How many people are actually building or flying

[13brv3]

Greetings,

Someone asked me how many Badland planes are flying and how many kits have been shipped. I have a hard time even guessing the answer to that. I did ask Chris in an email weeks ago, but didn't get a reply. Aside from Bruce, it's pretty quiet. Any guess how many are flying, and how many kits have been shipped?

I joke that I'm building mine backwards. I have the engine, made the engine mount, and I have the Oratex and all the instruments. I'm just missing the kit In theory, my 10 month estimated date is the end of March, but I'm not optimistic at this point. Mostly it's hurry up and wait, which isn't my strong suit.

Rusty

[broughtonkicks]

Hi Rusty,
During the EAA Webinar presentation that Chris did last week he mentioned that there were "39 kits out there" with 9 currently flying. I'm not sure if the Ready-to-Fly (like mine and several others) are counted the 39 total that he presented.
I'm sure that the "hurry up and wait" part of the building process has got to be the most difficult! I was fortunate that when I decided to purchase a Badland Aircraft, a RTF became available that had been built for someone else, but due to unforeseen circumstances they were unable to fly it. So I purchased it.
I admire those of you who have the patience and desire to build your own!

[13brv3]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for those numbers. How many years has he been making these? I know he was a one man show for the majority of that, so that doesn't help the numbers much. I'm more of a builder than a pilot, so I get really impatient when I don't have a project to work on. Fortunately, my Onex is pretty excellent, so I've got a fun plane to fly. If Chris doesn't come through close to my ETA, I might have to find another project.

[broughtonkicks]

Chris bought the jigs, etc. in 2016. Built the first Badland Aircraft is 2017, and started the company in 2018.
At least you've got the Onex for now! Those are cool little planes as well!

[LA F2 Flyer]

I have what I believe is the first actual kit sold. I took it home from Vegas during the pandemic. I brought the fuselage home on 4/26/2020. The wings were delivered by Chris much later (for a very reasonable cost) and he helped me hang them.

I'm a bit ashamed to admit that it's been a very slow process both building and getting it even close to being in the air; life, health and obligations always seem to get in the way. (It also doesn't help that my chosen "airfield" is often too windy AND roughly two hours away.)

I am actually pleased to have made some further progress this weekend. It took me time to first learn to weld, and then modify a boat trailer to suit my purposes. I was finally able to test the towing capabilities on the freeway. A bit of bounce, but nothing destructive that I could see (although I may remove one more leaf spring from the suspension).

Every little bit of progress is a small win for me, so at least there's that! Of course at this point it's been so long I'll need some more hours of flight instruction before I attempt to leave the ground, but the tow test has inspired me to push harder to at least taxi test very soon!

I think my only wish with this project is that I had someone closer to me (in the Los Angeles area) who is doing the same. (I think it's probably easier to maintain momentum when you're a club of more than one.)

[13brv3]

I like the truck transport. Man, I hate pulling a trailer, and I've tried just about everything but that for transporting long items. Eventually I'll have to decide if it's worth the 15 hr drive to pick up the kit. By that time shipping cost will probably make it worthwhile. Sounds like you're in the final stretch at least. Good luck.

[LA F2 Flyer]

Thanks Rusty! I actually never minded pulling a trailer. I got plenty of practice with a Baja Bug, a 26 foot sailboat, snowmobiles and a race bike.

The truck transport was far less stressful than I thought it was going to be. Now if only I could do the same with the entire plane!

[13brv3]

Isn't there a video of Chris putting a plane in the back of a truck


Rusty

[LA F2 Flyer]

Yep, I remember seeing that video before I had even placed my order with Chris. However, that truck is a fair bit larger than mine, and I don't think he had that far to haul his to get to the flying area.

I actually thought about hauling it tail first on the cab of the truck, but I don't think I want the tail into the wind for almost two hours at freeway speeds. I'd also have to find an able person to help me load it.

[13brv3]

I'm guessing he did it just to show off Of course if you had a truck with an 8 ft bed, and one of those trailer hitch extenders...

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

I like the truck transport. Man, I hate pulling a trailer, and I've tried just about everything but that for transporting long items. Eventually I'll have to decide if it's worth the 15 hr drive to pick up the kit. By that time shipping cost will probably make it worthwhile. Sounds like you're in the final stretch at least. Good luck.

Hey Rusty, I have a big problem with patience. As my grandfather use to tell me, I'm not a great fisherman.

It's like a preacher once told me - when you ask God for patience, does he give you patience? No, he gives you a task to learn patience. Well, I've been trying to convince God I've learned, but apparently this was only recently after waiting two plus years for my F5 to be built.

The good is, it's getting there and the frame is either getting paint shortly or already has. My sister and I will be driving up from Florida to pick up the kit when ready. That's about the same as your trip will be. We'll drive up, get into a hotel, pick up the kit the next morning, and head south. I was surprised as how long it takes to get the kit/plane and then checked into the backlog that KitFox has. Denny Kitfox has a 1 to 2 year backlog due to high demand. Sounds pretty similar to Chris. Denny has 18 employees. Chris has 3, including himself. Once I read this, I figured, OK, I can wait. Thank you Lord.

Todd

[13brv3]

The good is, it's getting there and the frame is either getting paint shortly or already has. My sister and I will be driving up from Florida to pick up the kit when ready. That's about the same as your trip will be.

Hopefully your trip will be around the end of March. There's no possible way mine will be. While Kitfox does have a long lead time, their estimates are pretty accurate. While the anticipated delay will be irritating, it will still be the best legal UL available, and I'm trying to look on the positive side. It's also sort of a retirement gift to myself since I hope to retire in about a year, and it will almost certainly be the last new kit I ever buy. If your route takes you through Chattanooga or Knoxville, look me up on your way past, preferably after you get the kit

Rusty

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

While Kitfox does have a long lead time, their estimates are pretty accurate.

This is where Chris could use some help. I would like to see him hire a project manager/customer service manager to help keep the buyers and future buyers aware of the backlog. That would of course come with the emphasis that the quality of the product is the absolute best. Talking with Chris and customers who have their kits or RTF, I have no doubt that "good enough for government work" does not exist in Chris's mind in any way shape or form. I have no doubt he's an absolute perfectionist.

It's also sort of a retirement gift to myself since I hope to retire in about a year,

That is exactly what my F5 is for me. It's a crazy, expensive, retirement toy for me, and most likely the only aircraft I will ever own.

If your route takes you through Chattanooga or Knoxville, look me up on your way past, preferably after you get the kit

That may actually take place! I'll certainly be posting here when I'm scheduled to go pick up the kit. Remind me and we'll see what we can do. We'll need to stop for lunch, and maybe will let you take a look

Todd

[13brv3]

Man, if Bruce takes a break from building, we can just shut the forum down Anyone else get a kit? Anyone else waiting for a kit? I'll be bugging Chris soon since my 10 month ETA is here, and I haven't had any update in months.

Rusty

[LA F2 Flyer]

Funny you mention that!

It has been a but quiet here the last few days. When I checked the forum for the umpteenth time yesterday, I thought to myself "Did Bruce take a vacation?" LOL

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Man, if Bruce takes a break from building, we can just shut the forum down Anyone else get a kit? Anyone else waiting for a kit? I'll be bugging Chris soon since my 10 month ETA is here, and I haven't had any update in months.

Rusty

Waiting. Now going over 2 years.... but, before you freak out My order is for the F5 and the Ukraine/Russia war kind of killed the access to Titanium. Chris has the front and rear of the frame done. I'm not sure where the kit is currently at. I'm hoping I'll have it by mid to late summer...yeah, of this year

I also look at Bruce's posts like a TV series, when we had to wait for next week to find out who killed the neighbor or what bad guy in Miami Crocket and Tubbs nailed.

Todd

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Funny you mention that!

It has been a but quiet here the last few days. When I checked the forum for the umpteenth time yesterday, I thought to myself "Did Bruce take a vacation?" LOL

Lottery Winner?

Yeah, like not just Bruce, but where is Kurt at?

Todd

[ksatter26]

Reply vua i-phone went off to never-land. Will re-post fromm pc later.

Alive and semi-well fighting kidney stone.

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Reply vua i-phone went off to never-land. Will re-post fromm pc later.

Alive and semi-well fighting kidney stone.

Ah, there he is, in pain I'm sure, but alive as well. Been there with one and only one kidney stone passing. Never want to re-visit that. Peer advised me to take Chanca Piedra which is supposed to help dissolve the stones before they cause issues. I have, according to the doc when I passed the one, two additional small stones still laying in waiting. Been taking the Chanca Piedra and haven't had a problem yet, and hope not to ever! The one was more than I ever needed to experience!

Todd

[LA F2 Flyer]

I am right there with you...I've had three to date, and the last one was a whopping 9mm. So far the Chanca Piedra seems to have helped - going on five years now!

That said, where IS Bruce? I hope all is well with him. I miss the build updates. I always look forward to another detailed post from him.