RV 4/6 costs?

[Will Outlaw]

Just so I know how much I won't be able to afford, could sombody
please give me a ballpark figure on how much it costs to complete
an RV4 or RV6?

I've seen the kits listed at around $10,000, but am curious how much
it'll finally cost to get the thing flying once you include an engine,
avionics, required tools, etc...

I guessed about $40,000, but don't know little <g> details like if
things like skins, seats and canopies are included in the kit price.

I know my banker will laugh at me when I ask her, but darn it, they're
just so cool!

Thanks,

Will

[TLump]

I'm working on an RV-4 right now. I'm planning on spending about $30k on
mine (including tools). I'm going sport Day/Night VFR and with a used
engine, constant speed prop and inverted fuel and oil. I also purchased
the $800 pre-built spar from Phlogiston Products. I'm going to have to be
resourceful to make it within my budget (I've got $7,893 into it right now
and I am working on the wings). I keep hearing rumors that people put
together RV-4's for under $23k and RV-6's for under $25K, but I think this
assumes that you already have a LOT of tools before you begin the project.
It also assumes you don't have to build a workshop (I did) or rent a
hangar to have space for the project.
Most people seem to have $35k and upwards into their RV's. The silver
lining on the cloud is that, at least the cost is spread out over a 3 yr.
($10k a year average is at least a little easier to swallow), or so,
time-frame. Van's kits are broken into four major categories: empennage,
wing, fuselage and finishing kit. This also helps to spread out the cost.
Most of the big ticket items, however, are toward the end; engine, prop,
instruments (you'll just have to have that GPS and autopilot). The other
thing that's nice about aluminum airplanes is that mistakes are cheap.
Screwing up that elevator skin will cost you time, but not much money.
That can make a big difference in the cost of your plane.
Also, for the business minded, let's say you want to get started on your
RV and you've got $5,000 to spend right now. Buy the empennage kit for
$800, buy your tools for $1,200 (or so), fix up your garage ($500) and
take the remaining $2,500 and invest it (CD, treasury notes, etc.) the
interest you earn will help defray the cost of building the plane and make
the time you spend building less painful if you know your money's working
for you. BTW, in the '80s you could expect 15% (or better) from a mutual
fund, today treasury notes are at 7.5% on a two year maturity. It doesn't
make building the plane free, but it helps!

Ted

Upside-down aviator

[Mark Richardson]

In article <3efa59$1...@cedar.mr.net> Will Outlaw <out...@startribune.com> writes:
>From: Will Outlaw <out...@startribune.com>
>Subject: RV 4/6 costs?
>Date: 4 Jan 1995 23:14:49 GMT

I've heard figures of 25K-$40K (U.S.) quoted. I think you can get away with
the lower figure if you use a used engine and basic VFR type avionics.
The kit is amazingly complete.

Mark

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* Mark Richardson Software Kinetics Ltd *
* Senior Systems Analyst 65 Iber Rd. *
* VOX 613-831-0888 Stittsville, Ont *
* FAX 613-831-1836 rich...@sofkin.ca *
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* RV-6 20819 '85 Virago 750 *
* EAA# - 367635 DoD# - 1506 *
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[PTidball]

Good guess.... An RV- will cost you between $30 to $40k to complete...
depending, of course on wood or constant speed prop, engint size, etz...

The good/bad news is you will be spending the money over several years so
it might not hurt too bad...