![]() ![]() With my build, we started with constructing the empennage-the tail- and worked forward from there. There’s no room for error in aviation, so having someone who has built a plane before to hold your hand is a great comfort. I’m using a build-assist program, which adds some cost but gives me a dedicated facility to build the plane (it takes a lot of room!) as well as a lot of expertise from experienced builders. The aviation community is also very small, and you’ll always be able to find people who have been through the process. There are aviation workshops in most big cities, and when you find the right people, the community can be incredibly welcoming to newcomers. You don’t need a ton of skills to build an airplane, but it’s a good idea to take a class or two. I took a flight in one with my wife, and afterwards she said, “I can see you flying that airplane.” I looked at other kits, but the TSi just felt right. It has room for four adults and can go 800 to 1,000 miles in one shot, and best of all (depending on your point of view), you get to assemble it yourself. A Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system helps control fuel burn, blade angle, and other aspects of engine performance, which makes my life much easier. The TSi is also strong on fuel economy (7 to 8 gallons per hour of standard automobile fuel) and comes with all sorts of computer wizardry to help me, the pilot. ![]() The Rotax’s forced induction allows me to get full power (141 horsepower) even at altitude, where a standard engine might see a significant reduction in how hard it can push. It’s the Rotax 915 iS, a turbocharged 1.35-liter four-cylinder unit that can provide full takeoff power up to 15,000 feet. The heart of any plane is its engine, and the TSi comes with a great one. When you build your own plane, you’re basically trading time for money. It takes about 1,500 man-hours to assemble the TSi. It’s a major financial commitment-$200,000 to $250,000 if you want all the bells and whistles-but by building the plane yourself, you save tons of cash. My dream plane-it’s actually on my dream board, this collage of aspirational images I keep in my office-is a four-seater kit plane from The Airplane Factory called the Sling TSi. But that’s nothing compared to buying your own plane. Even just getting your pilot’s license costs a lot of money. For most pilots, flying on your own is unattainable because it’s really expensive. I went up for the first time the week of my 26th birthday, and now I’m building my own airplane. Play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |