The airframe uses 6061-T6, 2024-T3 aluminum, 4130 Chromoly steel, and stainless steel pop rivets, with all hardware AN/Mil spec. Covering for wings, fuselage and tail section is SuperFlite. The fuselages comes factory built, with all of the control systems installed and is ready for covering. The wing frames are pre-built in factory jigs. The customer only has to install the ribs, cover and finish. The customer also has to install the suspension system, engine and instrument package, windshield and wiring. An option that has recently become available is doors. Owners who have installed the doors and flown the plane report improved performance with no noticeable handling change. The building process is more assembly than anything else. According to builders the kit has "no surprises" and comes with very thorough manuals. Included with the kit is a DVD with tips and pictures to help ensure owners get through the construction as quickly as possible. No special knowledge is required. Average building times are in the 200 hour range. Tools required include normal hand tools, a rivet gun, drill, and an iron. The plane can be constructed in a two car garage. One Excalibur customer installed a pellet burning stove in one of his brothers 40 foot tractor trailers to build his plane. |