Building a Storch kit

After acquiring my pilot licence, I then acquired an Xair kit which when finished was a pleasant aircraft to fly – lots and lots of fun – but speed and wind were limiting factors. So then I went out and bought a heavier aircraft – a Skyfox Gazelle which was also lots of fun, being stationed at Serpentine airfield near Perth , WA . Then one day, my next door hangar neighbour, Ed Smith, rocks up with a Flysynthesis Storch aircraft which he'd bought for his wife, Gwyn. After watching this Storch flying around the airfield with numerous pilots, which Gwyn was not happy about as she couldn't get her hands on it – I decided I had to have one and the Gazelle had to find a new home.

Some fast talking to Ed, things were moving and the Gazelle was sold to a Queensland pilot who flew over to pick it up and flew it back. A couple of weeks later, my Storch was delivered to my hangar by Ed and members of Sport Aircraft Builders Club.

With a new job giving less free time, I knew I had my hands full to build my new project.

The first weekend the wheels went on, and everyone asked if it was ready to fly! I was very impressed with the whole kit. A lot of things were marked ready to drill holes. The finish on the control surfaces was excellent, but dozens of unmarked bags of bolts, nuts and brackets and everything that makes a plane fly, proved quite a headache. Also the instruction book needed to be a bit more detailed for the first time Storch builder. Luckily I had easy access to Gwyn's Storch right next door. Some days dozens of trips were made next door to check on details! As I progressed with the project club members continually commented finish on the quality and finish of the Storch.

An accident at work set me back a bit as I could only use one hand for a time, but with the help of other club members who were willing to advise, help, criticise and lend a hand when needed, work continued. I very much appreciated input from Gwyn Smith, Shirley Harding and Siobhan Usherwood. These three ladies (all aircraft builders and pilots) are an asset to the club and to the aircraft builder, whether holding Storch doors in place, holding fins for drilling or putting the kettle on!

Slowly she was coming together and looking good and there were a lot of enquiries as to when the Storch would be in the air. The day came when I called on my next door neighbour Ed again, and LAME Bernie Baldwin for weight and balance, final inspection and registration information. Ground trimming of the aircraft was completed by Ed which again was greatly appreciated. The day had come for the big fly and of course Ed again put his hand up. For any other aircraft this would be a demanding task, but with the Storch we all knew it would present no problems. We were right! Ed landed and said no further trimming was required – everything was AOK and remarked that he couldn't tell the difference between my aircraft and Gwyn's, and hers had done 400 hours. The 25 hour test period is almost completed with no problems at all. To sum it up, the Storch kit arrived excellently packed, no parts missing, no damage. It was a pleasure to assemble and definitely a joy to fly. I recommend the aircraft to up and coming pilots and the veteran aviator alike.

Allan Grigo

October 2008

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