A proud moment just after the issuance.
The airworthiness Certificate!
Cliff and Mary Beth's Ravin 500
Current area of work: Airworthiness is done. Taxi testing is next and general ground testing before the first flight. Just a few weeks away
Total hours of work: About 1800
Updated: Sep 16, 2012... 3 years into the project _________________________________________________________________
I received my private pilot's certificate in Sep 1998 and my instrument rating in Feb 2000. For many years, I have had a dream of building an aircraft but due to life's stresses, strains, and detours, I gave up the dream. I dropped out of flying several years ago and for approximately 4 years did not fly. My wife, Mary Beth, eventually "forced" me to go back to something that I have always had a passion for. So, over the past 14 months I have started back to flying again. During this past year, we have made plans together to build an aircraft. I looked at several aircraft and eventually decided on the Ravin 500. All things considered, it is unsurpassed in performance for an aircraft in it's class. It cruises at 185 to 195kts with a standard Lycoming I0-540 and and 205kts with 300 hp. I have purchased a 337 hp Lycoming IO-540 with 10:1 compression. I don't know exactly what my numbers will be but I'm hoping for 210kts. My useful load will be a bit less than the usual 1450 pounds because of all the goodies added. Mine is only 1213 pounds. With fuel totaling 160 gallons, it has a range of over 2000 miles. Full fuel useful load will only be 249 pounds, basically solo. But my wife and I with 100 pounds of baggage can go 1400 nautical mile non-stop if our bladders can make it. I look forward to the day all the hard work pays off.
Cliff O'Meara Aug, 2009
Total hours of work: About 1800
Updated: Sep 16, 2012... 3 years into the project _________________________________________________________________
I received my private pilot's certificate in Sep 1998 and my instrument rating in Feb 2000. For many years, I have had a dream of building an aircraft but due to life's stresses, strains, and detours, I gave up the dream. I dropped out of flying several years ago and for approximately 4 years did not fly. My wife, Mary Beth, eventually "forced" me to go back to something that I have always had a passion for. So, over the past 14 months I have started back to flying again. During this past year, we have made plans together to build an aircraft. I looked at several aircraft and eventually decided on the Ravin 500. All things considered, it is unsurpassed in performance for an aircraft in it's class. It cruises at 185 to 195kts with a standard Lycoming I0-540 and and 205kts with 300 hp. I have purchased a 337 hp Lycoming IO-540 with 10:1 compression. I don't know exactly what my numbers will be but I'm hoping for 210kts. My useful load will be a bit less than the usual 1450 pounds because of all the goodies added. Mine is only 1213 pounds. With fuel totaling 160 gallons, it has a range of over 2000 miles. Full fuel useful load will only be 249 pounds, basically solo. But my wife and I with 100 pounds of baggage can go 1400 nautical mile non-stop if our bladders can make it. I look forward to the day all the hard work pays off.
Cliff O'Meara Aug, 2009