Any plans-built "RV equivalents" out there?

(Daniel) wrote in
om:

Morgans wrote...

I can't imagine even Sonex complaining about an autopilot.


Modifications, even sensible ones, (or even the discussion thereof)
have gotten Sonex builders banned from the company mailing lists, a
declaration of being an "enemy", a revocation of the right to call
their planes Sonexes, threats of physical harm, an end to all builder
support, and omission or removal from the publicized list of
completions. Exceptions are made for such things as seat cushions.

Daniel


Well, I know of only one builder who was banned from the Sonex list and
he just rubbed the owner & his son the wrong way. The only
modifications he made was toe brakes, and custom cowl. Actually I think
he really got banned for telling them to lighten up too many times.

BUT you could very quietly scratch build a Sonex for less than $15K with
a *gasp* Corvair engine (Keep that VERY quiet until you order everything
you think your gonna need from Sonex) in about 1200 hours and bore holes
in the sky at 150-160mph cruise. OR for about $35K total and around 800
hours build the kit with a Jabiru 3300.

To compare that to RV building you could very well build 2 or 3 Sonex
for the cost and time invested in an RV.

NOW, the RV is without a doubt more plane, and currenty better resale %
I will not argue that!



--
-- ET :-)

"A common mistake people make when trying to design something
completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
fools."---- Douglas Adams

"ET" wrote in message

BUT you could very quietly scratch build a Sonex for less than $15K with
a *gasp* Corvair engine (Keep that VERY quiet until you order everything
you think your gonna need from Sonex) in about 1200 hours and bore holes
in the sky at 150-160mph cruise. OR for about $35K total and around 800
hours build the kit with a Jabiru 3300.

Interesting idea from a cost standpoint. But, that's another problem I'd
have - engine choices. I can understand the factory view on this - they
don't want to support a zillion different choices or be part of someone
else's huge experiment (or subsequent lawsuits) - but I'd be alot more
comfortable if at least *one* of the choices was something more
"traditional" - e.g. O-200 - but there are no such choices that come in
under their strict 200 lb. weight limit 8-(.....

Personally, I would never really feel secure flying a VW and I've heard
the Jabirus are pretty much CNC'd versions of the same. (I'm not
trying to start any arguments/discussion! Note that I said "personally").
As for the Corvair, the folks who like them make a pretty good case
for their reasons and Wm Wynne has clearly done alot of good work,
but I'm still going to sit on the fence for awhile (until there are ALOT
more hours in the air)...8-)

Besides - Sonex says "No way"........8-)

"Netgeek" wrote in
:


"ET" wrote in message

BUT you could very quietly scratch build a Sonex for less than $15K
with a *gasp* Corvair engine (Keep that VERY quiet until you order
everything you think your gonna need from Sonex) in about 1200 hours
and bore holes in the sky at 150-160mph cruise. OR for about $35K
total and around 800 hours build the kit with a Jabiru 3300.

Interesting idea from a cost standpoint. But, that's another problem
I'd have - engine choices. I can understand the factory view on this
- they don't want to support a zillion different choices or be part of
someone else's huge experiment (or subsequent lawsuits) - but I'd be
alot more comfortable if at least *one* of the choices was something
more "traditional" - e.g. O-200 - but there are no such choices that
come in under their strict 200 lb. weight limit 8-(.....

Personally, I would never really feel secure flying a VW and I've
heard the Jabirus are pretty much CNC'd versions of the same. (I'm not
trying to start any arguments/discussion! Note that I said
"personally"). As for the Corvair, the folks who like them make a
pretty good case for their reasons and Wm Wynne has clearly done alot
of good work, but I'm still going to sit on the fence for awhile
(until there are ALOT more hours in the air)...8-)

Besides - Sonex says "No way"........8-)




Heh!

Yeah, I'd trust a Jabiru though any day. Regardless of it's "roots"
it's a very stout reiliable engine (esp. the 3300). I just refuse to
pay $15 grand for one!

If you really want "traditional" go for a Cessna-Piper grin

Good luck in your search!


--
-- ET :-)

"A common mistake people make when trying to design something
completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
fools."---- Douglas Adams