AI's opinion on Mooney vs Bonanza

[jaylw314]

2 hours ago, A64Pilot said:

It’s not at all easier not by any means.

You built a kit that was very well Engineered, better than almost any factory aircraft.

Not to be argumentative but you didn’t build, you assembled. That is not a hit on the aircraft or you, it’s just the opposite, but I bet you didn’t use a shrinker or stretcher much less an English Wheel. The wonderful and safe thing about RV kits is most of the skilled work is done for you.

The way Cirrus builds aircraft is the Modern composite way, they don’t lay each layer in and squeezing out each layer of glass of excess resin, the don’t even vacuum bag, they use prepeg, what that is is pre-impregnated glass with each layer already built up, you literally take each sheet out of the fridge, lay it in the mold and often the male half presses the two together, prepeg I’ve used had to have heat to cure it, either by steam heating or putting the whole thing in an autoclave, now I think you don’t even need heat. Of course I’m sure many pieces are installed in the skin half before it’s cured, but that is simple and I’m sure uses a jig. After curing I’m sure it had to be trimmed, but that’s literally cut off whatever is sticking out, then the two halves are joined I bet with glass tape.

There is a lot to do in composites design but from the layup perspective other than being nasty it’s not too hard, especially with prepeg.

The REAL downside to composites is repair of a structural item, that can be much harder and more time consuming that sheet metal.

Honestly take an average intelligence guy and in a day or two turn them loose, in a couple of weeks they can teach it.

Hmm, okay, I guess that depends on your definition of easier!   My wife got annoyed because I started making little aluminum doohickeys for stuff around the house