DaleB
08-22-2016, 11:23 AM
I'm thinking of building something out of wood. I have an RV-12, so this would be used on nice days for local low & slow cruising around, maybe an occasional burger or pancake run. I'm not interested in an ultralight, I'd like to be able to take my grandkids, wife or a Young Eagle passenger along. So far I'm looking at the Fisher Celebrity, but wondering if I have missed anything.
Needs to be within LSA weight and performance parameters.
Needs to be able to carry a large pilot (5-11/250) and adult passenger.
I would prefer all wood construction.
I'd prefer a biplane with a classic or WWI appearance. Open cockpit is fine - preferable, in fact. Almost required. Not really interested in a Cub/Champ type. I'm not ruling out parasols.
Does not need to be aerobatic... though it wouldn't hurt.
Needs to be able to use a reliable engine that's obtainable and not a $30K radial. O-200, C65, VW, etc.
I would prefer something with a kit available, but plans building is not out of the question.
I know this seems like a tall order. I looked at the Airdrome WWI replicas and like them, but they're all either one-holers or have tiny little side by side cockpits. And I'm really liking the idea of a wood construction project. I've looked at a ton of other designs that either lack the useful load, are configured like a Cub/Champ, or are not even close to being LSA. The Celebrity is so far the only one I've found that meets my requirements, but I'm open to suggestions.
Needs to be within LSA weight and performance parameters.
Needs to be able to carry a large pilot (5-11/250) and adult passenger.
I would prefer all wood construction.
I'd prefer a biplane with a classic or WWI appearance. Open cockpit is fine - preferable, in fact. Almost required. Not really interested in a Cub/Champ type. I'm not ruling out parasols.
Does not need to be aerobatic... though it wouldn't hurt.
Needs to be able to use a reliable engine that's obtainable and not a $30K radial. O-200, C65, VW, etc.
I would prefer something with a kit available, but plans building is not out of the question.
I know this seems like a tall order. I looked at the Airdrome WWI replicas and like them, but they're all either one-holers or have tiny little side by side cockpits. And I'm really liking the idea of a wood construction project. I've looked at a ton of other designs that either lack the useful load, are configured like a Cub/Champ, or are not even close to being LSA. The Celebrity is so far the only one I've found that meets my requirements, but I'm open to suggestions.