Hi, I just made it official and registered this morning for VAF (Paid dues for 2013 while I was signing up) I have been using the bandwidth here for the past year lurking around and reading. Thought it was time to make it official.
A little story on me. I'm 27 married, 3 kids (5yrs,2yrs,10mos) in the process of getting my PPL. I have been around aviation most of my life and consider flying the best thing in the world.
I attended Airventure 4 times now and I got bit by the homebuilding bug in 2011. Since then I have put countless hours in researching different kits. I'm narrowed down to the Vans line 9tw or oddly enough the Zenith Zodiac (due to time to build almost roughly 1/2 the construction time/LSA)
The reason I am asking this is looks like the 9 would take at a slow pace 1500hours to complete. Possibly longer as I am a numbers/computer geek and not so much of a rivet banger. In the end I know the RV9 is the best for the dollar between the 2 kits I above listed. Reason I am mostly settled on the 9 is I like the fact that I have more engine choices 0-235 on up. I live in a place where I can find all kinds of ethanol free gas and will be running mogas on a constant basis so I like that fact. Also speed-where going fast will be nice most of my time will be sight seeing loafing along at 90kts just enjoying life or hauling it to oshkosh. Most flights under 30 minutes. So the 9 with the longer wing has some appeal. Keeping it simple. Manual flaps, Manual trim, etc. Tailwheel. Going to be doing a bunch of grass strip flights as I am going to be selling my house and building hanger/home with some acreage for my boys to play on. I could probably get away with 1400/1500 feet if I am looking at things correctly.
I am not in this to complete the aircraft in record time. I am in this for the journey and spending time with my dad and my boys as they get older and learning. I'll probably put in 20-30 hours per month so I know it's going to be a 5yr project at the very earliest.
So in the end to all the builders out there am I sounding realistic on this? or are there curveballs you could toss me that I havent seen coming?
Cheers,
Ben
A little story on me. I'm 27 married, 3 kids (5yrs,2yrs,10mos) in the process of getting my PPL. I have been around aviation most of my life and consider flying the best thing in the world.
I attended Airventure 4 times now and I got bit by the homebuilding bug in 2011. Since then I have put countless hours in researching different kits. I'm narrowed down to the Vans line 9tw or oddly enough the Zenith Zodiac (due to time to build almost roughly 1/2 the construction time/LSA)
The reason I am asking this is looks like the 9 would take at a slow pace 1500hours to complete. Possibly longer as I am a numbers/computer geek and not so much of a rivet banger. In the end I know the RV9 is the best for the dollar between the 2 kits I above listed. Reason I am mostly settled on the 9 is I like the fact that I have more engine choices 0-235 on up. I live in a place where I can find all kinds of ethanol free gas and will be running mogas on a constant basis so I like that fact. Also speed-where going fast will be nice most of my time will be sight seeing loafing along at 90kts just enjoying life or hauling it to oshkosh. Most flights under 30 minutes. So the 9 with the longer wing has some appeal. Keeping it simple. Manual flaps, Manual trim, etc. Tailwheel. Going to be doing a bunch of grass strip flights as I am going to be selling my house and building hanger/home with some acreage for my boys to play on. I could probably get away with 1400/1500 feet if I am looking at things correctly.
I am not in this to complete the aircraft in record time. I am in this for the journey and spending time with my dad and my boys as they get older and learning. I'll probably put in 20-30 hours per month so I know it's going to be a 5yr project at the very earliest.
So in the end to all the builders out there am I sounding realistic on this? or are there curveballs you could toss me that I havent seen coming?
Cheers,
Ben