Thinking about building a reasonable 4-seater. Any recommendations?

In the time it takes to build an E-AB, you could get your AnP, buy a legacy airplane, maintain it yourself, and use the AnP license to moonlight and earn the money for all the avionics you wish to put in your legacy plane.
Or buy an already built experimental and be able to do the condition inspection on any experimental instead of just one. I like that idea.
 
I can get a starter for an IO550 at AutoZone???

I had no idea! :dunno:
Starters are definitely more challenging than alternators. I can source alternators in the $30 range for 4 cyl lycomings, but so far I've been unsuccessful at cobbling together an inexpensive starter. I'd be interested to hear what tractor supply has to offer.
 
Once youre tired of unobtainium parts for certified aircraft engines, you can embrace auto conversions and then get all of your consumables at Autozone etc.
 
Once youre tired of unobtainium parts for certified aircraft engines, you can embrace auto conversions and then get all of your consumables at Autozone etc.
How's that working out for you?

Nauga,
and his vanilla O-320.
 
Okay.

So where is there an AutoZone that has an alternator, starter and fuel pump for my E-AB aircraft?
Go to their website, enter your zip code and you'll find one within 10 miles.
As my hangar neighbor who owns an RV-4 figured out when he took his failed alternator there and they were able to find a perfect replacement for a fifth of the cost.
If your original starter becomes unobtanium (or is priced as if made out of gold), I'm sure an adapter plate can be made to fit an off the shelf automotive unit, even if the original tractor starter that Lycoming selected isn't available anymore in the automotive world.
We're not talking here about finding a custom 200A starter-generator for a PT6 turboshaft, I do expect that part to have been an off the shelf unit back in the day.
And if your E-AB has an auto engine conversion, it's that much easier to find spares at your local auto parts store.
 
Cyclone kits are available again. I think the build budget is $600-700K and insurance will break the bank after that. I’ll keep my Skywagon!
Really? Show me a cyclone kit…
 
I presume your cynicism is supposed to imply you know something? Do you have anything to add to the topic?

Please send me a link to the cyclone plane company that has a kit for sale.
 
Please send me a link to the cyclone plane company that has a kit for sale.

Bushliner bought the kit mfgr rights from St. Just, who had marketed it for many years. This new version has a factory assist build option. $843K. Cool plane but that’s serious money!
 
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Bushliner bought the kit mfgr rights from St. Just, who had marketed it for many years. This new version has a factory assist build option. $843K. Cool plane but that’s serious money!
I’d rather have the new CompAir 6.2 than that—more plane for less coin.
 

Bushliner bought the kit mfgr rights from St. Just, who had marketed it for many years. This new version has a factory assist build option. $843K. Cool plane but that’s serious money!

You might be able to order a kit, but you can't receive one...
 
I’d rather have the new CompAir 6.2 than that—more plane for less coin.
Then that’s what you should do. Let us know when it’s finished. Me? I have the airplanes I want. Last spring I told my wife I needed a project and was itching to build another airplane. She told me I had enough airplanes and asked me to build her a Sprinter van. I did, and it turned out great. Life is short. Talk is cheap. Building things is fun!
 

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Then that’s what you should do. Let us know when it’s finished. Me? I have the airplanes I want. Last spring I told my wife I needed a project and was itching to build another airplane. She told me I had enough airplanes and asked me to build her a Sprinter van. I did, and it turned out great. Life is short. Talk is cheap. Building things is fun!
I actually seriously considered selling my RV-10 and building the piston powered version for a number of reasons. I’ve met the company owner and have been to their facilities a number of times. Unfortunately even with selling I’d need more money than I have at my disposal so it’s not in the cards (at least not for the foreseeable future as I’m still trying to rebuild my house after Hurricane Helene). I can still dream though……
 
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