First, I had planned building an aircraft like
a Jodel D20 (which is what first comes to mind in France ...), but
it is only available in kit form, therefore quite expensive, and
to be honest I find it a little outdated ... I preferred a more
aerodynamic, and… "prettier" plane that had also exciting performances. I
looked for more modern offers, so I considered the IBIS that I rejected
because it did not offer a DIESEL powerplant and most of all because
of the tandem seats; I prefer side by side and fly next to my passenger.
As far as the MCR, it is way too expensive for my budget.
I have been keeping up quite closely with
the SMA diesel powerplant . The benefits it offers convinced me that
diesel was the solution that allowed to fly cheaper (burn less
of a less expensive fuel), farther (still because of fuel usage)
higher without performance degradation (turbo charged) ... and
it's reliable (no spark plugs, no carburetor icing,
etc..). Obviously an SMA powerplant mounted on a home build
airplane... forget about it. However I kept in mind the
principle of diesel. I know there are lots of detractors, but
this is "my" airplane after all!
I prospected the market, keeping in mind
the diesel powerplant , even though I could have done without it. I
eliminated kits because they are too expensive and I like the
idea of building from scratch with raw materials. My concern was
that it becomes increasingly difficult to find professional
materials (and this is not only true for aviation). It is true
that kits offer the advantage of resolving this matter since the
materials are provided ... but what a price! I was hopeless
when, one day, during my research I saw that there was a
designer in Britain with proven skills who advocated diesel
powerplants ... and this is very scarce in the CNRA world (France
legal term for home build). This designer offered an aircraft
that matched my criteria of performance, powerplant and
aesthetics (I know beauty does not count... well, a bit for
me...).
I had some chats with Serge and I was
soon feeling much better, reassured. He does not only offer
plans but a package really well thought-out (Serge provided me
with a sample, this way I could judge). There is lots of help
and support around the construction: suggestions for suppliers,
techniques, a forum where builders share ideas and tips (...that
Serge validates or invalidates), in short VINI, VIDI and
Gaz'aile VICI... and here I am stuck in my garage!
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