I'm may have to sell my plane - need advice

[Dave S]

Hi Tim,

First off, rather than dwelling on what a person can't do, or do as fast as a person could in the past, consider the journey you have already been on.....how many people even start to build an airplane? You have already gone further on the journey than most earthlings who never even tried. Nobody and nothing can ever take that away from you. Likewise, your Ercoupe is a wonderful aircraft and not only have you built up your kitfox to it's current state of near completion; but you have a great airplane to fly...without rudder pedals.

A lot of truth in what Esser has communicated...that's solid thinking.

An experimental that is not complete traditionally will only go for a fraction of it's value as a completed aircraft. Even if you don't fly it, if you take the time you need to complete it you will likely recover much more of your investment. In the process, keep the remaining construction basic and do it in a manner where the finished product will have as wide appeal as possible to the cast of potential buyers.

You know, I think we all run into challenges in life...and unrelenting pain is bearcat ...the only variable is which challenges and when we run into those challenges. Back to the solid thinking....none of us do this to become zillionaires....we do it for love of activity.....maybe a good way to assess challenges like this is consider what would make a person happy, consider what would not....then go with the positive one - so often I think it is easier to decide if a person objectifies the extremes.

Good luck with your situation and decision process; and, always remember the journey you have been on no matter what you decide.

[HighWing]

Private email sent.

[Marvk7]

Get a second opinion on your feet, this is a curable issue. Good orthotic s and good shoes really make a difference. Also a lot of time as in my case is the floors you walk on, if you have tile at home don't go barefoot, if you work on cement floors try to get some padding. I had severe pain for years then finally found the right foot doctor and have been symptom free for years. I hope this helps.

[TahoeTim]

Thanks to everyone. Lowell has a great option for me that might work out perfectly. My plane is "complete" except for covering. engine, panel, wiring are all done. I will talk further with Lowell offline and may go that route since he is so close to me. It's a good feeling to have friends in the group. I hope I can pay it back some day. I have made a few 3D printed parts for my plane. I guess I should make some for you guys while I'm sitting on my butt!


As far as the foot goes, my career forces me to make numerous stops each day, walk up and down hills or 3 stories of stairs and then do it all again every two hours. My wife is a nurse and she has had to have surgery on one foot. I have braces, $500 inserts, special shoes, etc. Nothing has worked until I started therapy. It's a strange situation. I went to the Copper Classic and expect to pay big time but no pain that week. I went to the Charlotte Nascar race, no issues. In Idaho, I was in pain. Three days with stick and rudder wasn't too bad overall but I was hobbling at night. Some days it just kills me. My left foot cured quickly but the right has been a *****. I will admit that I fell into depression because I'm a garage weekend tinkerer and it sucked having to sit around all weekend. That damn brace gave me insomnia so I have gone downhill on my sleep habits too.

I am doing a little better this week so my spirits are up. Thanks again for the encouragement.

[jmodguy]

Hang in there Tim... Getting old aint for sissies!
Remember the old Marine slogan that pain is weakness leaving the body....
If I were closer I'd lend a hand.
Cheers
Jeff

[avidflyer]

I don't know if it helped or not, but my foot was bothering me when I went down to Gulf Coast Al. for two months last winter. I walked on the beach barefoot quite a bit. Maybe it helped, I don't know, but I'm back to spending quite a bit of time on a concrete floor without any problems so far this year. Jim Chuk

[av8rps]

That is really a bummer. My wife recently has developed the same problem and I feel really frustrated as there's nothing I can do to help her. Seeing her struggles with it really makes me appreciate what you are dealing with. After some serious internet research on the subject she is now using a tennis ball to roll her foot over in a back and forth motion so as to stretch the tendon. Believe it or not, of all the things she's tried that has worked the best for her. In fact we walked a lot tonite at a greehouse after she put in a 10 hour day at work and she walked normally all night. But when she got home she put the ball under her foot in the kitchen for about ten minutes again as she said she could feel it tightening up a bit. If you've not heard about the ball method of stretching the tendon I just wanted to share.

Finish your Kitfox any way you can. You are so close. Even if you can only work on it in short bursts because of your foot, it will probably be better for your well being to have a project (challenge) in front of you than if you give it up now only to realize you need something to keep you motivated to keep moving. And if Lowell is willing to help find a way to get it done with you, that would not only be the most cost effective solution for you, but it might also be tbe most fun for you working together (Lowell's a great guy that will be fun to work with). I had the time of my life helping a friend complete his airplane. It was way more fun working together. And while I think the old Ercoupes are cool airplanes, you're gonna like your Kitfox a lot more.

One last note....stop working so hard with your business. Life is short. Let that foot have a little time off.

[jiott]

I totally agree with Esser's thinking on this. Paying someone to help you finish it up is financially better than selling and buying an SLSA. You will have your own work to fly and be proud of, as well as being your own repairman and inspector. I hired out my painting and am glad I did. Good luck with this; we are all pulling for you.