Ron Berthiaume’s GlaStar
I started construction in February 1998 and completed the project in June 2006. Many thanks to my wife, Natalie, for her patience and understanding, to my friends and family for helping when requested, and to the GlaStar community. The plane is powered by a Lycoming O-320 D1F swinging a metal Sensenich prop. It is IFR equipped with a Vision Microsystems engine monitor, Garmin radio stack and an all-electric panel with dual batteries. The interior is complete with every item covered in leather or cloth. The graphics are by Aerographics Design, and my son drew the eagles head in time for Sun n Fun 2007. My technical counselor and test-flight pilot was Joe Gauthier.
Jim Wallace’s RV-9A
After three years and six months, on October 31, 2007, my Vans RV-9A (N339PJ) flew for the first time with me at the controls. When I first flew 339PJ, I had a whopping 140 hours total flying time accumulated over 20 years. The first flight was uneventful, except for a plugged pitot tube. Seems a bug had set up housekeeping in the tube. It was evicted shortly after we got back on the ground. My Garmin 396 gave me ground speed, so I was able to bring PJ in for a smooth landing despite not knowing my exact airspeed. PJ is equipped with a Lycoming O-320 engine, a Sensenich fixed-pitch prop, a Garmin SL40 com radio, a GTX 327 transponder, a Garmin 396 GPS, a Dynon EFIS-D10A, an Advanced Flight 2002 engine monitor as well as a TruTrak flight control system and an analog airspeed indicator. Shortly after finishing the project, the painting fever got hold of me, and I now have what I think is not only a beautiful plane, but also a beautiful paint job. Thanks to my wife for her input, a few friends and, last but not least, the painter, who kept the paint job going the way I wanted it to go. My thanks also to Vans Aircrafts helpful consultants and to Stein Air for making the wiring task easier. A special thanks to Steve Johansen, who has built three RVs and was always there to help when I needed it. As of the end of 2007, I had 90+ hours of happy flying time. Here is hoping your dreams turn out as well as mine.
Aumsville, Oregon
Jwall53661@aol.com
Richard Simpson’s Aeros Sky Ranger
N590SR first flew on March 3, 2007, from Williamson-Sodus Airport after 300 hours of building. The Sky Ranger is a 631-pound (empty) fabric-covered aircraft. I chose the Rotax 912 ULS 100-hp engine and put the aircraft in the Experimental Light Sport class. Short-field performance is great. Special thanks for all their help and expertise to my wife, Linda, Bob Schutte, Sky Ranger dealer and builder Charlie McInerny and aircraft mechanic George Lucas for the nose art-a leprechaun-and the name
Murphys Law.Ontario, New York
BUILDERS SHARE THEIR SUCCESSES
Submissions to “Completions” should include a typed, double-spaced description (a few paragraphs only-250 words maximum) of the project and the finished aircraft. Also include a good color photograph (prints or 35mm slides are acceptable) of the aircraft that we may keep. Please include a daytime phone number where we can contact you if necessary. Also indicate whether we may publish your address in case other builders would like to contact you. Send submissions to: Completions, c/o
KITPLANES Magazine, 203 Argonne Ave., Suite B105, Long Beach, CA 90803. Digital submissions are also acceptable. Send text and photos to editorial@kitplanes.com with a subject line of “Completions.” Photos must be high-resolution-300 dpi at a 3 x 5 print size is the minimum requirement.
