So with the stick and rudder issue being settled. I'm leaning toward a plane similar to a Husky. All I need is a two placer, good hauling capability, would also prefer it to be IFR capable. Not really for IMC conditions more for the ability to stay current. Kit recommendations?

Would love the experience of building, and would do it piece meal starting soon than my five year plan. However buying is still an option and husky and muale are at the top. Operating cost comparison anybody?

If you decide to build, it is REQUIRED to build a stick and rudder airplane

I'm not sure any homebuilders have ever built an airplane intentionally with a control yoke. If so, it has been a very small number.

As has been discussed several times in other threads, all of the primary decisions are driven by what kind of flying you want, and need, and can afford to do.

...an airplane intentionally with a control yoke.

A yoke is a wooden beam which is used between a pair of oxen to allow them to pull a load (oxen almost always work in pairs). It can be used to help plow fields. There are several types, used in different cultures, and for different types of oxen. A pair of oxen is also called a yoke of oxen, and yoke is also used as a verb: "to yoke a pair of oxen".

Why would anyone want one of those in a plane??? Besides, it much more fun to have the wife/GF hold the stick.

Yes, you MUST build a stick and rudder airplane.

That's why I built this: http://airprayer.wordpress.com/2011/02/ ... ote-flies/

There are a lot of cool kits out there that will let you build a good, solid airplane that will get you in and out of the back country.

Rans S-7S of course. It will haul as much as a Husky (pretty much), and fly almost as fast at 1/2 the fuel burn. Straightforward kits. Baggage pod option hopefully soon. Excellent STOL airplane. Better than its pilot

Oh, and Zane's getting one eventually. Probably.

emflys wrote:R
Oh, and Zane's getting one eventually. Probably.

I am still rather schizophrenic on that topic, especially when the fiancee mentions children, but yes...it ranks VERY high on the list.

emflys wrote:Rans S-7S of course. It will haul as much as a Husky (pretty much), and fly almost as fast at 1/2 the fuel burn. Straightforward kits. Baggage pod option hopefully soon. Excellent STOL airplane. Better than its pilot

Oh, and Zane's getting one eventually. Probably.

I really like the price but a 100 hp engine seems a little on the light side for me, where I'm located in the Rockies.

madpilot wrote:I really like the price but a 100 hp engine seems a little on the light side for me, where I'm located in the Rockies.

They work fine here, really. It's a light airplane and you can keep it light if you want to fly in the mountains in the summer. I'd love to have one here.

The Highlander looked pretty solid and safe/sane to me, when I saw one naked being built. 120HP Jabiru engine or Rotax 914 turbo would probably work well at high altitudes.

But as mentioned, it's about power to weight, not just power. A Super Cub has a lot less power than the AN-2 biplane but still outperforms it in the STOL department.

There are experimental Super Cub kits that will allow you to build essentially a hotrod PA-18 clone.

EZFlap wrote:The Highlander looked pretty solid and safe/sane to me, when I saw one naked being built. 120HP Jabiru engine or Rotax 914 turbo would probably work well at high altitudes.

But as mentioned, it's about power to weight, not just power. A Super Cub has a lot less power than the AN-2 biplane but still outperforms it in the STOL department.

There are experimental Super Cub kits that will allow you to build essentially a hotrod PA-18 clone.

I know about cub draftees are there other kits out there you would recommend?

I know about cub draftees are there other kits out there you would recommend?

You may want to look at the Patrol (2 place) or Bearhawk (4 place):

http://www.bearhawkaircraft.com/

I built a BH, and maybe I'm just a crappy pilot, but at 300 hours in it, I find it to be way more plane than I am pilot. It is easy to fly, but with some amazing capabilities as well. I have not flown a Patrol, but understand it is even more capable in many ways. (of course having built one, I'm probably biased, but putting my bias aside, I do suggest seriously considering these).

I have friends who own Rans S-7's, Highlanders, Kit-Foxes, etc. They are all good planes and economical to operate. As stated previously, it really depends on your mission. (I'd love to have one of these if I could afford two planes)

There are also several Cub type LSA's out there and some of those can be purchased as kits (I think). There is also Dream Aircraft Tundra, Turbine Cubs of Wyoming, Glastar Sportsman, WAG Aero Kits, and others such as the Storch kits in their variations.

What ever you, chose, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as it is hard to go wrong with any of them and they all have their pro's and con's. No one plane is really better than another, it is all about what best fits your mission and flying/life style. Enjoy

madpilot wrote:I know about cub draftees are there other kits out there you would recommend?

Don't forget to check out some of the smaller planes like Ridge Runner (my plane, of which I am having a second one built right now), SkyRaider and the Just Aircraft "Escapade" model. They don't have the load carrying/cargo capacity of other popular backcountry planes but they're lighter, more agile, easy to handle and suitable with a wide range of powerplants.


SkyRaider http://www.skyraiderllc.com/aircraft.htm

JustAircraft http://www.justaircraft.com/news.php

RidgeRunner http://www.realflying.com/

As stated, the 100hp Rotax 912S in a Rans (or highlander) is a super performer in these ~750lb airframes. Mine has operated in the high desert, Idaho, Sierras, etc. and it performs as good or better in terms of climb, take-off roll, and landing as all but the most modified/hopped up Super Cub.

Make it to JC in June, and you will have the opportunity to sample it first hand - there will be several S7's there, probably a highlander, kitfox, etc. Also as debated at length, it really just depends on your mission, your budget, your time, etc.

I would love to have a carbon cub EX. But I can't afford it, and it will cost me 2x or more in fuel cost/hr to operate. The Cub kits that I have seen will all run you quite a bit more money than a Rans or Highlander Kit. There might be exceptions to that. But hey, if money is not an issue, the guy that has my old S7 also owns the prototype Carbon Cub EX with the 220hp motor and flames that's for sale! That thing will do just about anything! In fact, he's in Wyoming, and owns/has owned several S7's, exp Supercubs, Mackey SQ2, Carbon Cub, etc. - HE would be a good guy to talk to about what they will all do.

I love the Patrol. I really love the Bearhawk Blackrock. My dream would be to find a reliable partner that we could have 50/50 share of my Rans and a Bearhawk. Talk about best of both backcountry worlds!!

So, my choices for a 2-seat tandem cub-type KIT:
Money no object: Carbon Cub or Mackey SQ2
LSA-type Kit: Rans or Highlander
Time not object/longer build: Patrol

My dream would be to find a reliable partner that we could have 50/50 share of my Rans and a Bearhawk. Talk about best of both backcountry worlds!!

If only we lived in the same place That would be a no brainer...

Carbon Cub "Top Cub"

What is a real world price on a new:

Rans S7 Rotax 100 HP no avionics

Just Highlander Rotax 100HP no avionics

How many hours to build.

I can speak for a Rans

From factory all new:

Kit + FWF: $26K
Motor: $20K
Throw in a little extra for basic paint, and that's $49K. NO AVIONICS

Find a started kit like I did, $18K
Find a motor with a few hundred hours - $14-16K

I think realistically, as you will need some basic avionics, $55K

Build time for a retired guy like you Rob will be 750-1000hrs, maybe less if you are really handy.

Emmet,
I think you're estimating high on the hours. Granted I have the dacron slip on covering on my S6 but if if I add 150 hours for fabric and paint that would only be 500 hours. Does the S7 take that much longer?

Just Highlander Rotax 100HP no avionics

In 2008 bucks it was right at $50k for basic avionics, new Rotax 912ULS. Took 877 days (with full time job, 2 teenagers, etc.) - probably about 800 hrs (first timer, would be shorter now...).

fwiw

k

Scott you just build fast! I don't have experience with the 6, so not sure. There's also more time no painting with prime, sand and paint. But I think if you ask around, that time frame is probably right. Faster if you are an experienced builder. Especially an RV-4 builder.