Thinking about building a Fisher Horizon 2

[WBAEngineer]

Hi, I have searched, but didnt see much on Fishers. I have a friend who had a Horizon 2, but I only saw it once from across the field before he sold it. Then I sat in a Horizon 1 before the owner moved across country. I'm 6'-4", 215 lbs. I hit my head in the Horizon 1, but FFP says the Horizon 2 will accommodate a pilot much larger than me. Has anyone here built a Fisher? I've been flying a 182 mostly for a little over 5 years but I have been wanting to build a plane for some time. I actually bought some 701 plans from a man I know, but after setting in one, I dont think that's going to work for me, so I'm probably going to sell those. The only other kit I'm interested in is a Chinook, but I've never seen one.

I may want to fly off of my farm in the future and think either of these could do that. I want to be able to take one of the children flying, so 2 seats is important. I've got a 182, which is more for travel, so this I want to be low-slow and somewhat short field, although we are at about 175' MSL here so not landing on mountaintops or anything. I do like that the fisher is supposed to be rated for some acrobatics, although I'd for sure need some training before I tried any of that.

If anyone knows of a Horizon 2 near east GA, I'd love to go up in one or at least sit in one. I have ridden back seat in a cub, but I can't fit front seat in a citabria.

Also, I think I like the idea of building with wood, but I'm not sold on it. I am a mechanical engineer, but not a craftsman. I am willing to learn however.

I got a quote a year ago for a horizon 2 and he quoted an aeromomentum engine. I think I'd prefer a used O-200A or other direct drive. Maybe a Jabriu or Rotax, but I'm not sold on the auto conversions.

[Tim Hoversten]

I don't have any direct experience with the Horizon 2, but it looks like a very capable design for your flying mission. However, I do have many hours in a Zenith 750 STOL and 750 Cruiser, and they are considerably more roomy than the 701 - you should fit no problem in either one. Simple sheet metal with pull-rivet construction, and side-by-seating with a panoramic view. We had an 0-200 on the 750 STOL and it worked great with a Whirlwind prop.

[Dana]

Fisher makes a bunch of nice planes of modest performance at a modest price. I have no experience with the Horizon but had a FP-404 for awhile, it was a lot of fun until I outgrew it.

Fisher says you can loop and roll the Horizon, but they also say +4 -2.5g for a plane they say you can loop and roll, while certificated acro ships start at +6 -3. Yes, you can no doubt loop and roll it (you can loop and roll a Cub, too), but it's really not made for it and you have to be gentle and know what you're doing.

The VW engine conversions are quite reliable if you don't try to get too much HP out of them, and they're a LOT cheaper to buy and maintain than a Lycoming.

[FlyingRon]

My neighbor was building one, but he moved away before he finished so I can't really tell you how it turned out.

The design looks good because not even Bob Cringely could screw it up, and not for the want of trying. That TV series he did was certainly Cringe worthy and he's lucky he didn't wreck on the test flight.

[Auburntsts]

My neighbor was building one, but he moved away before he finished so I can't really tell you how it turned out.

The design looks good because not even Bob Cringely could screw it up, and not for the want of trying. That TV series he did was certainly Cringe worthy and he's lucky he didn't wreck on the test flight.

Thanks for the reference! I'd never heard of Cringely, but found his 3-film PBS series on YouTube. It certainly was at the very least, entertaining, in the reality TV, watching a train wreck happen kind of way.

[Eric Page]

...3-film PBS series on YouTube.

The link, in case anyone else is interested: https://youtu.be/FSNzF-KSGiw