I'm building one; this clip has been around a while but I just found out about it - it's the first to be made by the factory with high production values: [youtube:y7pwbkot]http://youtu.be/q1pG9LylhzQ[/youtube:y7pwbkot]

If Phil dyed his hair, don't you think he'd look like Warren Beatty?

That looks like a blast of an airplane to fly!

One of the best times I had in an airplane was a ride I took in a Quicksilver MXII ultralight on floats in Destin, Florida. I was a passenger as we flew less than 100' above the clear blue gulf water along the sugar white beaches. Several of the young ladies that were floating on rafts just offshore had the audacity to flash us.......I was so disgusted I only went back two more times.

How far along are you, how many people are working on it, and how long is it going to take to get it airworthy?

I have always thought the Aircam had a very high cool factor.

Stuart,

Yea, keep us posted. I think that's a really neat plane.... and wish I had one. I've thought about sharing one with a few folks.... but fitting it in the back yard with the boat is very tight...

I wonder if you would have to worry about being crushed by an engine in an off airport landing? Looks like a blast though.

That's "fun flying".

If you want to fly for "fun", that's what I would get. Not a weird looking closed cockpit LSA.

How much is an AirCam? Do you have to "build it yourself"?

Air Cam can probably recommend a professional builder, just don't tell the FAA

With 912S engines, an AirCam costs about $125K, including factory completion of the fuselage. If you go that route, building one is well within the capabilities of moderately-skilled folks. It's a first-rate kit, among the best ever fabricated. Inexperienced builders will probably need help with the electrical system more than anything else.

I've taken a slightly different path with mine, because I have a very skilled building partner who has previously completed almost 20 experimental airframes. We decided to build up the fuselage ourselves, which is almost 50% of the total work to complete the airplane. We made numerous improvements as we went along; not many design improvements but we did use a higher standard of assembly quality compared with the factory fuselages we've seen. It's a last 10% kind of thing; the factory fuselages are fine and will save any builder six months to a year of assembly time. Mine is just a bit more Beech-like than most.

My plane is >75% complete, up on its gear and needing only paint and engines at this point. One of the aspects of the AirCam that doesn't necessarily come across in pictures is that it is a BIG airplane: as long as a G36 with a 36' wingspan and over 8 feet tall at the tip of the vertical stab. My project was delayed years by hangar space problems (not to mention other trivial distractions like money and family demands), but I used the time to become a competent tailwheel pilot, so it's all coming together at last. Best guess for the first flight is late Q2 next year; it would be possible to finish sooner but the plane is far from where I live and I can only get there weekends right now.

There is a low time one on Barnstormer for $84,000

http://barnstormers.com/cat.php?mode=search

Paul, thanks for the response.

I was looking at another builder's site and when he got to the fabrication of the fuel tanks he had already gone beyond the point my ability and patience would allow.

That $84,000 flying AirCam does look tempting........

Oh yeah...the fuel tanks are a total bitch. We had very little trouble due to past experience with similar designs, but many AirCam builders have had to get help with the tanks.

There was a full-up amphib AirCam w/914s on Barnstomers a few weeks ago for $185K.

I've always thought that's the problem with the entire home built concept.

I am sure by the third build you are a proficient builder. If, however, the build is jut a means to an end ( You really just want to fly but have to build to get there. ) those first two airplanes may be "problematic" at best.

If building those fuel tanks were a part of my first project I fear for both the build quality and my own sanity.

Building can be very satisfying in the right company, but you're absolutely right. I had screwed together a few Quicksilver ultralights, but this project isn't even in the same universe with that. The ONLY reason I got engaged in this level of build is because there is no certified airplane that is remotely like the AirCam. In fact, the AirCam is the only reason I became a private pilot. For the kind of non-transportation, purely recreational flying I like to do, I could have easily stayed a $20/hour ultralight flyer. But the allure of this particular airplane wasn't something I could overcome.

I hear you.

Ok, you Air Cam experts:

Is there any option for an enclosed canopy or covering to protect for unexpected rain.... and an option for a heater?