On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 01:23:06 -0600, "BoscoBob"
wrote:

:I am looking to start a homebuilt project in 2004. My new career keeps me at
:home with much free time during the day, and a two-car garage at my
:disposal.
:
:I have researched many different companies and aircraft
http://www.homebuilt.org/kits/kits-acftdesc.html) and have pretty much made
:up my mind to go with an RV-9A.
:
:My dilemma is that I know next to nothing about homebuilding and aircraft
:engines. It seems that to start building an aircraft, that you need to know
:which engine (not an auto conversion) and which instruments will go into the
:aircraft before starting (leaning towards the BMA EFIS/One). Is there any
:literature that would make the process of choosing go any easier? I have
:read almost everything I can and everyone seems to have an opinion. I am
:looking for factual information to help me make the correct choices. My
:first (correct?) choice was to look for a plane which suited the type of
:flying that I would be doing and that I felt that I could complete.

You've done VERY well so far. You can't go wrong with the RV. But
you're not correct about needing to decide on engine and instruments
now.

As long as you're sticking with the Lycoming (a good choice, certainly
the lowest risk way to go) the only decision is O-235 or O-320. They
go on the same engine mount and cowl. Virtually the entire engine
installation will be the same, except for the prop. You can decide
between the two when you get the airframe done, or any time between
now and then.

As for avionics - put them off until the VERY last minute. 10 years
ago GPS barely existed. Since then Terra and Trimble, Magellan have
gone, Garmin has become the top dog, color moving map IFR coms are
commonplace. There will be a LOT of changes in the next 3 years. The
best box you can buy today will be marginally obsolete by then -
useful, but not what you'd really want to buy.

The best advice I can give is buy every fast build option you can,
then enjoy the process of building.