Cool!.....now what?

[TenSeven]

I've been mulling over a dillema for quite some time.

I love aviation, I know the kind of basic 'around the patch, low and slow' kind of flying I'm most attracted to, I know Sport Pilot fits that mission well with the kind of flying and type of aircraft that ticket allows. I know I can't afford a new LSA and probably very few very used ones. I'm very mechanically oriented, good with tools and have always wanted to build and fly my own airplane. I live in a city but have a big enough garage to build in. I even know an affordable home built that I will most likely build.

So, get a Sport Pilot license, ok, build an airplane, ok..........then what? How and where to fly? Here's the dilemma. The design of the home built I'm interested in allows for removal of the wings, so every time I want to fly I could tow it to an airport, however, I've been told doing so gets old fast and soon becomes a hassle. A hanger, or even tie down fees at my closest airports are very prohibitively expensive and the airspace and surrounding area leaves very little in the way of around the patch flying in a small aircraft. Got a license, got a little airplane, now what?

I could find a small airport within a few hours drive and see if I could keep the aircraft there, but I would imagine that drive would become very, very long after awhile. I could join a flying club or rent every time I want to fly, around the city, but that doesn't sound attractive at all.

I've even been contemplating trying to find the combination of a rural, out in the sticks property that also has clear uncontrolled airspace to fly in. Clear a small airstrip, erect a cheap structure to keep the airplane in and drive out to the property for a week at a time while living in my camper (yes, I'm that desperate).

I'm retired, but before I invest the time and money into getting my SPL and building an airplane the answer to the third question has to be answered.

Any ideas?

[TenSeven]

Move.

Yup, might have to, but where in particular?

[FastEddieB]

Where do you live now?

I've even been contemplating trying to find the combination of a rural, out in the sticks property that also has clear uncontrolled airspace to fly in. Clear a small airstrip, erect a cheap structure to keep the airplane in and drive out to the property for a week at a time while living in my camper (yes, I'm that desperate).

Sounds a bit like what we're doing...

http://sportpilottalk.com/viewtopic.php ... 82&p=44293

Right now, as we're supervising we boondock:



Monday they should be finishing up a fenced camping area where our dogs can run:



A lot of work, but fulfilling a dream!

[TenSeven]

Where do you live now?

I've even been contemplating trying to find the combination of a rural, out in the sticks property that also has clear uncontrolled airspace to fly in. Clear a small airstrip, erect a cheap structure to keep the airplane in and drive out to the property for a week at a time while living in my camper (yes, I'm that desperate).

Sounds a bit like what we're doing...

http://sportpilottalk.com/viewtopic.php ... 82&p=44293

Right now, as we're supervising we boondock:



Monday they should be finishing up a fenced camping area where our dogs can run:



A lot of work, but fulfilling a dream!

Looks like fun Eddie.

I'm located in So. Cal. down by San Diego.

[TenSeven]

If my wife was willing or I was single, I would move to an airport community or near a small airport with affordable hangers.

I'm on my own, but that's probably what Ill have to look into. The pilot wannabe pipe dream of living on a rural property with my own runway out my front door is not gonna happen (realistically speaking).

[HAPPYDAN]

This may sound stupid, but, here goes. Just northwest of Winthrop WA, nestled in the north Cascades is a little community called Lost River. Lots of little cabins and vacant property surrounding a nice dirt airstrip. Far enough away from Puget Sound that you avoid the alphabet airspace, and can fly in all E and G. Cabins often come up for sale, and the scenery is superb. If you check out NWREALESTATE.com, select Okanogan County, and town Mazama. Then check the listings for Lost River.

[TenSeven]

This may sound stupid, but, here goes. Just northwest of Winthrop WA, nestled in the north Cascades is a little community called Lost River. Lots of little cabins and vacant property surrounding a nice dirt airstrip. Far enough away from Puget Sound that you avoid the alphabet airspace, and can fly in all E and G. Cabins often come up for sale, and the scenery is superb. If you check out NWREALESTATE.com, select Okanogan County, and town Mazama. Then check the listings for Lost River.

Thanks Dan, I'll take any lead I can get at this point.

[zaitcev]

I'm located in So. Cal. down by San Diego.

Maybe this - http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/dpw/airpo ... brook.html
Update: Oops, never mind. Apparently it's not a residential airpark - http://l18airpark.com/

I am familiar with 2 residential airparks near Albuquerque, NM. Seems like all right living. Unfortunately, one of them is suffering from proximity to the village of Los Lunas and associated crime.

[Merlinspop]

"Where" is being covered, as for the "what" part... if low and slow appeals to you, and as you're mechanically inclined, I'd suggest you consider (I'm not pushing this idea, only giving you something to chew on) an antique that fits the LSA definition. Taylorcraft BC-12s can be had for $25k or less, for example. Sure, an A&P would have to be involved, but many who work on these types welcome owners to participate under their supervision. You may end up with a great friend, too.

[TenSeven]

Thanks guys

Low and slow, open cockpit, that's what I have loved to envision since being a kid. Back in the 90's, though I was happy to have soloed and take the aircraft out on my own, I couldn't wait to get out of the city limits and over to the rural practice area. At least way out there even though enclosed in a 152 I felt I was half way to the type of flying I really wanted to do.

[hirschr]

Low and Slow - Open cockpit you say? I'd recommend an Ercoupe! But I am completely biased...

[TenSeven]

Low and Slow - Open cockpit you say? I'd recommend an Ercoupe! But I am completely biased...

Always liked Ercoupes.

The other point I should throw is home building. I've always wanted to have the experience of building and flying my own aircraft. That's how I became aware of the EAA and after having many all week long AirVenture adventures, the need to build something only grew.

[TenSeven]

I ask because I think it's the hardest part. With some studying you can get your Pilots ticket, with some skill you can build your airplane, but, other than where you built it, there's not always somewhere to store it or a location close enough to fly it. Airport restrictions, hanger and tie down fees can be prohibitive. Hauling your aircraft to a location and putting the wings on every time you want to fly can get old. Just planning solutions.

[Merlinspop]

Think about what kind of building you want to do. Do you want to fabricate parts from plans or would you rather assemble a kit with minimal fabrication work? Like welding? Pulling, or pounding, a gazillion rivets? Or maybe composites? Find a model that offers the sort of building experience that appeals to you while fulfilling you flying mission, eventually. There's a bunch of options out there.

If I had the time and space for a homebuilding project, I'd consider a Bearhawk LSA. It has bits of everything; welded fuselage, aluminum wings, fabric. Could even do some composite parts if I wanted (floorboards, wingtips, more).

[TenSeven]

Think about what kind of building you want to do. Do you want to fabricate parts from plans or would you rather assemble a kit with minimal fabrication work? Like welding? Pulling, or pounding, a gazillion rivets? Or maybe composites? Find a model that offers the sort of building experience that appeals to you while fulfilling you flying mission, eventually. There's a bunch of options out there.

If I had the time and space for a homebuilding project, I'd consider a Bearhawk LSA. It has bits of everything; welded fuselage, aluminum wings, fabric. Could even do some composite parts if I wanted (floorboards, wingtips, more).

Thanks Bruce, I'll check out the Bearhawk.

I just completed a 3 year resto mod of a 1966 Sunbeam Alpine that had sat outside for close to 30 years. That got my mechanical mind and skills up to speed. I'll work with any medium, wood, weld, bend, form, anything.