Build or Fly

[Ghost-Rider]

I find myself in a tough spot; a year ago I purchased a previously started project and thought I could get it in the air within a year or so.  Fast forward 1 ½ years and I am still 1 ½ years away from flying, progress has been slow but steady.

A good friend of mine has decided to remove his custom 0-200 from his VariEZe project and install it into an amphibian project he has been working on and sell his VariEZe project. The project was a certified experimental until the original owner forgot to lower the gear on landing. That’s ok, because now it has a beautiful Long Nose on it.

Knowing that I am a couple of years from completing my project, the fact that I have a mid-time 0-200 sitting in the garage and I am X number of thousand dollars away from the dream of flight; my friend hits me like the Godfather with an offer I can’t refuse.  

I won’t go into details about the price, but it’s within my budget and I am confident I can be in the air by this summer.

The problem is I really enjoy building and I take great personal pride in my work and the fact that I know it’s done right.

I purposely didn’t include photos because I am looking for feedback on the basis of the dilemma.

Ghost

[deuskid]

awwww.... you don't want to buy his 'ol cruddy plane'... you want to build your bright, new, white, shinny plane... you want to show the world your craftmanship and....

and....

you want ME to buy his cruddy... ol plane...

John

[D]

Ok, Robert "Ghost" Frost... I'm not buying ANY of that "two paths in the wood" crap.   :wink:   I see absolutely NO dilemma here.  You only have ONE sensible option -- and that is to do BOTH!

That way, when you grow tired of "enjoying the build" and "taking pride in your work" and all that other touchy/feely nonsense you can pull the prop on the Varieze and go fly!

"I have two planes and an engine... waaaahhhh."  That's pathetic.  :lol:

D

p.s. - ok, seriously, congrats on what sounds like a great find!  Does your friend need any other friends??!
p.s.s. - if you refuse his offer I hope you wake up next to a horse head (you made the first Godfather reference... not me!).   :wink:

[Bruce Hughes]

Beware of saying "have 1+half year to completion".   Don't  even think
that.

I bought a "12 months to completion" 12 years ago and it is still not
finished.  The good news: it will be soon.    The bad news: I will be too
old to fly it by then.   I go in for my medical in March; I THINK I will
pass.

Buy the flying (well, nearly flying) airplane and fly it.    Finish the other one
when you have time.

Bruce
older but wiser  

[Hiflier68]

Ghost,

I think you should scrap that deal, and I'll make you the deal of a life-time to fly right now by buying my plane!!!! LOL
Its your call, fly soon, finish the other one, then get your bucks back

A Fellow Canardian

[Ghost-Rider]

After a lot of thought, and some input from my canard friends, I have decided to sell my project and purchase another that is significantly closer to flying.

I can’t help to think this has happened to other people; you purchase or start a project with good intentions and reality sets in. Time, working space and the desire to fly now put you against the wall.  While I do enjoy the building, I know I can always build another one after I retire.

I posted my old project on barnstormers and welcome any questions to avoid concerns.