I think shooting an approach to minimums in a Waco would be really cool - probably once (not sure I want to do a lot of hard IFR in a Jacobs powered machine - they are great engines, but I'd probably pass). I am also ok with the Glass-panel Waco because it isn't like they are cutting up an original copy to do it - they are new airplanes. Anyone spending $400k is entitled to what they want. My issue with the new Waco's isn't the glass, but has more to do with the changes in the landing gear (mains and tailwheel) but most importantly - weight. I know a guy whose flown an original YMF-5 (very rare) as well as the new Classic Waco. He says the new one is a complete dog in comparison and the original one will fly circles around it. Weight is the enemy of good flying characteristics/performance in my opinion. If I were ordering one new from the factory I would do everything possible to hold down the weight - if the new glass panels were lighter, that's what I'd go with.
Fair enough. I've never really had any direct experience with a Waco. The most I've done with a biplane was help the CAF guys in Kansas City with their Stearman. Someday, I'd like to build something like the Fisher Celebrity, but who knows if that'll ever happen.
I want to build a Skyote. If you do to we can build two - they are supposed to be hard to build, but if you build one to we can just build two of everything. Google it. Bob Hoover flew one and raved.
Looks interesting. I like the Fisher because you can get a kit for the thing. I'm not one who can just take plans and find materials to make it work. I could however, take a kit (that has all the stuff there) and figure out how to make it fit together. I like the idea of a Rotax engine, too. Plus, I'd rather have 2 seats, just to take a friend along.
Alright...a kit - the Fisher. Then we can do a Pietenpol (plans built but easy) and then step into the Skkyote. At the end we have multiple airplanes so thats a great plan!
Speaking of kits, I wonder if you could drop the Rotec 2800 into the Skyote or maybe even the Fisher? Would be cool sounding, for sure
Seeing it burble by overhead was a lot cooler than I would have expected for a single-airplane airshow.
I noticed that he switched from a wooden prop and spinner to a metal one. Any idea why?