I'll be starting on a Highlander in Jan. I found one under construction at Whiteman in So. Cal. Is anyone on our group building or flying a Highlander. justaricraft.com is the kit manufacturer.

Rich

We started ours in mid-October. Fuselage is pretty much ready for cover and we have the wings mounted on the fuselage getting ready to set the fuel tanks and trailing edges... Engine should be showing up hopefully in late December. Should be flying late spring early summer... Fun Project...

Check out this Highlander...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeQP-H_31JQ

I sold my 170 last month and plan to start a build in the next year or 2. The Highlander is still high on my list of possible kits, along with the S7 and Kitfox Super Sport.

Coyote Ugly wrote:Check out this Highlander...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeQP-H_31JQ

Thanks Pops!! I watched it twice again.

BTW...... Hope you and Teresa had a great day!

Cool Rich! PM taildrgfun steve - he's on this forum, and probably the best known highlander out there. Some cool mods too.

My neighbor, where I park my plane when on wheels, just took delivery of a Highlander that was built for him in Ontario, CA. The price was not confirmed but I think the completed price was approaching $100,000 CD!! It is powered by a Rotax engine and as shown in the first flight video, seems to perform well at least with one person in the plane at about 3,700 msl!

For that money, IMO, there are many more desireable planes for bang for the buck. But then again, Zane hasn't asked me for input for his website!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0bl06lNs0

Why did they ruin it with that funny looking thing on the front??

we have had a Highlander with the 912s and 29" bush wheels since last Feb. our field is at 7500' with DA's around 10,000' in the summer. We love it
Mike

Mike,
You forgot to mention that you fly your Highlander out of your back yard!

FloatFlyer wrote:...I think the completed price was approaching $100,000 CD!! ...For that money, IMO, there are many more desireable planes for bang for the buck. ..........

The exchange rate is about par, so it's the same 100K in USD. That is a lot of dough, but not so bad for a turn-key, fly-it-away airplane-- some of the factory built LSA's are $125K (USD) and up. I don't think any of them are less than $100K in real life, by the time they go out the door.
A guy I know bought a Savannah 2 years ago from a guy who built it for him in BC, I think he paid about $75K. Seemed like an awful lot at the time, which it was compared to the old Chief he had before that, but actually for a brand new airplane he probably got a pretty good deal.When you realize that the kit price, the engine price, the price of all instruments & radios, & paint price probably adds up to more than $50K-- PLUS probably a year's worth of someone's time to build it- $75K ain't that much. Still above my pay grade though.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I kinda thought I might find one or two in our group.

Emmet: I cant wait to show it to you when it is complete. I have been in contact with Steve before plunking down the $. I like his engine choice, but will wait a few months before placing an order. I'd like to see more hours on that engine here in the US.

Avid: Probably from the marketing guys. You know how they want to expand market share. Mine is missing the funny part on the front. Did they forget to pack something??

Coyote: I showed that video to my wife a while back, and she said it will be a cold day in hell before she takes that ride with me. I showed her some of your videos, and I might have to start bringing the dog along. At least the dog wont complain and will still love me after the ride. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm???

Zane: I have been on a mission for a plane like this for over 2 yrs. I see a lot of the Kitfox stuff in the parts. I tried to find 'horror' stories, but everyone is sastisfied with the kit, engineering, factory and the help they receive. I opted to build it in my hangar, although I gave a lot of thought to doing in the factory with the factory assist program.

I'm at 9 Stearman Taxi in Santa Paula KSZP if any of you are in the area. The beer/soda is always cold and the pub is open when I'm there. 510-299-1409.

Rich

Awe Rich! Now I'm really envious. I've been thinking a lot about your 205 and the discussion we had about them. I've really liked the Highlander and said that if I were to build/buy a kit plane, that would be it.

Good luck with it and I can't wait to see the final product.

FWIW -

I have a 'stock' Highlander with 175 hours on it now in 2 years. It is WAY more airplane than I'd ever dreamed and I am really enjoying it. Cheap to operate, pretty easy to build, etc. If you ever have questions, PM me or there is a very active forum listed on the Just site.

best,

Kevin

Rich, you are referring to the Rotax 912S, correct? It's got a pretty substantial positive service record now around the world. Talk to Fred - he's got about 1000hrs behind them. TBO is now 2000hrs. I absolutely love mine. You will too after some time behind it.

emflys wrote:Rich, you are referring to the Rotax 912S, correct? It's got a pretty substantial positive service record now around the world.

One of which is the powerplant for the Predator drone (Rotax 914 turbo charged), if I'm not mistaken.

I saw rfinkle's new Highlander project leave my home airport in a U-haul truck for its new home at KSZP this evening. Congratulations Rich, you got a great project that will be a great airplane when you get it finished.

emflys wrote:Rich, you are referring to the Rotax 912S, correct? It's got a pretty substantial positive service record now around the world. Talk to Fred - he's got about 1000hrs behind them. TBO is now 2000hrs. I absolutely love mine. You will too after some time behind it.

Emmet: I was referring to a different Steve. I'm about ready to pull the trigger on the UL350i.
Made in Belgium, 130 hp, FADEC ........ Have you heard anything about this engine?

There are 5 of them flying in the US, and more in Europe.

Rich

Looks like a cool motor, but no experience. I know there is a highlander guy in the us that has just started flying. That steve? I think there will be a little more R&D with the UL, but might end up being a great package.

A friend of mine visited this place http://www.flywithgus.net/index.html and was impressed with the UL. I am not sure if thats what he decided on doing, but he really liked the engine. He is a hard guy to impress with an engine too, he teaches race engine preparation for Ducati Motorcycles in several countries.