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Options
(revised 8/23/03)
Insofar
as options go, the only choices we've irrevocably made (if
any choice a homebuilder makes is actually irrevocable) is
for lighting on the tail and manual trim. We've both flown
with manual trim and electric trim and we both prefer manual
trim. One can argue that manual trim is simpler, maybe a little
bit lighter, and perhaps more reliable. In most production
models I'd agree. The electric trim for the RV is reportedly
no heavier than the manual trim and is reportedly very reliable.
I don't doubt either statement. If I'd wanted electric trim,
it would have gone in. Plain and simple, we like manual trim
better.
The
lighting decision was a "no-brainer" since we like
to fly at night and sometimes use lights to be seen in the
summer haze here in Virginia. We'll also have landing lights
and probably strobes. I expect I'll order option #6 from Van's
for lights in mid August and I'm going to work on using a
standard GE light in the wing tips (similar to the Bill VonDane
system seen here)
for taxi and landing lights. I'll also be ordering the fuselage
and I've changed my mind again and I'm leaning toward the
sliding canope. The informal comments I get are the tip ups
are more leak prone than the sliders. I like the looks and
the visibility offered in the tip up but I hate the though
of chasing leaks especially when it'll be happening on high
dollar avionics. The difference in visibility though really
seems minor compared to just about anything else out there.
So add the extra coolness factor in and weigh the points and
it comes out 49.9 points for the tip up and 50.1 points for
the slider. No wonder this is such a bone of contention.
I'm inclined to use a 160 hp Lycoming (or the Aerosport version
of the Lycoming) and a constant speed prop. After attending
Airventure 2003 and looking at Eggenfeller again and NSI for
the first time, I'm still inclined toward a Lycoming or a
knock off. Penn Yan Aero has a new 0-320 experimental version
for $13,500 (w/o accessories). This is real strong contender
as it doesn't cost much more than a mid time engine and comes
with a warranty.
If
funds will allow it I'm partial to UPS avionics and would
like to use their radios and GPS units with a multifunction
display. About the only thing I'm sure won't be in there will
be Garmin avionics. I own and use a Garmin 195. The next time
it breaks will be the last time I use a Garmin product. Based
on my experience with Garmin's repair "service"
I don't feel any need to give them with any more of my money.
[Note: it's just my luck that the Kansas City team bought
out UPS. Now I'm really stuck...the UPS guys were already
starting to take on the airs of their arrogant "competition"
at Airventure.]
There
are also a couple of interesting EFIS units under development.
Dynon and Grand Rapids Techonlogy are the two that really
interest me. One of them might make it into the panel as a
backup for steam gauges. Before Airventure they looked pretty
similar. After looking hard it's my opinion that
the Dynon is strictly a VFR device. The GRT system though
looks like it could be really useful and reliable in an IFR
equipped plane. I repeat, this in my opinion and
yes, I have one on Blue Mountain Avionics but I'm keeping
it to myself. Things are changing rapidly in avionics and
I'm planning to wait and see what's available in 2005, when
I hope to be ready to begin work on the panel in earnest.
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