Guys,

If the following (as an example) was available as a "Bind and Fly" package what would you be willing to give for it (assuming you would be in the market)?

Boomerang Elan
Behotec J66 Kero Start
Behotec Retract units, struts, brakes, and wheels
Behotec 3 position retract / brake valve
Kevlar Fuel Cell
SmartFly EQ10 power distribution system
2.4 Reciver
A123 Batteries
8 ea. JR 8611 servos
Pilot Bust
UAT
All installation hardware and required items

This would be turn-key and ready to fly. Aircraft would be balanced and test flown. Panels and internal mounts would be purpose built custom. Aircraft would be expertly built.

So, what say you guys?

Dave,

I'm glad to see you are considering doing this. I know there's a lot of guys out there who love the sport but don't have the time (like me!). I will admit that you are one of the best builders I have come across.

(For those who don't know, I have known Dave for almost 10 years. He taught me how to fly helicopters (which I abandoned shortly after mastering everything there was to know about hovering 2 feet of the ground). He truly is one of the best builders I have seen. Just do a search for some of his posts of the aircraft he has built.)

Now as far as what you are proposing. I would suggest a couple of changes to the items in your list. First, I would use Todd's trailing link gear instead of the Behotec straight leg gear. I would also go with Ultra Precision Brake and retract valves. I've seen your 3 position valve and I don't like the way the brakes stick even after disengaging.

I think the EQ10 and A123 batteries are a great call.

As far as the Turbine goes, you may want to make that a buyer-selectable item.

My suggestions of course are all buyer preference items. Taking out the cost of all the items, it seems like your question is really, "How much would you pay for me to build your Elan from start to finish, including all necessary hardware and building supplies?"

I think for an expert clean build on a plane like this, $2000 would be a fair price IF it really was completely finished, plumbed, clean, expert instal, all parts and hardware included, ready to "Bind and Fly."

In other words, if I supplied you with all the plane hardware, I would pay $2k for it to be built.

Thanks for the feed back Chad, certinally some things to consider.

Anyone else have any feed back at all?