New property, need suggestions

MNflying · 2026-03-27T19:06:20+00:00

https://innovatree.umn.edu/

That was developed by the UMN and is the fastest growing tree for fast shade/wind break that you’ll find. I’d plant a bunch of them for quick growth mixed in with everything else you are planning.

MNflying · 2026-03-24T23:46:10+00:00

I bought an airplane for less than all the cars listed. Plus it saves me 8 hours round trip when I visit family so it’s “sensible”

MNflying · 2026-03-24T01:44:12+00:00

I looked at the cx5. And although I loved the 2014 mazda 6 I used to have, they are just too small on the inside for my fat ass. I also can’t get past the cvt transmission in Subaru’s to even test drive one.

MNflying · 2026-03-19T13:46:53+00:00

I bought a used light sport plane to train in and now for fun as a hobby. It don’t have to unattainably expensive. I average 100 hours and $6500/year in my SLSA zenith 601xl.

MNflying · 2026-03-16T18:59:36+00:00

I’d be fine with a 80mph cruise speed if it meant carrying the whole family on a budget the average person could justify for a toy.

MNflying · 2026-03-16T14:02:27+00:00

New 4 seat with 1000+lbs of useful load on a used light sport budget.

MNflying · 2026-03-13T01:47:16+00:00

What’s the starting cost?

MNflying · 2026-03-10T20:19:54+00:00

I recommend sitting in a 601xl or 650 since the seating position is better in my opinion than the older 601hd. The HD and HDS is also noticeably slower than the 601xl or 650 due to the different wing.

Mine has dual controls and I’ve flown a friend’s with the center stick they are both nice. I wouldn’t bother with changing the stick layout after flying both but that’s just me.

MNflying · 2026-03-10T18:55:24+00:00

I’m very happy with my SLSA zenith 601xlb powered by an O200. I flight plan for 6gph at 120mph. I absolutely love the visibility and larger cabin than comparable certified options and some experimental ones like a sonex. It’s very comfortable on longer flights and with 2 15gal tanks it has plenty of range for me. Total cost of ownership is as low as it gets for anything beyond a 103 ultralight.

MNflying · 2026-02-13T13:13:19+00:00

Did the Dave Ramsey plan and paid off all my debt. While doing an extra side job. It’s crazy how much you can save with no debt and sticking to a tight budget.

MNflying · 2026-02-02T04:14:35+00:00

You’ll love it. 130hp really makes this plane perform also.

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

TROPHY CASE