I'm looking for a biplane for my wife and I to both fly.
I plan buying a flying aircraft which needs some TLC, rebuild/rework, and recover. I also will need to make rudder pedal adjust provisions to work for both my 5'-11" height and my wife's 5'-0" height. My search thus far has left me looking at the Marquart Charger and the Great Lakes 2T-1A.
I initially ruled out the Skybolt since I wanted an open cockpit bipe with less modern lines, but now I'm giving it a second look. I have a few questions.
1. Will the rudder pedal system readily accept modification for me to adapt it to our use? I'm a mechanical design engineer and am quite comfortable with this type of work.
2. Can the Skybolt be configured to fly as an open cockpit bipe and then get a canopy with a few hours of conversion time?... (and vice versa)
3. Will the Skybolt perform reasonably well (not a dog) on an IO-320 F/P when flying from 5000' field elevations? I live in Illinois now, but moving to Longmont, Colorado may be in my future. Should I keep a constant speed prop addition in mind if I ever make the move to Colo?
4. My wife only has about 25 hours of tailwheel time in a J-3... is a transition from a J-3 to a Skybolt a safe and reasonable one if approached cautiously?
5. Does anyone know anything about this Skybolt? http://www.gardneraircraft.com/planeviewpic.php?id=221
Thanks for your input.
-Glenn
I plan buying a flying aircraft which needs some TLC, rebuild/rework, and recover. I also will need to make rudder pedal adjust provisions to work for both my 5'-11" height and my wife's 5'-0" height. My search thus far has left me looking at the Marquart Charger and the Great Lakes 2T-1A.
I initially ruled out the Skybolt since I wanted an open cockpit bipe with less modern lines, but now I'm giving it a second look. I have a few questions.
1. Will the rudder pedal system readily accept modification for me to adapt it to our use? I'm a mechanical design engineer and am quite comfortable with this type of work.
2. Can the Skybolt be configured to fly as an open cockpit bipe and then get a canopy with a few hours of conversion time?... (and vice versa)
3. Will the Skybolt perform reasonably well (not a dog) on an IO-320 F/P when flying from 5000' field elevations? I live in Illinois now, but moving to Longmont, Colorado may be in my future. Should I keep a constant speed prop addition in mind if I ever make the move to Colo?
4. My wife only has about 25 hours of tailwheel time in a J-3... is a transition from a J-3 to a Skybolt a safe and reasonable one if approached cautiously?
5. Does anyone know anything about this Skybolt? http://www.gardneraircraft.com/planeviewpic.php?id=221
Thanks for your input.
-Glenn
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