pilotshive
Member
Hey All,
I am new so...
A little about me:
I am 25 years old. Have been a pilot since I was 20. I graduated from the Aeronautical Science program at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas in 2005. While in school I got my commercial certificate, flight instructor certificates, as well as my A&P mechanic certificate. I flight instructed for a year before I got my current job flying contract King Air 200s based out of VA. I've now been flying King Airs in the Middle East (lotsa sand) for about 2 years now.
I am a professional pilot and am planning on a long career in aviation. However, aviation as a job is not fun (well less fun) unless you have your own plane to 'mess about in.' Over the past several months I've been thinking long and hard about buying a plane. A friend of mine from college is into building kit planes and he got me thinking about building my own... before I start this project I want to be sure I will see it through and I want as much info as possible before I start... if you guys don't mind I would like to pick your collective brains for information so I can get some direction before I make the plunge.
Preliminary Questions:
Average cost from nothing to flyable? I am planning on building an RV-8. I want something which can get up and go somewhere. I love the tandem "fighter plane" seating and the tail wheel sealed the deal. I was thinking I would like to get a 180 to 200hp engine with a constant speed prop. What is a good amount to budget toward this project?
IFR? Because I plan on most using this plane for cross countries I will make it IFR 'certified'. I probably will set it up similar to the G1000 Cessnas I've flown but with the Dynon flight system... or I could just do a normal 6pack with a GNS430. I would use as many TSO'd instruments as possible. Any recommendations on this?
Average build time? As mentioned before I am a certified A&P. I have some shop experience out of school. In school I learned every basic skill from welding, to riveting, to composites, to paint. However, I will not work fast. I want this to be "perfect."
Best to buy a new or used engine? I have limited experience with recip engines. Obviously I did recip engine work in school but most of my experience as an A&P has been on PT6s and airframe work.
Space? Currently I have a garage but my car takes up most of the space. I may have to kick it out... but there are also climate controlled storage units just down the street. Recommendations?
Those are my questions for now... any info is much appreciated!
Thanks
Justin
I am new so...
A little about me:
I am 25 years old. Have been a pilot since I was 20. I graduated from the Aeronautical Science program at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas in 2005. While in school I got my commercial certificate, flight instructor certificates, as well as my A&P mechanic certificate. I flight instructed for a year before I got my current job flying contract King Air 200s based out of VA. I've now been flying King Airs in the Middle East (lotsa sand) for about 2 years now.
I am a professional pilot and am planning on a long career in aviation. However, aviation as a job is not fun (well less fun) unless you have your own plane to 'mess about in.' Over the past several months I've been thinking long and hard about buying a plane. A friend of mine from college is into building kit planes and he got me thinking about building my own... before I start this project I want to be sure I will see it through and I want as much info as possible before I start... if you guys don't mind I would like to pick your collective brains for information so I can get some direction before I make the plunge.
Preliminary Questions:
Average cost from nothing to flyable? I am planning on building an RV-8. I want something which can get up and go somewhere. I love the tandem "fighter plane" seating and the tail wheel sealed the deal. I was thinking I would like to get a 180 to 200hp engine with a constant speed prop. What is a good amount to budget toward this project?
IFR? Because I plan on most using this plane for cross countries I will make it IFR 'certified'. I probably will set it up similar to the G1000 Cessnas I've flown but with the Dynon flight system... or I could just do a normal 6pack with a GNS430. I would use as many TSO'd instruments as possible. Any recommendations on this?
Average build time? As mentioned before I am a certified A&P. I have some shop experience out of school. In school I learned every basic skill from welding, to riveting, to composites, to paint. However, I will not work fast. I want this to be "perfect."
Best to buy a new or used engine? I have limited experience with recip engines. Obviously I did recip engine work in school but most of my experience as an A&P has been on PT6s and airframe work.
Space? Currently I have a garage but my car takes up most of the space. I may have to kick it out... but there are also climate controlled storage units just down the street. Recommendations?
Those are my questions for now... any info is much appreciated!
Thanks
Justin