[bbbair]

Hi Guys;

So I was sitting in my workshop the other day and I realized that I had a problem… not enough room to store ALL of my planes!

Which then lead to the next observation – When do I get to fly all of these planes?

And then…

Do I fly all of these planes?..

Now; to be clear I ONLY have seven planes* ready to fly – plus one under construction and one in the box waiting for some time…

So I do NOT think that I have a MASSIVE fleet – but it keeps me busy enough.

Yet…

When I am concentrating on getting something ‘Right’ with one plane I notice that one or two of the other planes can go months without getting a flight…
Now – I do know fellows that have two or three times the number of planes that I do and some of these planes have not seen the light of day in YEARS…

Which is sad…

The story that I have heard (several times) is that they like to build and they really do not crash all that often (any more), so the stockpile builds... This I understand – but – then, why do you keep them??

I sell off my ‘Less’ used AC and create some space for a new project. Others store them for another day, that never seems to come…

My point is that many of us have more planes than we can fly and we keep on building. Why?

My Answer… I’m obsessed with planes and I like to build. (But at least; I keep thinning out the flight line (a bit). )

Your Comments are Welcome (Please keep it civil)

[Cougar429]

It's called "Obsession", (a fragrance made from nitro, methanol and CA glue).

I too have a fleet and with the ability to carry at most 3 to the field with at least one favorite, several only fly a few times a season.

I have worked with different methods of storage and even that way run out of room.

This was taken in the middle of another cleaning blitz and does not show two craft sharing time on the build table.

[Dave Holmes]

Bruce, at least you get to fly sometimes. I have over thirty (why do you think I had the two car garage added to my house?) and NEVER GET TO FLY ANY MORE! Too many other things keep popping into my life to let me get out to the field.

[floyd]

Why, so many planes you ask. Simple for me, I'm a hoarder, I love planes and engines. I bought the house I'm in now in 2012 and moved 66 planes into the basement. And 200 engines mostly 4-Strokes. I've been selling motors and planes because I have too many. But I couldn't stop buying, or great deals just keep coming my way. I'm getting it under control but I now find newer planes and engines that I want and the cycle continues. I'm sure I'm not alone but I'm addicted to planes and motors. Cheers Floyd

[Mike Sebastien]

Originally Posted by floyd

Why, so many planes you ask. Simple for me, I'm a hoarder, I love planes and engines. I bought the house I'm in now in 2012 and moved 66 planes into the basement. And 200 engines mostly 4-Strokes. I've been selling motors and planes because I have too many. But I couldn't stop buying, or great deals just keep coming my way. I'm getting it under control but I now find newer planes and engines that I want and the cycle continues. I'm sure I'm not alone but I'm addicted to planes and motors. Cheers Floyd

and I thought I had a issue. good for you Sir

[Mike Sebastien]

I don't believe this a phenomenon that is only prevalent to our sport. Car collectors, stamp collectors, Art collectors, Gun collectors and so on. They all buy and restore them and then hide them away.

Do I have to many, certainly do. But it is my passion now to build aircraft that is relevant in Canadian history and now I would rather build then fly. All my aircraft can fly and someday .....maybe they will fly. Majority of my aircraft are scratch built and I find I am building more complicated aircraft. Presently building building Hosteler Beaver on Floats, thought it would be easy but turned out to be very challenging specifically the floats.

One wonders do I spend to much time in my workshop. I love to sail, cross country ski and walked 400 km this winter so I think I have some balance. Yes I am retired.

In my mind who cares if they never fly, I had blast building it.

[Frank Klenk]

Rob:
The only problem you have in my opinion is a garage that is too small. I am getting ready to build a shop so I will no longer have this issue

[williame3590]

How big Frank?

Bill

[Frank Klenk]

Originally Posted by williame3590

How big Frank?

Bill

Hi Bill: The plan is 32 x 32.

[Lake Flyer]

I used to have all my stuff shipped into Point Roberts in Washington state. It is just south of Vancouver. There is a boarder guard that has been there since I was a teenager. I came across once and declared the kit I had just picked up and it's value. He just looked at me and said " Don't you have ENOUGH kits!" My reply was there was no such thing as enough kits. He waved me through.