Building an Aircraft

[ZLIN 142C]

Any EAA or RAA guys on here? Just wondering how many homebuilders use this forum. I suspect most are either professional pilots or aspiring to be, but have any of you either built a plane or even considered it? If so, what have you built or what would you like to build?

Personally, I'd like a Mazda rotary-powered RV4 or an Innodyn turbine-powered Lancair 360. Either would be very enjoyable.

[mikegtzg]

I've owned 3 homebuilts. Have 2 now. An antique that I have restored (70 yrs.+) and a new one that was completed in Dec. 03. Wouldn't have any other type for recreational flying. I've seen guys really get there chains yanked at annual time on there certified stuff. And prefer to be in control of all my repairs and maintainence.

If anyone is flying to Wetaskiwin for the COPA convention. You an see the antique. It will likely be the oldest aircraft flying there on the field.

[Driving Rain]

I've had a hand in 3 Super Cubs on floats built from scratch. Build a jig, buy the tubes, cut and weld. The floats were Murphy (now Montana) kits but built with some nice mods.

Been involved in Aviation all my life and been making my living as a pilot for the last 33 years.

[fougapilot]

EAA, COPA and RPA (RedStar Pilot Association) myself. Not much of a builder, just prefer flying them. Warbirds are my gig, mainly Eastern block stuff, but I'll try anything.

Communism; lousy politics great airplanes.

D

[loopy]

One of these days I will build one. Right now, considering the Van's RV-8.

[ZLIN 142C]

[quote=Communism; lousy politics great airplanes.D[/quote]

Very well said, Fougapilot! I'm just curious; you mentioned the RPA. I haven't heard of this outfit before. I assume it's an organization of pilots who fly Eastern Bloc equipment, judging by the name. Is it fairly active in Canada?

I know a guy who owns and flies an L29; maybe he's a member.

[fougapilot]

Check out http://www.flyredstar.org

They are world wide, but not all easternblock owners are embers. The RPA is still fairly new, 2years, bt growing fast. Where is the 29?

D

[Unable Due Traffic]

I have built a Murphy Elite. Tail dragger, O-360, constant speed prop,murphy 1800's are on the table being built.
EAA member, COPA, but let the RAA membership lapse.

[Cat Driver]

I belong to EAA and COPA.

Presently building a PA11 clone on amphibious floats.

Homebuilt for me is the only way to go.

Cat

[ZLIN 142C]

I'd forgotten about the COPA convention being held in Wetaskiwin this year. That ought to be a good time. June 24th to 26th, and I even have those days off. Great excuse to fly up there with the Tomahawk.

I recently went through that whole museum complex for the first time, with the exception of the storage building (which, I hear, is where the REALLY interesting stuff is kept). What a great place. The Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame has it's own ramp on taxiway Charlie, just on the West side of 30-12. Any museum that you can taxi right up to is okay in my book.

Fougapilot: I'll PM you the info on the L29.

Cat: You still thinking about a Rotec radial for that thing?

[Cat Driver]

Cat: You still thinking about a Rotec radial for that thing?

Yup, I want to keep the weight and fuel burn down.

The Rotec puts out 110 HP and is about the same weight and price of an 0-200 Continental.

And of course it is a radial.

[ZLIN 142C]

And of course it is a radial.

That, of course, is the best reason right there.

[Blue Side Down]

COPA, AOPA, and will be getting around to EAA sooner than later.

Have a One Design DR-107 on the go... slow start to the project, but the ball has begun rolling. The wings will be finished this summer. The rest is a function of what sort of team can be put together later this year.

[Schooner69]

Cat posted:

"Homebuilt for me is the only way to go"


COMMENT

CAT: any chance you might locate to Vernon and be my mentor? I'd let you ride my Goldwing if you would.

I have a burning desire but no skills; a spanner in my hands is a deadly weapon. You have no idea what I could do with a pair of tin snips and a bucking bar. (NOT a hangout for thirsty cowboys, by the way..)

Ah, well. One day..

[Cat Driver]

Scooner :

Learning to build an airplane is the same as any other skill, it is learned by doing.

There are probably dozens of people in your area who can give you advise and help.

First find someone who is building and then decide which kind of material you want to learn to work with.

Me I prefer metal although I will work with most any material

Here is a hint.

Find an airplane that gives you a hard on just looking at it, check and see how difficult it is to build, then once you decide just start.

Here is a beautiful little homebuilt that would be a good start as you can build little by little.

http://www.thatchercx4.com/

There are hundreds of kits and plans built aircraft but very few really good ones....

...The Murphy Rebel or Elete is another good flying machine and comes as a kit.

The main thing is forget that you "Think " you can't because you can do anything you want.

Cat

[mikegtzg]

Cat Driver: There is a Rotec radial powered a small rebel (Maverick)being finished soon in Manitoba. Very interested in how it performs and how much prop it will swing. Should perform similar to your project.

ZLIN 142: I was planning to fly to Med. Hat after the COPA convention.
I'll race you there from Wetaskiwin if you give me a 1 1/2 hour head start.


In total there are over thirty flying homebuilts and advanced ultralights on our field (Lyncrest-CJL5). Many more under construction. We also have a huge RAA hanger and chapter, an ultralight assoc. hanger, and a COPA Flight. Many of us are members of multiple aviation groups. From our perspective, the recreational flying industry is doing very well.

And if anyone is flying to Wetaskiwin for the Copa convention. We're having a barBQ, campfire, and hanger flying party on Tues June 21st. Stop by!!

[ZLIN 142C]

ZLIN 142: I was planning to fly to Med. Hat after the COPA convention.
I'll race you there from Wetaskiwin if you give me a 1 1/2 hour head start.
. . . . . .
And if anyone is flying to Wetaskiwin for the Copa convention. We're having a barBQ, campfire, and hanger flying party on Tues June 21st. Stop by!!

You're on, but I think you overestimate the cruising speed of the Tomahawk!

Glad to hear your field is so active. Makes it easier to stick with a project, I'll bet, with all those like-minded types around to give advice and the occasional prodding. "That plane won't build itself, you know."

As for the barbeque, I'd love to show up, but I have to work that day. Such is life, I suppose.

[mikegtzg]

We'll I've never flown a Tomahawk. But I assume it cruises at 120 MPH. 234 miles direct shold be about two hours. My antique Pietenpol cruises flat out at 76MPH. Okay, actually about a 1.2 hour handicap, plus .3 for a nature break.

[ZLIN 142C]

We'll I've never flown a Tomahawk. But I assume it cruises at 120 MPH. 234 miles direct shold be about two hours. My antique Pietenpol cruises flat out at 76MPH. Okay, actually about a 1.2 hour handicap, plus .3 for a nature break.

120 MPH is about 105 Kts, and that's the best TAS I've yet seen (you have to climb fairly high to get that). More typical is 95 Kts, or 108 MPH. Still, you're pretty close.

So, you fly a Pietenpol? A friend of mine at the Nanton Lancaster Society is planning to build one. A real classic. You might cruise a little slower, but you probably have half my fuel burn (6 gal/hr). That's an easy trait to appreciate these days with fuel prices what they are.