plane, but it only makes perfect sense if you are happy to fly behind that AeroVee.
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  #25  
Old 05-09-2013, 07:35 AM
mark5810 mark5810 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Weirsdale Fl 97fl (winter) Cherokee, NC (summer)
Posts: 42
Default

If you figure in the options on the onex, a rv-12 is about 3000.00 more. Put in the v/w and the same panel, your looking at about 35,000-40,000. for the rv-12.
  #26  
Old 05-09-2013, 08:42 AM
SvingenB SvingenB is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Norway, Stj?rdal
Posts: 598
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mark5810 View Post
If you figure in the options on the onex, a rv-12 is about 3000.00 more. Put in the v/w and the same panel, your looking at about 35,000-40,000. for the rv-12.
Yes, but the RV-3 is about 7-8,000 cheaper than the RV-12. The RV-4 about 1-2,000 more expensive than a RV-3. An RV-3 wouldn't be much fun with an 80 HP AeroVee, but then again how much fun is an AeroVee altogether, even in a OneX?

Maybe the AeroVee is OK, but there is no way of knowing. Other VW conversions seem to run for years and years with no major problem, but I have not seen any info on the AeroVee.
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  #27  
Old 05-09-2013, 09:26 AM
badmrb badmrb is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Pomona, ks
Posts: 77
Default Big maintenance price difference

There are lots of sonex's flying with lots of hours on the Aerovee. Nothing real unique about it. There are others like great plains and Revmaster. Same basic idea.

I know there is no comparison between my o-360 but with 10:1 pistons, electronic ignition, catto prop etc. its still very experimental.

Its mostly about what your comfortable flying behind. I flew several hundred hours behind a 1800 subaru engine on a zodiac 601hd.

I fly a legal eagle ultralight that has a 4 stroke generac engine spinning the fan. I love the sound of that thing.

As a price comparison, I just sold a teenie2 I had been flying the last couple years that had a revmaster 2100. I bought with some 30yrs on the engine and a question of whether it had the older cast or newer forged crank. The decision to rebuild was pretty easy when I broke it down by price.

New crank installed by Revmaster was less than a $1000.
Decided to replace all four pistons and jugs for under $400.
Valves and head work for around $150.

Fresh engine for under $2000. I wanted a project to tinker with and for under $10K including complete engine rebuild I had a flying airplane. There are cheap ways to enjoy flying.
  #28  
Old 05-09-2013, 10:21 AM
CSJohnson's Avatar
CSJohnson CSJohnson is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 65
Default Great Comments - Interesting Discussion

It really depends on one's preferred mission and ability to afford said mission. It's always a matter of balancing compromises. Per some of the previous posts, comparing the OneX:

RV-3: Can't fold/remove wings to trailer or store in off-airport home garage. Longer build time given un-drilled holes. Doable, but probably challenging for a newbie. Great airplane!

RV-12: Need two people to remove wings. Isn't aerobatic. Great airplane!

Panther: Not yet available as the prototype is still in Phase I testing. Great potential though and I'll be keeping my eye on it!

The OneX certainly isn't my dream plane, but is there anything else on the market that is aerobatic and can be built as quickly and relatively inexpensively, operated as inexpensively and from a company that has a good track record?

Something tells me that if Paul, myself, or most who frequent this forum do build a OneX, we'll ultimately join the repeat offender club and build an RV. But I have to admit, that right now, I just wanna fly!

Chris
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Tampa, FL
RV-8, Empennage
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  #29  
Old 05-09-2013, 10:39 AM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
Default Then Why Build?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CSJohnson View Post
....But I have to admit, that right now, I just wanna fly!
Chris
If you just wanna fly, don't build an airplane. Buy one that's flyable, airworthy, and won't need more than routine maintenance for a while. Get a good check out and have fun flying it.

THEN decide if you also want to build an airplane.

Flying an airplane is so different than building one. Both fun, but entirely different activities.

Dave
  #30  
Old 05-09-2013, 01:12 PM
newamiga newamiga is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Barneveld, NY
Posts: 189
Default

One key feature of both the Onex and the Panther beside he acro ability is that they can be built sport pilot compliant. The RV-3 and -4 are really nice but bot SP compliant. For many this is an important consideration.

Carl
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