VenturePilot
Well-Known Member
This time of year always makes me wish for a project. Last winter I bought several Pitts S1 projects thinking that would satisfy my longing. Well I just so happened to come across a dirt cheap flying one and after flying it for a few months I determined that it didn't really fit my mission. I have plans for a Bearhawk LSA but frankly I don't think I would have the motivation to tediously fabricate every single component from scratch. I think I would be much more likely to complete a modern kit where fabrication is kept to a minimum. There really aren't any ideal airplanes out there but the closest two would probably be a Kitfox Speedster or a Rans S-21. It doesn't look like you can buy a Kitfox in sub-kits but the S-21 does. I don't have 45k to drop on a complete kit so being able to buy sections per season appeals to me. My main concern is the kit maker folding up or canceling the model. I know for the later most manufacturers will give a heads up and offer you the opportunity to complete you kit purchase. We all know what happened with BD though. I guess my question is, how unfounded are my concerns? If it takes 2-3 years to buy every component of the kit to finish the airplane? I know the obvious answer is to save up the coin and just buy the entire kit. But then I've waited 2-3 years before I even get started.