The mission is 300-500nm trips for two (IFR and fast), interspersed with an occasional longer trip and frequent boring of holes in the sky, to include loops and rolls. Simplicity and economy are paramount, as this will be a retirement airplane. I don't think I'll build it myself; looking for a completed one. Kicking tires at this point.

To my eye, an RV-6,7,14 looks perfect. But a Glasair Super II FT with 180-200hp and fixed pitch prop also fits.

What designs am I missing? Nothing with a Rotax, because you have to draw a line somewhere and 120kts is just too slow. And my wife refuses anything with a canard.

Also, I've flown and loved RV's but never a Glasair. If someone would hook me up with a Glasair owner willing to give a demo, I'd appreciate it.

Stu,

You have to talk with Squeak, at HNB. He has ALL the RV connections from here to FL. He may also be selling his RV 7. Can't wait to see this new bird...

Chuck

Mustang II

http://www.mustangaero.com/Mustang%20II/MustangII.html

I'm in same boat. Can't stop thinking why not. I have flushed the Lancair IV P. Now looking at other options

I flew the 7 Squeak built yesterday. That's why I'm talking about RVs today!

Thorps, lancair, but be sure you take a 3 hr trip in one with your wife before you purchase. They were great for a couple hours, but wife refused to fly any longer trips and I couldn't blame her. She weighed 102 lbs and I 155 lbs, so size was not the problem, just room. I regretted selling my PA 30 and buying a RV 6 although it was a wonderful plane for anything less than 2 hrs.

Or one of these:

http://www.seqair.com/Falco/About/Introduction.html

Beautiful

RV all the way. Does everything you want. Great factory and 3rd party support. Large numbers, so will be relatively easy to find and get expert evaluation of a used one.

Stuart,
Please take a look at a Glastar advertised on Barnstormers
It is the one with 136 hrs total time. located in Dallas Ga.
The airplane is hangared across from mine at 4A4 in Cedartown, Ga. The airplane is EXCEPTIONAL! The builder is in very poor health and his son who is an A/P is trying to sell it. Absolutely put it on your list to see, if it fits your needs.

It does look nice. I'd give up aerobatics and speed. How's the Glastar for baggage space and useful load? The Sportsman is amazing, but very pricey. Both Glastar and Sportsman will readily accept floats, which might make up for aerobatics.

A Mooney brother just went RV6, it is getting contagious in these parts.
Mark

Glasair III. It was my favorite plane. Honest 210 knots on 13 GPH. Will pull more Gs than you can take and is virtually maintenance free. Loved that plane.

Harmon rocket. The Evo wing will be a better cross country platform but is much more expensive and rare than the sport wing rockets. They are basically an rv-4 with a bigger motor and wider cockpit. Expect 190-210 ktas on 11-14 gph

As a Kid, in my Teens, I helped my neighbor build a Thorp T-18. Beautiful airplane in looks, as well as flying.

Call Neal:

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... id=1261491



RAS