Looking at kits...

[Skylane81E]

Got the OK to build a kit from the Mrs. just need to find the right one so I figgured I'd post what I'm looking for and see what folks suggest.

All I want to do with it is go for a flight on a nice summer eve and have not interest in traveling with this machine.

Anyway, what I need:

2 seats, Angie nixed the idea of a single seater:sad:
Foldable/removable wings so I can take it home
Accepts small inexpencive engine that will burn small amounts of auto gas (auto conversion?) IOW TCM Lycs and Rotax 912s are out
Fits my 6'4" 200lb frame

Wants:

Open cockpit
"Different" looks
Fabric covering
slight prefference to a biplane, just cuz:lol:

Any ideas? I've looked at Sonarais and Sonex's but they just don't really do it for me.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Got the OK to build a kit from the Mrs. just need to find the right one so I figgured I'd post what I'm looking for and see what folks suggest.

All I want to do with it is go for a flight on a nice summer eve and have not interest in traveling with this machine.

Anyway, what I need:

2 seats, Angie nixed the idea of a single seater:sad:
Foldable/removable wings so I can take it home
Accepts small inexpencive engine that will burn small amounts of auto gas (auto conversion?) IOW TCM Lycs and Rotax 912s are out
Fits my 6'4" 200lb frame

Wants:

Open cockpit
"Different" looks
Fabric covering
slight prefference to a biplane, just cuz:lol:

Any ideas? I've looked at Sonarais and Sonex's but they just don't really do it for me.

I believe the Rotax 582 burns 87 octane mogas, so kits using that should presumably be OK?

I suspect asking for removable or foldable wings on a biplane might possibly yield a null set. You may only be able to satisfy one of those two criteria.

Otherwise, the Fisher Classic or R-80 Tiger Moth might fit most of your criteria: http://www.fisherflying.com/

 

[Jim Logajan]

Friends don't let friends fly behind two strokes.

"[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]To paraphrase the words of one long-time Rotax service-center operator, the main problems involving the engines stem from many of the same types of problems—poor judgment, misuse, mismanagement and poor maintenance—befalling all aircraft."

...and...

[/FONT]"[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Care, feed and operate the engine as it needs and chances are you’ll get service just as good as expected from the mainline brands Lycoming and Continental." From:

[/FONT]http://www.aviationsafetymagazine.com/airplane/LSA-Engine-Safety.html

 

[Jim Logajan]

While I am a fan of the 912s they are a little costly for what I'm after with this plane.



I suppose I should prioritize my needs/wants
Folding wings>open cockpit>biplane

Try this handy list of models:

http://www.homebuilt.org/kits/kits-acftdesc.html

If you can find out what the status of the Sherwood Ranger ST model is (the link provided in the above web page goes no where,) it might satisfy all your requirements. I think this is the correct web page: http://www.g-tlac.com/

 

[Jim Logajan]

Try this handy list of models:

http://www.homebuilt.org/kits/kits-acftdesc.html

If you can find out what the status of the Sherwood Ranger ST model is (the link provided in the above web page goes no where,) it might satisfy all your requirements. I think this is the correct web page: http://www.g-tlac.com/

Ah - now this is interesting, here's a sales video of the Sherwood even showing one of the biplane wings folded back: