How do you decide which airplane?

[TrutrakTech]

Still trying to spark some conversation and activity here.

What factors pushed your decision to your current airplane? There are a lot of RV owners out there and a lot of RV models to choose from. Likewise with the Lancair owners/models. So what is it that makes you choose one over the other? Is it fuel economy? Speed? Maneuverability?

Then there are the slower airplanes. What is the appeal? I suppose with my being "young" I have a hard time understanding. I like speed. I have two Mustang GT's in my garage, so I generally gravitate toward the faster airplanes.

I got to go for a ride in a Lancair IV turbine and LOVED the acceleration of that airplane.

What floats your boat?

[PhantomPholly]

I felt the need - the need for speed!

Most of my flying-upside-down days are behind me, and nothing I can afford was going to be as fast as a Phantom. My personal decision was almost entirely based on the most knots-per-dollar (both purchase and operating) I could afford, with range also factored in for cross-country. I don't need to land on grass, so that wasn't a factor.

That meant Lancair, hands down.

To anyone LOOKING for "their airplane" I always say the same thing: Define your mission; your budget; and your personal capabilities - there will only be one or two planes (if any) that come closest to matching all three.

[TrutrakTech]

That all makes sense. That's good advice for anything!

[Paul Ledoux]

I picked the RV-8 for a very good reason.
It looks like the airplanes I drew while I was in grade school.

Paul

Originally from Hot Springs.

[TrutrakTech]

I picked the RV-8 for a very good reason.
It looks like the airplanes I drew while I was in grade school.

Paul

Originally from Hot Springs.

Now that sounds like my kind of reasoning!

[myrv9.com]

Lucas-

Interesting question. For me it was all about my mission and the fact that VANS kept coming up over and over again as I looked at all the potential kits available.

I had not flown a plane in 22 years. My total time was under 100 hours, and I really just wanted a comfortable, efficient plane for local and short cross country flights. It my opinion, the VANS RV9A fits that mission perfectly.

I started the kit and got to work pounding rivets. It was three years later that I took my first ride in an RV, at Oshkosh last summer. Now I am working on the engine, cowl and systems. Hopefully, I will be able to fly to Oshkosh next summer. Oh, I have also started flying again. Now after 25 years, I am current and have 20 hours on a light sport Gobosh 700 in the last few months.

[TrutrakTech]

Lucas-

Interesting question. For me it was all about my mission and the fact that VANS kept coming up over and over again as I looked at all the potential kits available.

I had not flown a plane in 22 years. My total time was under 100 hours, and I really just wanted a comfortable, efficient plane for local and short cross country flights. It my opinion, the VANS RV9A fits that mission perfectly.

I started the kit and got to work pounding rivets. It was three years later that I took my first ride in an RV, at Oshkosh last summer. Now I am working on the engine, cowl and systems. Hopefully, I will be able to fly to Oshkosh next summer. Oh, I have also started flying again. Now after 25 years, I am current and have 20 hours on a light sport Gobosh 700 in the last few months.

Thanks for the info Peter. Vans kits are certainly popular. ;) (I think that's an understatement!) Good luck on your build!