Saturday, February 27, 2010

PC flying

With no building to do and a snow, ugly day keeping me inside, there's nothing better than a little flying on the computer:



It didn't end all that well for me, did it? It's been that kind of week...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Disappointing news

Especially disappointing in light of the charge to my Visa for the remaining 75% of the cost.

David
WE have to delay the fuselage shipment a couple more weeks due to a lack of center
sections. Our apologies for this delay.
Vans
The love? Not quite feelin' it.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

This is what happens...

It's not good to be lacking in project work in the dead of February. Other occupations become more attractive than one would normally expect.

Case in point:

Meet Duke Cabot of Glenford.

Monday, February 8, 2010

At least another two weeks...

I talked to Van's today.

My kit is complete, but there's a two week backlog in getting it crated and shipped.

They're doing more business than they know what to do with out there, which if a luxury item like a homebuilt airplane is any kind of economic barometer, it really makes me wonder where exactly we are with regards to an economic recovery.

Interestingly, it's not just the RV-12 that's selling like hotcakes, although they do tend to get back logged on that one quicker because they're selling very fast and for that kit "they do everything but the fiberglass in-house." I'm not sure what that means with relation to the other kits, unless she was referring to the quick build kits that get farmed out internationally.

The 12's also backlog much more quickly because they build so much faster than the other models.

So, two weeks more without my winter project. That means I might as well hunker down and get my taxes done (which never improves my mood) and accelerate the annual inspection on the RV-6. No sense putting that off, even if it isn't due until April.

I'm also strongly considering getting the wing kit ordered. I haven't broached the subject with the Schmetterling CEO yet, but if it's going to be four or five months (that's the most recent estimate and she said it is getting ready to slide back again), I ought to get my place in line secured.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Still waiting...

Well, it's the end of the first week of February and no sign of my fuselage kit. I emailed Van's for a status update; I'm hoping to hear back.

In the meantime, I've started to consider the future of homebuilt LSA's. Note that the concept of a light, sporty airplane is by no means new. All that has really changed is a relaxing of Federal Regulations that were strangling that portion of aviation entrepreneurship. Consider as an example this ad from my 1939 scanning fodder periodical:



If Van's were to put something out like that as the RV-13, well.... I'd be first in line!