Building an RV - Meet Michael Luker

I was born and raised on a dairy farm just south of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. When I was old enough, I would ride my bike to the south end of Wittman field by runway 36/18, just to watch. Every year I waited with great anticipation to watch the airplanes coming into Oshkosh and I so much wanted to be a part of it. I subscribed to Sport Aviation, and read articles on kit airplanes. The airplane I really wanted to build, (I admit it) was the Glasair. I had pictures of that plane posted all over my bedroom.

After high school, I drifted for a few years, finally finding my way into law enforcement. I married my wife Patricia and went to work for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Patricia was expecting our first child (Garritt), when I took a routine physical, and found, at age 27, that I had cancer. I could not believe it. My wife is 8 months pregnant, and I come down with a terminal illness.

Surgery was a success, but radiation therapy left me bored and sick. I hated being in the hospital. I reflected on what I had accomplished, and realized that beer drinking and bar brawling are not legacies you want to pass on to your children. Patricia gave me a new subscription to Sport Aviation and I made a decision. If I made it through this illness, I would do something constructive. I would build an airplane.

My boss told me I was crazy, he said, "You can't fly airplanes on an hourly wage, much less build one." Maybe, but not much later, I was going to ground school, getting radiation therapy, and preparing for the birth of our first child. I had to leave class many times because I was sick but I stuck it out. Three days before my son was born, my radiation treatment was complete. I decided to start the road to recovery by getting some exercise -- and broke my ankle in a pick up game of basketball. I was a real sight in that birthing room. None of the bad stuff mattered once I took that first look into Garritts eyes.

Well, things got better. I found a local grass airstrip, Anderson Airfield (MN22), where rates were far less than the local FBO. After 4 hours, instructor Kate Anderson told me that I needed a medical certificate. I took the FAA physical, passed, and thought that would be it. Unfortunately, I was refused a medical because of my illness. I followed the FAA's requirements, did a lot of paper work, and several months later, I had my license.

Not knowing how much time I might have left, I decided to buy an airplane. This turned out to be a huge headache. Everything was too expensive, a piece of junk, or both. Performance paled in comparison to the homebuilts in Sport Aviation. I talked over the possibility of building an airplane with my wife. She said that I should go for it.

I sat down and made a list of things important to me. I wanted to land on grass, I wanted a low stall speed, I wanted to go 180 to 200 mph, and I wanted a proven design. I did not have a heated garage so I needed a kit that I could build in the winter. I looked at the Glasair (still), Long EZ, KR2, Sonerai, and, lastly, the RVs. I learned quickly that some were too small and others were unsuitable for grass. The plastic designs needed a heated workshop. Lastly, I found out that I was very allergic to fiberglass. A quick process of elimination showed me there simply was no other airplane that came close to the performance of the RV. I was a low time pilot, with no tailwheel experience, so I chose the RV-6A.

When I returned from Oshkosh �94, my tail kit was waiting in my garage. I started inventory, and thought, "what the hell did I get myself into?" Paul Irlbeck, a local A&P and RV builder who has helped many others around here, told me to bring the kit over to his place. There we cut lightening holes, filed and deburred and primed. Paul and I got along well, and my RV-6A was on its way. By November �94 my tail kit was complete. To my delight I was feeling pretty well too. In late November �94 I took my wing spars to Paul and started putting those together. On March 16, 1995 second son Logan was born.

In May �95 my wings were done, but the expense and hard work were wearing me down. Frustrated, I wrote an ad for Trade-A-Plane to sell the project. My wife talked me out of sending it. She said that this project was the best therapy I could ever get and she had seen a change in me. I was challenged, and happy with what I was doing. Most importantly, the project took my mind off my illness.

In June of �95 I started the fuselage bulkheads. I was building my fuselage at Paul's house and putting the engine and engine analyzer together at my house. I had two little kids at home and so many things going on it was unbelievable. In May of �96 the fuselage was complete. In June of �96 I started on the finishing kit. The canopy was a challenge...almost too much challenge. This time I did send the ad to Trade-A-Plane without telling Patricia. I did tell her that I again was thinking of selling the kit and getting into golf or something. She talked me out of it again. I made a quick call to Trade a Plane to cancel my ad and went back to work.

On April 4, 1997 N1610P was OK'd by the FAA. Later that day, I made the first flight sitting on boat cushions.

Building time was little under 2,200 man hours over 2.5 years. This includes rebuilding the engine and building an engine analyzer. The empty weight of the airplane without paint and upholstery was 1024.75 lb.

On 07-25-97 the project was completed when the airplane was painted with Sikkens, and the upholstery was fitted. Finally, I finally had my own airplane. My RV-6A has a 180 hp. 0-360-A1A Lycoming with an Aymar-Demuth 68/78 propeller. Climb is excellent, and I am showing a cruise speed of 185 mph indicated, with a top speed of over 207 mph.

This project could not have become a reality if it was not for my understanding wife Patricia, her mother Marie Herman, and her sister Beverly Benson, all of whom contributed immensely by watching my children. I would also like to thank Paul Irlbeck, Fred Stevens, Ken Brown, Brandon McNelious, Gordy Westphal, Doug Solinger, Dave Nelson, Edward Reicher, Walt Haloran, Walt Mount, Paul Bedney and many others for their support.

If there is anyone out there who questions whether or not they should build an RV or if they can afford one, don't. JUST DO IT, DON'T LOOK BACK! You never know what life has in store for you! You can build and fly an RV on an hourly wage!