The RV-6 design from Van's Aircraft, Inc. of North Plains, Oregon is one model in a family of designs known as the RV series. RVs are constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum, just like Cessnas, Beechcrafts, and Boeings.

My RV-6 has a top speed in excess of 200 mph, with a normal cruising speed of 185. It will carry two people and 38 gallons of fuel, with a range of about 650 miles with reserves. Best rate of climb speed is usually about 1000 fpm or better. The engine is a standard fuel-injected 160 hp Lycoming aircraft engine.

I spent about 3 ½ years building it. The total cost was about the same as a ¾-ton, four-wheel-drive pickup truck. Except during final assembly, the airplane was built in half of a two-car garage.

The construction manual is extremely well-detailed, and the kit includes supplies you can use to gain metal-working experience before beginning work on the actual airplane. Proper riveting skills can be learned in a few minutes. I have taught many people to rivet, including my wife, father, and father-in-law. All three of these individuals subsequently participated in riveting my RV-6 together. Don't forget that during World War II, many of our Aunts, Mothers, and Grandmothers worked in aircraft factories riveting warplanes. (Do you remember Rosie the Riveter ?)

Flying an airplane that you built yourself provides a feeling like no other. Being able to swoop, soar and glide in a beautiful, graceful flying machine that was once just a pile of raw metal provides a sense of accomplishment that lasts a lifetime. The sense of fun, freedom, and joy are almost beyond words.

In October 2002, after much soul-searching, I sold Marvelous Merry Ann N601DB and delivered her to her new owners near Redding, California.