ARLINGTON, Wash. — Since the program was started in 2006, Glasair’s builder assist program has succeeded in bringing 160 Sportsman aircraft to the flightline.
The first 34 kits were able to taxi in three weeks, after which the program was streamlined and renamed: “Two Weeks to Taxi.”
The 160th aircraft to be completed in the program was built by Rick and Laura Walker of Laredo, Texas. The husband and wife team “thoroughly enjoyed the construction process and learned a tremendous amount about what goes into an aircraft and how it functions,” according to Rick. He also admitted that they were both “astonished by how much they could accomplish in a day’s time with help and direction provided by the Glasair team.”
The Walkers are active in ranching and plan to use their Sportsman for surveillance work and trips to cities around Texas.
Mr. Walker, who’s been flying for 34 years, has single engine land seaplane, rotorcraft and multi engine ratings.
“I had worked with others on various homebuilt designs,” said Rick, “and I finally decided I wanted to see my own project through to the end. It was intense, but very rewarding.”
He taxied in two weeks, got through the final inspection and flew his airplane within three weeks, put three hours on it and went home. He will return to pick up the aircraft after it has accumulated 30 hours, and been painted. Then he will put the final 10 hours on it before flying home to Texas.
Glasair’s Two Weeks to Taxi program has been reviewed by the FAA and approved as meeting all of the requirements for an experimental-amateur built aircraft.
The Sportsman is a four-place, high wing, metal and composite aircraft that can be configured for taildragger or nosewheel, straight or amphibious floats, or skis. It can be built with a variety of powerplants.
For more information: GlasairAviation.com