I'm definitely one of the nuts!!
This is such an interesting [and sometimes disturbing] discussion. At this stage of my life I dont have a PPL, don't really have age on my side (63
) and haven't even ordered the empennage kit, although I do have the preview plans for my intended 9A build project. So what are you thinking
I hear you ask?? Well, flying is something I have always wanted to do but for one reason or another "life" always had different ideas, marriage, setting up home, kid, schooling, business ups and downs etc. etc. I'm sure most of us have had the same obstacles to overcome!! Then a couple of years ago my cousin got his MPL and purchased a Microlight at the tender age of 60. That really got me going - if he could do it so could I but "life" still got in the way for a while
. And then the unthinkable happened, I went for a ride in a friends RV6 and that was me sold! We've flown together a number of times since and I was fortunate enough to be able to assist him with his annual inspection which was great fun, most informative and only confirmed my interest.
Why a 9A?? Well, I'll be a real "low time" pilot at a "high time" age so I figured that getting airborn, keeping the blue side up, heading in the right direction and landing safely back on earth would be enough of a challenge so I didn't really need to confuse myself anymore by flying upside down or anything like that, besides, the 9A is a little more forgiving and by all accounts will give me a plane to do what I would like to do when the building is finally completed, that is, relatively short VFR trips to some of the spectacular destinations that my wife and I haven't yet seen in our own country. So, whats the next step?? Tomorrow I am going for my aviation medical, the outcome of that will determine whether this "dream" can become a reality or not. I am presently sorting out the area where the "airplane factory" is going to located, which is fortunately about 15 metres from my kitchen door. And after that - place the order for the Empennage Kit, invite all my local friends to come and visit (and bring their work clothes along!!), inform my son that "pay back" time has arrived and the old man now needs some help, put my head down and try and make sure I don't become one of the "gave up" statistics!!
In doing so I'm sure I'll enjoy every minute of the building process and also learn to fly safely in the time that it takes to complete the project. And of course, continue to make new international RV friends and benefit from all the outstanding advice on offer on this amazing forum.