On the eave of the next builders meeting, I thing it is about time I get off my Andy-butt and put a few words together about the previous builders meeting.
For all those that wish you could have made it to the last builders meeting, you missed a chance to see what a $50,000 ultralight that can land on water looks like after about 200 hrs of construction time. If you are one of those guys building an RV-whatever, the status of the project is a bit frightening. I'm not sure how much more time Matthew Curcio needs to complete the project, but I would wager that it is firmly in the 90% done and 90% left to go. Of course, with $50K spend on the project on a flying machine that is purpose build for screwing around rather than making time between point A and B, you can expect that the build time is going to be a bit lower than other “quick-build” projects. What comes to mind is the Rans aircrafts “plural” that the honorable Joe Deaton has had the pleasure of assembling. It appear it was shipped with every bold labeled and Ikea-like instructions on how to put it together. He is “assembling” rather than “fabricating”. Not that everyone doesn't respect the pure genius that goes into some scratch built projects, but some people get more kicks flying rather than building. For those that would rather revel in the act of flying rather than making, this would be a very good way to go.
Now that I have rambled on for an entire paragraph, I just realized I didn't mention what the project is. Matthew is buidling an Aventura II. It lands on both the water and the hard surfaces and qualifies as a light sport aircraft with a gross weight of 1430lbs. Useful load of about 600lbs. The powerplant is of the automotive conversion type which generally is not my cup of tea. But with all the engine out training he has received, I hope he can somehow manage to land it on the water without too much drama. I would pack a paddle just in case though. Back to the engine, it is based on a Suzuki 4 stroke water cooled design and produces 117 HP. He was my student in the Piet, and it only has 65HP (for reference).
The builders meeting was well attended as these events go. I counted 13 people. Between all the picture I took, you can probably spot a few familiar faces. Even if there are nobody recognizable, you probably will recognize my oversized rat.. I'm mean puppy-dog FeeFee.
https://plus.google.com/107174509582784625093/posts/RLBjeWj8H8G
Here is a link to the manufactures website if you are interested in finding out more about the Aventura. http://www.sea-plane.com/ It looks like it will be a blast to fly. At the rate this airplane is going together, I am confident that Matt will be landing on the Maumee river in the spring. I wonder with it being a light sport aircraft, if a seaplane rating is needed. I probably knew this at one time, but I have forgetten as many things as I have learned over the years.
The next builder's meeting is to go see Karl Kazmirski's RV project. His address in the directory, but I got the idea that his project is located elsewhere. So make sure you know where to go. Karl is a newer member and a very good guy. I'm 99% positive he is building a taildragger version of the RV-whatever. Looking forward to seeing it myself. Doubly looking forward to wringing him out in the Piet this spring.