Hempel 50% Cub or Pilot Decathlon

[toc pilot]

The Decathlon is a much more modern airplane in real life and it does have a fully symetrical airfoil...... it is really just about personal choice and support from each of us. I am sure which ever airplane you chosse you will be happy with the airplane.

Good luck!

Bill Hempel

[flying skunks]

another thing that you need to look at , is how many Cubs are flying today , without any issues , VS how many SD's are flying . The only SD that I know of is the "prototype" one that TBM has .. there are quite a few Cubs out there being flown/torchured on a daily basis ..Track Record ....
my $.02

[reyn3545]

take a look on the TBM site at the pictures of their sponsored pilots (and their planes)... hmmm....

[Slayer]

Again.. personal choice we have the 50%er cub and love it!!!


K

[ExtPlt]

My vote is for the Cub. Its a proven design with a good history. I have personally flown the Cub in IAMC events and took 1st out of 15 in basic during the last event. Its a solid plane with a good history where the TBM Decathalons havent even been released yet. There are videos of a prototype, but since TBM went with another builder the structural integrity would be a big concern for me with a plane this size. Bill Hempel also flies the crap out of his and has all the "bugs" worked out.
Good luck with either choice.

[sinergy]

Personally I think TBM is more worried about getting in the middle of everything with their hand out trying to catch dollars. If you deal with Bill you will get more personal attention then you can hope to get from TBM without calling John 3 times for answers.

[GlenR]

I have dealt many times with TBM over the years and was always happy with them. I have bought only one plane from Mr. Hempel and the customer service and support has been top notch. I was pleasantly surprised to have him ship me a 50% yak for ONE/HALF to cost of a 40% yak which was also bought in the USA and traveled ONE/HALF the distance to get to my door.( not TBM ) Shipping large items from some vendors in the USA is very discouraging.(store policies) and must always be taken into consideration as part of the overall cost of doing business. Thank you Bill.

[innovator]

I have dealt with both with good results. Bill did follow up with a phone call to make sure I was happy. That to me goes a long way.

[smokin]

i obviously voted for the cubby but i am definitley interested in hearing more about the tbm decathalon. it really should be a cool plane. as a car dealer, i must liken it unto a new vehicle release.... there are usually some issues that the first run of customers get to play guinea pig on. i'm sure this plane will be fine but again i like the "tried and true" status of the cubby.

[reyn3545]

A BIG symetrical wing and the short coupling of a Decathlon sure is inviting from an acrobatic standpoint, I wonder why you don't see more of them in the more traditional giant scale sizes. Plenty of cub variants. I guess the positive thing is that there are choices!

[gotsky]

	Quote: Originally Posted by reyn3545
	take a look on the TBM site at the pictures of their sponsored pilots (and their planes)... hmmm....

This is a very strange statement.. Please expand on it and tells us what your point is?

[ChickenStick Rick]

I agree with Hector. I almost had the Hempel Cub twice and they already have a great rep. and are proven. Bill Hempel has done a fantastic job on this plane and his service, from my limited experience is great. With that said. Gene at Troy Built has given me excellent service as well. I believe the Decathlon will be a great plane. I do not know who built the prototype, but Pilot Rc is building the production models and we all know of their great service and products that they have produced in just a little over a year.

I don't think it matters what plane you buy. You will be happy with either one and the service will be there to back it up on both sides. Sounds like a win/win situation. Isn't it great to be in this hobby!!!