Andy in lower Alabama
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:50 am
Hello all! My name is Andy, and I’m living in Enterprise, AL (originally from California, but moved here last year here after retiring from the military and seeking a SANE location to raise my children and work). I went on the retired reserve roles of the U.S. Army in April of this year after nearly 25 years as an H60 and EC145 line-pilot, and eventually an instructor, check airman, and functional check pilot in the EC145.
Last year, during COVID, with the exceptionaly strong-armed restrictions in effect in California, I began looking into building a plane. Of course I loved the composite planes like the Lancairs, but quickly brought my expectations back down from low-earth orbit and decided I wanted to build an RV-10. After a lot of thought regarding employment stability, COVID, upcoming retirement, and “cooling-off”, I let the “bug” fade. I was flying my Uncle’s my PA24 Comanche a lot, and recently bought into a partnership on a Mooney M20J(201).
Fast-forward a year, and I caught the bug, again. I almost pulled the trigger on an RV-10 kit, but I kept looking at the TSi. The little and relatively weak TSi engine was a detractor, and sometimes when researching TSi specs, Sling 4 specs are presented, further jading my opinion of a great little plane. The more I researched, the more I began to fall in love with the South African bird. I love the altitude performance of the TSI, it really begins to outshine the RV above 10K. I plan to take this plane back to Central California a couple of times a year to visit my folks, and being able to get into the flight levels will be awesome coming home. The final advantage that I noted of the sling is the ease of construction.
Yesterday, I received confirmation that my empennage kit deposit was received. I ordered the emp kit only because if I don’t like it, or can’t stick to it, I’m only out a few grand, and it should be easy to sell if that is the conclusion that I arrive at. It looks like it will be about nine months for the kit to be manufactured and shipped overwater to Torrance. I can’t wait!
Does anybody have a recommended tool list to begin with. I do plan to get a DRDT2, a Stanley pneumatic riveter (the model recommended in the Sling videos), and the 12v Milwaukee Riveter. What other recommendations are must-haves? I will be priming everything with AKZO 2 part epoxy primer. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Last year, during COVID, with the exceptionaly strong-armed restrictions in effect in California, I began looking into building a plane. Of course I loved the composite planes like the Lancairs, but quickly brought my expectations back down from low-earth orbit and decided I wanted to build an RV-10. After a lot of thought regarding employment stability, COVID, upcoming retirement, and “cooling-off”, I let the “bug” fade. I was flying my Uncle’s my PA24 Comanche a lot, and recently bought into a partnership on a Mooney M20J(201).
Fast-forward a year, and I caught the bug, again. I almost pulled the trigger on an RV-10 kit, but I kept looking at the TSi. The little and relatively weak TSi engine was a detractor, and sometimes when researching TSi specs, Sling 4 specs are presented, further jading my opinion of a great little plane. The more I researched, the more I began to fall in love with the South African bird. I love the altitude performance of the TSI, it really begins to outshine the RV above 10K. I plan to take this plane back to Central California a couple of times a year to visit my folks, and being able to get into the flight levels will be awesome coming home. The final advantage that I noted of the sling is the ease of construction.
Yesterday, I received confirmation that my empennage kit deposit was received. I ordered the emp kit only because if I don’t like it, or can’t stick to it, I’m only out a few grand, and it should be easy to sell if that is the conclusion that I arrive at. It looks like it will be about nine months for the kit to be manufactured and shipped overwater to Torrance. I can’t wait!
Does anybody have a recommended tool list to begin with. I do plan to get a DRDT2, a Stanley pneumatic riveter (the model recommended in the Sling videos), and the 12v Milwaukee Riveter. What other recommendations are must-haves? I will be priming everything with AKZO 2 part epoxy primer. Any advice is greatly appreciated.