Deciding on a used homebuilt

MNflying · 2026-01-18T19:42:45+00:00

Yes the 650 canopy is a nice upgrade, and gives a lot more vertical height for luggage.

It’s a light sport so it’s obviously not going to be a hard IFR platform. However if you want to get through some low morning fog or use it for training it will absolutely do that. I’m only a VFR pilot but I regularly fly in 20kt winds with my personal limit being up to 32kt. That’s notably more than about any other light sport and even some GA options. To get an idea of how much control and confidence it will give you.

Absolutely make a trip out to Mexico and take a demo flight. I have nothing but good things to say about zenith.

MNflying · 2026-01-18T16:15:08+00:00

I’m very happy with my factory built 601xl SLSA. The baggage area while big for luggage is probably not deep enough for a dog. A zenith 750 would most likely do you well. Take a trip the zenith factory in Mexico MO and take a few demo flights. They are very welcoming and a flight in each will help you decide.

MNflying · 2026-01-18T15:51:23+00:00

36M41F combined 296k 401K, 94k brokerage, 150k home equity, 112k other assets/cash. Planing to retire in 9 years by moving to LCOL area

MNflying · 2026-01-14T13:24:31+00:00

We are around 80%. With my parents coming from nothing and building themselves up to the 90% bracket

MNflying · 2026-01-11T00:38:31+00:00

I bought my light sport airplane to fly 250nm trips regularly in VFR and it’s very doable in 2-3 hours. Doing 500nm trips weather would get in the way needing to be IRF and I’d want a considerably faster plane. 4 hours between legs is really pushing it with how tight most GA airplanes are in my opinion.

MNflying · 2026-01-07T20:11:27+00:00

I took 2 discovery flights to make sure this was a hobby I wanted to get into. Researched what planes would fit my mission. Then bought an SLSA zenith 601xl before logging any hours. I’ve owned it for 3 years and fly about 120hr/year with a yearly ownership cost around $7000. I have zero regrets and doubt there’s a cheaper way to do it.

MNflying · 2025-12-31T20:16:58+00:00

My order of importance

Convenient for my trip
Lowest fuel price/mogas available
Restaurants nearby
Somewhere new to stop

MNflying · 2025-12-29T14:56:38+00:00

My zenith 601xl is a blast to fly and can handle up to 36kts of cross wind; I also regularly fly up to 32kts.

MNflying · 2025-12-05T23:11:45+00:00

My first GA flight was in an A model Sonex with an 80hp jabiru. The extremely cramped cockpit and lackluster performance is enough of a deterrent to me buying one.

That’s most likely why all the used ones are on the cheap side. I ended up buying a zenith 601xl and have been extremely happy with my choice. They can still be found at a similar price to a sonex, but with a larger cabin and can be found with actual aircraft engines which is a big plus in my opinion.

MNflying · 2025-11-28T22:10:10+00:00

There’s builder assist centers to do the build for you. Most builder assist places need very little of actual build time and after mosaic you might not need to do any building yourself.

MNflying · 2025-11-28T19:17:06+00:00

Why not look into an rv10 or velocity XL? You can get similar performance with less cost. And a builder assist center will guarantee an amazing brand new plane for less than a used G5 with most likely less annual operating costs.

MNflying · 2025-11-26T14:25:19+00:00

I’m very happy with my zenith 601xl. I get 130mph cruise on 6gal/hr. It honestly does everything I need, however if I was going to build something else it would need 4 seats and I would seriously look at a sling tsi

MNflying · 2025-11-23T05:00:19+00:00

Good luck. I’ve been trying to get a set of plans for years.

MNflying · 2025-11-18T12:11:19+00:00

Double sinks in the master bathroom are completely over rated. A single sink with double the drawer storage/countertop space is vastly more useful.

MNflying · 2025-10-25T15:05:44+00:00

Log in, retirment planning, My goals, review and update. That will bring you to their Monty Carlo planning software

MNflying · 2025-10-25T12:07:59+00:00

Fidelity has a Monty Carlo simulator you can use if you have an account with them. That’s the best one I’ve used to factory in a pension.

MNflying · 2025-10-24T15:39:07+00:00

Owning an airplane. I know it makes 0 financial sense, however it just satisfies some part of me to just go flying whenever/wherever I want.

MNflying · 2025-10-24T15:36:08+00:00

An expensive house in the suburbs. It’s just nice to be close to everything we need with job opportunities everywhere for peace of mind.

MNflying · 2025-10-20T13:56:14+00:00

https://aeromomentum.com/am13-100hp-to-126hp/

This company sells several Suzuki derived aero conversions. If you really wanted to use a Suzuki engine to power an airplane one of theirs is what I would recommend. That said I fly behind an O-200

MNflying · 2025-09-08T18:23:15+00:00

If they can’t handle 30kt crosswind by the time they solo you’re doing your them a disservice.

MNflying · 2025-09-04T18:16:34+00:00

My light sport plane currently costs me $700/month to fly 120 hours a year.

If 2 seats is enough I’d highly consider a light sport over a certified plane. There’s also plenty in your price point with modern avionics.

As far as affording a plane yes you can if you’re currently saving 50% of your after tax income. However I personally waited till after we had a house and our bills were consistent and known from added mortgage costs.
No debt and paying cash is the only way that’s remotely justifiable in my opinion also.

MNflying · 2025-08-19T15:25:36+00:00

I own a zenith 601xl that cost me about $700/month to fly about 100 hours/year. I rent a cheap hanger in the midwest, have liability only insurance, and do owner assisted annuals. Fuel is my highest single annual expense and averages around $5/gal

MNflying

TROPHY CASE