The Decision to Build.......                                                         

I made my 23rd trip to Oshkosh this year.  As all who have gone know, viewing these homebuilt works of art is a sensory overload, at once humbling, awe inspiring and even a bit depressing.  Depressing because I know I don't have the time, money or talent to build most of the airplanes I see there.  A significant change happened at the big show this year, however: I made the decision to do it.  Discussion over.  Decision made.  No turning back.  It was a good feeling.  I always heard that after a certain age, a person starts becoming increasingly aware of his own mortality, and it's true.  What significant things can I fit into the good years I have left?  Well, aviation has been my ruling passion for as long as I can remember, having a profound impact on my life (I got my pilot's license in 1969), and strongly influencing the direction of my academic career.  Everything considered, how could I not build and fly my own airplane?

But, which airplane?

The finalists were Van's RV-12, the RANS S-19, and the Sonex.  After going to all the appropriate forums, talking to factory reps, and talking to as many current builders as I could find, the RV-12 was the easy choice.  The Sonex people wouldn't do a demo ride even if I came to their factory (I was told "find a builder and ask for a ride.").  I really like the S-19, and they offered a demo if I came to their factory, but Randy Schlitter himself (the designer and owner of the company) told me it would take an additional 400 hours over the RV-12 to build it.  The S-19 also has less useful load.  Van's readily gave me a demo flight, let me fly from just after takeoff to just before touchdown, and happily answered all my questions.  All the tests I've read for the RV were over-the-top positive, and the Van's Air Force Forums are an unbelievable resource.  There's a reason Van's Aircraft is the number one kit manufacturer in the world.  The RV-12 is also one of the few homebuilts I'm aware of that qualifies as E-LSA, a compelling reason to choose it.  The fact that the wings of the RV-12 are easily removable, allowing me to keep it at home if I so choose, is just icing on the cake.

So, with enough blood, sweat and money (and maybe a few tears if the money runs out), I intend to cause one of these to materialize in my garage.

The empennage kit (everything aft of the canopy) has been ordered.  I'm planning to get the fuselage kit in December.  Then, after approximately two years and 12,500 rivets, I hope to slip the surly bonds of earth in a machine I built.  (Thank you John Magee for the poem which has been an inspiration to me since the 6th grade).