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Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: New to the list
From: Ryan Wilkins <ryan@deadfrog.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-3892997@logan.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:58:13 -0500
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To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>

Hi Bob,

Sorry.. I did forget to mention that I'm eyeing the 20B figuring that  
the XL5 needs something in or near the 300 HP range.

As for the build time.. I'm figuring 2-3 years.  Maybe optimistic..  
maybe not.  I figured 2000 hours over 730 days (2 years) which comes  
out to ~2.75 hours/day.  In reality I won't work on the plane every  
day.  The day long to week long business trips that happen  
occasionally will get in the way, also family time, other  
administrative time, and lets not forget the occasional trip to  
Afghanistan that comes in at about 12 days minimum which all take away  
from build time.  On the other side, my work situation is such that  
there are periods where we're as busy as can be, and periods where  
we're sitting around watching the winds blow through the trees.  I get  
paid the same regardless of what happens.  Right now we're in a slow  
period but it's rapidly ramping up and we'll continue to be strong  
through at least March of next year and likely later.  The point is  
that when I'm at work with not much to do that I can use that time to  
work on the airplane as well and hopefully offset the periods where I  
don't have much time to work on it.  I've read the stories of people  
taking 8 or 10 years (or more) to finish their planes, and I've read  
(less) stories of people completing their planes in a few years.  I'm  
going to be optimistic and hope for the few years scenario.  If it  
goes longer, there's not much I'm going to do about that and I accept  
that the possibility, maybe even likelihood, exists.

Thanks for the suggestion on the quick-build kit.  I've been eyeing  
that possibility.  I need to firm up the design of the plane first  
before deciding if I have the budget to do the quick-build.  I'm  
looking at hopefully starting in a bit less than a year from now.

I'll definitely check out the other lists.  Thanks for taking the time  
to reply.


Cheers,
Ryan


On Oct 20, 2009, at 6:16 PM, btilley@mchsi.com wrote:

> Ryan'
>
> Welcome to the flyrotary list!?  You didn't mention your engine  
> choice so I have to "assume" it's a rotary. Are you here to choose  
> which rotary will best fit your needs?  You have a couple years to  
> decide if you are going to be building an XL5. That seems like a  
> good fit for your needs. Here (Rotary list) you will probably need a  
> 3 rotor or a 2 rotor that is pushed near it's limits. But since you  
> have a couple years you could wait for the new 16X engine that Mazda  
> is supposed to be bringing out.
>
> Now to the XL5, You should join the Canard Aviators list along with  
> the many Velocity lists. You will find a lot of good info there. You  
> also sound like you want to "get her done" sooner than I think what  
> will be possible.  You should seriously consider buying a partially  
> completed project.  If I were starting with the info I have now I  
> would probably go that route. Hope this helps!
>
> Bob Tilley
> Cozy MKIV
> Albany, Ga