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Message
Ok, Rusty, I'll ask. What makes the
Xl more attractive to you than an RV-8? Not a bad aircraft from what I read, but
don't think it can really compare to bang for buck of an RV-8?
Curious minds want to know.
Hi
Ed,
Well,
all you have to do is wait a few hours, and the RV-8 will be back in the lead
:-) I didn't really intend to bog the list with this stuff,
but since you asked, and since it is rotary
related...
The
Zenith 601XL is a nice plane by all accounts, and it's Sport
Pilot legal. I don't have any foreseeable requirement for a SP plane,
but realistically, it's all I ever needed for the type flying I do.
My primary interest in the XL is that it's almost ideal for a single
rotor engine installation. The cowl is big, and they allow up to 300 lbs
FWF. In fact, they have an O-235 engine option, which weighs in at
slightly more than 300 lbs I think. HP requirement is
100-125. Performance is the max allowed (plus some I suspect) for SP, and
it's a nice looking plane, simple to build, etc.
The
biggest drawback is the price of the kit, particularly when you add all the
options. You could build an RV-X airframe for a couple thousand
cheaper, if you used a standard kit (which I wouldn't). I also much
prefer centerline seating, and the XL is only available in side by
side.
In my
opinion, the RV-8 is the very best experimental plane every designed.
I loved flying the one I had before, but felt guilty about the money I had tied
up in it, particularly when I realized that I could make money by selling
it. With a Renesis engine (maybe turbo), it would be a great plane, though
resale would suffer. On the other hand, I wouldn't have nearly as much
money in it, so I wouldn't feel as guilty, and I'd have something to tinker
with, which would make me want to keep it longer.
With a
Lycoming, inverted oil, and a CS prop, the RV-8 is an awesome plane, and it
would be a better investment than my 401K has been. I would have to decide
if I wanted to build it to maximize what I'd make on resale, or whether I would
be happy to break even eventually.
The only
other sticky issue with the RV-8 is that I'd hate to embarrass Tracy by ordering
a kit now, and having it flying before he flies his :-)
Sorry you
asked yet :-)
Cheers,
Rusty (just
kidding Tracy, please don't sabotage my EC-2 <g>)
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