Simviation Forum - The Best Homebuilt Aircraft Kit??????

Jun 11^th, 2006 at 3:36pm

B.C._448_FAG Offline
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Hi guys i wanted to start this topic becuase i am intended to buy a homebuilt aircraft kit and built it.

Im looking for a two seatted side by side
and aerobatic too.

Any suggestion will be apreciatted

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Reply #1 - Jun 11^th, 2006 at 3:37pm

Rifleman Offline
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" Full size A/C are just
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Vans RV-6..........quite a performer.......

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Reply #2 - Jun 11^th, 2006 at 3:51pm

B.C._448_FAG Offline
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do you know about Falco f8L or the Lancair Legacy???

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Reply #3 - Jun 11^th, 2006 at 11:23pm

Mobius Offline
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If I had money to burn and the skills to do it, I would build a Lancair Legacy. They have set loads of speed records, and they look great, and perform great and are good quality aircraft. I think they're more like a high performace, luxury aircraft though, not so much an aerobatic aircraft. I've got an issue of Plane & Pilot and they showed the top six, four-seat aircraft according to different aspecst of performace. Three Lancair aircraft were in the list (the IV/IVP, the Columbia 400, and the Columbia 350), and the IV/IVP and the Columbia 400 were #1 and 2 respectively, so I think Lancair has a lot to offer. But, I don't really know anything about the Falco F8L, so I don't know what to tell you.

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Reply #4 - Jun 12^th, 2006 at 12:07am

SkyNoz Offline
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Quote:

Vans RV-6..........quite a performer.......

I was thinking of the early cousin, RV-4 is a sweet kit. Or he he, the BD-5 Grin

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Reply #5 - Jun 12^th, 2006 at 3:27am

ozzy72 Offline
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It comes down to kit or plans? Which is your prefered method. Kits cost a lot more initially than plans! However unless you're pretty handy at things like welding, riveting etc then kits are the way to go as most of the parts are pre-formed.

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #6 - Jun 12^th, 2006 at 6:39am

beaky Offline
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There are so many types, for so many different prices and different methods of construction, there's no way to say which the "best" is.
"What do I really want to do with this airplane?" seems to be the first question you should ask yourself.
But... if I had the time, money and space, I'd probably be building a Europa. Takes a variety of powerplants, energy-saving design, good touring machine, but also aerobatic; good short-field performer; can be configured in monowheel or tri-gear style (monowheel gives it excellent unpaved-runway capability). And the wings can quickly be removed for moving/storage... there's even a glider-wing kit for it if you feel like soaring. Composites are not everybody's cup of tea, but this design has a lot of versatility.

http://www.europa-aircraft.co.uk/

My second choice would probably be an RV.

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Reply #7 - Jun 13^th, 2006 at 10:15am

B.C._448_FAG Offline
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Is there any aerobatic RV, responding to what i really want:

Sport plane, to travel, aerobatic but nothing like extra 300 just immelmans, rolls, loops.

Nothing crazy.

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Reply #8 - Jun 13^th, 2006 at 10:49am

ozzy72 Offline
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Well again the big question of plans vs kits. A good middle road option could be the Wag Aero Sports Trainer (basically a modified J-3 Cub, look near the bottom of the page at the Acro Trainer Option) http://www.wagaero.com/kitplanes.html
Of course that is tandem seating...
Alternatively Vans have a nice selection http://www.vansaircraft.com
I think you really need to sit down, calculate what you can afford, what material you wish to make it out of, performance, configuration etc.
Give us an approximate shopping list and we should be able to help you a bit more Wink

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #9 - Jun 13^th, 2006 at 11:37am

Hagar Offline
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Quote:

Is there any aerobatic RV, responding to what i really want:

Sport plane, to travel, aerobatic but nothing like extra 300 just immelmans, rolls, loops.

Nothing crazy.

You specified side-by-side seating so the RV-6 fits the bill. Comes as taildragger or trike options. http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv-6int.htm
It's a smashing little aircraft but I'm not sure it's approved for any sort of aerobatics in the UK. This might depend where you live.

I've seen this chap put on a nice aerobatic display in the RV-4. http://www.invert.me.uk/aircraft.html

« Last Edit: Jun 13^th, 2006 at 3:22pm by Hagar »

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Reply #10 - Jun 13^th, 2006 at 7:05pm

beaky Offline
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Sounds like you haven't looked here yet, BC:

http://www.vansaircraft.com/

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Reply #11 - Jun 13^th, 2006 at 10:20pm

Rifleman Offline
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" Full size A/C are just
overgrown models ! "
Tropical island in the Pacific

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My recommendation of the Vans isn't without basis.....here is Rifleman in the right seat just after a flight to over 10,000' with the horizon spinning through rolls, and a blast down Comox Lake at over 200 kts and less than 50 ' off the water.........

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Reply #12 - Jun 14^th, 2006 at 3:23am

Hagar Offline
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I thought the aerobatic restriction worth mentioning. This might vary depending on the country you live in. Homebuilts in the UK are usually certified on a Permit to Fly & regulated by the PFA in conjunction with the CAA.

Copied from PFA TYPE ACCEPTANCE DATA SHEET - TADS 181A
VANS RV6 AND RV6A http://www.pfa.org.uk/Data%20Sheets/181%20VANS%20RV6%20%206A.pdf
Quote:

2. Description

The RV6 and 6A are all-metal low-wing two seat sporting/touring aeroplanes which have been built in
numbers in many countries. They have now been superseded by the RV7 and RV7A which are slightly
improved versions. The RV6 and 6A could be built from a standard or fast-build kit. Pre-built wing
spars were also available. All are acceptable subject to the inspector being entirely satisfied with the
quality of workmanship of part-built assemblies. Solid-riveted sheet aluminium construction is used
throughout. The aircraft is fitted with integral wing fuel tanks and sealed during construction using a
proprietary sealant. For UK-built examples recommend suitable corrosion protection of aluminium
airframe throughout, e.g. epoxy primer on aluminium parts and assembly compound where steel parts
are assembled to aluminium parts.
The RV6 is similar to the RV6A except that the RV6 has a tailwheel rather than nosewheel undercarriage.

Quote:

13 Operating Limitations and Placards

Maximum number of occupants authorised to be carried: Two
The aircraft must be operated in compliance with the following operating limitations, which shall be
displayed in the cockpit by means of placards or instrument markings:

Aerobatic Limitations
Intentional spinning is prohibited
Aerobatic manoeuvres are prohibited

I found a heated discussion on the subject here. http://www.pfa.org.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000040

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Reply #13 - Jun 14^th, 2006 at 4:36am

ozzy72 Offline
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Miserable devils the CAA Grin

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #14 - Jun 14^th, 2006 at 10:20am

Rifleman Offline
Colonel
" Full size A/C are just
overgrown models ! "
Tropical island in the Pacific

Posts: 6622

Quote:

I thought the aerobatic restriction worth mentioning. This might vary depending on the country you live in.

Indeed Doug Undecided

...........I'm usually so sad that I live where I do when I see the posts you put up with all that you can see on a regular basis, but on this occasion of the RV flight I went on, I'm glad it was out here where the restrictions are not so tight........... 8)

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