Express 2000 -
www.express-aircraft.com - An easy and quick building composite
aircraft with a standard tube and wing configuration.  My preference
is the RG version due to it's unsurpassed payload (1300 pounds with
_full_ fuel - that being _140_ gallons). Buildable as a 200hp to
300hp giving a cruise of 190-250 kits TAS depending on engine. Most
expensive though - the RG is a $65k kit that is probably $150k built
out to full IFR with a larger (280-300hp) engine.
One thing I really liked about the Express was it's payload and
roomy cabin. The express has over a 1000 pounds of payload at
full fuel - something that very few piston singles can claim today -
the Cherokee Six's and the Cessna 210s are the only thing that come
close.
I got the chance to fly the (fixed gear) Express 2000 factory
demonstrator. (The RG demo hasn't quite yet flown but is
expected to fly within a few weeks and be able to make the
Copperstate Fly-In in October 2002). When I flew it two weeks
ago I was so distracted by the wonderful plane in my hands that I
forgot to take any pictures. Luckily N511EA was flown down to
the Golden-West fly-in in Marysville, CA so I got another chance to
get some up close pictures.
 Obviously
one of the
 big
features of the Express is cabin space and payload. The rear
seat is huge with more floor room than you can imagine. This
shots gives you an idea (you have to look at the full size versions
to see). Anyone under about 5'8" can't even get their feet to
reach the front seats when they're buckled. It's also a very
easy plane to get in and out of with the 1/2 clamshell doors and the
fully folding front seat. During the test flight my better half
(who admittedly is only about 5'3") said she almost felt too far back
- like riding in a limo.But for all that room and capacity
the baggage area is a little small (relative to the rest of the plane
- still comparable with most 4-seat singles). The door even
smaller. One thing the Express people have mentioned and I
would consider doing is bringing the rear seat forward 4"-5".
This would still leave plenty of leg room and even increase headroom
slightly (due to the curves of the top of the fuselage you can see in
the baggage door picture). That would increase the baggage area
by quite a bit of volume.
The door is a little harder as increasing the size would bring the
top past the centerline structures and wiring or the bottom below the
seam of top and bottom halves of the fuselage which probably has
structural issues as well. However I expect the door could be
widened slightly making it a little easier to get a tall carryon or
normal suitcase through it. One issue for us is that there is
no way a medium or larger pet carrier will work. So the cats
might have to ride separately in little carriers and the expected dog
will probably get it's own seat and seatbelt.
  
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