I want to build another airplane
I want to build another airplane
It seems like around this time each year I get the craving to build another airplane. It must have something to do with the long winters up here in Ohio.
This affliction even affected me during the last winter of building my RV. In spite of the fact I was finishing the RV-8, I got all excited about building a Fokker Triplane; excited enough to order a set of plans! I know, I’m sick!
So it is again that I want to find a way to break those Triplane plans out and start making parts. Of course, I have no time and little money to devote to such an endeavor. Maybe that’s why I want to, because I know I can’t. The forbidden fruit syndrome of airplanes.
After my last airplane, my wife declared no more building until retirement – Urghh! But she also said I shouldn’t start building my RV-8 until my youngest was 6 and I actually started it when she was 3 – everything’s negotiable.
The good news is the Triplane would be very cheap to build initially, further tempting me! Plus, it is plans-built, meaning there are no kit parts so every little piece is hand-made. This would likely make this a 7 or 8 year project at the pace I built my RV-8 (5 yrs to build).
What really needs to happen is a re-polish of my -8 along with finishing the smoke system.
I guess I’m a little ADD when it comes to my airplanes.
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Personally, I think there are builders and pilots. I like to spend my free time flying. I don’t think I could spend the necessary time to build a kit. The idea of spending a bunch of time building something then flying does not appeal to me. I’ll take my certified plane any time!
Yes it’s a sickness… I love doing both!
Brent, as always, great subject! I wish I had a quarter for every time I’ve pondered this subject during the countless hours spent alone at the crack of dawn working to finish my RV-10. Early on, I discovered Tim Olson’s blog/picture site and after a couple of hours of looking through the pictures, and blog entries, I realized that I barely looked at his construction pictures and mainly focussed on his flying adventures. For now, I think I know where my heart is and it’s at pattern altitude or above. I’m confident that I will see your Fokker fly over some day.
Thanks Dana!
It’s all fun! Keep up the great work on your beautiful RV-10.
Brent