I have helped my friends build a Long E-Z (Uh, that's just what the designer calls it, don't ask me) and a Glastar. These are 'glass planes with very little wood. When I was contemplating getting my A/E the school I visited had a 'Glass Goose that a boatbuilder made. It's a very well designed float plane that has a hull-shaped fuselage, similar to a Lake Commander. The only problem was this guy built it like a boat with all kinds of wood reinforcements because he didn't think it was sturdy enough. He added so much wood to it that it wouldn't fly, so now it sits on the groud and they punch holes in it and use it for 'glass repair instruction! The 'Glass Goose kit will run you $30,000, and for that you get a big pile of parts and some foam to make the wings out of.

I bought the plans for a Pitts Special, but it was a scaled-down version made entirely of spruce. The designer also makes a really nice spruce rendition of the Pietenpol Air Camper. I scrapped the Pitts because I decided if I'm going to build a Pitts Special it will be a steel frame like the original and will pull 10+ G's like the original.

If I ever get to it, there are two aircraft I want to build. First and foremost would be a Rotorway Exec 192F. My dream hellicopter! I love the idea of taking off and landing vertically. Right now the kit is $62,000. That's the reason I have yet to get one. The other aircraft would be a WWI Biplane with either a modified VW engine or a small engine like a Rotax. It would be strictly wood and fabric construction. Top speed would be slightly more than your VW Bus. Of course there is still the Pitts Special, but they are just so doggone expensive that for the cost I would rather have the Rotorway Exec.

I would like to see someone build a cedar strip aircraft. Perhaps it would be too heavy, but it's a thought.

Here's a pic from the Glass Goose website showing what you get for $30,000. Boy, I could build a lot of kayaks for that. I just can't figure if that guy comes with the kit...
-Malcolm