The journey begins!
 

Well gentlemen.. It has begun, RV-8. Any tips, tricks, suggestions or words of wisdom to share? I've got some time to kill before I actually order kit parts, so I've got some prep time. I plan on reading the manual repeatedly and hopefully gaining some knowledge from the experienced builders. I've already found some builders in Boone Iowa and plan on getting a hold of them once I have some free time from work. Some questions I have;
-are there any tools I should get/avoid?
-is there anything I should just straight up avoid?
-has anyone used a 200+ power plant?
-turbine power plant?
-what is the never exceed speed?
-has anyone done some modifications to the frame to increase that?
-have there been any successful and well documented retract modifications? (yes I know it isn't the 'smartest' thing to do)
-has anyone done a real fast back, I've seen the bubble fast back, but I would really like to do a BF-109 style cockpit.
-How much more room does the "tall" option give you?
-what does it do to the rear seats space?

If you haven't already clicked on reply and started reaming me a 'new one' well thanks :) A little background on me, I'm an Aerospace Engineering student at ISU, I love working with my hands and work on cars quite often, and I'm not afraid of a little challenge! So I do know that some of my questions are very in depth, very challenging and may be impossible, but that's what being an engineer is about. So I would love any help, sympathy or suggestions.

Thank you all,
George

George, firstly...welcome!

I would really consider taking an EAA sheetmetal course this summer. It will get you up to speed real quick.
From learning which end of the cleko pliers to hold, to bucking rivets of various sizes. good luck
Oh, SB or QB? (first lesson:D)
Regards

Welcome!
 

George,

Welcome to VAF and the brotherhood of -8 builders:)

YOL BOLSON MY FRIEND!

Welcome!
 

Great to have another -8 brethren among the herd!

Regarding the tall option: How tall are you? I'm a solid 6'3" and I find that there's more than enough legroom in the front of an -8.

Congrats
 

Congrats and welcome to the wonderful world of RV's. This will be a memorable journey. This is an exciting time to be building. I think there will be lots of changes in avionics by the time you are at that point.

Mike S must be washing his Welcome to VAF apron. You'll get it later:)

Been away from the computer for a couple days putting the plane back together after paint. MS

Welcome aboard George. You need to get ahold of the guys down at W&C builders assist in Boone, IDK if that is the builders you were talking about. Since you go to school at ISU, it is just another 20 minute drive down HWY 30 to their hangar at Boone Muni. http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=99697
I picked up my wing kit from them in December and there were 9 RV's being built in their Hangar, to include a Super 8 (IO-540 powered RV-8). Give them a call or stop by sometime. It will be a priceless experience for you in the beginning of this journey.

:D
 

First, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT!

Yes Randle those are the gents I was told to get a hold of, however I didn't have a name or anything. Do they do this professionally or just for S&G? What is a super 8???!!??!

dude.. Lorne green I would literally kill to be able to go to one of those, but I have 2 days off every 14 days and I work 6-4 on a hog farm. /: I'm sure there's another resource, I'm not going to start with the metal till next summer. ( I want to get as much of what I plan on doing designed, tested, and double checked before I take a 22k (ish) kit and start hacking away at it.. ) I plan on getting many many books on the subject as I have lots of time during the school year. :)

N546RV; I am a full 6'6'' without shoes. I fit into a 944 and 911 nicely and a 152 and 172 (my current plane) very well :) so I'm not a huge guy, most of my height is in my shins (no joke, its kinda freaky..)

Yeah, you might be a candidate for the tall pilot option. To my knowledge, all it does is move the front seat back a bit, which gives you some more legroom at the expense of your backseater.

It's probably good that your height is in your legs really. When I sat in an -8, once I was settled (and the pedals were moved all the way forward!) my legs were fine. The canopy, on the other hand, was pretty close to my head.

I don't think you have to commit to the tall pilot thing until you order the fuse, so you have some time...but definitely find yourself an -8 to sit in. Just be prepared to have some moments of fantasy while you're in there...:D

Welcome to VAF!
 

George, Welcome aboard the good ship VAF:D:D