| Author | Message | ||
     Hans Georg Schmid New member Username: Hgschmid Post Number: 37 Registered: 02-2001 |
On Wednesday 12 June 2007 the magic moment had arrived: my new EXPRESS 2000 ER (Extended Range) took at 12:02 at Birrfeld airfield in central Switzerland to the air. After more than 7500 hours of work and over six years I am real glad having achieved this milestone. The aircraft is powered by a Lycoming IO-580-B1A (315 hp), has a three blade MT-propeller and besides a Garmin stack a Sierra EFIS. For long range flights it will also have HF as well as satellite communication. It will be the first experimental in Switzerland being approved for IFR. This as well took over six years to convince the authorities. The flight went smoothly with the normal amount of glitches that were to be expected. Nothing serious however. I would like to thank everyone who helped to come that far. I won’t mention names as there were quite a few that helped over the years. I am grateful to all of them. Without there unconditional help it would have been that much more difficult to achieve the goal. Hans Georg Schmid Switzerland      | ||
| Tom Hutchison Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 16 Registered: 04-2002 |
Hans, Let me be the first to congratulate you on your well deserved accomplishment. What a unique aircraft you have created. I am sure Larry would have loved to see what you have done. Enjoy!! Even after having been involved with the Express for over 8 years now I am still in awe of its absolute beautiful lines. The Express has to be the best looking single engine prop ever conceived. They make so much about Lance Neibauer being an "art major" before designing the Lancair. Sorry Lance, your designs don't hold an candle to the Express. Again, great job Hans. Tom Hutchison | ||
| Gary H. Wolfelt New member Username: Wolfelt Post Number: 51 Registered: 11-2003 |
Wow! What an airplane! Man, you Swiss guys sure know how to build more than watches and knives! I am sure impressed. You get an A+ from me. Nice work, Hans. GHW | ||
| Jay Villalva New member Username: Jay Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-1999 |
Congradulations! Looks like real globe-trotter. It's hard to believe to believe it's been over six years already. Time flies when having fun... | ||
| Reinhard Metz New member Username: Reinhard_metz Post Number: 78 Registered: 03-2003 |
Fantastic! Congratulations! That is a beautuifull panel! So, wie lange muss ich warten das Flugzeug in Chicago zu sehen? Reinhard Metz | ||
| Ben Baltrusaitis New member Username: Freepistol Post Number: 14 Registered: 09-2005 |
Hans, You have built the most beautiful airplane I have ever seen! Congratulations! Ben | ||
| Steve Christensen New member Username: Stevec Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hans, I am very happy for you. Only another builder has the appreciation of how much effort and craftsmanship it took to produce such a beautiful plane. Enjoy flying. Steve Christensen | ||
| Gary Markwardt New member Username: Gmark Post Number: 44 Registered: 12-1999 |
Hans: Terrific job. What a beautiful airplane! You are a craftsman of the first order. Wishing you only blue skys and safe journeys. Gary Markwardt | ||
| Hans Georg Schmid New member Username: Hgschmid Post Number: 37 Registered: 02-2001 |
Thanks everyone for the good wishes. Reinhard: regarding Chicago just wait and see... All the best HG | ||
| Kevin Frank New member Username: Kevin_frank Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2004 |
Congratulations, It looks GREAT!!! Welcome to the club! If you make it to Chicago, Illinois USA Please stop by and show us your plane in person. Kevin | ||
| Douglas Hoff New member Username: Dhoff Post Number: 25 Registered: 05-2003 |
Hans- Awesome plane! Fly it safe! Happy trails, doug Hoff | ||
| David Frederiksen New member Username: Davidf Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2006 |
Hans- Congratulations. You have a beautiful aeroplane. What is your ETA Alice Springs[YBAS]. The bed, steak and wine I owe you is waiting. David Frederiksen | ||
| Hans Georg Schmid New member Username: Hgschmid Post Number: 38 Registered: 02-2001 |
What about ETA Alice Springs Monday 10DEC07 / 11.00 LT? Chances are still way below 50% that I make it, but the possibility that I take you up on your offer of a steak and a good glass of Australian Red are not zero. Hope to see you and thank you very much HG hgschmid@bluewin.ch | ||
| James Butler New member Username: Jim_butler Post Number: 10 Registered: 09-2005 |
Hans, Congratulations on a job well done. Building and airplane is challenging enough, but winning your long battle with the government makes it that much more impressive. Blue skies and tailwinds. Jim | ||
| Kevin Dennes New member Username: Kdennes Post Number: 107 Registered: 01-2001 |
Congratulations buddy. It has all been said in the previous posts. Simply superb HG. Forget Freddo at Alice Springs. You will get lost trying to find the place (well I guess not with that panel) but the wine is better here in Sydney at YSBK. Just name the date and I will be there to pick you up and find some hangar space for you. I am sure we will all be looking forwad to hearing a little of your test results. Safe flying buddy. Kevin (from Downunder) | ||
| Hans Georg Schmid New member Username: Hgschmid Post Number: 39 Registered: 02-2001 |
Hello Kevin Thanks a lot and as I said - wait and see. If I should be in the region I gladly accept. I just came home from my testflight # 5. The aircraft flies very well. Problem at the moment is the too high oil temperature in climb (we however had ISA + 15°C today). I am trying to find a solution. Otherwise the normal amount of snags that will be corrected. One thing I already found out: the EXPRESS 2000 must be a great travel machine in every respect. See you and thank you for your kind words HG |