So, mentally, I'm ready to get started on a project but I thought I'd throw the problem I have up on here and see how others have dealt with it - surely I'm not the only one!
Top of my list right now is the Onex because that seems to fit my mission and budget for flying (which is rather low). The major problem I have is a lack of money to get started. The Onex seems to be kit only and, although I could do a Sonex from plans, it doesn't fit me physically or budget-wise as well as the Onex. I'm open to other options but they all end up with about the same costs from what I can tell. Are their other project options I'm not considering? There are some ultralight projects that are appealing but I'm 6'1" and about 270 - which, again, limits my options.
I have the basic tools and could afford to start scratch-building a project but I can't afford to buy a kit or finance a kit right now. Even low cost tail kits are something of a stretch. I fear, I'd complete the tail kit, then need to sit looking at it for a few years before I could get the next section and that would just be too frustrating. What I do have plenty of is time. If I could find the right project, with plans at a reasonable cost, I could spread the materials cost over time and get started this summer.
In a few years, when the kids are out of daycare and the cars are paid off, this will change but between now and then, I wait.
What advice do you have for how best to spend the time while I save up? I've done some EAA workshops and other things. Options I'm thinking about are learning to gas weld - that could be really useful. But without a project, it seems hard to justify buying the set up, learning, and then having it be a hatrack for the next few years. What could I build using that skill that might be useful later? A brake, maybe?
Are there other things I could build using metal aircraft skills that could be useful? Anybody make desks or something with construction like a wing?
Any advice?
Thanks!