Who out there has experience with Bridi Kits? I'm looking at an utter kaos kit and was curious about the kit quality. How do they compare to... say Midwest or Sig kits. Thanks guys.

The kits that I'vs built by him have all had excelent wood...
Fly like they are on a rail....
Well worth the price that he charges...
Instructions are a little hard to understand somtimes...
Don't know if the Utter Chaos has only one side of the wing on the plans...need to go to Kinko's and have a reverse copy made..
or a wing jig...and not build over the prints...
I've built the Chaos, Big Chaos, and a Big Bee...loved them all...
BB1

Thanks bigbird. I've built a few kits, but it's been a long time since I bought a new kit. I'm going to give it a try.

I just put an Utter Chaos on the bench this week. Everything Joe Bridi puts out is top notch stuff. Very good wood selection, band saw cut parts and quality hardware. However, Bridi kits do not have directions that detail every single step in the building process like Midwest or Great Planes. These are builders kits and you will have to sand, plane and shape some parts. They are not as "pre fab" as some of the newer kits today. If you prefer step by step instructions with a photo for every for every piece in the box you may not like this kit. However If you prefer to build a kit that has good wood and plans, and results in a great flying airplane then a Bridi kit is for you.
I never liked the idea of the instructions telling me (like I was an 8 year old) take part A and glue it to part B, Stop and let glue dry etc.... Always felt like they were insulting my intelligence, but I understand why they publish them that way. All in all if you are a builder, you will be very satisfied with all of Joe Bridi's stuff.

Generally OK although I've had some poor balsa. The design is also much older. Don't expect the same kind of tab/lock design as in a Sig, or others. Generally it's "carve the balsa to shape" or cut the sheet, glue and sand, sand, sand. As an example the fuselage bulkheads on the Killer Kaos are not pre-formed. You cut the supplied balsa stick to construct the bulkheads. The nose ahead of the firewall is a few large pieces of balsa that you carve and sand to shape. It's nothing really hard, but not like the nice laser cut stuff you may be used to. Also the fuselages tend to be on the narrow side.

I just got my utter chaos for Christmas and I Think its going to be a good one. Instructions are a little hard to understand. I built a wing jig out of 1/16 3/4 angle made the wing easy to build. could send pic if you like. The wing ribs have a notch in front and back that the angle slides into. I am looking forward to getting it flying. will be flying SPA pattern this spring with it. Gary

I got 5 Bridi kits for Christmas. I don't like Joe's designs at all. <Big Grin>

They are not jig lock kits; However, they are simple. Read not many pieces, traditional "D" tube wing, box fuselage.

Buy it, Build it, and fly it. You'll never forget the experience. He is one of the all time great designers.

I just have to ask....What kits did ya get? (drooling on the keyboard...)

Gary,

Can you post a picture or two of you wing jig?

ED

OK here are some pic just use 1/16 3/4 angle and some scrap 2x4s I have a plywood work bench so I just screwed it to the bench. Gary

another pic

use a 2x2 block to keep every thing squar with plans. Gary

i have a aero commander in progress....wing is glassed still a ways to go though...

Just had to add my two bits worth. I have my fifth Bridi in the waiting stack, a 2M Dirty Birdy. Looks like the same build as all the rest. They all fly great. This one will be gasoline powered, WVVS 1.6. Tex.

Sun Fli III
Sun Fli IV
Utter Chaos
Brez ee
Great Escape

to go with my other Bridi kits already on the shelf

Killer Chaos
Kaos 60

Since he's going out of business, I mostly use the kits as patterns for scratch building.

When's that going to happen????
BB1

If your talking about him going out of business. He has stated in a magazine and over the phone. When his existing inventory is gone, he is done. From what I understand, he's not selling the rights to his designs either.

Darn....
He'll be missed....
I had heard that his wife had died..
Think that I might have to call and see what he has left..

Thanks for the info..