Hi Tom,
I was told by many people that you should only build an airplane if you
are interested in building, NOT as a cheap way to get a flying plane. I
built a Europa with a partner, which took over two years, both of us
working EVERY day, from 8PM-11PM on weekdays and 6-8 hours a day on
Saturdays and Sundays. We have nearly enough money invested to buy a
brand new Decathalon, and more than enough to buy a good used one. If
you can't see yourself committing several hours every day for the next
several years to a Europa build, maybe you should consider a used
Decathalon, or a Great Lakes, or a ____ instead.
regards,
Terry Seaver
tom@tompaul.com wrote:
>
>Hello group,
>I need some advice. Not about technique or materials, but about the
>more basic question of what becoming an airplane builder does to one's
>life.
>
>If you have a moment to indulge such a question, read on; if not,
>happy building and flying.
>
>I am 39, single (not married, but living with someone) freelance and
>not exactly financially stable. I do ok, but I live in New York City,
>so my expenses are high.
>
>I have been dreaming about a Europa for 10 years, ever since i saw it
>at Sun 'n Fun back when it was a new design. I have been flying for
>18 years.
>I found a kit in a partially-built condition that i purchased last
>fall. It was a decent deal at $19k for a mono XS with all the fast
>build options, including the flightcrafters headstart that got the
>cockpit module bonded in place. Since then, the builder has made a lot
>of progress with control mechanics and the tail plane, and various
>layup work to complete the wings. Nothing is closed yet. He
>estimates it to be about 60% finished.
>
>The kit is still in Southern CA, and i am now considering my options
>for retrieving it. Most people around me (friends and family) think i
>am nuts to take this on. I am a very busy person and a bit of a
>workaholic, striving to make a name for myself in NY as a Sound Mixer
>and Sound Designer for movies. It is going well, but you never know,
>being freelance. I basically don't have time to do anything
>recreational these days, but the work does come in spurts, so i have
>some weeks where i am not so busy. I have a little cottage upstate
>with a one car garage that i am turning into a workshop for the Europa.
>I am just worried about getting into something that requires more time
>than i have to give. My girlfriend says this is something a retired
>person should do, not a person busily building his career, and with
>other hobbies. I am very dedicated to writing music and playing the
>piano when i have a spare moment, and i am worried about losing these
>moments to the Europa. I know there will be a lot of research involved
>in building a plane, especially when it comes to the panel and the
>electrics. This kind of stuff is fun for me and i am very
>mechanically inclined and able to do things like this. I don't mind it
>taking me a long time to finish, either. I fully expect it to take a
>couple of years, at least. If the kit is really 60% done, then, based
>on the factory's build-time figures, I would estimate 500 hours more
>to finish it. If I could average 5 hours per week, it would take two
>years. I don't mean one hour per night, five days a week, i mean
>AVERAGE. There would be weeks when i couldn't touch it, and there
>would be weeks where i work 50 hours on the plane. I intend to make
>the workshop a clean, task-dedicated space that is locked when i am not
>working on the kit, and is dedicated solely to the Europa.
>
>I will have to start a fund for the firewall forward bits anyway. Of
>course i would like the 914 and the airmaster, so i would have to save
>my pennies. I have about the value of these things in credit card debt
>at the moment. Maybe a 912 would be the way to go.
>
>If I had the money, i would buy a completed europa or another sport
>plane like a Decatholon. Frankly, I want to fly, and building is a
>means to an end. I am too bored with the performance of the rental
>fleet of Cesnas and Cherokees. I know some of you love the building
>and mourn the completion of the kit, but my motivation is owning and
>flying a wonderful, fast, aerobatic, handsome, affordable plane.
>As i said before, it has been a dream for a long time and i am very
>excited to make this happen.
>
>To all of you europa-builders, please let me know what your experience
>has been regarding the impact of building on your life and your time,
>and please give your impressions and/or advice regarding my situation.
> Feel free to ask about something if i have left any important
>variables untouched. Many, many thanks! This is a tough one. I don't
>want to let it go.
>
>Best,
>
>Tom
>
>
>
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