Airplanes R Us: Airplanes I Have Known (Experimentals, Homebuilts)

I must admit to a sheltered life in aviation. My airline flying began at an early age (21) which led me directly to safe and sane flight operations. I maintained an interest in general aviation, which added a bit of spice to flying activities.

For these paragraphs, I will inspect my old logbooks to reveal my exposure to “EXPERIMENTALS / HOME-BUILTS” with a few comments about each. For simplicity of writing, I will call the certification category “E-AB” which is the modern term (experimental, amateur-built).

SMITH MINI-PLANE: Although I solo-ed in 1961 (age 16), I didn’t actually fly an E-AB until late 1969. The single-seat Smith Mini-plane belonged to a neighbor. He likely wanted me to buy it and encouraged me to fly it on several occasions. It was my 1st open cockpit and was sporty indeed… but I ended up buying a Citabria instead. I liked the idea of flying with a passenger, and staying dry while aloft. STARDUSTER TOO SA-300: Old friend Barry Halsted built this one. It was a beautiful example of the type, just barely a “kit”, mostly a fabrication from very raw parts. My log entry is June of 1971. I can’t recall if I flew it solo but I logged it as PIC. It was a nice flyer and good performer, and was sold much too quickly. I had exposure to a second Starduster Too, N3531, built by Herm Reese in Seattle. In late 1971 and 1972, I flew this one a bit. It was the only plane I crashed (so far). Barry Halsted and I ended up as partners on this ship and re-engine-ed it with a Continental 0-470. It was quite a performer with that horsepower. I flew it SEA to Oshkosh in 1974. A small beer keg in the front seat provided aux fuel.

PITTS SPECIAL S-1: Just one flight in the type according to my log. This one in Feb 1975, Greenville MS courtesy of my enduring friend Barry Halsted. It was quick and snappy. Good entertainment but not inspiring me to acquire or build the type.

SORRELL HYPERBIPE: In Feb. 1977, I got an intro flight with Mark Sorrell in Hyperbipe, acro included. That led me to buy a kit and begin construction. That plan was interrupted by a career relocation. Kit was sold. No Joy.

HALSTED SAFFIRE 1990’s: Again, old friend Barry Halsted appears. I knew of his huge effort to create what became Saffire. We crossed paths at OSH in 1991, the debut of finished plane, so I had a good look. In July 1995, Barry was making a sales call in the Denver area where I lived. He was using Saffire as his transport. We connected and he insisted on me taking a demo flight, SOLO! Amazingly, I accepted his offer and flew that wonderful ship… and wanted one! Barry recommended otherwise, and more specifically the HARMON ROCKET, which came into my life later on.

The RVs. During the late 1990’s, I got a few rides in RV-6’s. Old friend Barry promoted the idea of me acquiring a kit or finished version (vs the SAFFIRE). In 1998, Barry introduced me to Jerry Scott of Chino, CA. We hatched a plan for Jerry to prefabricate a HARMON ROCKET for me, and so it happened. HARMON ROCKET: E-AB’s take a while to organize, assemble, and fly. The Rocket is not exactly a kit but a fabrication of RV-4 and Harmon parts. That fabrication skill-set was beyond me so I had real help from Jerry Scott in Chino, plus a few others. The first flight was Jan 6, 2006… which marked about 6 years of construction. The ROCKET met all my expectations. That was my ship until late 2012 when I sold it. RV-6A: After the Rocket, this pre-built ship was my “jack-of-all trades”. It was a speedy cross-country machine, was aerobatic, and was a good IFR instrument platform. I used it to get my “I” add-on, instrument instructor.

VARIOUS E-AB’s: In recent history, I have been treated to other rides in E-AB’s of various types. Many are a result of administrating FLIGHT REVIEWS for clients, or even INSTRUMENT CHECKRIDES. I note several transactions in RV’s including 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 12. Also included would be my neighborly Glastar & Murphy Rebel. For this episode, I stuck to E-AB’s. Next installment… I will inspect my log for uncommon certified types (of which there are several).

“We just came into some extra money. My wife wanted to buy a new fur coat and I wanted to buy a new plane. So we compromised. We bought a new fur coat.”