Thanks Joe!

Do you have anything to add about the build, quality of the kit, etc?

Zane wrote:Thanks Joe!

Do you have anything to add about the build, quality of the kit, etc?

Good day, I am new to this website thanks to a friend and Tundra flyer colleague Lynn Sanderson! Zane, I own Dreamaircraft Tundra C-FMSV #12, its the blue/silver/white one on the front page of their website just above Lynn's Red one. My dad is a retired sheet metal worker and this was his life dream. Dad took 4 years to build this fantastic product and it flies like a charm, fast, economical, etc. We too looked at few options before signing the cheque but it was clear, a strong metal aircraft with real aviation rivet and cut with CNC robots. The kicker really was that Dreamaircraft does not only depend on aircraft sales to stay alive, their Tundra gig is a sideline fueled by the Desmarais brothers passion for aviation who run, in the same building, a very successful business, building parts for certified Jets and all. This company is there to stay and although sales were down during the rough go (past 2 yrs), their service remained unshaken. Given that we are planning on flying in the Mountains (Yukon/Alaska), we needed few more HP thus why we went with Lycoming's newest 4 cylinder...the IO-390, developping 220hp with polish ports. To help with this hung up a 13 pounds 84" composite MT prop and let me tell you, MSV is a Rocket, cruising at 135/140 at 24/24 and burning 12GPH.

Ours was the first of the bunch to have a reinforced floor and thicker firewall forward, all the rivet holes matched. A great thing about this aircraft is also the inspection holes, there are numerous in the wings and floors. We have a 58us Gal tank but you can now have an aux. tank installed which will require a transfer pump...great idea for those who like to fly for long.

In any case, I can go on and on about the construction, flight characteristics, etc.. just ask and I will answer. I am flying in from Montreal to Alaska next month and will report on the trip! If you wish to see the 3 short flight test video, go to Youtube and type in "Alex6668".

Happy Flying!

Backcountry Tundra wrote:

Zane wrote:Thanks Joe!

Do you have anything to add about the build, quality of the kit, etc?

If you wish to see the 3 short flight test video, go to Youtube and type in "Alex6668".

Happy Flying!

That is an impressive takeoff with that 220hp and MT prop!
http://www.youtube.com/user/alex6668

I had to confirm a current email address through Dream Aircraft for the only other Tundra owner/ pilot that might be willing to relate their experience flying the Tundra. The last time we exchanged email was July and at that time she was flying Fed Ex out of Memphis, Tenn and the plane was nearly done. I believe she is currently in Alaska and according to sources at Dream Aircraft, is in the process of flying off the first 40 hours. I have sent an email asking if she would add her comments on the plane to the BCP site. I do not know her choice of engine or other details as our contacts were insurance related. The remaining owners in North America are all French speaking only and I did not contact them. I did receive an address for a builders log of one of the customers that may interest those wondering about the amount of time involved in building the Tundra. Here it is.

http://www.worldvoyagers.com/

New member and my first post. I am building a Tundra. I was the first person to go through the factory assistance program and had high hopes of flying very quickly. However, I made the mistake of ordering a subaru conversion and wound up waiting two years for delivery. By this time I converted to aircraft engines. I sold the subaru & prop and bought a very low time IO-470. I lost my initial momentum and let the project sit for 2 years. I'm now back at it with the goal of having it in the air this year.

All my research of back country aircraft lead me to the Tundra. I owned two Glastars, both with subaru engines, and tried the Sportsman but wanted more hauling capacity and a very strong plane. Having been to the factory and worked with the designer and his crew, any doubts of the workmanship and strength of this plane vanished. Every step of the way they have made it extremely strong and durable. I tell people that the Tundra will carry 4 passengers or 2 passengers and one elk!

Probably the best engine for the Tundra is the IO-390 at 210 hp. However, due to advice from others and cost, I opted for this used IO-470. This choice means there are issues to address in the way of the extra weight and a larger cowl. The battery will have to go towards the rear and I will have to add weight to rear as well. However, one other builder installed an O-470 and described it as, "Taking off like a helicopter and climbing at 130 mph." I was told by former factory employees who I met while at the factory, that this plane performed very well and there were no flying problems. That said, the company is not pushing this larger engine as their first choice.There is limited information on this plane and it's performance because the builder speaks French and the plane crashed a couple of years ago. The crash happened on landing and the plane was destroyed by fire. The pilot escaped. I understand the crash was not due to the engine, CG, or stretching the envelope, but pilot error.

I hope to have the engine mounted in April and then start addressing the exhaust system and cowl.

I would like to Thank Dirtstrip for putting me on to this group and I am happy to answer what ever questions I can.
NevadaJim

nevada wrote:New member and my first post. I am building a Tundra. I was the first person to go through the factory assistance program and had high hopes of flying very quickly. However, I made the mistake of ordering a subaru conversion and wound up waiting two years for delivery. By this time I converted to aircraft engines. I sold the subaru & prop and bought a very low time IO-470. I lost my initial momentum and let the project sit for 2 years. I'm now back at it with the goal of having it in the air this year.

All my research of back country aircraft lead me to the Tundra. I owned two Glastars, both with subaru engines, and tried the Sportsman but wanted more hauling capacity and a very strong plane. Having been to the factory and worked with the designer and his crew, any doubts of the workmanship and strength of this plane vanished. Every step of the way they have made it extremely strong and durable. I tell people that the Tundra will carry 4 passengers or 2 passengers and one elk!

Probably the best engine for the Tundra is the IO-390 at 210 hp. However, due to advice from others and cost, I opted for this used IO-470. This choice means there are issues to address in the way of the extra weight and a larger cowl. The battery will have to go towards the rear and I will have to add weight to rear as well. However, one other builder installed an O-470 and described it as, "Taking off like a helicopter and climbing at 130 mph." I was told by former factory employees who I met while at the factory, that this plane performed very well and there were no flying problems. That said, the company is not pushing this larger engine as their first choice.There is limited information on this plane and it's performance because the builder speaks French and the plane crashed a couple of years ago. The crash happened on landing and the plane was destroyed by fire. The pilot escaped. I understand the crash was not due to the engine, CG, or stretching the envelope, but pilot error.

I hope to have the engine mounted in April and then start addressing the exhaust system and cowl.

I would like to Thank Dirtstrip for putting me on to this group and I am happy to answer what ever questions I can.
NevadaJim

Nevada Jim:

When I originally inquired about the Tundra, I was aware of someone using tho O470 engine. I asked the factory if they would share any performance specs on the airplane equipped that way as the 110 kts advertised for the Superior 360 is a bit to slow for my taste. Unfortunately, that's where they went radio silent with me. I guess they don't advocate using the larger engine. Do you have any performance expectations you would be willing to share?

Best,
Oscar Deuce

OD,
I intend to use a variable pitch prop and expect to reach 130 kts or more. This is based on the report that the plane with the O-470 'climbed at 130 mph'. I am still trying to get information from the plane builder and I will pass it along when I receive it. It's too bad the factory didn't get back to you. My experience has been very positive with Dream Aircraft. They are even answering my questions now while the Tundra manufacturing is on hold due to the economy and weak exchange with the US Dollar. By 'weak' I mean we here in the states aren't getting as much bang for our buck as we did a few years ago. So, sales to the states have dropped off. Feel free to drop in if your flying brings you this way.
NJ

I'm FAR from a expert but maybe the issue is weight,the 470 is what 100lbs more hanging off of the nose?Seems to me that amount of weight up front might throw things off a bit.Granted I know it's a experimental but I can see why they wouldn't want to voice there opinions on hanging a different engine on the front.

Considering the 0 360's rep maybe a hot rodded version may be worth looking into if seriously contemplating this AC.Like the xp-400 from superior or 0-390 etc,etc.It would get you pretty close to the 470's power without the weight penalty hanging off of the nose.While it may still not get the companies blessing,it would be well within the weights of what the AC was designed for and the extra hp might get you what you're looking for.

Bob wrote:.Like the xp-400 from superior or 0-390 etc,etc.It would get you pretty close to the 470's power without the weight penalty hanging off of the nose.

That's my opinion too, but even the IO-390 in its experimental version (XP-400) is not cheap: $30,000. I think a previous poster stated that they opted for the 470 because they picked one up for substantially less money than the 390.

Thanks, Lynn for getting the few Tundra owners on this site and talking. Great to hear from Alex and can't wait to see the pic's/video's of his trip. Also very glad to hear that Nevada Jim is on it again. I was worried as I've watched his problems ( damage during shipment and the Subaru engine) but hopeful he would get it done. Good luck with the remainder of the project, Jim.
Alex's video now has me quite curious as to the takeoff performance on my XP 360 tricycle. Think I'll get my mechanice/instructor out there with a tape and camera and get some actual performance data. ( I'll obviously wait for a good headwind and will caryy 10 gals fuel

Hey BT, I found some cool pics of you on Flickr. Looks like it was shot at the Cubtoberfest in St Mathias last year.

You guys are bastards! Now I'm looking at this for my next project instead of the Bearhawk. Dirtstrip, I'm going to have to meet up with HiCountry and fly up and visit you sometime!

Tadpole wrote:You guys are bastards! Now I'm looking at this for my next project instead of the Bearhawk. Dirtstrip, I'm going to have to meet up with HiCountry and fly up and visit you sometime!

We don't get a lot of company out here and so usually chain them in the basement for a while. But since you are a BCP member, have studied my family tree and might bring Ernie along, we promise to be nice!

You are welcome here anytime Tadpole.

OUTSTANDING SHOTS....never seen those before...nice turn and climb here eh!! although it wasnt me flying...my dad and friend cause I've never been there before! I'm stealing them from you though for my FB! Thanks Zane.

More peolple should be flying TUNDRA's, they are the way to go folks... build them!

I'm crossing the country with it in 10 days... I'll be posting photos..I guess the most appropriate place to post is "where did you go today"

Tadpole wrote:You guys are bastards! Now I'm looking at this for my next project instead of the Bearhawk. Dirtstrip, I'm going to have to meet up with HiCountry and fly up and visit you sometime!

Why the tundra over the bearhawk?

Eh guys, great first day cross country with the tundra, 1000 miles from Montreal to Dryden , Ontario. Off to Alberta tomorrow. Spot tracking working great.

Nice job. Do you have a SPOT link so we can follow along?

Fly safe and take a few pictures.

Hell, make a proper trip report out of it in the Trip Reports forum. That's a journey.

Looking forward to following your trip progress. Show us some Canada! Blue skies J-M.

I've been busy working on the mount for the IO-470 so have not posted in two weeks. Making great progress.

J-M have a great trip and keep us posted on your progress. What is your farthest West destination?
If you fly south of the border, you are welcome here in Smith Valley, NV. (nv33.com)
NJ