RV-9 vs Jabiru for Aussie builder (newbie)

[Jonny[_2_]]

Hi Lads,

I'd like to build my own aircraft while I learn to fly. A friend has
recently bought a secondhand Jabiru 160 (is getting a new 230c) and
has 150 hours up on a Recreational licence.

Although I would love to build a Falco or even one of these
(www.spitfireaircraftco.com), I think the choice is going to be more
about ease of flying, reliability, ease of construction (quality of
support), and value.

Unlike my friend (older, wealthy businessman) I don't have a big chunk
of change to get a whole kit up front. So the Vans presents a better
path for me to buy parts of the kit as I can afford it (tail here,
wing there etc). It would be cheaper to buy the Jabiru kit in
comparason to a whole Vans kit, but since I can't do it in one go it
is a problem.

Another path for savings is to use a Jabiru engine in an RV-9 (they
have a kit for it) instead of the Lycoming. Apart from buying a local
product, the Jabiru is a LOT cheaper and eventhough not as powerful
(as the biggest Lycoming suitable for a RV-9) it will probably meet my
needs. Opinions?

Any other suggestions or ideas? (other aircraft?)
A Fisher Tiger Moth R80 or RS80 might be fun, but open cockpit might
put off the passengers!

Aircraft type:
I would need a beginner friendly aircraft capable of being used as a
Recreational aircraft in Australia. I can work in any material (wood,
composite or aluminium) but prefer a proven and well backed up design
(for eg the CAD work on the Vans meaning holes line up etc).
Powerplant should be proven in aircraft usage and widespread (I don't
want to get involved in frigging about with car engines etc eventhough
it has been successfully done).

Thanks for your assistance.

Jonny (long time lurker, first time poster)

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Jonny" > wrote

> Hi Lads,
>
> I'd like to build my own aircraft while I learn to fly. A friend has
> recently bought a secondhand Jabiru 160 (is getting a new 230c) and
> has 150 hours up on a Recreational licence.
>
> Although I would love to build a Falco or even one of these
> (www.spitfireaircraftco.com),

WoW !!! Amazing!
--
Jim in NC

[Jonny[_2_]]

On May 27, 8:19 pm, "Morgans" > wrote:

> > (www.spitfireaircraftco.com),
>
> WoW !!! Amazing!
> --
> Jim in NC

The builder, Russ, is a great guy too. I hope he has success getting
that baby safely off the ground. It certainly looks the part and the
full size V12 power gives it a lot more street-cred (if such a phrase
can apply to an aircraft!) than any other replica (well, maybe the mad
German guys building all metal Fw190s from scratch might complain...).

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Jonny"> wrote in message

> The builder, Russ, is a great guy too. I hope he has success getting
> that baby safely off the ground. It certainly looks the part and the
> full size V12 power gives it a lot more street-cred (if such a phrase
> can apply to an aircraft!) than any other replica (well, maybe the mad
> German guys building all metal Fw190s from scratch might complain...).

Or the guys building the ME 262's. <g>

I was in awe, in the scope of the project, and perhaps most of all by the
workmanship visible in the pictures. It looked immaculate!

Even if I never had the skill to drive one of those, if I had the money, I
would build one, just to build it. I think it would be a blast!

What a project. Everyone NEEDS to take a look at it, if they did not look
at the link when it first came up. It is really something!

<http://www.spitfireaircraftco.com/>
--
Jim in NC

[Ric[_2_]]

"Morgans" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Jonny"> wrote in message
>
>> The builder, Russ, is a great guy too. I hope he has success getting
>> that baby safely off the ground. It certainly looks the part and the
>> full size V12 power gives it a lot more street-cred (if such a phrase
>> can apply to an aircraft!) than any other replica (well, maybe the mad
>> German guys building all metal Fw190s from scratch might complain...).
>
> Or the guys building the ME 262's. <g>
>
> I was in awe, in the scope of the project, and perhaps most of all by the
> workmanship visible in the pictures. It looked immaculate!
>
> Even if I never had the skill to drive one of those, if I had the money, I
> would build one, just to build it. I think it would be a blast!
>
> What a project. Everyone NEEDS to take a look at it, if they did not look
> at the link when it first came up. It is really something!
>
> <http://www.spitfireaircraftco.com/>

But before you get too excited, check out the Pricing
link....$332,000.....ouch!

[Jonny[_2_]]

On May 28, 9:44 am, "Ric" > wrote:
> > <http://www.spitfireaircraftco.com/>
>
> But before you get too excited, check out the Pricing
> link....$332,000.....ouch!

You could always plans build it!

And don't forget, you have to get an Allison V12 as well. Anyone got
an idea what that would cost?

[Morgans[_2_]]

>> But before you get too excited, check out the Pricing
>> link....$332,000.....ouch!

Yep, I saw that. That is _exacttttly_ why I said, "if I could afford it."

> You could always plans build it!
>
> And don't forget, you have to get an Allison V12 as well. Anyone got
> an idea what that would cost?

Also, don't forget to pick up the prop and workings suitable for getting all
of that power to the air.

_That_ would be another VERY pretty penny, also ! ! !
--
Jim in NC

[Jonny[_2_]]

On May 28, 11:36 am, "Morgans" > wrote:

>
> _That_ would be another VERY pretty penny, also ! ! !

I'm guessing but I imagine you could spend just as much on the engine
and prop as you did on the airframe.