Aeroplanes

[Velorini]

This is what my other project looks like...
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/11682...78559065261154
I've finished the tail and wings. Fuselage kit lands in Australia mid May.
Gotta get cracking on my bike frame!
Cheers,
Cam

[Saab2000]

Love the edit reason!

BTW, what level of certificate do you have? Not that it matters. A kit plane is a cool project but be prepared to spend enormous amounts of time. Back when I actually kinda liked flying I considered a Lanceair. They're badass.

Have fun and fly safe!

[Velorini]

Thanks.
You're right about the quals needed. I'd think most homebuilders don't have any formal aviation qualifications yet turn out some truly magnificent aeroplanes.
In my case, I've got pilot's licence, but pay for my bicycles and plane by working on Boeing and Airbus avionics.
I'll post some pics of my plane build if the interest is there.
Must say though, while the plane is a neat project, it is simply putting together a kit (almost). Whereas building my bicycle frame is more like creating something...

[Jason Musgrave]

Great choice! I've always wanted to build either a RV-4, or one of the PA-18 replicas.

[FlynRide]

The Van's series are great aircraft.

The steerable wheel is in the correct location, they're aerobatic, perform great and are a blast to fly !!

My favorite is a RV-4, fastback w/ IO-320 CS. Sweet!

[Proparc]

Velorini,
Whats up with that model airplane Vans in the background. Fellow modeler here:give me the 411!! Saito 72 here etc.

[Velorini]

Hi Proparc,
That "model" RV-7 in the background is the same as the one I'm building. It's 12 inches per foot scale model! It's got a Lycoming IO-360 with a Hartzell constant speed prop.
For the other guys that posted; I've got about 25 hrs in a friends RV-4 and you're right it is an awesome plane, however the side by side seating and baggage capacity of the RV-7 won me over. The -7 can carry a full size bike in the back, or 2 folding Bike Friday/Moulton type bikes.
Cheers.

[vulture]

I used to build these, Aviat Husky frames. kinda like bikes with a bunch more tubes. Also I welded a bunch of the Columbia 350 and 400 parts like engine mounts and gearboxes. We made a bunch of stuff for the huskys too. Gear legs, control sticks, rudder/brake pedals, engine mounts. Also if you get type 1 head rings from aircraft spruce, I made a gozillion of those .

[Proparc]

Vulture,
What was the welding setup you used for the Aviat Husky frames. What rod, amps, etc. Was the tubing 4130?

[vulture]

Vulture,
What was the welding setup you used for the Aviat Husky frames. What rod, amps, etc. Was the tubing 4130?

Tig welded,(pedal control) full cert. s-2 rod, all tubes were 4130. losts of blind welding but fully inspected. Funnest project I have ever participated in. Made building bikes seem really easy...until I started building bikes again. It is one thing to make the same thing twice, with bikes they are one at a time and they have to do a lot with few tubes.