Help?

[timmy318]

Okay, this may sound crazy but I need help..... I can only build one of these and I'm having to chose between the upcoming 818 or one of these babies... Any suggestions?

http://www.velocityaircraft.com/airplane-models-vtwin.html

[skullandbones]

I can see your point. I fell in love with the EZ. But I have a good suggestion that may work out some issues. Why don't you build the 818 as a tune up for the plane. It would be a great way to gather the tools and some of the techniques would more than likely transfer to the next project. It certainly wouldn't put much financial pressure on the second project. Just a thought. WEK.

[timmy318]

Thanks! I already have pretty much all the tools I'd need for the 818 because I've already built a '33 from them! Eventually I plan on building both of these but I can't decide which one to be first... The V-Twin would assassinate my savings and the 818 would not.....

[shinn497]

I say 818. You can drive it everyday and it will be easier on the wallet.

[Gary in NJ]

You can't be serious. Really.

I scratch-built an RV-6 20 years ago so I have some experience in this area. First off, you are looking at a significantly different price point. The 818 will cost you $15-20k. A Velocity twin will cost 10X that amount. Hell, you could build an 818 and not even notice it in the budget.

The V-Twin kit cost is $110K
Two Reman O-320's (with CSP) will cost $40-50k
IFR Avionics with AP will easily cost $50k
Paint and other "incidentals" will exceed $10k

That's well over $200k, and I'm probably off by 15%.

Moreover, building an aircraft is a serious time commitment. I worked on my aircraft EVERY DAY for three years (1 hour every morning before work, 1 hour every evening & about 5 hours each Saturday & Sunday). A kit car can be built in just a few months.

Bottom line. There isn't a single aircraft kit in the market that comes close to the cost of a kit car. Even the most basic (and boring) aircraft will cost $30-40K assuming you scratch build,keep it VFR only & use a converted VW engine. Any kit worth flying with a Lycoming or Cont engine will cost above $50k.

They're just not in the same budget or commitment.

[Rockraven]

$200k is being pretty conservative. I'm a 23 year AME Technician, and I'd put it closer to $500,000 and 5000+ man-hours of labor. The 2 projects are lightyears apart in both time and $$$.

[timmy318]

Agree, I priced the V-Twin at around $300K when complete and around 1000 hours if nothing goes wrong, that doesn't include the paint/body and interior which I am having someone else do.

[PhyrraM]

Taking everything that has been said above into consideration....

Build the plane. When you get bored or overwhelmed and need a break, build an 818. Then go back to the plane with renewed energy from your 'time off'.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

[Rockraven]

Why not buy something like the ICON A5 ($140,000) and build an 818?

11247

[timmy318]

True.... But I like PhyrraM's idea better, I think the plane would be overwhelming so having the "little" 818 around would be cool. It would also make things even more fun. But, now I need a mega garage or a pole-barn....

[riptide motorsport]

The twin Velocity is Too exspensive and only gains 10 knots over a Cozy 4........build or buy a Cozy 4 and the 818. FYI....with proper aero mods. the Cozy 4 with the single can do the same speed and carry the saame loads. heres a great site: canard-aviators@yahoogroups.com Used Cozy.......$40,000.00 (plans built $30.000.00) 818..............$15,000.00 and you can afford gas for both!!!

[Nelff]

What Rockraven said... seriously... and then to get the rest of your kicks go paragliding... seriously...

[Mechie3]

The V-Twin would assassinate my savings and the 818 would not.....

I don't know your financial status, but I hope you mean savings as "daily cash expenditures, major purchases" savings and not "my life savings for retirement" savings. I know too many people that don't plan for retirement and are going to be sharply disappointed when they realize they need to work until they die in order to survive.

[carbon fiber]

i know these guys and they build a great product. i worked for aerocanard in ft. peirce, fl. in the late 90's. my boss was friends with the owners of velocity and i've been to their factory. the velocity is a much more "usable" aircraft than the long-ez, cozy, berkut or any other canard design homebuilt. the gullwing doors/interior room & comfort is far superior and usable. it will carry 4 full-sized persons vs. 2 and 2 kids or luggage. the only thing i would change on the velocity would be to fully box the main spar as it's an open-three sided design. it doesn't sound like money is as much of an issue as interest for you. the ironic part is the owner of velocity was building a fiero based lambo kit car at the time i visited! good luck with your decision.

[shim2]

I'm sorry, did I miss something? The V-twin kit is $110,000. How in anyway can you afford to build an AIRPLANE and not have any extra money for a $15k car? If you can seriously afford to build that plane, I think you have an extra 15 grand laying around for the car too.

You can buy an airplane for less than that kit.

[AJW Performance]

Thanks! I already have pretty much all the tools I'd need for the 818 because I've already built a '33 from them! Eventually I plan on building both of these but I can't decide which one to be first... The V-Twin would assassinate my savings and the 818 would not.....

and you already have your donor spot with us :)

[AJW Performance]

Thanks! I already have pretty much all the tools I'd need for the 818 because I've already built a '33 from them! Eventually I plan on building both of these but I can't decide which one to be first... The V-Twin would assassinate my savings and the 818 would not.....

and you already have your donor spot with us, do both! :)

[timmy318]

Yes, as of right no I'm looking for a bigger lot to build a garage on it with my dad so we might have the space to build both, or the v-twin will just have to wait, as to Mechie3's comment, no it won't assassinate my life savings, I just don't want to have to many projects going on at once and I preferably not spend $400K before knowing if I need to move again. I'm planing on going down to florida to talk with the build school down there for the aircraft since I've already visited FFR up in Massachusetts :D

[carbon fiber]

timmy318, is velocity offering any quickbuild options for the twin? (prebuilt wings, etc.) they can make the builds easier and faster, and can save alot of headaches and frustration.

[timmy318]

Not sure if that was a question or statement... But yes they are, they cut the build time down to around 800 hours

[longislandwrx]

I was in a similar situation, really wanting to do a zodiac 650b with a Rotax.

appx 20k for the kit, 18k for the engine and the sky's the limit for avionics. 1000s of hours too.

I still would like to do it but the 818 is a good test to see if I have the dedication to see a product to completion in a reasonable time.

the 818 will get the garage first.