The most important factor in the successful completion of a homebuilt aircraft is the support of your spouse.

My wife, Merry Ann, was extremely understanding and supportive throughout this project. She kept the 'honey-do' list pared down to the bare essentials. She gave me no static when large checks were written, or the UPS driver delivered another expensive package. When her friends asked, "Are you going to fly in it with him?", her answer was always, "Of course!".

One day, while aligning the horizontal stabilizer, it occured to me that if anyone deserved to have their name put on this airplane, it was Merry Ann. And after all if Chuck Yeager could put his wife's name on the Bell X-1 and every fighter he flew (Chuck Yeager always named his airplanes 'Glamorous Glennis'), then I certainly could put my wife's name on mine.

I managed to keep my idea secret from her for the remaining 2 years of building and painting, after which I secretly hired a pinstriper for the job. When my wife finally saw it, she was surprised.