Jay, when I started my CH-801, I wanted the DeltaHawk diesel 200 hp, too.
Its projected cost, at the time, "in a couple of years," was $19,000. I go
t
a delivery position (free) and went about building my airplane. Oh, yeah,
that was -- let's see -- ten years ago? When the projected price, "in a
couple of years" reached $30,000 for the DeltaHawk, I started thinking abou
t
the soon-to-be-produced Jabiru 5100 "180 hp" engine. The introductory pric
e
(before the first one rolled off the assembly line) was around $13,800.
Such a deal. In the event, it turned out to be a 170 hp engine, I had some
concerns about static cooling, and it wasn't clear that I could use a large
diameter propeller (80" or so), so I abandoned that idea. After they went
into production, it seems to me the price jumped to around $19,000. In the
end (well, about 4 years ago) I decided not to screw around with an unprove
n
engine, since I'm going to fly my bush plane in the bush, and bought a
Teledyne Mattituck TMX O-360 carbureted ECI kit engine, which was about
$18,000 then without magnetos--since my one nod to newfangled technology is
to install Emag's P-mags. Incidentally, the plane isn't done yet, but it i
s
about done. Just hook up and route the engine wires, fit the cowl, fit the
glass, wire up the panel, slap a propeller on it, and put some seats in it,
and it's done (yes, it's already painted). Oh, and build the new (2004?)
wider-span horizontal tail. Personally, I wouldn't borrow money to finance
parts. These things can take time, and compound interest doesn't lower th
e
cost :). I bought my engine when I did because things were going so well
(danger signal) I thought I'd need it imminently. I've got about $7,000 in
my completely adequate day VFR panel, complete with Dynon glass and a backu
p
altimeter and airspeed. There are cheaper ways to get flying than buying a
new engine. Build within your budget. (My $0.02)
John
On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:09 AM, Jay Parker <zeus45601@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I think this message may be dismissed as irrelevant by a lot of you
> veteran pilots and builders, who build their planes from scratch finding
> inexpensive alternative engines to put in your plane, and have just
> essential avionics. You may have a lot of free cash and time to build you
r
> planes in other cases. I do commend your ingenuity and frugal know how to
> those who can accomplish their goals on less money. But has anyone looke
d
> into financing major components on your plane once the airframe has been
> completed. I for one plan to build the CH-801 airframe with spare cash
> (does anyone really have spare cash?) I save without taking out a loan an
d
> build each section slowly, one section at a time until finished. This may
> take a few years as I rarely have spare cash and time is always a factor.
> I may be disillusioned and you guys who have actually built your planes
> may be chuckling. *But has anyone gone as far as to try to find financia
l
> backing/loans for other major components such as a new engine or glass pa
nel
> avionics?* For guys like me, could I get some ideas as to how you did it
> or plan to do? The engines and glass avionics ain=92t cheap and I would l
ike
> to know if you can get a loan for these other things other than maxing ou
t
> credit cards (lordy, not the way to go I would think at their interest
> rates). Most institutions won=92t give you a loan on a kitplane as there
is
> nothing to show for it until it is finished and certified. I plan to get
> a 200 hp DeltaHawk Diesel engine once certified in a couple years, but wa
s
> shocked to see on their website the final cost of the engine and all the
> supporting attachments: engine mount, oil and coolant tanks, supercharger
s,
> turbo=85 etc. http://www.deltahawkengines.com/Firewall%20prices.shtml com
ing
> to a total of $62,500. That=92s not including propeller. Holy cow! Whe
n I
> was looking at engines I was thinking maybe $25,000 to $30,000 for a bran
d
> new engine, but apparently all the supporting parts add up significantly.
> When building my avionics panel using a program called X-Panel 5000, I=92
m
> looking at about another $25,000 and that=92s something I don=92t want to
skimp
> on. How are you folks, who like me, who are not particularly rich, going
> to get those other big money items? If you=92re independently wealth thi
s
> isn=92t an issue.
>
> Jay Parker
>
>
> *
>
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> *
>
>
