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Old December 25th 04, 06:54 PM
Clyde Torres
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"Paul Folbrecht" wrote in message
...
My Mission:

- Real 4-place aircraft that can carry 4 adults with baggage and 3-hours
fuel.

- Cruise at least 150 KTAS at altitude.

- Must be a decent IFR platform - stable enough to fly hands-off in the
clouds for a few seconds at a time. Not a "fly it all the time" type
aircraft.


- Kit is reasonably priced at $35K, making my $85K flying cost doable.


- Has a reasonable history - a couple dozen flying, I believe, nothing
but positive reports on performance and stability.


You are sadly mistaken if you think that there is a four seater IFR platform
with 3 hours (really almost 4) of fuel flying 150 KTAS out there. Just
mentioning an airplane like the KIS Cruiser will make guys jump in and start
trying to sell you on it regardless of whether it can meet your needs or
not. Their objective, just like the others, is to get you to go with what
they are building. Later on you will find out that it really doesn't meet
your mission profile. In fact, your mission profile doesn't meet your
objectives above, especially the $85K sticker shock. If you are worried
about the cost of an exhaust valve on a 152, then you need to stick to RC
model airplanes, much less a non-existent four seater.

There are many guys out there that started building airplanes with good
intentions and found out that they just couldn't afford one or had the time
to build it. They are the vast majority in fact. You either need to face
reality now or get ready to face it in a few years when you're selling off
your uncompleted project.

BTW, a decent IFR platform isn't just a stable airplane that can be flown
hands off for a few seconds. It involves an instrument package that is
going to cost you more than you think.

Clyde Torres