Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. Username Protected
    Michel Gadbois's Avatar
    Really Frequent Poster

    Posts
    199 Posts
    Thanked 31 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Sep 2022
    Location
    Kingston, TN
    Location
    2TN7
       #1  

    Looking at the possibly of a 2nd (faster) airplane for cross-countries

    Hello All,

    I will be planning to acquire a second aircraft in 2024 for long distances. Selection and deposit this summer. Thinking RV-10 at one end of the passenger range to JMB VL3 at the other. I would love to know what others have considered or acquired for higher speed flying. Any wisdom would be appreciated.

    Thanks.
  2. Username Protected
    Michel Gadbois's Avatar
    Really Frequent Poster

    Posts
    199 Posts
    Thanked 31 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Sep 2022
    Location
    Kingston, TN
    Location
    2TN7
       #2  
    Looks like its going to be the JMB VL3 916 RG... Going to test fly one this summer before I commit. Will let you all know!
  3. Username Protected
    Michel Gadbois's Avatar
    Really Frequent Poster

    Posts
    199 Posts
    Thanked 31 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Sep 2022
    Location
    Kingston, TN
    Location
    2TN7
       #3  
    Hello everyone,

    As a follow-up, I did get a chance to fly the JMB VL3 915is this week-end. It is a very nice aircraft, Nice Build quality and very smooth controls. It was as light on the controls as the Icon. Landings with 52 degrees of flaps was predictable and slow. sink rate controlled by a steady sight line and adjustment of the throttle. The cabin is small (42 inches wide at the shoulders). This one had a G3x PFD and GNX 375 plus AP. We climbed (with half tanks and 400 lbs. of pilots) at 1750fpm and settled at a 183kt cruise at 9,500ft. If you are not overly wide (shoulders or hips) it is truly an enjoyable aircraft that sips fuel. Downside other than the cabin size is the tiny cargo area. Most of it is consumed by the gear retraction mechanism. If you order the fixed-gear version, all that space is wasted since the default fuse used is the RG version. That's it for me!

    Thanks.
  4. Username Protected
    Michel Gadbois's Avatar
    Really Frequent Poster

    Posts
    199 Posts
    Thanked 31 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Sep 2022
    Location
    Kingston, TN
    Location
    2TN7
       #4  
    Well, to conclude this thread, I have ordered the RV-14a Quick-Build kit. This will complement my Icon for longer cross-countries. Looking forward to the build!
    Name:  Image 3.jpeg
Views: 190
Size:  440.4 KB
    Name:  Image.jpeg
Views: 192
Size:  232.6 KB
  5. Username Protected
    Ted Cohen's Avatar
    Member

    Posts
    40 Posts
    Thanked 10 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined May 2023
    Location
    Toronto, Ont
    Location
    CNY3
    #5  
    Looks amazing. You have more patience than me. I could never undertake building a plane. Good luck!
  6. Username Protected
    Gabriel Silverstein's Avatar
    Member

    Posts
    42 Posts
    Thanked 8 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Jun 2022
    Location
    Fredericksburg, TX
    Location
    T82
    #6  
    I think "quick build" in experimental kits is a pretty giant misnomer
  7. Username Protected
    Michel Gadbois's Avatar
    Really Frequent Poster

    Posts
    199 Posts
    Thanked 31 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Sep 2022
    Location
    Kingston, TN
    Location
    2TN7
       #7  
    I agree homebuilts are a labor of love. Very good way to relax though. Yoga with a rivet gun,
  8. Username Protected
    Member

    Posts
    5 Posts
    Thanked 0 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Oct 2022
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Location
    KRYW
    #8  
    Hey Michel, great minds think alike! I decided over the summer that I wanted a go-somewhere plane and landed on the RV-10.

    I bought this one in August and finally got the high performance endorsement and required training hours for the insurance company to start solos in it last month. Loving it so far!!

    Name:  IMG_3646.jpg
Views: 93
Size:  866.4 KB

    Sadly though I've come to the conclusion that two airplanes are just too much for me to keep up with right now. The RV-10 is better suited for my current life circumstances so I've decided to let the Icon go. It's been a hard decision because in my opinion nothing compares to the Icon for the pure joy of flying!!

    If anyone is interested, my Icon is serial number 150 w/ G3X touch and autopilot. I'll post a link to the listing once it's up.
  9. Username Protected
    Michel Gadbois's Avatar
    Really Frequent Poster

    Posts
    199 Posts
    Thanked 31 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Sep 2022
    Location
    Kingston, TN
    Location
    2TN7
       #9  
    I am not sure if all of you have received this letter, but there is an entity looking to buy a few Icons. If you did not get the letter, let me know and I will forward. I am not interested in letting go of my Icon. I may add a third plane in 26 (SW-51). But my Icon is family...

    Name:  IMG_1828.jpeg
Views: 90
Size:  1.59 MB
  10. Username Protected
    Michel Gadbois's Avatar
    Really Frequent Poster

    Posts
    199 Posts
    Thanked 31 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Sep 2022
    Location
    Kingston, TN
    Location
    2TN7
       #10  
    What a beautiful aircraft Troy!!!!
  11. Username Protected
    Member

    Posts
    5 Posts
    Thanked 0 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Oct 2022
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Location
    KRYW
    #11  
    Thanks Michel! The RV-10 was built by Devin Sirois out of Sandpoint ID. He mainly builds cubs but did an amazing job on this RV.
  12. Username Protected
    Michel Gadbois's Avatar
    Really Frequent Poster

    Posts
    199 Posts
    Thanked 31 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Sep 2022
    Location
    Kingston, TN
    Location
    2TN7
       #12  
    The RV-14a is in!!!!! Now the work begins.Name:  IMG_2001.jpg
Views: 83
Size:  2.30 MB
    Name:  IMG_1999.jpg
Views: 78
Size:  2.37 MB
  13. Username Protected
    Jamie Kirk's Avatar
    Member

    Posts
    2 Posts
    Thanked 2 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined Feb 2024
    Location
    Glendora, CA
    Location
    KIFP
    #13  
    That was quick!

    My main plane is a Saratoga TC II
  14. Username Protected
    Ted Cohen's Avatar
    Member

    Posts
    40 Posts
    Thanked 10 times
    Icon A5 Owner & Pilot
    Join Date
    Joined May 2023
    Location
    Toronto, Ont
    Location
    CNY3
    #14  
    Looking forward to see the finished product. Hope it’s a quick build kit. Good luck!

Posting Permissions