I have flown in a Glasair III a number of times.

Pros:
Very Fast and economical
Eliminates the need for IÅ inspections, if owner built.
Put in Experimental avionics and pay 2/3 less.

Cons:
Fly with your legs extended, takes some time to get use to, at least for me.
Not make out of metal, not that it is bad, I am have just flown metal for 32 years.
Can you get a chute option, I am not sure, but my next airplane will have one.

Did I say FAST, man they are a traveling machine.

The RV is better if you want short field capability, simple systems, and better power off glide ratio.

If you want to go fast and want the ride a highly loaded wing gives you then a Glasair is the way to go. Once you feel how it handles bumps you will have a hard time flying anything else.

Hi Rick,

You still do not need an IA to inspect IIRC. I believe and A&P can do a condition inspection. Regardless, there is no real inspection procedure to follow. About 10 hours of labor is sufficient for the inspection and any little repairs needed. I am happy to pay $600 per year to have a second set of eyes look the machine over. Other than the possibility of some of the gear actuators needing O-ring replacement there is really no maintenance needed other than the engine. The systems are very simple.

I thought the leg thing would bother me also since I cannot ride in a Mooney for more than 30 minutes or so, but I have not found this to be the case in the Glasair. I think it is due to the way the seats are shaped. While your legs are out there you still have bend in the knees for relief.

Fly one with the extended wing tips for a more comfortable landing experience.

Todd,

STOP saying things like this!

I've only had my RV for 1 year and I really like it!

But now you're making me dream again....

Arlen - Hard to beat the RV. You have the most reliable and fun plane made for the money.

Bring your checkbook to Max's though. I will take yours in on trade.

Just kidding, I'm not selling this one for awhile.

Todd - Have you flown it yet after the upgrade? Did I miss the announcement?

Not yet - they are putting the cowling back on right now and will be pushing it outside to do the G3x and autopilot calibration. It miserably cold here at 7F with a wind chill of -15, so I am in no hurry to fly the plane.

TODD!

You are not allowed to make such statements in a public forum!

I've got Sesame Chicken spewing from my nostrils!!!

Hurry up and finish that darned thing so you can come down here and clean up my keyboard.

Dino, what most people measure in days I measure in minutes

You probably didn't think that statement all the way through when you made it... It has second and third order meanings

You probably didn't think that statement all the way through when you made it... It has second and third order meanings

And what most people measure in minutes you measure in seconds?

Avionics configured - check
Fuel level indicators calibrated - check
Prop installed - check
Cowling re-installed - check
Gear swing performed -check
Move Falcon 50 so we can get out of hangar - Fail.

Ready to run and a big jet now in the way.

Hi Rick,

You still do not need an IA to inspect IIRC. I believe and A&P can do a condition inspection. Regardless, there is no real inspection procedure to follow. About 10 hours of labor is sufficient for the inspection and any little repairs needed. I am happy to pay $600 per year to have a second set of eyes look the machine over. Other than the possibility of some of the gear actuators needing O-ring replacement there is really no maintenance needed other than the engine. The systems are very simple.

I thought the leg thing would bother me also since I cannot ride in a Mooney for more than 30 minutes or so, but I have not found this to be the case in the Glasair. I think it is due to the way the seats are shaped. While your legs are out there you still have bend in the knees for relief.

Fly one with the extended wing tips for a more comfortable landing experience.

No, they are not shaped to my frame at all. I am 5'9" and my wife is 5'5". She thought the seats were more comfortable than any plane she has flown in and that includes the Duke (Well, she did like the KA better )

I find the seating position to be very natural and the 4-point harness locks you down well.

It will be better yet when I finish the interior. Currently just have seats. Carpet and side panels should make it feel more comfortable and knock down the noise a bit.