Cool!.....now what?

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Merlinspop
Posts: 999
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 2:48 pm
Location: WV Eastern Panhandle

Re: Cool!.....now what?

Post by Merlinspop »

TenSeven wrote:
Merlinspop wrote:Think about what kind of building you want to do. Do you want to fabricate parts from plans or would you rather assemble a kit with minimal fabrication work? Like welding? Pulling, or pounding, a gazillion rivets? Or maybe composites? Find a model that offers the sort of building experience that appeals to you while fulfilling you flying mission, eventually. There's a bunch of options out there.

If I had the time and space for a homebuilding project, I'd consider a Bearhawk LSA. It has bits of everything; welded fuselage, aluminum wings, fabric. Could even do some composite parts if I wanted (floorboards, wingtips, more).
Thanks Bruce, I'll check out the Bearhawk.

I just completed a 3 year resto mod of a 1966 Sunbeam Alpine that had sat outside for close to 30 years. That got my mechanical mind and skills up to speed. I'll work with any medium, wood, weld, bend, form, anything.
Bob Barrows has designed 3 Bearhawk models: A 4-seater that is a great heavy lifter, a tandem seat 2-place (flaps, heavier than LSA), and the LSA (no flaps). All bear a family resemblance to one another. Can be built straight from plans or from kits of varying levels of completeness.
- Bruce
Horatio
Posts: 100
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:01 pm
Location: SC Midlands

Re: Cool!.....now what?

Post by Horatio »

Merlinspop wrote:"Where" is being covered, as for the "what" part... if low and slow appeals to you, and as you're mechanically inclined, I'd suggest you consider (I'm not pushing this idea, only giving you something to chew on) an antique that fits the LSA definition. Taylorcraft BC-12s can be had for $25k or less, for example. Sure, an A&P would have to be involved, but many who work on these types welcome owners to participate under their supervision. You may end up with a great friend, too.
This is the route I took, and I think it's a good one. However, I would caution you to do a thorough pre-buy and remember that parts for these antiques are getting harder to come by. My Luscombe came with an engine with "only" 32 hours since overhaul at the time of purchase. lol It crapped out at 147 hours with four bad cylinders. I'm in the process of rebuilding, which is ok, but finding A65 cylinders has been a challenge. Future plans call for upgrading to a C85, for which parts are not hard to find. Just bear in mind that upkeep may be difficult with these older planes. If I had the money, I'd buy a Sonex right now.
SP-ASEL (tailwheel)
Luscombe 8A
TenSeven
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:37 pm

Re: Cool!.....now what?

Post by TenSeven »

Good points about vintage aircraft, thanks.

I'm still tempted to homebuild something. Love the thought flying something I built myself, but I'm still leary of having to figure what to do with it after its built. One suggestion I got was to scrap the idea of going fixed wing and think about a gyroplane instead. One guy I talked to was pretty enthusiastic about his Gyro flying and the ease of storing/working on it in his garage and easily towing it on a trailer behind his car.

Something else to think about I suppose.
Last edited by TenSeven on Sun Nov 20, 2016 10:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
HAPPYDAN
Posts: 390
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:49 am

Re: Cool!.....now what?

Post by HAPPYDAN »

Check out the 1946 Taylorcraft BC-12D on Barnstormers, for sale at the Port Townsend (WA) Aviation Museum. $18,500 asking, claims to be completely restored. If I had my license, I would definitely consider it.
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