Builder from TX

[racaldwell]

Hi Ryan,

I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. Of course I am highly favored on the Xenos as I am building one. You can always buy a Sonex or Waiex but the Xenos are few and far between, especially if you are picky like me and want things built the way I think they should be. Mine is flush riveted with AN4## rivets where possible amongst other things that I prefer in a glider. That is the great thing about building your own: you can custom build to your desires.

I wanted to learn soaring and our Florida thermals and sea breeze fronts have lots of opportunities for that. I got my glider rating at Seminole Glider Port which is about 40 min. away in my RV6. But it is a pain in the rear to take that much time out of the day just traveling to get there, waiting on the glider, getting a tow, etc. It was an all day commitment. And it was expensive. Just the tow to 3000' was $60. But the soaring part was fun but I needed a way to make it practical. The Xenos does that. I can't wait to get it finished. I just wish I had more time available to work on it than the 6-8 hrs a week I have. But one day, it will be done. Then I can drive 10 min. to my hangar, crank it up and with a light airframe and 127 hp, be up to cloud base by the time I leave class D boundaries. The sea breeze front will take up or down the east coast. The Phoenix motorglider that used to be based out of here would routinely shut the engine down about two minutes after take-off and then fly all afternoon, at times all the way up into GA from central FL then fly back and land with the engine still shut down. If the thermals die down while out in the middle of the state, no problem, just crank up the engine.

Rick Caldwell
Xenos 0057
Melbourne, FL

[rmtrudeau]

Would make a great commuter airplane to head down to my Glider Club!

That was one of my thoughts when I selected the Waiex to build.

I've commuted to my glider club in my Waiex, its on the other side of the airpark. I typically take off, do a couple of low passes, then taxi over to the club, never leaving the pattern.

That's the way to do it! Haha. They should just let you take the Pawnee home...

[rmtrudeau]

Hi Ryan! Welcome to this fine group of aviators and builders!
I am based at Finney Field, just south of Sherman, west of HI way 75 on FM 902, a grass strip. I invite you to visit me and N502PD, AeroVee powered Sonex A model tail wheel scratch built plane. I have only 23.5 hours on it just now. Weather and short illness have precluded flight for several months. I am currently doing some modifications to the engine controls. I wont be able to give you a demo flight due to gross weight...I have a,shall I say,,fat butt! So I consider SrPeeDee a two seat single person craft!

You are welcome to visit anytime as I am on my own until the wife calls for dinner!

Please PM me to arrainge if you so choose!

Thanks Joe! Really appreciate the offer. Think I might take you up on that when it gets a little warmer out. Would be great to go see a Sonex!

Ryan