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  #11  
Old 08-08-2015, 07:57 AM
DanBaier's Avatar
DanBaier DanBaier is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 669
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Quote:
You might also consider ... an already-flying E-LSA.... more latitude in ... owner performed maintenance....
+1

Given a choice between SLSA and ELSA, I really think the latter is the way to go.

Dan
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  #12  
Old 08-08-2015, 08:33 AM
Ex Bonanza Bucko Ex Bonanza Bucko is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 291
Smile

I own SLSA number 35 which I bought from Van's in July 2014. I now have 107 hours on it and I'm very happy with it. I flew a Bonanza for 30 years and we have owned 7 other airplanes in the last 50 years. The RV12 is one of the most fun to fly. It ain't a Bonanza but I don't need that kind of flying anymore....no medical and "been there, done that" too.

The SLSA is a superb airplane and if you don't have 2-3 years to build one I think it's the way to go. With our son I have restored two antiques from the floor up which took 13 years in one case!! ....So I think I know about the building process; I enjoyed it because I had something else to fly while we were building. But "been there, done that" applies to that too.

The only problems I have had with my SLSA were small or not Van's fault: 1.)The stupid throttle spring problem; 2.)The lousy response of Rotax to the carb float SB and 3.)The failure of the voltage regulator. So far the SBs on Van's airframe are not a problem.

So fly http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...cons/icon7.gif

EBB
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  #13  
Old 08-08-2015, 08:38 AM
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Mel Mel is online now
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,769
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dgamble View Post
You might also consider, as long as you're doing research, looking into buying an already-flying E-LSA. That would give you more latitude in ongoing owner performed maintenance and upgrades, while still holding open the option for having others perform any maintenance that you aren't comfortable with.
Another option is to purchase an SLSA and relicense it as an ELSA.
Probably not the cheapest option, but another possibility.
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Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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  #14  
Old 08-08-2015, 08:09 PM
Ex Bonanza Bucko Ex Bonanza Bucko is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: San Diego, California
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For Jonathan in Philly.....I really admire your for being a professional cellist!
I love Yo Yo Mah and Brahms, Beethoven, Sibelius and the rest. There's a music input between the RV12 seats just for that!

I bought my SLSA from Van's and then had it ferried here to San Diego. The purchase process was painless (except for writing the big checks) and Kaitlyn Tepe at Synergy Air and Gus Funnell at Van's were a delight to work with. They have continued to be a delight in the year since too.

I had the airplane ferried here after it was in my name by Jose Gutierrez an instructor at Aurora where the airplane was licensed by the FAA. My insurance company demanded five hours of dual and a new BFR which Jose gave me here in San Diego. I'm sure Jose or any of the other instructors on Van's pages can do that in Aurora or Medford. There also are some on the East Coast.

I would not recommend that a pilot new to the RV12 fly it cross country to San Diego or to Philly without a lot more experience than the insurance requirements. I am a CFI with about 6000 hours and experience in most GA airplanes and I wouldn't want to do that. After about 10 hours and some gusty cross winds and increased knowledge of the auto pilot (easy) etc. it would be OK. But this is not a C-172 or a 152; it's a very capable airplane that needs some attention to fly safely. You would also need some experience with high altitude and mountain flying if you don't have that already....the landscape out here is really pointy.

EBB
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  #15  
Old 08-08-2015, 09:30 PM
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Bill_H Bill_H is offline
 
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Location: Marshall TX (KASL)
Posts: 1,783
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You will save a LOT of money buying a completed ELSA. Watch for the <corrected --> Eagle's Nest or Teen Flight ones for sale. The "mods" that many of us have done to our ELSAs is so very minor compared to what the EAB guys call mods. I mean, we think adding a canopy lock is a Big Deal! So don't let that "But ELSAs might have been modified!" nonsense worry you, just actually look at them. A good builder will have them well documented.
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Last edited by Bill_H : 08-09-2015 at 05:33 PM.
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  #16  
Old 08-08-2015, 09:48 PM
jayapro123B jayapro123B is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Arlington, Washington
Posts: 35
Default See my post in classified page five

See the details listed in my rv 12 classified. I enjoy flying the 12 but my new RV 8 is almost finished.
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  #17  
Old 08-08-2015, 10:09 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill_H View Post
You will save a LOT of money buying a completed ELSA. Watch for the Eagle flight ones for sale.
Bill probably means Eagles Nest and TeenFlight.

The TeenFlight III airplane is actually up for auction right now. Auction closes Sept 1.

More info HERE
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Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.

Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
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  #18  
Old 08-09-2015, 10:52 AM
finkj finkj is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 9
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You're very kind. I've always felt that flying and playing music are similar.. but that is another discussion.

Flying the airplane across the country VFR dosn't really seem like a great plan to me either.

I'm sure there are other options..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex Bonanza Bucko View Post
For Jonathan in Philly.....I really admire your for being a professional cellist!
I love Yo Yo Mah and Brahms, Beethoven, Sibelius and the rest. There's a music input between the RV12 seats just for that!

I bought my SLSA from Van's and then had it ferried here to San Diego. The purchase process was painless (except for writing the big checks) and Kaitlyn Tepe at Synergy Air and Gus Funnell at Van's were a delight to work with. They have continued to be a delight in the year since too.

I had the airplane ferried here after it was in my name by Jose Gutierrez an instructor at Aurora where the airplane was licensed by the FAA. My insurance company demanded five hours of dual and a new BFR which Jose gave me here in San Diego. I'm sure Jose or any of the other instructors on Van's pages can do that in Aurora or Medford. There also are some on the East Coast.

I would not recommend that a pilot new to the RV12 fly it cross country to San Diego or to Philly without a lot more experience than the insurance requirements. I am a CFI with about 6000 hours and experience in most GA airplanes and I wouldn't want to do that. After about 10 hours and some gusty cross winds and increased knowledge of the auto pilot (easy) etc. it would be OK. But this is not a C-172 or a 152; it's a very capable airplane that needs some attention to fly safely. You would also need some experience with high altitude and mountain flying if you don't have that already....the landscape out here is really pointy.

EBB
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  #19  
Old 08-09-2015, 10:57 AM
finkj finkj is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 9
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Thats great feedback. I still have a medical for now but really mostly will be doing local flying. I do wish I could file IFR for those times I want to go up thru new york. As I understand it you cannot file IFR with and LSA whether it is E or S .. correct?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex Bonanza Bucko View Post
I own SLSA number 35 which I bought from Van's in July 2014. I now have 107 hours on it and I'm very happy with it. I flew a Bonanza for 30 years and we have owned 7 other airplanes in the last 50 years. The RV12 is one of the most fun to fly. It ain't a Bonanza but I don't need that kind of flying anymore....no medical and "been there, done that" too.

The SLSA is a superb airplane and if you don't have 2-3 years to build one I think it's the way to go. With our son I have restored two antiques from the floor up which took 13 years in one case!! ....So I think I know about the building process; I enjoyed it because I had something else to fly while we were building. But "been there, done that" applies to that too.

The only problems I have had with my SLSA were small or not Van's fault: 1.)The stupid throttle spring problem; 2.)The lousy response of Rotax to the carb float SB and 3.)The failure of the voltage regulator. So far the SBs on Van's airframe are not a problem.

So fly http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...cons/icon7.gif

EBB
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  #20  
Old 08-09-2015, 11:03 AM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,820
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I recommend accompanying your ferry pilot. Nothing teaches you more about an airplane than a long cross country.
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