Welcome!

I had to think long and hard about starting this website, or blog as it's called. As a fellow builder put it, "The time you spend building a site could just as easily be spent building the plane." Thanks Brad! So with the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) attitude, I've settled on a home here at Blogspot, where I can keep you all abreast of what's taking place in the "factory".

To be completely honest, I never saw myself as a potential home builder. I knew that there were kits out there that allowed people to build their own planes, but I thought how cool can that be. The few examples I had seen were either overly simplistic and boring or so far "out there" that it didn't peak my interest. Enter my co-worker Tony.

Tony has built a couple of plans built aircraft, and is obviously a pilot. Tony looked over my shoulder one day and saw that I was cruising Trade-a-Plane and Controller looking for a used Cessna that would fit my budget. I've been dreaming about being an airplane owner for many years. I guess ever since my Uncle gave me flying lessons as a high school graduation gift. A few minutes later Tony sends me a simple, rather benign looking, one line email, "Check out this website." The website was Van's Aircraft Inc. Almost immediately I was taken with the sleek design of the RV line of aircraft. My interest deepened when I learned of the outstanding performance of these beautiful aircraft. The final nail in the coffin was the price. I could get started on my very own airplane for about $2000 (empennage kit). That sure beat the near quarter million price tag of the new G1000 equipped C172s. As an aside, I think the G1000, and G900X, are just about the coolest Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS) in General Aviation (GA). Big $$$!

Over the next week I read more and more about the Van's Aircraft and discovered the large community that exists around them. As of this writing, there are over 6200 Van's aircraft finished and flying all over the world. There are numerous builders out there with their own websites (another reason I had to question the need for this site) as well as forums with extensive, international memberships. Just before leaving for the National Homebrewer's Convention (another hobby of mine), I ordered the preview plans for the RV-7/7A.

So, now begins the process of setting up shop, and gathering the necessary tools and equipment to begin construction. It will probably take me 2-3 months just to save the money for all the tools and the first kit. I'm hoping to be shaping aluminum and pounding rivets in Late September.

Stay tuned...