I hope to go pick this up tommorow.

[hitech]

It may not be the mag at all.

The mags are killed by grounding them and any short to ground or a bad switch can cause a "bad mag".

Definately something to check.

We did all that trouble shooting.

But I am almost sure the capacitor failed , taking out the points on the last hop. Our radios were absolutely terrible on the flight, so much so I had to communicate some things with Indent with ATC. It sounded like electrical interference. About 20 miles out the radios suddenly cleared up. This would be symptomatic of arcing on the points (failed capacitor), followed by points being burnt up.

HiTech

[hitech]

Ah that's something good to bring up....I'm 6'1" so I need to see if I'll fit in a -4. I've heard they are a close fit. 
My budget cap would probably be about $45,000. I would use it to commute to and from work. Right now I commute via "plane pool" with a fellow employee in their Lancair 320. It's the perfect plane for it. It's about a 25 minute flight each way. In the end with split costs of fuel, its about 100 bucks a week. Not too shabby. Of course that doesn't count all the other operational expenditures but since it's experimental its easier on the maintenance costs. But Lancair's, even the 230, aren't cheap to come by. Ultimately I want something fast, economical, and fun. I'd love to buy a Pitts S-1, it's easily attainable and high on the fun scale and I could race it in Reno, but low on the economical scale and in between in fast the fast scale. So I've had quite a few people talk about the RV-4. In the starting research I've done so far, it's pretty good all around in speed, economics, and fun. I'm not Mr. Moneybags quite yet so I've got to be a realist and look for the best combination that will fit me best.

You can find 6's and 7's in that price range. You should have no problem fitting in a 6 or 7, 4 may be very close on head room. If you plan on passengers you may wish to go with the 6/7. If you fit in a 4, and not planing on many passengers, it is the more fun flying plane of the group.

HiTech

[SB]

Trust HiTech to get a new toy and break it the first weekend 

[pensley]

Pensley,

An RV-4 is TIGHT. Unless you're a rail @ 6'1 I don't think you'll enjoy the -4 all that much for cross country work. If you want to go fast for a commute on the cheap, I recommend something like a Thorp also pretty small but has a little more elbow room. If you want an inexpensive biplane, a Starduster Too can't be beat.

It's funny that you mention a Thorp. There's a guy at my home airport building one and I was looking it over and he was giving me some performance numbers on it and you are quite right, it would be a good thing for me to do some research on them. As the guy told me, it's a fast airplane like the RV's, it's just on 60's technology.

[pensley]

@pensley

Just out of curiosity, wouldn't Motor Glider be cheaper for day-to-day operation?

(Image removed from quote.)

Or it is more restricted in terms of operation in comparison to RV-8 like planes.

It would indeed be a cheaper day to day alternative, but it would be too prohibitive in cost in purchasing for me, as well as it would just be difficult logistically in parking at my work airport. Plus the airspace is very congested, so I would be more apt to having something a bit more nimble. But a pretty awesome idea! A motor glider would most definitely be the most calming commute. 

[pensley]

You can find 6's and 7's in that price range. You should have no problem fitting in a 6 or 7, 4 may be very close on head room. If you plan on passengers you may wish to go with the 6/7. If you fit in a 4, and not planing on many passengers, it is the more fun flying plane of the group.

HiTech

I've also been told that the -4 is one of the most fun. It's a good all around airplane in that, it will take you somewhere (though maybe not in the most comfortable fashion), it's economical, and you can roll it upside down once in a while if you like. There's one at my home airport that I'm going to try and get a flight in just to see how it fits. But I'm definitely not opposed to keeping my options open. I've got time and I believe the right airplane will come along at the right price, and for the right mission for me, I've just got to keep my eyes and ears open.

[Rich46yo]

Good for you. Life is short and WTF are we working our entire lives for if not to have a little slice of dream? Enjoy.

[LilMak]

It's funny that you mention a Thorp. There's a guy at my home airport building one and I was looking it over and he was giving me some performance numbers on it and you are quite right, it would be a good thing for me to do some research on them. As the guy told me, it's a fast airplane like the RV's, it's just on 60's technology.

If you want to go fast and be REALLY cheap, look into a Tailwind. Old tech but probably the most mph per dollar of any aircraft flying. Small planes but Steve Wittman was a pretty tall guy from what I understand.

[1stpar3]

Dale,only problem I see is now you can take the whole family!

   You will never be able to use the "there isnt enough room" excuse again!





   

 PS: Enjoy.
Not sure how old your kids are or how 'chatty' your wife is? Hope shes not a back seat flyer? Maybe make engine noise louder? To the point that to talk everyone needs head sets with a squelch option!!! "Daddy! Are we th......" Sweet! Looks fun!

[mbailey]

Trust HiTech to get a new toy and break it the first weekend 

Hmmm you may be on to something, but not HiTech.......was Skuzzy near the plane by chance? 

[BluBerry]

was Skuzzy near the plane by chance? 

only to clean it 

[HL117]

If you want to go fast and be REALLY cheap, look into a Tailwind. Old tech but probably the most mph per dollar of any aircraft flying. Small planes but Steve Wittman was a pretty tall guy from what I understand.

I'll see your tailwind and rasie you an:

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/aircraft/Single+Engine+Piston/1984/Vans/RV-3/1742417.html

Just make sure wing MODS were done 

[Golfer]

Good choice for a family truckster Dale.  I hope it serves you and yours well

Do look hard at those Bendix dual magnetos that are "dual" but are a single drive and point of failure.  That's proven to be an issue for some of the freight haulers that operate the Six/Lance/Etc.

@pensley

Just out of curiosity, wouldn't Motor Glider be cheaper for day-to-day operation?

(Image removed from quote.)

Or it is more restricted in terms of operation in comparison to RV-8 like planes.

I know a guy who has one of those things.  They weigh 42 pounds, you're laying almost flat to the ground when on the ground and when I climbed in it I was instantly uncomfortable with the thing...which ain't all that easy.  I was sizing it up with a Cessna 180 and while the gear is wide enough and it's not really short coupled I wasn't interested in flying the thing.

[ROC]

Very nice, congratulations

[LilMak]

I'll see your tailwind and rasie you an:

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/aircraft/Single+Engine+Piston/1984/Vans/RV-3/1742417.html

Just make sure wing MODS were done 

Fantastic...










Until you want to bring a backpack with you.