Gil's Blog

I have always wanted to build an airplane. I did build three ultralights from kits, flew them, and I am still here, so I must have been doing something right. A small airplane should not be much different, just take more time. Right now I am stuck restoring my boat, so it will have to wait a year or two, but I can’t still dream an plan ahead, right?

I used to want a fast plane, one of those formula one racers with stubby wings and a big engine flying at 200Kts+. But flying, if it is about the thrill, is also about sharing the fun with others. For that, you need a two-seater. I used to own a VW-powered biplane of a very original design:

I used this one to tow banners along the French coast and take people for ride$. It was hard and dangerous work, but a lot of fun. There is something magical about landing on a grass field or a beach, I can’t explain it. I wish I still owned it, I would have packed it in a container and shipped it over here. So, now, being a bit more responsible, I am contemplating a small two-seater, capable of landing anywhere, easy to build and safe to fly. I found one, the Zenith CH701.

You can build one of those for around $20K, which over a few years is perfectly feasible. My work leaves me enough free time. That’s really all I want to build in my life, a boat and a plane! That plane doesn’t cost more than a decent car, if you don’t count your work, which is substantial.

So, I will keep dreaming for now. After all, that’s what keeps us going. If I didn’t have those two projects, I would be rather depressed. I need to work with my hands, that computer business of mine doesn’t fill that need. But, oh, wait, they have a starter kit to build the tail for $375! And my friend Erin has that broken Volkswagen bug in the car port… Hum…

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Filed under: Aviation, Personal