Otherwise, we might as all build our planes exactly identical to each other,
and never deviate a rivet.>>
Hi Mike,
you say that as if it was necessarily a `bad thing` It aint. The advantages
being that you know, even if yours is the first model of a new type, that it
won`t kill you.
You know if you buy secondhand that the plane is as described in the
manufacturers blurb, or at least it was at its last annual check.
You know that if a modification has been introduced it will not impair the
performance or its engineering integrity.
You know that if the span has been increased it will not have been achieved
by scarfing something unsuitable onto the wing root.
You know that your machine is legally what it is supposed to be.
You know that the plane will not be `fat` and invalidate your insurance if
you have a crunch.
You know if you buy a manufacturers kit you will finish up with a machine
not much different to one from the factory.
That is not to say that your Mark3 is the same as mine. Different builders
have different ideas. It will rig differently, your instrument package will
be different to mine. The weight and the C of G will vary, but within
limits.
You will also know that if you are unfortunate enough to have a crunch you
have a proven engineering train to fall back on in court and you will never
have to cut up a plane because you cannot take the chance of someone suing
you in the event of a crunch.
I dont have the engineering expertise to build a safe plane, but I know a
man who does.
Mind you if you can get the weight down below 115kg even in hide bound old
England you can build what you like.
Cheers
Pat
