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Comment by Robert B Jamieson on August 30, 2015 at 2:02pm

Hi Dave, WOW, It looks like I'm a mirror image of you. I I've been flying for 44 years but hardly at all for the last 24. I own a taildragger and, after the last 8 hours of "transition" I've decided life is too short to learn to fly a taildragger off pavement in an "almost always crosswind" environment like North Georgia. (Here, if you can fine 3-4,000 feel of flat ground you build the runway on it whatever way it's pointing, LOL) I'll say this, I flew with a new friend who built a 601 XLB and I landed it perfectly on my first try, in about a 5 mph crosswind. He said, "Where the heck did you learn to fly like that?" and I thought to myself, try landing my Aeronca in even a 5 mile x-wind for a while and you will become a better pilot in a hurry!! I didn't say that of course. I realized 2 things right there and then. 1. My tortured 8 hours of instruction in the Aeronca weren't wasted time and 2. I want to go forward and buy a 601/650. I'm looking at a 650 with a nice panel but a boring exterior, a factory rebuilt (Mattituck) Continental O-200 (bad cylinder from sitting at only 125 hours. I thought the Garmin 396 was obsolite but I guess not. Perhaps you can tell me more about the 396. They're asking $42,500 and quickly asked what I would offer. I think too low an offer only causes bad blood when co-operation is the goal so I was going to offer $40,000 plus the direct cost of delivery, fuel motel and return airfare. Do you think that offer is too high. My friends who built the 601 say it's too high but I don't see why. They have $60,000 in theirs with a Jabiru engine (which ran smooth as silk, got to love a 6 cylinder!)  OH, before you jump on FOREFLIGHT please download the FREE AVARE on any Android device. If necessicary go spend $79-$99 Android at Walmart for a cheep tablet (and DO NOT get a Dragon on the internet) Foreflight has now gone into a complicated partnership of sorts with Sporty's and a 2 year agreement with Garman all aimed at selling to the turboprop/jet market charging more $$$ and, in the process making everything more complicated than it already is. Also, Apple obsolites the operating systems for older I-pads shortly after they bring out new ones.  AVARE is free and will remain free. it's EZ and totally intuitive to use, (I have it on my phone too) and will bluetooth to your phone. I set my phone on the glarescreen and GPS reception go's up 25% on the pad. only avter 2 months have i read the instructions on how to use AVARE. OK,yes, I did learn some new tricks, LOLOL.  PLEASE teach me more about the G-396. What about that $40K offer + delivery??    Bob

Comment by Bob Pustell on February 5, 2015 at 7:05pm

Sounds like you have things thought out and well planned. Welcome to the group. You will enjoy your birdie.

Comment by Bob McDonald on February 5, 2015 at 3:18pm

Welcome to the Zenith Builders site.