Home Page

Have you wanted to build your own aircraft? Has the price tags on some of the kits sent chills down your spine? On this website we will take you along with us as we build the "Grizzly V6 STOL". This project is built from a salvaged tripacer using our parts. The FAA allows us to do this (8130.2f chg 4 ) read the document on page 152 section 149. We absolutely are building these projects for the educational and recreational experience. Several of these projects have been built and flown as far back as 1978, for far less than the cost of some of the kits of similar type that are on the market now. Click on the link D&E Aircraft and check out 2 of such examples of the experimental stretched tripacer. Experimental Components manufactures the empennage in kit form for the builder to complete, weld and finish. The basic form is tack welded and enough ribs installed for the builder to see what needs to be done to complete. This method allows the builder to check the box on the check list giving him or her credit toward the 51% rule. Experimental Components, Inc. also manufactures the engine mount for the 4.3 V6 with the Belted Air Power PSRU. I know you're thinking, aircraft engines are very expensive and they are. Now factor in things like shock cooling, carb ice, reliability issues of 50 plus year old technology and the very high initial cost as well as overhaul cost. This is why we are using an auto conversion. Check out the engine on the links page. The heartbeat of the project is the Chevy 4.3L v6 engine with the Belted Air Power PSRU or belt reduction drive. Now for the big question. How much is it going to cost to build. With frugal shopping and the do-it-yourself approach, you should come in around $20,000.00. How's that for a flying aircraft? What does a Bearhawk kit cost, or one of the experimental cub kits. Visit our links page and do some research. I think you'll agree that the Grizzly V6 STOL is a tremendous value. Please email us with your questions. Now, let's build an airplane!

    Let's start with the fuselage. I acquired one that was given to me, all I had to do was go to Las Vegas and pick it up. Another that I traded a Chinese import tig welder for. After the drive to Vegas, we set out for Oregon where we bought a pair of wings then back to Missouri. The fuselage is cut behind the baggage compartment and lengthened 24 inches. The plans for this project are available from Dave Blanton $100.00. Here's his email address.  daveblanton@cox.net

    The tripacer wings are of 2 types. One with 12 ribs and the other with 13 ribs. Either one is fine as long as you use a matched set. If using pacer or tripacer wings, they will be lengthened for an overall wingspan of 32ft. This is easily done by splicing a section of spar by use of spar splice plates and riveted together.

    Now for the engine. These are available from several engine overhaulers around the country. You can have one delivered to your door for less that $2500.00. Another $1000.00 in bolt on engine parts, then the psru. When said and done, your 200+ hp engine will cost you less than $9000.00 incrementally. Compare that to a Lycoming of comparable hp for a cost between 25 & $30,000.00 and you begin to see just what a terrific value the Grizzly V6 STOL really is!

e-mail your questions or comments to: jim@experimentalcomponents.com

or call cell 816-286-9359

8130.2f chg 4   read page 153 paragraph b3 and of course everything that pertains to the project.

D&E Aircraft   Scott Rufner runs the show and is very helpful - a great source for parts!

Belted Air Power Jess Meyers owns and operates the business and knows what he's talking about. Give him a call to discuss your reduction unit.

engine   this is a youtube video of the engine

daveblanton@cox.net for the buuilder's manual and plans

The website is a work in progress. Please be patient as we continue to update the site as we too progress.