I am focused entirely on EAB. I'm frustrated with insane expense increases with certified airplanes. I recently found out that there are adapters that allow for automotive spark plugs in Lycoming O-540 engines. However, I'm not allowed to use them. So I have to pay more for a single spark plug than an entire set of sparkplugs. On top of that, most of the things that I am fully capable of doing entirely on my own to the airplane require that I pay $100+/hr to an A&P to perform. That said, I also know my limits and there will be things that I continue to pay an A&P after I own an EAB. For example, I know I won't be pulling a cylinder off my engine on my own. But I'm more than happy to replace a muffler. So cost does matter to me. And the cost of retracts does matter to me. But I wanted to get an idea from people here as to how much y'all think that retracts increase cost. Here are the things I want: 1. Rotax 916 engine 2. Parachute - mostly because I've spent the last few years running through emergency procedures with my wife and this gets dramatically simpler with a parachute. 3. 150 ktas 4. Ability to carry my myself, my wife, full luggage, full fuel 5. EAB I've got two candidates that match all of those. One is a retract 2 seater. The other is a fixed gear 4 seater. I'm trying to get some wisdom from those here who've had retracts on the tradeoffs. The difference in speed between these two airplanes is about 15 knots. With the fixed gear doing about 150 and the retract 165. Is the 15 knots worth the extra expense?

Hi. I'm Mark. My mission is travel. I currently fly a Cherokee 235 and I'm looking to go faster. Probably want experimental with a parachute.

@Kerry Emmert I do have a YT channel same name as I have here (1dullgeek) What I'm looking for: 1. Experimental 2. Parachute 3. 160 KTAS 4. Rotax Right now leaning towards Sling TSi