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  #11  
Old 05-04-2013, 12:44 PM
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ccsmith51 ccsmith51 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AEA View Post
I agree. This is looking very promising now. I would be more inclined toward an RV3 but LSA is a very real concern in my future.
I built a Sonex, and was in general happy with the design, ruggedness, and relative ease of the build.

I have been involved to some degree with the Panther since it's inception. I have helped fabricate the wings, panel, controls, etc. I flew chase on its first flight, and have flown close formation since then. I hope to fly it in the next month or so.

It is a very nice plane, will be easy to build, in either standard or LSA configurations. I don't know much about the One-X but I think that the Panther is in a different class than the One-X.
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  #12  
Old 05-04-2013, 02:04 PM
humptybump humptybump is offline
 
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I like the RV-3 so I'm watching the Panther progress.
  #13  
Old 05-04-2013, 02:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S View Post
I have the same yearnings, but my wife is not too happy about it
Same problem here...but my leanings are toward a 3.
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Last edited by Don : 05-04-2013 at 02:12 PM.
  #14  
Old 05-04-2013, 02:46 PM
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Geico266 Geico266 is offline
 
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They must be popular, I know of a VAF member closet Onex builder. Maybe we should "out" him.
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  #15  
Old 05-04-2013, 04:04 PM
Tony Spicer Tony Spicer is offline
 
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Not sure just how to keep this non-RV thread going without drawing the ire of a moderator. So here's what I'm going to do:




That's Van hisself talking to Dan Weseman at S&F. Dan is the designer and builder of the prototype Panther. Van was impressed.

I'm involved with the Panther as a beta builder. I scratch-built a Sonex back in 1998. Then I build an RV-3 that was totaled at S&F in 2011. Then I rebuilt an RV-4. Then I saw a 3-view of the Panther and sold the RV-4. For me, it was LSA time. During the entire time I was building the -3, if I heard it once, I heard it 100 times- If Van would just do a QB -3 I would order one tomorrow. Don't think you'll ever see the QB -3, but have a look at the Panther and see if it just might work for you.

Three flight test reports have been published here, here and here. Dan sold his RV-4 to build the Panther. Bob Woolley, Panther beta builder and test pilot, currently flies an RV-4.

If that's not enough RV content, here's another photo from S&F.



That's Ron 'Smokey' Schreck, one of Team AeroDynamix' finest, trying the Panther on for size.

Tony
  #16  
Old 05-04-2013, 05:59 PM
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Neal@F14 Neal@F14 is offline
 
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Default Another neat looking single-seat LSA

I stumbled across another inexpensive single-seat experimental LSA, the Thatcher CX4 a couple days ago. I didn't even know they existed. You can built one as tailwheel or tri-gear.

www.thatchercx4.com

www.cx4community.com

They're also going to offer a 2-seat tandem version called the CX5.

There's apparently almost 40 of them built and flying already. One builder made a fastback version that looks even better.

Obligatory RV-related: They can use some RV parts in them, such as tailwheel components.
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Last edited by Neal@F14 : 05-04-2013 at 06:56 PM.
  #17  
Old 05-05-2013, 06:07 AM
Sam Staton Sam Staton is offline
 
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Default Panther

I have had the pleasure of being relatively closely associated with Dan Wesemann for a few years, and I can tell you unreservedly, he is a class act. I also know some of his beta builders and they have VERY high words of praise for his attention to detail and commitment to a stellar product. If you are looking for a single-place airplane with Vans-like quality and spritely performance, you would not regret investigating the Panther. Just an interested by-stander. The Senior Domestic Advisor has already weighed in on this and said the -6 is enough.
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  #18  
Old 05-07-2013, 02:55 PM
newamiga newamiga is offline
 
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I am seriously considering selling off my RV-12 sub kits and building a Onex. I love the -12 but I started building and then bought a Gobosh S-LSA. The -12 and Gobosh are very similar, save the removable wings. With that in mind I looked for something that was a little different and aerobatic. I don't want to go out and go nuts with the acro stuff but the ability to go out and do some minimal stuff sounds like fun.

I travelled to Oshkosh and attended the Sonex builders workshop. They are great people and I really enjoyed the weekend. I also of course think Van and his company are great and still very much like the -12. It is a tough choice but two of the same basic aircraft just doesn't make a lot of sense.

Carl
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  #19  
Old 05-07-2013, 03:00 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
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Have you even flown an RV-12? It's got such great visibility and delightful handling that it's worth finishing and keeping.

It's an exceptional airplane.

Dave
  #20  
Old 05-07-2013, 03:03 PM
newamiga newamiga is offline
 
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Yes I flew the east coast demo plane and loved it. I have about 200 hours in the Gobosh and love it as well. I found the two to fly fairly similarly. The biggest difference was full flaperons on the -12 was a little more impactful than when I drop full flaps on the Gobosh. Again it is not that I don't like the -12. I just am at the point of ordering the finishing, avionics and engine kits. Those total about $50K. For $27K I can have a flying Onex. Selling the sub kits I have I can get part of that way there.

Carl
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