One of the reasons why Videoman Dave and I attend smaller events is because we can do a particular kind of work while visiting: Video Pilot Reports. We've now done many dozens of these (among some 700 total videos on Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot kit aircraft, and ultralights).
Interviewing developers, pilots, and enthusiasts about all sorts of airplanes is our stock-in-trade. People approach us at shows all the time expressing how much they enjoy these YouTube videos.
These range 7-15 minutes long, take an hour or so to shoot and a day or two (sometimes more) to edit and publish on 
Strapping six or seven cameras all over the airplane, discussing what we want to accomplish aloft, video recording takeoffs and landing, sometimes shooting video and stills from a second airplane, and then doing what we call a "stand up" near the airplane where we review the flight qualities discovered during an hour or so of flying. VPRs are a fun and a learning experience. Viewers appear to love them. Yet they drink up lots of time and trying to do these at a jam-packed major show is difficult or impossible. Hence, our love of events like 
After discovering the model a year ago, we did a interview with Garret Komm at last year's Copperstate. We followed up with more at EAA AirVenture Oshklosh last year as well. The two interviews have been seen some 70,000 times (both videos) and have introduced his Mule experimental amateur built kit to the many who enjoyed watching.
At 
One of the reasons why Videoman Dave and I attend smaller events is because we can do a particular kind of work while visiting: Video Pilot Reports. We’ve now done many dozens of these (among some 700 total videos on Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot kit aircraft, and ultralights). Interviewing developers, pilots, and enthusiasts about all sorts of airplanes is our stock-in-trade. People approach us at shows all the time expressing how much they enjoy these YouTube videos. These range 7-15 minutes long, take an hour or so to shoot and a day or two (sometimes more) to edit and publish on Dave’s popular YouTube video channel. Contrarily, Video Pilot Reports, or VPRs, take much more time: two or three hours or even more at the show. That’s only the time to collect the video and still shots plus fly for an hour. Once back in the office, Dave puts in a large number of hours logging all the video shot (watching every minute of raw footage), collecting additional video, assembling these elements, adding text, graphics, tweaking sound effects, and finally uploading to YouTube.
"We are Arizona's newest aircraft manufacturer," said Garrett Komm when we finally located him and his bright blue and silver aircraft.
A fan of this particular flying machine had approached me at Copperstate and said, "You gotta go see this airplane. Tell him Russell sent you!" (Thanks, Russell!)
After wrapping up a couple other video interviews, Videoman Dave and I left the main exhibit area to seek out Russell's discovery. As we came upon it, parked among other transients to the light aircraft area at Copperstate, we both found it vaguely familiar. Well, it was vague for me. Dave was sure right away.
That's because 
"Merlin was one tough little aeroplane," said Dave Loveman. "John Burch was a Canadian ultralight instructor and needed a better aircraft for his flight school. The 42 inch wide cabin is quite comfortable for even the largest of pilots." Mule is a bit wider at 46 inches.
After Burch's Canadian operation, Merlin was for a period offered by AeroComp on Florida's Atlantic coast, at the Merritt Island airport. Now Gair-Planes is offering the kit from Arizona, all part of the interesting migration of designs that prove their worth.
As with Merlin, Mule is built around a welded 4130 chromoly steel fuselage and tail structure, all fabric covered. Wings use aluminum D Cell construction, with styrofoam ribs. The result was tested by the Canadian creator to +4 and –2 Gs.
Mule is a taildragger, in a tractor configuration, with side by side seating. Controls are standard stick and rudder with a center Y-stick.
"We are not the fastest airplane out there," observed Garrett, "but we believe that we are one of the best for low and slow backcountry flying."
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With an airframe kit price of $18,700, adding an engine for a similar amount, plus paint and basic avionics, you should be able to get a Mule airborne for less than $50,000.
"Building time is about 400 hours," said Garrett, though agreeing that this can depend on builder experience and how detailed the builder wants to go.
