April 2009 Sport Aviation Cover Story - Mike Logback's Tailwind

 I really like fast, efficient airplanes... and I also like the ones that are really slow and poky too, you know, for just pure flying joy.  Ok, and I like the ones in the middle as well!  Here's one I like on the fast, efficient side: a Wittman Tailwind W-10 built by Mike Logback from Kansas, and you might already know that it's the cover story for the April 2009 issue of Sport Aviation magazine.

 You probably also know by now that I really like the Waiex from Sonex Aircraft, and now you know I like the Tailwind.  So, do I just have a strange desire for airplanes with sharp edges, or it is something about Oshkosh connections?  Truth is I really like airplanes that are affordable.  I even bought Tailwind plans several years back (set #1080) in the hope that someday I'll have one of my own. 

 I've got the plans for a few other airplanes too, so you just never know what I'll eventually get flying.  But after seeing this cutie, I'm wishing I had a Tailwind just waiting on me to pull it out of a hangar.

 The W-10 Tailwinds are the most recent version that Steve Wittman drew up several years back.  It's a little longer than the early ones, and has some larger tail surfaces too.  And with the added wing tip extensions, you get a very stable slow flying machine that's pretty good at chewing up the horizon too.

 Mike's airplane was built from plans for around $20,000 and will cruise at 180mph.  It's simple and straight forward, nothing fancy, and that's they way to get some great performance.  Simplicate and add more lightness as Bill Stout used to say!

 

Check out the Yahoo Tailwind forum to learn more about this slick little airplane!

  So, I'm excited about this sweet looking airplane, but I also have a second point I'd like to make.  If you have any interest in building an airplane, or are in the process now, whether from plans or a kit, you need to be an EAA member.  This isn't some paid promo for the EAA, it's just me telling you about an incredible resource to airplane builders: the Sport Aviation archives.

 Not quite a year ago, the EAA archived over 50 years of the Sport Aviation magazine, from 1953 thru 2006.  It's available online in pdf form, and it's free if you're an EAA member.

 I joined the EAA when I was just 9 years old in 1970 (#57138, and my dad was #1146!) and I learned more about airplane design, building and flying from reading Sport Aviation than I did any other source.  To have access to those searchable archives now is simply outstanding!

 So, not only does your EAA membership get the you the current issue of Sport Aviation sent to you each month, but one of the greatest knowledge resources to the homebuilder is yours now too.  There are lots of other benefits of being a member as well, but you don't have to look any further to make this a no-brainer.

 I've got a feeling that there are some really cool and big things about to happen in the homebuilt airplane world, even as we face down these tough economic times (or maybe specifically because of these times).  I think looking at building your own makes more sense now than ever.

 It's time to start getting revved up about Sun-N-Fun and Oshkosh... spring flying fever is beginning to take hold.  Hmmm, I sure wish I had a speedy little Tailwind to go tear up the sky with!