I'm sure I'll get some encouragement here... I'm 61 years old and considering building a Companion. Using builder assist. Some of my older, perhaps wiser, friends are discouraging me from building a conventional gear airplane. I've owned and flown a 1941 Interstate Cadet for seven years (non electric - no starter, or transponder). I love it, but it just doesn't have the utility I want. I retired in 2024 and moved from Oregon (200 MSL) to Denver (5500 MSL). I want to build and fly a more capable airplane.
I hold ASEL, ASES and Glider certificates. And tailwheel, high performance and glider tow endorsements. I currently have 368 hours of tailwheel time (about half of my total time). I’ve logged tailwheel time in: Piper J3, J5, PA-18, PA-20, PA-25 (Pawnee), Cessna 120, 140, 170, 185, and 188 (Ag Wagon), Interstate S-1A (Cadet), Stearman PT-13, Aeronca Champ, Pietenpol (Ford Model A engine), Kitfox S7, and a Cub Crafters Sport Cub. The rest of my time is in: C162, C172, C182, RV-12iS, RV-6, and several gliders.
I consider myself to be a stick and rudder pilot. I think total experience is more important than total hours. I’ve taken backcountry, mountain, and canyon flying courses in Idaho and Alaska. I towed gliders for several seasons. The PNW taught me a lot about Wx, clouds, trees and grass airstrips. I love antiques, but the genre is challenged. I feel the backcountry genre is the continuum of antique stick and rudder aviation.
I planned to get my A&P and work on old, tube and fabric airplanes in retirement. That hasn’t been possible in Denver – there are no community college programs, experienced A&Ps are disappearing or unwilling. And besides, Part 147 schools are geared towards modern, commercial aviation. I don’t need or want a job. I gained aviation build/restoration/project management experience building an RV-12iS, at the WAAAM restoration shop, working on a C-120/C-85 restoration, at Big Sky Stearman (PMA Stearman wings), and now at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum, building a Rans S-21. I have mechanical experience from restoring a 1966 Ford Bronco. I own/maintain a Ford Model A and the Cadet.
It’s getting difficult to support my antique, certified airplane. IMO MOSAIC is the writing on the wall for GA, certified. Unless something changes – certified GA airplanes and mechanics will become extinct, and/or more difficult to find. I’ve Always felt I had another project in me. I won’t do it alone. Even though I have a fair amount of build/restoration experience and technical knowledge. I’m a huge fan of group building/ownership – sharing skills, collective knowledge, etc. I’d like to do at least 51%I plan to get the repairman certificate.
Let's here it.
I hold ASEL, ASES and Glider certificates. And tailwheel, high performance and glider tow endorsements. I currently have 368 hours of tailwheel time (about half of my total time). I’ve logged tailwheel time in: Piper J3, J5, PA-18, PA-20, PA-25 (Pawnee), Cessna 120, 140, 170, 185, and 188 (Ag Wagon), Interstate S-1A (Cadet), Stearman PT-13, Aeronca Champ, Pietenpol (Ford Model A engine), Kitfox S7, and a Cub Crafters Sport Cub. The rest of my time is in: C162, C172, C182, RV-12iS, RV-6, and several gliders.
I consider myself to be a stick and rudder pilot. I think total experience is more important than total hours. I’ve taken backcountry, mountain, and canyon flying courses in Idaho and Alaska. I towed gliders for several seasons. The PNW taught me a lot about Wx, clouds, trees and grass airstrips. I love antiques, but the genre is challenged. I feel the backcountry genre is the continuum of antique stick and rudder aviation.
I planned to get my A&P and work on old, tube and fabric airplanes in retirement. That hasn’t been possible in Denver – there are no community college programs, experienced A&Ps are disappearing or unwilling. And besides, Part 147 schools are geared towards modern, commercial aviation. I don’t need or want a job. I gained aviation build/restoration/project management experience building an RV-12iS, at the WAAAM restoration shop, working on a C-120/C-85 restoration, at Big Sky Stearman (PMA Stearman wings), and now at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum, building a Rans S-21. I have mechanical experience from restoring a 1966 Ford Bronco. I own/maintain a Ford Model A and the Cadet.
It’s getting difficult to support my antique, certified airplane. IMO MOSAIC is the writing on the wall for GA, certified. Unless something changes – certified GA airplanes and mechanics will become extinct, and/or more difficult to find. I’ve Always felt I had another project in me. I won’t do it alone. Even though I have a fair amount of build/restoration experience and technical knowledge. I’m a huge fan of group building/ownership – sharing skills, collective knowledge, etc. I’d like to do at least 51%I plan to get the repairman certificate.
Let's here it.
