Tucano Replica kit

[rwanttaja]

Thanks for the response.

Is this a good kit for a first time builder?

Considering how few are in the US, it's impossible to tell, at this point. There are only six registered examples in the US. As with any new aviation company, there are always worries whether the company will be around. This is even more a concern when the company is based overseas.

I see one of the airplanes is registered out of Cotati, CA. That's a considerable distance from your location, but at least it's in the same state. Talking to the owner might be a good next step. FAA records show him as Robin Langhofer.

The first builders of a kit are basically "beta testers"; it's likely there are some bugs in the design and instructions that will be discovered during the building of the first examples. It's not a good place for a first-time builder.

One thing to be aware of: Only one of the six US-registered airplanes is listed as a "Tucano LSA", but the airplane itself is licensed in Experimental Exhibition, NOT Special Light Sport. If your desire is for an ELSA, be cautious; it may not yet be approved. The published specifications for the Tucano LSA do show it as Sport Pilot eligible, so you can build the Experimental Amateur-Built version and still fly it as a Sport Pilot.

The kit costs considerably more than an RV, and there are a lot of current and former RV builders who could help. An RV-8 might be a better choice, for a first build...unless you need something that's Sport Pilot eligible.

Ron Wanttaja