Project VP Hibernation To End Soon - ’Sponsor’ T-Shirts Ready To Ship (Help!)

(5 pix + Video)

 (for details on how to order a 6-color Project VP ‘sponsor’ t-shirt, please send an email to me at mcc@airpigz.com - current sizes available: S, L, XL , XXL)

 I’ve recruited the help of my cute niece Madison to help promote the t-shirt ‘sponsorship’ program for my modified VolksPlane homebuilt airplane called ‘Project VP’.  You may already know I started the airplane just 90 days before Oshkosh 2009 with the serious hope of getting it completed and flying in that short period of time.  Yes, it’s true that I lean pretty far over the ‘crazy’ line, but hey, my feet are always still over there on the sane side!  Anyway, I ran out of time, but mostly I ran out of financial resources, which has pretty much been the story of my life this past 18 months.  More on that in a minute.

 I sold several of these $50 Project VP t-shirts before Oshkosh last year - thank you very much to the awesome people who supported this effort from the start!  And now I’m back to get this project once again on track so we can get it done and in the air.  Obviously the shirt isn’t really worth $50, but the point here is: buying a shirt is all about being a supporter of the effort.  And I think I can give you several reasons why supporting this sweet little updated design of the VolksPlane is something you can feel good about.

Click to read more ...

Project VP Officially Begins! Pssst, Wanna Buy A T-Shirt?

Click here to see a low-res 10 minute version of this video

  As this video shows, construction of my updated, modified Volksplane that I call 'Project VP' has begun! I have the pretty crazy goal of actually getting it all built in time for Oshkosh 2009 which begins July 27th.  The idea is that having the super-cool AirPigz graphics on the airplane will generate a huge amount of promo for AirPigz.com during the greatest aviation event in the world: Oshkosh. 

 I honestly don't know if I can get it done in time, but the one thing I know for sure... I can't get it done without your help. That's why I'm selling ‘Project VP supporter' t-shirts.  More info at the end of this post about how to get one ordered.

 Between a back injury with surgery four years ago (without insurance) and a wide variety of extremely frustrating financial setbacks in the last year, I've been pretty much crushed from a money standpoint.  I started AirPigz with the hope that I'd eventually be able to get away from the back-stressing physical workload of the housing industry work that I do. So, some huge promo for AirPigz at Oshkosh gives me a real shot at attracting the kind of attention and traffic that is needed for this site to become profitable on some level.

 I'm also really interested in encouraging people to have a better understanding of some of the options that are out there to be able to get into the air affordably.  We've got to find ways to spark growth in the world of aviation or we run the risk of being legislated out of the sky.  The very public nature of PVP, thru the live shopcam I've set up as well as the video updates and posts here at AirPigz are designed to show people a little more about what it takes to build a simple and affordable airplane. 

 I hope you see the unique value of supporting this project. You can better understand the overall project, as well as see the basic format that the t-shirt will be in by checking out the "Project VP Needs Your Help" post.  The t-shirt design isn't quite finished yet, but if I stand any chance of making the goal, I need to get some shirts sold asap.

 To order up a top quality 6-ink Project VP 'sponsor' t-shirt for $50, which will be delivered in July, please send me an email at mcc@airpigz.com and I'll respond with the details on how to order. Payment can be made with check, money order, or PayPal.  And thanx for your support and encouragement!

'Project VP' Video Update #1: Camera Test, Cockpit Mock Up, And Shop View

 Here's a 10 minute video test I put together night before last on Project VP.  It's not real fancy but I'm pleased with how the relatively small shop looks on camera and for how I presented the info.  This is kinda new for me but I can tell already that I'm really gonna like explaining the process behind building a wood aircraft in a really short period of time!

  If you don't know already, the goal is to actually get the project completed in time for Oshkosh 2009.  It's a bit crazy I know, but then that's me!

 More info coming real soon on how you can get behind this unique project and be a supporter.  The bottom line is, without help form you guys, this very public airplane build simply wouldn't be possible.

'Project VP' Needs Your Help! Simple Poll Question Below

 I'm ready to actually start the building process on my updated and revised version of the old Volksplane that I call AirPigz "Project VP".  If you saw my initial post about the concept, you already know some of the ideas that go into making this extremely simple and affordable aircraft design a little more relevant to the world today.

 I'm confident this airplane is a great example of how we can get more people into the air without having them spend a lot of money or time building. And while the idea behind "kit" airplanes is great, this seems like a perfect time for us to encourage people to consider building an airplane the old fashioned way, from plans only.

 Typically "plans only" builds take a lot longer tho since you have to fabricate all the components yourself. That's where the genius of the original Volksplane comes in.  Built mostly from wood and utilizing several time saving ideas, the VP is about as easy as airplane building gets.  And while I think the basic VP is a tad on the homely side, my updated styling changes seem to make this a really cute little airplane!

 The basic idea here is to use Project VP to accomplish two specific goals.  First, to encourage people on several ways to get in the air affordably.  I plan to do a video update regularly of the build process to show what it's like.  This should help take much of the mystery out of the process for people who are overwhelmed by the thought of building an airplane.

 Second, I plan to build it in time to have it up on the flightline at Oshkosh 09.  The cool AirPigz paint scheme should attract a lot of attention, and this will help put AirPigz on the map!

 I've put a lot of work into the project already, but there's one important part that's missing for me.  It's been the hardest year of my life financially, and I've started AirPigz while being as close to going under as you can get. Fortunately, things are now getting better in my regular life, but I've got a pretty deep pit to crawl out of.

 There's only one way Project VP is going to become a reality... I need sponsors.  So I've come up with an idea on how you can get behind this unique, grass-roots idea. 

Project VP "sponsor" T-Shirt design concept... still need to add color to the airplane. 

  If you like AirPigz and the Project VP concept, then you might want to consider becoming an official "sponsor". The graphic above shows what I have in mind for very special, limited edition T-Shirt.  It's obviously not complete just yet, but will be soon.  It'll be a top quality shirt with at least 6 colors of ink. The shirt will be available for $50, which is a lot for a shirt, but in reality you're purchase is not about the shirt, but about supporting the airplane.

   Before I finalize the shirt design, and before I start making lots of sawdust fly on the airplane, I need to see if there's enough support out there to reach the goal of having the airplane built and up at Oshkosh 2009.  Since I have access to an airworthy VW engine I only need to raise enough money to cover the airframe, which should be under $3,000.

 Project VP, and my request for "sponsors" isn't a gimmick.  It's a genuine idea designed to help spark more interest in flying and to put a lot of attention on the idea that people can get into the air without spending a lot of money on an airplane.

 My opportunity to work my tail off communicating that message thru AirPigz.com just happens to coincide with a tremendous lack of financial resources in my life right now.  Your support will make all the difference.

 The poll below is just to get a general idea of where the idea stands right now.  If the potential for support looks encouraging, I'll have the details worked out soon about how you get on an official list for a shirt.  I hope you'll consider joining me in trying to encourage people to get out of their dreams and into the air!

Would you buy a special limited-edition AirPigz sponsor T-Shirt for 50 dollars to help make Project VP a reality for Oshkosh 2009?
	Sure, I'd definitely consider it!
	No, I probably wouldn't consider it.
pollcode.com free polls

AirPigz "Project VP" Might Be More Than Just A Dream

 About two weeks ago I started thinking really hard about trying to find an extremely affordable way to wrap my body in some sort of genuine flying machine that I could call my own.  I haven't owned an airplane in almost 15 years, mostly driven by the general lack of funds that seems to follow me around like a lost pup.

 And then... this last year has been extremely hard on me financially, but it's also seen my love for aviation and flying become a pretty big flame once again (that's why AirPigz exists).

 So, now I've taken on the great challenge of trying to get the polar opposites of "not much money" and "a burning desire to fly" to drop their petty differences and just try to get along for a change!  I love research, so this challenge was a ton of fun.  I looked at a lot of possible airplane ideas, but one really surprised me and seemed to stand out above all the others.  The Volksplane. Leaning this way was helped out by my thought that I might be able to borrow an airworthy VW engine from a friend who just happens to have one he isn't using right now.  It's sure nice to have friends like that!

 My newfound interest in the Volksplane seems kinda funny to me cuz I used to sorta look down on this over-simplified, wooden-box airplane. But I've matured a lot in the last 10 years, and I've learned to respect any airplane that can safely bring the smile that comes from slipping the surly bonds!

 I set out to refine some details on the basic VP to make it a little more attractive.  My research had already shown me that the structure is fabulously designed to be extremely easy and affordable to build.  I also figured that some simple changes could probably make it look really cute too.  The drawing above shows what I came up with.

 I moved the engine up a few inches and gave the front end a little more of a "Cub" look.  The windshield now reaches all the way up to the firewall. The main gear legs are bungee, again more "Cub" like.  The wing is slightly changed and includes full-span ailerons.  The turtle deck is very simple but adds a little more style and the tailwheel is modernized.    Probably one of the best parts is the official AirPigz paint scheme that I think brings a lot of life to the overall look.  I'll have a full 3-view of the design soon, but here you can see that 'AirPigz.com' is in big orange letters across the entire bottom of the wing. And, the cloud pattern will cover the top of the wing.

 Right now I have a dream of building this "Project VP" fast enough to actually have it at Oshkosh 09 (I know. I'm crazy).  I'd also do a video blog of the work progress to help encourage everyone to know that there are easy and affordable ways to get a real airplane in your hands to get your feet off the ground!  Please stay tuned, I may be asking for your help along the way : )