Kit recommendations

Hi all, thought I would come to the fountain of knowledge that is
Usenet to get some advice on kits.

After thinking long and hard about it I have decided I want to build
an airplane. Not terribly suprising considering the group. But what
plane to build?

After looking at the list of needs v.s. wants I basically decided that
I really "need" 1 plane and want 3. As much as I love flying boats
(plane 3) I have decided that I will narrow this to 2 since
realistically planes that fit into what my "needs" are can almost
always be outfitted with floats.

So what do I need? Basically STOL planes with good bush capability.
Conditions are I am a 6 foot pilot who can vary in weight from
250-275lbs depending on how much exercise I am getting and find any
cocpit smaller then 30"s a sardine can experience. Looking for
something on the order of 300 mile range, 600lb useful load after
fueling, cruise close to 100kts, and probably tandem since I tend to
push folks out the other side of the plane or a narrow 4 seater that I
could easily modify for center stick. From a realistic standpoint I
want something with 1000 hours to build and as "complete" as possible
(firewall forward and basic VFR insturments a + but as long as it has
a firewall forward kit). Folding wings would also be a nice plus.
Cost is always a consideration. She who holds the purse strings is
afraid of heights so has never been convinced to come up with me but
hopefully will let the kids come along when they get bigger - for now
it's just me and my friends.

Short list in current order:
1. Avid Magnum
2. Aircomp Merlin
3. STOL701 (or 801)
4. Rans S-6S
5. Bearhawk
6. Murphy Moose/SR3500

Any other kits that I should also look into?

2nd "longer term" want - something FAST!

Is there any kit plane that has a reasonable build time (1500 hours)
that has the performance of an Osprey GP-4? I know the Van's can get
up to the 190-200's but anything that can get into the mid 2's with a
reasonable build time?

Thanks!

you should look at the Escapade, its specialty is the large cargo area and
lots of room for tall, larger pilots. with the 912 UL (80hp) and the Ivo in
flight adjustable prop they cruise at 115 mph - 100 knots TAS. 702 lb
useful load. check out www.slowflight.com

KJ

"another fool" wrote in message
om...
Hi all, thought I would come to the fountain of knowledge that is
Usenet to get some advice on kits.

After thinking long and hard about it I have decided I want to build
an airplane. Not terribly suprising considering the group. But what
plane to build?

After looking at the list of needs v.s. wants I basically decided that
I really "need" 1 plane and want 3. As much as I love flying boats
(plane 3) I have decided that I will narrow this to 2 since
realistically planes that fit into what my "needs" are can almost
always be outfitted with floats.

So what do I need? Basically STOL planes with good bush capability.
Conditions are I am a 6 foot pilot who can vary in weight from
250-275lbs depending on how much exercise I am getting and find any
cocpit smaller then 30"s a sardine can experience. Looking for
something on the order of 300 mile range, 600lb useful load after
fueling, cruise close to 100kts, and probably tandem since I tend to
push folks out the other side of the plane or a narrow 4 seater that I
could easily modify for center stick. From a realistic standpoint I
want something with 1000 hours to build and as "complete" as possible
(firewall forward and basic VFR insturments a + but as long as it has
a firewall forward kit). Folding wings would also be a nice plus.
Cost is always a consideration. She who holds the purse strings is
afraid of heights so has never been convinced to come up with me but
hopefully will let the kids come along when they get bigger - for now
it's just me and my friends.

Short list in current order:
1. Avid Magnum
2. Aircomp Merlin
3. STOL701 (or 801)
4. Rans S-6S
5. Bearhawk
6. Murphy Moose/SR3500

Any other kits that I should also look into?

2nd "longer term" want - something FAST!

Is there any kit plane that has a reasonable build time (1500 hours)
that has the performance of an Osprey GP-4? I know the Van's can get
up to the 190-200's but anything that can get into the mid 2's with a
reasonable build time?

Thanks!

2nd "longer term" want - something FAST!

Is there any kit plane that has a reasonable build time (1500 hours)
that has the performance of an Osprey GP-4? I know the Van's can get
up to the 190-200's but anything that can get into the mid 2's with a
reasonable build time?

Thanks!

F1 rocket
www.teamrocketaircraft.com

"Kathi Jo" wrote in message ...
you should look at the Escapade, its specialty is the large cargo area and
lots of room for tall, larger pilots. with the 912 UL (80hp) and the Ivo in
flight adjustable prop they cruise at 115 mph - 100 knots TAS. 702 lb
useful load. check out www.slowflight.com

KJ


Looks interesting - thanks!

You mentioned that you wanted a tandem, yet the ones you listed are side by
side.
Jerry
"another fool" wrote in message
om...
Hi all, thought I would come to the fountain of knowledge that is
Usenet to get some advice on kits.

After thinking long and hard about it I have decided I want to build
an airplane. Not terribly suprising considering the group. But what
plane to build?

After looking at the list of needs v.s. wants I basically decided that
I really "need" 1 plane and want 3. As much as I love flying boats
(plane 3) I have decided that I will narrow this to 2 since
realistically planes that fit into what my "needs" are can almost
always be outfitted with floats.

So what do I need? Basically STOL planes with good bush capability.
Conditions are I am a 6 foot pilot who can vary in weight from
250-275lbs depending on how much exercise I am getting and find any
cocpit smaller then 30"s a sardine can experience. Looking for
something on the order of 300 mile range, 600lb useful load after
fueling, cruise close to 100kts, and probably tandem since I tend to
push folks out the other side of the plane or a narrow 4 seater that I
could easily modify for center stick. From a realistic standpoint I
want something with 1000 hours to build and as "complete" as possible
(firewall forward and basic VFR insturments a + but as long as it has
a firewall forward kit). Folding wings would also be a nice plus.
Cost is always a consideration. She who holds the purse strings is
afraid of heights so has never been convinced to come up with me but
hopefully will let the kids come along when they get bigger - for now
it's just me and my friends.

Short list in current order:
1. Avid Magnum
2. Aircomp Merlin
3. STOL701 (or 801)
4. Rans S-6S
5. Bearhawk
6. Murphy Moose/SR3500

Any other kits that I should also look into?

2nd "longer term" want - something FAST!

Is there any kit plane that has a reasonable build time (1500 hours)
that has the performance of an Osprey GP-4? I know the Van's can get
up to the 190-200's but anything that can get into the mid 2's with a
reasonable build time?

Thanks!

On 09 Nov 2003 02:11 PM, Deckard posted the following:

Short list in current order:
1. Avid Magnum
2. Aircomp Merlin
3. STOL701 (or 801)
4. Rans S-6S
5. Bearhawk
6. Murphy Moose/SR3500

Any other kits that I should also look into?

Since you are looking at 2 seaters as well as 4 seaters, you should also
consider Bob Barrows' new 2 seat tandem design, the Bearhawk Patrol.
Builders are receiving the first sets of plans right now.

Personally I'd just build the 4 seat Bearhawk and call it a 2 seater
with a lot of cargo space, which is how I will be flying mine much of
the time, on floats.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins-
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

"Deckard" wrote in message ...
You mentioned that you wanted a tandem, yet the ones you listed are side by
side.
Jerry

I haven`t found a tandem kit that will give me enough elbow room to be
comfortable yet. Most of them I would need to unzip the windows to
get the doors closed. If you have one to suggest though I`d love to
take a look at it.

Thanks!

Also check the 3/4 scale Storch replica at www.storch.com.au

Peter

(CW9371) wrote in message ...
2nd "longer term" want - something FAST!

Is there any kit plane that has a reasonable build time (1500 hours)
that has the performance of an Osprey GP-4? I know the Van's can get
up to the 190-200's but anything that can get into the mid 2's with a
reasonable build time?

Thanks!

F1 rocket
www.teamrocketaircraft.com

Thanks - something to keep my eye on.

"another fool" wrote in message
m...
"Deckard" wrote in message
...
You mentioned that you wanted a tandem, yet the ones you listed are side
by
side.
Jerry

I haven`t found a tandem kit that will give me enough elbow room to be
comfortable yet. Most of them I would need to unzip the windows to
get the doors closed. If you have one to suggest though I`d love to
take a look at it.

Thanks!

The RANS S-7C Courier is a tandem and has plenty of elbow room. STOL
characteristics are great. Great kit from a good company to deal with.

http://www.rans.com

Rick Pellicciotti, satisfied RANS builder (4 airplanes)
http://www.belleairetours.com