As far as a "novel plane" I'd say the Long EZ is about as novel as it gets---there is a 40 size "Quickie" that is a really funky looking deal, and then there is the 120 size Gee Bee R2 that I bought at the same time as the Long EZ. Currently working on the Gee Bee, it looks nice---it's already been dubbed "the flying watermelon" around here and for about $150 it is hard to beat.

I've been in this hobby with my Dad as well for the last 31 years---he's 86 now, finally retired about a couple months ago as a Consulting PE designing bridges for the past 60 years. Still builds our airplanes but hasn't flown much in the past couple years due to his losing his eye sight to glaucoma and demacular generation (sp?), but he's still the sharpest tack in the box and I don't know what I'd do without him!