Bob Reed is correct.

$85K is very reasonable for the KIS Cruiser. Mine, equipped with factory new
Lycoming O-360 was considerably less that because I went with the old
fashioned gyros and steam gauges in the instrument panel that I've grown
accustomed to over the past 40 years of flying.

Bob Anderson, who recently completed his KIS Cruiser (and won the prize at
Oshkosh last sumer) probably spent that much because of all the goodies in
the panel, such as glass cockpit, panel mount GPS, angle of attack meter etc
as well as professionally designed interior upholstery.

Dave Tate Serial #4052 260 hrs TT


Thanks Dave, I know that yours is not the only Cruiser to be completed for
under $85k but you are the only other member of the KIS builders who
participates in this forum. Mine will not come in at under $85k, (under $90k)
but I have also spent more for my FADEC equiped engine ($27k), the Blue
Mountain EFIS, dual axis autopilot, and several other options which pushed the
price up some. Even at that, I am including the additional costs for equipment
that I bought and then sold for less than I paid because I decided on something
else.

The important point is that the cost is in the builders control and need NOT
result in expenditures in the over $100k range or over $85k if that is your
budget. Your plane is a perfect example of that and anyone who has seen your
plane also knows that you didn't compromise on safety to do so.

Finally, I must apologize for the tone of my replies to Clyde but it really
does **** me off when people jump into a discussion with comments that are
clearly not based on facts and direct experience. I don't have anything to
gain by trying to convince someone else to build the same plane I am building.
In fact, I have been brutally honest in my comments to some potiential builders
over the years. Based on Pauls comments, it appears that he has done his
homework and the mission profile he outlined does fit the Cruiser. I believe
that Cruiser will fit his requirements in every way and I will offer all
possible assistance to him during the construction process. I made the same
offer to Dave Tate and several other KIS builders over the last few years and
several have taken me up of that offer. That is the same offer I am making to
Paul and it has nothing to do with some personal gain.


Bob Reed
www.kisbuild.r-a-reed-assoc.com (KIS Builders Site)
KIS Cruiser in progress...Slow but steady progress....

"Ladies and Gentlemen, take my advice,
pull down your pants and Slide on the Ice!"
(M.A.S.H. Sidney Freedman)