Hey Dana, I helped one of my neighbors build a RV6A back in the good ole days (not really so good) when you received a pile of aluminum sheet, no prepunch. The kit was pretty good even then. The jigs that had to be built to allign the wings and all were not that hard to do. I can't imagine having all the parts prepunched, must be heavenly. Measuring spacing, aligning ribs and all is time consuming. We made it thru in about 4 or 5 years of part time building. He is still flying the plane and I have flown it quite a bit in years past with him. It is a good flying and pretty fast plane with the 160 hp Lyc. I think we usually cruised around 180 to 190 mph if I remember correctly. One of my friends near me is building a Rv7A tilt up canopy fast build kit. The fast build comes almost complete, the workmanship from overseas is really high quality. Too bad the labor has to be in another country. The wood, foam and fiberglass that is in the KRs is a great way to build airplanes also. It is an inexpensive way for people to build airplanes. A guy can buy a little at a time and get started building a KR. There are options for engines that are affordable for KRs also. Most RVs require more expensive engines. There are fast build kits available for KRs also. Just keep an eye out and buy one that someone is giving up on ! I just sold one like this to someone who will have a big jump on scratch built plus a lot of parts are already gathered up for you ! Have fun with your plane, give us status reports and stay away from warbirds when you get it going. Larry H.
Message: 7 List-Post: krnet@list.krnet.org Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2006 21:52:01 -0400 From: "Dana Overall" Subject: Re: KR> Belated Fun Friday:-) To: kr...@mylist.net Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed >From: "Dan Heath" >Well, that is surely not impressive. If I were to enter the Metal LSA >arena > I really think it would be a Sonex. Well, (see I started the same way you did Dan:-) (and before the rest of you say it, Dan and I know nothing we say to each other is meant as a flame in any manner) I guess I am a little bias in that the technology I have seen from Van's firsthand is nothing less than spectacular. They say my R$ has something like 15K rivets. I have not had one single prepunched rivet hole even miniscularly (is that a word) out of alignment with it's mating part. What you get from Van's, at the price they sell the kits at, is a great bargain (my opinion). It is one of the few kits out there that sells for more than what you put into it. The 10's are selling for anywhere between 230K and 279K. Mine is selling for about 1.5 what it's building cost is, not counting labor. I brougt a flap to Mark Langford's one visit and clecoed it together in something like 7 (making the exact time up) minutes. Turned around and visited Mark Jones with Langford and put together the instrument panel in 8 (not exactly, but I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express) minutes. See the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfUikuSd694 One thing for certain, the 12 will be a very cost effective build and will put you in the air in a very reasonable time. If you read some on the forum at vansairforce.net it becomes clear that for the LSA certification, on the sale of the airplane kit, Van's had to list and CG an engine, thus the choice. Van himself is not much for modification but you will see people have already started to push the envelope. My only opinion is you will get more airplane than the financial investment you outlay. Sorry gang, this IS a little more metal than I like to put on the KR list. Trust me I am not trying to sway anyone to the dark side, just a LSA option for those seeking that avenue. Man am I ever going to get flamed off the list, OH well I told you I was coming out of the flame trench firing:-) See everyone at the KR Gathering............with new toys.........hum, wonder what that may be??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfUikuSd694 Dana Overall 1999 & 2000 National KR Gathering host Richmond, KY i39 RV-7 slider, Imron black, "Black Magic" O 360 A1A, C/S C2YK-1BF/F7666A4 http://rvflying.tripod.com/id30.html do not archive
