Hey, I'm Back

I'm back because I did a thing.   

In addition to flying N76012 more than 400 hours since the last time I posted 8 years ago,  I've also continued to expand what I want out of my aviation life.  I sold N7623V (and still have a bit of heartache) and became a partner in N883CD, an early model Cirrus SR-22.  I've renewed my tailwheel endorsement.  I got some multi-engine training.  I've been to Airventure (twice).  I earned my ATP certificate (not that I will ever need it). I joined the Commemorative Air Force and am checked out in an antique PT-26.   And I'm bored.

So, like I said, I did a thing.   I put down a deposit and am waiting for the first kit of a Van's RV-15 to be delivered to my house so I can start all over and build another plane.   My lovely wife, Lada, graciously let me have the 2 car garage at our previous house when I built N76012 and she stepped up and has bequeathed the new 3 car garage for this new project.   Delivery is tentatively set for mid June 2026.  I'm guessing I will need 3 years to build the RV-15.   When it's airworthy, I will sell my share of the Cirrus (again, with much heartache) and fly both of my RV's for a few years (perchance a decade?) before Father Time says it's time for me to make my last flight.

Why the RV-15?

Photo taken from Van's website

It's different.  The RV-12 is a fantastic, low, slow fun training airplane but it really isn't useful for going places because it's slow and has a very small luggage space and grosses out when you add 30 lb of luggage with me & Lada.   I love the Cirrus, but she is expensive.  Not only that, they cost a lot!  In exchange for that money, you can go fast to paved airports.  Paved airports with long runways.  The Cirrus crosses the fence at 77 kt.   3000' is a relatively short runway.  This is great for cities and such.

The RV-15 is very different.  It's the perfect plane to scratch several itches.   It's fast enough to be a good "go somewhere" plane, similar to the Cardinal.   It's got gobs of useful load so we can carry large suitcases (she prefers to be well prepared in her travels) or -- God forbid -- camping equipment.   It's a tail dragger.  It's designed for off-airport operations.   I doubt that I'll do a lot of off-airport ops, but I am surprised that I find myself looking forward to doing some camping.   Lada loves the outdoors, so this will be a nice tool for her to explore the US's wilderness.  Van's is predicting about 400' for both take off and landing.   Fudge that by 50 % and that's 600'.   There are lots and lots of small, grass fields that are 1000'.   If I really get ballsy, there are many more open fields of that length.   Who knows?   Maybe this machine will let the two of us go out to somewhere in Montana, find a field in the middle of nowhere, camp out on a moonless night, let my eyes will adapt to the darkness and I will see the Milky Way with my own eyes.