I like it, have you added up the total cost yet? I am curious what it really costs. my 0-360 powered 170 has added up to a little over 70 000 but that is with a used engine and an old airframe.

You gotta be feeling good about it now
Congrats, Hope the flight is as smooth as the build

I got to fly a Sportsman demo today. Got 1.5 stick time. I like it! I'm going to be spoiled.
With 29" bushwheels and baby bush tailwheel included, I have about $133,000 in it and the only thing it lacks is a paint job. They are a bit misleading when it comes to the tailwheel/nose gear switching. Yes, it can be done in about 1.5 hours, but what they don't tell you is your gear legs aren't interchangable. So you not only have to buy a nose wheel, but an extra set of gear legs also. The wing fold also is a bit tougher than advertized. It only takes a few minutes, but I feel much more comfortable with 2 people. Especially once there is fuel in the tanks. They are heavy and will swing back pretty quick if you don't have a handle on them.
And if anyone is curious, it weighed in today at 1350 and the gross on wheels is 2350. It holds about 400lbs of fuel, so that gives me a payload of 600lbs.

Does the $133K include the paint job? congrats, I would never have guessed a plane could be put together that fast. Looks life glassair has the assembly process all figured out.

The wing fold also is a bit tougher than advertized. It only takes a few minutes, but I feel much more comfortable with 2 people. Especially once there is fuel in the tanks. They are heavy and will swing back pretty quick if you don't have a handle on them.

A dolly (with big tires if you are on soft ground) that the tail sits on and raises it up so the plane is level makes swinging the wings back much easier for one person. Even with my little kitfox wings I tie a rope to the front strut spar attach point and hang on tight with the other hand when I pull the pin if the tail wheel in on the ground.

No....paint is extra. I'm still thinking rattle cans
I didn't think of putting the tail up! Great idea! I can see where that would be an easier swing.
It really makes the project go fast the way they have it set up. When you arrive, the bare fuselage is sitting on a jig and and the coverless wings are laying on saw horses. All your parts are on a wall shelf in tubs, in order as you will assemble them. You have to reach for very little. You are given your days project in handouts, the night before to study. As you need something, they are usually right there to hand it to you. Same with tools. There are 3 identical tool boxes with most everything you will need. Air is always within reach. Yea, they have an awesome set-up. We had a few set backs, but that is where their techicnal expertise comes in. They help work out the problem. One such problem was my landing lights. The lower coweling comes from the production plant with the light brackets installed. They were upside down. We had to cut them out and re-install them.

Chickenair.
Pretty good deal considering a brand new airplane, the avionics that you want, engine prop combo that you want, lights, gear etc. Getting it built as quickly as you did has to be really rewarding. I have several projects in my garage that sometimes feel like a burden when I don't get to work on them.....Anyway, your story has me somewhat interested the Sportsman......Keep us posted.

What avionics did you go with to start?

I got the Advanced Flight system with a Garmin 296 GPS. I is going to take some time to get used to. It talks to you alot. And the screen seems cluttered with everything being right there on one screen, but I'll get the hang of it. And it does have several different view options for the screen.

Anyhow, passed inspection today with only a few minor things he found. Got them all addressed and it is mostly put back to flying order. About 1/2 hour in the morning and it will be ready
Also got some time in a Suburu powered Sportsman this evening. Wow! nobody told me about the right turning tendency The thing took off like a shot for the right edge of the runway because I was holding for the left p factor. But I horsed it back to center and got off the ground. They do get off fast! The problem I'm having is putting it back on the runway and keeping it there. Wether you drag it in or flare, when you get in ground effect, it sinks fast! And adding a touch of power just starts you flying again. I'm going to have to work this out. I can't be bouncing like a rubber ball

Congrats on the fst build!!! I bet you'll be very happy with it. I just wish I could make that kind of progress on My Murphy Rebel.
How did you like the Subaru powered plane? Just sort of curious as I have seen/heard of it in many planes. Actually I have a dmaged Rebel that has a Subaru engine in it. I bought it to rebuild but doesn't look like I'll ever get around to it.
WW

Chicken, you were talking earlier about needing a transponder cert before flying home. There is an avionics shop on the field, Canon- however I cannot personally say anything too good aboiut them. there is also an indepeb=ndent avionics tech named Dan Bishoff who works on the field there. If the GlasStar folks don't know him, Paul Nuenhaus at A.I.R. (behind the pilot shop) can put you in touch with him. Good job gettin' her done!

Eric

Chicken
I'm on the edge of my chair...... Did the first flight take place and do you have 20 hrs on it since yesterday?

Tharernks for all the info guys! And I thought the Suburu was pretty cool. It has lots of power. You have to let some of the horses out of the barn before you reach pattern altitude or your going way to fast to fly the pattern for touch n goes. It really gains speed fast!

My first flight however has been a challenge. Started out with calibrating the fuel tanks. Right in the middle of calibrating the EFIS crashed and wouldn't restart!! I'm told that was very unusual. So I had to send it back to the factory and they sent me a new one. It arrived today. Installed it and the battery back up system wasn't working Played with it for a few hours to find the wire connections to the battery were now making good contact. Finally got it working and the fuel tanks calibrated.
We are set to launch tomorrow at 8PM......unless something else is amiss!!

This has been a great thread, Chickenair, nice work.

Chicken Air, Glad that the EFIS crapped out on you on the ground. It's always better to be down here wishing you were up there instead of up there wishing you were down here!

I'm sending up a prayer for a safe, on schedule, uneventful first flight. Good luck man! You're living my dream!

Yee.........Haww....!!! First 6 hours are out of the way!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Cmb5_gmxU

The very 1st flight only lasted to pattern altitude. CHT spiked over 500 degrees on climb out Landed and checked everything we could think of, took her up again and this time it worked well So 34 more hours to go and I can head north! We did find a few minor things we addressed when we stopped for fuel. So I think I have a good flying airplane.

Congratulations!!!! Keep us posted...

Wha-Hoo!! Fantastic!

Well, got over 10 hours on her now even though the weather was really bad. We did some serious skud running around the Orcas Islands hopping from one Island to another. By the time we returned to Arlington, well I did 3 touch an go's and gave it up.
Going to hit it hard tomorrow weather permitting.

Latest update on this project.
I am whooped But I'm 1/2 way there Got 20 hours on her now, but it was a long day. Getting the hang of landing this bird. Well, at least I'm not bouncing as far

Here is her Alaska home base.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc90_KdnY6w