Not The Middle Of Nowhere, But You Can See It From Here

R

Red Owl

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2020
Messages
15
Location
Crescent Valley NV
Well Hello;

Having recently retired, relocated and almost finished creating the live-in airport I've always wanted, I am nearly ready to begin building an airplane. So I was casting about for resources for information regarding Champs/Citabrias and landed here. In the eternal "conversation" of Cub Vs. Champ I am Champ to a strong degree. So my first airplane will be "based on" the Champ/Citabria. Cubs are fine for what they are, but they're not a Champ type. So I am here.

The resources available to Cub type builders are possibly the most complete currently available in the amateur build world. But if you want to build something based on a Champ ( as opposed to an actual Champ or Citabria) resources are hard to come by. So I'm hopeful this forum will be helpful Especially as I live in one of the most remote areas of the lower 48, I suspect online assistance will be huge. My wife and I own Red Owl Ranch Airfield (NV89) in Crescent Valley NV. If you're going to be in the area, check with me and if we're not working on the runway, come by and hang: but "being in the area" will probably put the kaibash on that for most folks.

Bill
Red Owl Ranch Airfield
Crescent Valley NV
 
Hi Bill,

Welcome to ChampCitabriaDecathlonForums.com! Glad you found us.

We were discussing a company that makes knock-off Citabria kits a while back but I can't find the thread and don't remember the name of the company or their product.

I just recently learned that the Christavia is a Champ knock-off, here's one that is for sale on barnstormers

https://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?id=1546089

If you start a project, even if you're near the start of a project, go to the builds/projects sub-forum and start a new thread. you can discuss what you're planning there and begin posting photos as you gear up and begin making parts. it's something us forums-dwellers enjoy, seeing other people getting started and making progress on their projects.

Any questions at all, feel free to ask.

Welcome!
 
Bartman;

Thank you for your kind reply - and the link. Sadly that project has way more to undo for me than it would save me doing. But I do appreciate the thought.

Now... If you come up with the name of that company with Citabria kits, please don't hesitate to let me know. That could be a huge help.

I will ( soon) start up a thread in the Projects place. The next few weeks will be nuts though. The new house is very close to finished and I'm essentially the contractor for this whole deal. And then we'll have to move. So... "soon" - honest.


Bill
Red Owl Ranch Airfield
Crescent Valley NV
 
Bob;

Not so. Not even close. Not having to deal in certificated parts can save giant bucket loads of money. Fabricating one's own parts can save even more - and you have the "warm fuzzy" of knowing how well they're done. If this project costs me 50,000 altogether I will consider myself to have failed.

Besides, the changes I want to make would make it an experimental aircraft anyway - and another certificated airplane would be lost from the fleet forever. We've already precious few left. I don't need to take another out of the mix. Add to that the almost certainty of repairing someone else's work - and having the possibility of something beneath the surface waiting to bite you and it just becomes an option that doesn't meet my standards. And don't get me started on A&P's and the "license to steal." Experimental is the only way for me - and from the ground up is the only way I 'd do that.

Bill
Red Owl Ranch AIrfield
Crescent Valley NV
 
Bill, you're going to fit in just fine here and I'm looking forward to your experimental build thread! Post lots of photos, we'll be watching and rooting for you.

Bart
 
That is not a bad deal - $22,500 or so US.

My comment was based on Cubs - my thoughts were that one could get a good Cub kit for around $60 K, then invest another $30K in parts. A complete, but unairworthy Cub can be had for $15-$40 K, depending on model.

But if experimental is critical, that $22.5 K deal is spectacular, assuming it all fits together.
 
MA Cantin said:
Hi Bill! Here is a link to the canadian company that sells the Champ copy kits. https://bbiaviation.com/epic2ls.html
Welcome to the forum!
Marc-André
Click to expand...
I was just digging for that link. Thanks for posting it.

I saw it a few months ago and my jaw dropped to the ground. I emailed them but never heard back. As a guy who wants to build an experimental aircraft it jumps off the page. The only thing I don't love about my current aircraft is the piece of paper that keeps me from being able to do my own wrench turning (and use non-TSO equipment).

Edit: It's the Epic 3000-180 (Scout look alike) and Super Bushmaster - 260 (Aeronca Sedan look alike) that cause me to squirm in my chair.
 
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