Get Your Dream Airplane

...or just one you really want!

Follow these steps and you will have all the information Brian will need to tell you how long the project will take and how much it will cost. There are three project measurements: Good, Cheap, and Fast. You can select any two of these but never all three. (By the way we do not do cheap and fast, just not the way we work!)

Do you know the name of the plane you want?

If so, note it down on a sheet of paper. If not, note down the best description of the plane and any details of what it is for or where you saw it.

What is the size of the plane and what sort of power plant are you thinking about?

Note it down on the sheet.

What kind of build project is it?

Would it be a kit, ARF, scratch build, completion of a project in progress, etc? Note it down.

What will the exterior be like?

Note the colors, any designs you think would work for you and if you know the covering materials (such as Monokote, Ultracote, 21st century, fabric and paint, fiberglass, or any other). Note that down too.

Pick an assembly method. There are generally three ways to approach a build:

You provide everything. This is my lowest rate because my time is spent building and not shopping for the equipment you want in the plane. This is the slowest way to get a plane because you will hold me up waiting for equipment and supplies. If I can not work on your plane, I will put it in hold and work on another project until I get what is needed to continue your build.
Brian provides everything. This is the fastest way to get your plane, because I will have the needed items in my shop on time per my needs. If you do not have strong preferences on equipment and supplies, then this is fast and the rate is still the lowest. If I have to hunt all around to get the things you want, then it will end up costing you more. I do not usually charge by the hour, but I take these things into consideration when the price is set.
A little of A. and B. above.

How will you fly the plane?

Describe your flying skill level and the sort of flying you like to do. If this project will be used to improve your skills, describe the improvement you would like to attain with this plane. Remember dwarfs just can’t dunk. This is key because I will build the plane differently depending on what you will do with it.

Call me and begin discussions of the build.

It is best to email me the information you jotted down and give me time to digest it and do some research on the plane.. I will give you a promise date for the plane and if you do not hold me up I will hold the date in all cases. I schedule the shop with care and I will keep my promises.

Some of my general thoughts on projects:

I have been doing this a long time and I build primarily because I love to build and I am not a collector, so having 50 planes is out of the question.
I do not build to “make a living” as that is not a practical possibility in the market today.
I charge my customer a price that is within what other builders charge as I am in contact with others that do this pretty much full time.
I build to my quality level and it is very high – The plane is strong, light, and most importantly it fits and is properly assembled or it is torn out and redone.
My normal project is completed and tested in my shop. The engine is run and all the electronics are tested in my facility. I prefer to bring you the plane in my trailer and fly it with you to ensure you are 100% pleased with the plane. It is my plane till you take the transmitter and fly it (on the day we are together). If I fly it and crash it, I will build you another one at no cost to you. (This has never happened but you never know.) I will also meet you at my field to do the first flights.
I addition to the plane, you get a book full of information that will make the plane fly better, a parts box with spare hardware for most of the parts in the plane, and any proprietary tools that are needed to service the plane. I am a tool and die maker and I will sometimes make tools for some problems.
Unlike your auto repair person, I like to have you in the shop and welcome visits during the build. I will custom any part of the plane if you communicate with me in advance so I do not build us into a corner.
I have many techniques that I have developed over the years and I tend to use those in my building. I welcome your ideas and techniques and will incorporate them in the build where I can.

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