On Oct 14, 9:54*am, Jim Logajan wrote:
Oliver Arend wrote:
I'm looking into educating myself about metal aircraft construction by
getting a set of plans for a low-wing airplane. The idea is then to
either design my own plane (no, looking at the plans is not the full
education, there's also a master's degree in aerospace engineering,
I'm more looking for detail solutions so I won't have to come up with
everything by myself) or just build the one I got the plans for.
[...]
So my question is, who has experience with these plans(-built
aircraft) and can recommend a set?

You listed a lot of good options that I elided - just to make it harder:

A couple years back, I ordered the preview plans for Vans RV-9A for $55.
They are still that price (RV-3 is $45.) As far as I know, the only
difference between Van's Aircraft preview plans and the final set is that
the preview plan drawings are reduced in size by half (I think) - but they
are all there and quite readable. Also, you get the complete build
instructions plus other material. It's a fabulous deal education-wise even
if you design or build something else.

A correction is needed on the Van's plans. While the earlier kits can
be built from scratch using the plans, the newer models are intended
to be sold only as kits. The plans/manual is basically an assembly
manual. Parts that must be fabricated by the builder have full
construction details, but parts supplied in the kit ready to assemble
are not detailed on the plans with enough info to scratch build the
parts.

Having said that, it's unlikely that you will find a better plane to
own & fly once it's built.

Charlie
(somewhat biased; flying a -4 & building a -7)