I have built and flown the Murphy Elite. Is there any interest in the process? If there is I will share.
http://www.murphyair.com/Product_Info/E ... uction.htm
Murphy Elite Homebuilt
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I'm interested. What did you have to put in the building porcess. Time, money...Where did you build it? was it worth it? How does the cost compare vs buying on that has been built and flown?
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In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield...W. Buffett-
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It took about 6 years of part time work to put the Murphy kit together. That is all of the sheet metal work, the panel wiring, engine install, plumbing, rigging, etc.
I know of a chap who built one in 1.5 years but he was retired and worked on it daily. I needed about 3000 hours to put it all together and I still need to paint it. It has been flying for over a year now, and I haven't figured out what color to paint it.
Money wise, I probably have about 70 grand into it..... but i that was spread out over 6 years in smaller chunks so it didn't seem to hurt too much. ( Wife works too and we don't have any kids).
Now, the comparably Cessna would be the 172 or 172xp or maybe even and old 175. Actually the O-360 that I put into it was out of a 175 on floats.
One would be lucky to find a half desent 172 on floats for 70 thou. Most I have seen for sale are quite tired and anything in good shape is 100 K or more.
So I have a desent performer that I put together (with input form an AME friend) and is a new airframe that will carry 800 pounds.
I can do the maintenence myself which is another plus.
I can run mo gas in it if i want but there isn't much difference in price between av gas and mo gas lately.
I built it in a 20 x 16 garage, assembled it in the front yard, then took it apart to bring it to the airport. Put the wings back on and after passing the final inspection, test flew it myself. I have a CPL with mostly DHC2 time.
Over all, it was a great learning experience. It made me learn everything about making an airplane fly.
BUT.... there are many guys (and a few gals) out there who start to build their own and give up. It is a LOT of work and one has stick to it. If it becomes a chore then it won't get finished.
I will probably build another.....
P.S. sorry for tardy relpy, Yoyoma.... didn't notice your post.
I know of a chap who built one in 1.5 years but he was retired and worked on it daily. I needed about 3000 hours to put it all together and I still need to paint it. It has been flying for over a year now, and I haven't figured out what color to paint it.
Money wise, I probably have about 70 grand into it..... but i that was spread out over 6 years in smaller chunks so it didn't seem to hurt too much. ( Wife works too and we don't have any kids).
Now, the comparably Cessna would be the 172 or 172xp or maybe even and old 175. Actually the O-360 that I put into it was out of a 175 on floats.
One would be lucky to find a half desent 172 on floats for 70 thou. Most I have seen for sale are quite tired and anything in good shape is 100 K or more.
So I have a desent performer that I put together (with input form an AME friend) and is a new airframe that will carry 800 pounds.
I can do the maintenence myself which is another plus.
I can run mo gas in it if i want but there isn't much difference in price between av gas and mo gas lately.
I built it in a 20 x 16 garage, assembled it in the front yard, then took it apart to bring it to the airport. Put the wings back on and after passing the final inspection, test flew it myself. I have a CPL with mostly DHC2 time.
Over all, it was a great learning experience. It made me learn everything about making an airplane fly.
BUT.... there are many guys (and a few gals) out there who start to build their own and give up. It is a LOT of work and one has stick to it. If it becomes a chore then it won't get finished.
I will probably build another.....
P.S. sorry for tardy relpy, Yoyoma.... didn't notice your post.
