Matt Ricciardi

Errol has been very responsive and helpful throughout my own purchasing journey over the past nine months. I certainly encourage anyone with questions to reach out. Posting and answering questions in this forum will allow others to benefit from the answers (and save Errol from answering the same questions repeatedly).

When designing the panel for my VL3, a flip-flopped several times on a threshold question--which IFR-certified GPS? The Garmin GTN 750Xi offers are large, multifunction screen but takes up a lot of panel space and requires most other components to be mounted remotely and controlled via the G3X Touch display. I personally prefer physical discrete components and physical buttons in my panel, so I ultimately opted for the smaller but (almost) equally functional GTN 650Xi. The Midwest Panel Builders YouTube channel has a good video explaining the pros/cons of each (plus lots of other interesting and useful avionics-related content).

AOPA just announced and began accepting applications for its 2024 aviation scholarship programs. Details here: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/students/aopa-flight-training-scholarships Scholarships are available for both initial ground school and flight training and advanced ratings (e.g., an instrument rating). The application deadline is February 9, 2024.

Some well-produced and informative VL3 demo flight videos, which include substantive discussion with JMB personnel about performance, fuel burn, handling characteristics, economics, etc., are posted on YouTube. Here are three of the better ones that I've found:

The RV-9A homebuilder behind the BuildFlyGo YouTube channel posted some great videos demonstrating the Garmin G3X Touch, GTN 650Xi, and related avionics in-flight. Different airplane but similar panel to an IFR-equipped VL3 that we might have here in the States. The videos are a bit long but clearly narrated and well worth watching, especially if you don't have much experience with these advanced avionics.

While researching and (not) patiently waiting for my factory-assisted build trip, I spent too much time watching VL3 and homebuilding videos on YouTube. Here are a few channels that struck me as particularly relevant: JMB Aircraft https://www.youtube.com/@JMBaircraft Mostly short marketing hype videos, but some are more substantive. Pilot Steve https://www.youtube.com/@funpilot2 Our very own Steve O. recently back from visiting the JMB factory outside of Prague. Some great videos about the VL3 ordering process, factory tour, and test flight, along with lots of other flying adventures. Pilot Frank https://www.youtube.com/@Pilot_Frank German YouTuber with a VL3 915iS who posts a lot of high-quality flying videos. The speaking is in German, but you can get the gist with YouTube automated translation. BuildFlyGo https://www.youtube.com/@BuildFlyGo Lots of detailed technical videos chronicling the homebuilding of RV-9A and RV-10 airplanes. While not about VL3s specifically, there is some overlap. He has a great in-flight demo of the Garmin G3X Touch and GTN 650 avionics, for example. If you've found other VL3-related channels, please reply and share them below.

For U.S. customers desiring a "custom" tail number, the FAA now offers fully online availability checks and reservations: https://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/NN/reserve.aspx The cost is $10.00 per N-number for a one-year reservation. If you don't assign the N-number to an airplane within the year, you can renew it indefinitely for $10.00 per year. The website will instantly (but unofficially) confirm whether an N-number is available. Processing the official reservation took about six months when I filed for my N-number earlier this year, so don't wait until the last minute. With any luck, you'll receive a letter confirming the reservation by snail mail.

My colleague with an RV-9A (two-seat, side-by-side homebuilt) uses and speaks highly of the O2D2 Pulse-Demand Oxygen System from Mountain High. He just setup an account on here, too. I'll flag this post for him, so he can chime in directly. Coincidentally, a German YouTuber posted a good video installing the same O2D2 System in his VL3 not too long ago: The speaking is in German, but you can follow along well enough watching the video with automated YouTube translation.

The factory-assisted homebuilding program (obviously) requires spending some time at the JMB factory in the Czech Republic. JMB has facilities in Chocen and Vysoké Mýto, both about 90 miles (145 km) east of Prague. JMB recommended that I fly into Prague, the nearest commercial airport, and spend the first night there, then travel onwards to the factory the next day. For the first and last nights in Prague, JMB suggested the Mosaic House Design Hotel. In the factory village, JMB suggested the Bonviván Apartments. I haven't personally stayed at either (yet), but both were affordable and responsive during the booking process, and both received very good online reviews.

Rotax recently hosted an EAA webinar regarding the new 916iS engine. The presentation included this power and fuel burn comparison chart. Some unit conversion and math is required, but the bottom line appears to be that, at maximum continuous power ("Max C"), the 916iS generates about the same power as the 915iS (94.86 kW versus 93.89 kW) but burns about 20% less gas (250 g/kWh v. 315 g/kWh). EAA members can replay a recording of the entire webinar on the EAA website here: https://www.eaa.org/videos/webinars/engines-and-firewall-forward/6331066065112

Friedrichshafen, Germany (May 19, 2023) – AERO 2023 has once again lived up to its claim of being the leading international trade show with its 29th edition this year. With over 670 exhibitors from 35 nations, the event seems to have attracted a diverse range of participants, highlighting the global interest in General Aviation. "The intensity of AERO has not only excited me this year. The event has seamlessly continued the successful pre-pandemic trade shows and new event modules have been successfully established," mentioned Tobias Bretzel, AERO airshow director. It was once again a unique moment for JMB Aircraft, the leading ultralight manufacturer from the Czech Republic. After last year's introduction of VL3 Turbine – first ultralight equipped with the turboprop engine, the company has revealed a VL3 Evolution powered by 916iS Rotax engine. "We collaborated closely with Rotax to incorporate the 916iS engine into the VL3 aircraft. The fruitful outcome of this collaboration, particularly in terms of improved performance, is noteworthy." added Jean Marie Guisset, the CEO of JMB Aircraft. Reducing the takeoff distance, enhancing the climb rate, and lowering fuel consumption are indeed critical areas of performance for any aircraft. By achieving advancements in these areas, JMB Aircraft has demonstrated their commitment to optimizing the VL3 Evolution’s overall performance and efficiency. It's impressive to see consistent worldwide efforts in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field of ultralight aviation. We are already looking forward to the next year’s edition of this amazing event.

(August 31, 2023) Join us at the Fastest Place on Earth, the Reno Air Races September 13th through 17th at Reno-Stead Airport, Reno Nevada. JMB's VL3 will be featured as a pace plane at the event, joining the fastest planes in the air. Taking First Place as one of the fastest planes in its class, JMB's VL3 is the ultimate cross-country speedster providing speeds of 200kts while burning less than 8gph at 75% power! Sleek, fast, and highly efficient with a build quality second to none, JMB's VL3, and turbine Evolution, are a winning combination! Visit us at our booth, located at the east end of the ramp, in the Jet Class Pit Area – Hang 'in with the Jets!