hacks4hobbs
I'm New Here
Hello everyone! Long time lurker of the forums, long time drooling over RVs. Over the last year or so (after getting my private ticket back in Sept'19) I've been thinking pretty hard about starting an RV project. I went from thinking "no way I'd trust myself to fly in something I made" to "well everyone says it's possible, so let's try!" Thanks to COVID and such, our local EAA chapter hasn't been meeting, so I haven't been able to get involved there. Hopefully they pick back up here mid September.
I've been toiling with which RV would fit my wants the best, I was first super interested with the -10, probably like most. After being honest with my budget, time frame (which is undefined, but I could see myself taking 7+ years on it), and overall use of the aircraft; I think I've settled (for now at least) that a two seat version is what I want. I'm really hoping I enjoy the build process, if I do, I see myself building more than one in a life time. So that left me between the 14 & 12. I was convinced the 14 was the ride to have, but it seemed if one day I wanted to build a 10 the 14 is a lot of airplane (time and cost wise). At the end of the day, I want to build, and fly something cheaper than a certified aircraft for now. My mission will likely change in 10 years, and if I've finished a plane by then, I can entertain other silly thoughts. I'm also in a flying club locally that has access to 2 Archers and 1 Saratoga. Don't have enough hours or endorsements to fly the Saratoga yet. So cost & seat wise, I'm less inclined to hunt for a 4 seat right now. Our family will be 5 deep here soon, so the 6 place is likely the main traveler for the family when the time comes for that.
I'm about 99% certain the 12 is the plane to start with. But there are a few questions that I'd love to get some input on:
1. The mogas ability is pretty exciting. However, flying around SD, there are virtually no airports that serve the fuel on the ramp. There may be some, but I haven't run across them. How do folks tend to get around this? Fly with empty 5 gallon containers and grab a courtesy car and shove them in the trunk to the nearest gas station? Or do most find the range do-able for their mission? For perspective, living in SD and traveling across the state by air is about 275 NM one way, so you might make it one leg, but the return trip will require a fuel stop.
2. Pretty rotax dumb (well, engine dumb for the most part), but is it possible to run mogas then 100LL on the same trip (as a follow up to #1). Based on what I could find researching the googles, It seems there is a lead concern with Rotax and 100L at times, but some folks do even mix 50/50 if they can't find high enough octane mogas locally. Others mention oil change intervals just need to change between using the two. If it's fine to start with 20 gallons of mogas, fly for a bit, then top off with 100L, my above concerns are pretty much gone.
3. Anyone have reports on the soft field performance / abilities of the 12? Currently only 5 minutes away from the local airport (which is paved and all), but have the dreams of having my own grass strip one day. Would be awesome to store the plane at home on the acreage and fly off a grass strip (when its not under water).
4. Anyone know of builders in the East SD, NW IA, or W MN building? Since EAA hasn't been meeting or doing events, finding local builders is challenging. Our flight club (to my knowledge) doesn't have anyone building, but we also haven't all met in person yet this year, and I joined late December of last year.
I have a few personal goals to check off the list (and house chores) before I can make the dive. I'm currently planning on doing my tool order here soon (have the tool box project) & emp order come the new year. Figured it'd be a stain on such a happy project to start it in such a sour year
Much thanks in advance for reading! Look forward to hopefully posting more as a builder in the near future.
I've been toiling with which RV would fit my wants the best, I was first super interested with the -10, probably like most. After being honest with my budget, time frame (which is undefined, but I could see myself taking 7+ years on it), and overall use of the aircraft; I think I've settled (for now at least) that a two seat version is what I want. I'm really hoping I enjoy the build process, if I do, I see myself building more than one in a life time. So that left me between the 14 & 12. I was convinced the 14 was the ride to have, but it seemed if one day I wanted to build a 10 the 14 is a lot of airplane (time and cost wise). At the end of the day, I want to build, and fly something cheaper than a certified aircraft for now. My mission will likely change in 10 years, and if I've finished a plane by then, I can entertain other silly thoughts. I'm also in a flying club locally that has access to 2 Archers and 1 Saratoga. Don't have enough hours or endorsements to fly the Saratoga yet. So cost & seat wise, I'm less inclined to hunt for a 4 seat right now. Our family will be 5 deep here soon, so the 6 place is likely the main traveler for the family when the time comes for that.
I'm about 99% certain the 12 is the plane to start with. But there are a few questions that I'd love to get some input on:
1. The mogas ability is pretty exciting. However, flying around SD, there are virtually no airports that serve the fuel on the ramp. There may be some, but I haven't run across them. How do folks tend to get around this? Fly with empty 5 gallon containers and grab a courtesy car and shove them in the trunk to the nearest gas station? Or do most find the range do-able for their mission? For perspective, living in SD and traveling across the state by air is about 275 NM one way, so you might make it one leg, but the return trip will require a fuel stop.
2. Pretty rotax dumb (well, engine dumb for the most part), but is it possible to run mogas then 100LL on the same trip (as a follow up to #1). Based on what I could find researching the googles, It seems there is a lead concern with Rotax and 100L at times, but some folks do even mix 50/50 if they can't find high enough octane mogas locally. Others mention oil change intervals just need to change between using the two. If it's fine to start with 20 gallons of mogas, fly for a bit, then top off with 100L, my above concerns are pretty much gone.
3. Anyone have reports on the soft field performance / abilities of the 12? Currently only 5 minutes away from the local airport (which is paved and all), but have the dreams of having my own grass strip one day. Would be awesome to store the plane at home on the acreage and fly off a grass strip (when its not under water).
4. Anyone know of builders in the East SD, NW IA, or W MN building? Since EAA hasn't been meeting or doing events, finding local builders is challenging. Our flight club (to my knowledge) doesn't have anyone building, but we also haven't all met in person yet this year, and I joined late December of last year.
I have a few personal goals to check off the list (and house chores) before I can make the dive. I'm currently planning on doing my tool order here soon (have the tool box project) & emp order come the new year. Figured it'd be a stain on such a happy project to start it in such a sour year
Much thanks in advance for reading! Look forward to hopefully posting more as a builder in the near future.