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Thread: Seeking Project Suggestions

  1. #11

    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    NW FL
    Posts
    405
    Still searching, Eric? 1 or 2 seater that folds away like a Leatherman? Here's a couple more:
    Avid, Kitfox, Skyraider (in Idaho) Rans, Sonerai, Fisher Flying Products from Ont. Canada. Fisher has over a dozen wood designs. There are a bunch in my area. My vote goes to the Fisher Dakota Hawk with a Geodesic airframe. Also look at the Flybaby. Ron Wanttaja is the FB expert. I even know of an STC for folding wings on the Ercoupe 415.

    Ron mentioned the S-18. I was building the S-18 predecesor the Thorp T-18 back in 68. It features a quick detachable wing. Takes two guys because its a one piece wing 23 feet long. I still have all the drawings and maybe some parts.

    Bob

  2. #12

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    North Central Missouri
    Posts
    6

    Similar problem

    Not sure if I want to build at this time, but I've been trying to decide on the ideal airplane for my situation. I currently have a 1978 Cessna 172N and a Challenger II long wing. I also have a 1600' grass strip at our house where I keep the Challenger. Having a plane in your backyard is GREAT. I've found I fly the Challenger 2 - 3 times a week while the 172 sits in a hangar 28 miles away waiting for the opportuhity to go on a long trip. I'm thinking about selling both these planes and buying one that I can use year-round off the grass strip, can fly slow and low, and is capable of making medium length cross country trips relatively comfortably with at least 2 people. I can't decide on the ideal airplane to fit this bill. Any ideas?

  3. #13

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    tonasket wa
    Posts
    8
    How about the Personal Cruiser?

  4. #14
    Eric Page's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Toledo, WA
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    316
    Quote Originally Posted by Ed Jeffko View Post
    How about the Personal Cruiser?
    Ooo, I like that a lot. Nice swoopy shape, apart from the oddly rectangular cowling. The price is right and it looks like a reasonably straightforward build. Only drawback I see is that the wings don't fold. Thanks for the heads up on this one, Ed!
    Eric Page
    Building: Kitfox 5 Safari | Rotax 912iS | Dynon HDX
    Member: EAA Lifetime, AOPA, ALPA
    ATP: AMEL | Comm: ASEL, Glider | ATCS: CTO
    Map of Landings

  5. #15

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Maryville, TN
    Posts
    3
    fixedwing2: It sounds like a Kitfox series 7 might fit the bill for you. It is available as a kit or fully constructed ready to fly. As a kit I think you can certify it up to a 1550 pound GW which allows it a useful load of about 780 pounds. The Ready to fly model is certified as an S-LSA, so it cuts that down to 1320, but that still gives you 550 pounds of useful load. They quote range of just over 600 miles with VFR reserves, 122mph at 7500 feet burning 4.8 gph, so I think that probably meets your xcountry needs. It doesn't need much runway, so pretty much anybody should be able to get off your 1600 feet easy.

    Ed Jeffko: The Personal Cruiser looks awesome. The fold-a-plane thing is very intriguing. Looking at the numbers, I may build one of these. I'm with Eric though, I'd probably want to streamline the cowling a bit.
    Last edited by meeverett; 09-03-2011 at 11:53 AM. Reason: Added information

  6. #16
    Neil's Avatar
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    Aug 2011
    Location
    Monroe, LA
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    91
    I built a Sonerai II back in the early 80s. It was the most fun airplane I have yet to fly with decent performance on 4 gal. an hour. Folding wings and towable. Good looks didn't hurt either.Name:  1.jpg
Views: 756
Size:  20.0 KB170mph with a 2180cc VW conversion.
    Last edited by Neil; 09-03-2011 at 01:04 PM.

  7. #17

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    North Central Missouri
    Posts
    6
    I like the kitfox because I prefer high wing airplanes but for sight seeing (that's the low slow flying I mentioned) and gives you more clearance in back country strips. Actually,the kitfox is one that I had been looking at.

  8. #18

    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Socal
    Posts
    41

    MINI IMP - never saw one...

    So has anyone built one of these? If so let me know.

  9. #19

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    2,236
    You might want to look at the Morane over at Airdrome Aeroplanes - http://www.airdromeaeroplanes.com/ . The wing doesn't fold, but is built for quick release and trailering. Sharon Starks of the KC Dawn Patrol can get hers from trailer to the air in about half an hour.
    The opinions and statements of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.

  10. #20
    Pat_Panzera's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Hanford CA
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    21
    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Page View Post
    I'm trying to figure out what to build, and I could use some suggestions. My basic requirements are:
    • Small, one or two-place E-AB aircraft
    • Preferably conventional gear
    • Folding wings to allow towing and garage storage
    • Available as a complete kit
    • Total budget for VFR a/c: $30,000
    Missions that interest me include:
    • Dawn patrol-type low and slow flying
    • Cross-country flights for $100 burgers, fly-ins, etc.
    • Perhaps Sportsman or Sprint class Sport Air Racing
    Here's a great resource for you:
    http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/default.asp

    I
    t includes in-depth articles on many E-AB, including the Thatcher CX4

    http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-09_thatchers.asp

    http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-06_thatcher.asp

    http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-02_thatcher.asp

    http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-01_thatcher.asp

    http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2010-08_cx4.asp

    http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2010-05_womb.asp

    http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2010-04_cx4.asp





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