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-   -   Documentation of your build (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=104895)

Keith Rush 09-30-2013 09:36 PM

Documentation of your build
 
I'm in the dreaming stages still, but I'm looking to see what software most are using and some recomendations. I'm not really a software person, but the program I have seen most is Kitlog Pro. Is this a pretty easy program to use?

Thanks,

Keith Rush

aarvig 09-30-2013 11:08 PM

The program is excellent. However, since its best to save all available fundulation for the build I recommend a digital camera and a notebook. Simply document the date and time spent in the shop and on what task and take some photos (make sure you are in some of them).

rleffler 10-01-2013 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Rush (Post 812348)
I'm in the dreaming stages still, but I'm looking to see what software most are using and some recomendations. I'm not really a software person, but the program I have seen most is Kitlog Pro. Is this a pretty easy program to use?

Thanks,

Keith Rush

I used kitlog to document my build. It's not without its quirks, but it is very easy to use. Rumor has it that there is a new release that fixes the quirks, but Matt has been promising that for awhile now. I would still recommend it.

I kept hard copies of my 1400+ entries as a backup to the access databases. When I had my inspection, I plopped three five binders of build documentation in front of the FSDO inspector. He just started laughing, stating he never saw such verbose documentation. He quickly flipped through the docs and signed the temporary repairman's certificate.

WingsOnWheels 10-01-2013 05:02 AM

I also use kitlog pro and have been very happy with it. You can export the log as a PDF to save backups or print. KitLog has it limits, but does the job well with little fuss.

N941WR 10-01-2013 07:05 AM

I used Excel and included links to the pictures I took so the entire thing could be printed out for the FAA.

Here's a link to templates.

sbalmos 10-01-2013 07:32 AM

PRINT OUT HARD COPIES!!! That's my best advice personally. Disclaimer - I *am* a computer guy. :)

About a month back, I had a silently corrupt filesystem on the external drive I was using for backups. The drive never failed, but the filesystem chewed data into chunky applesauce. And annoyingly, the only file I could not recover was my tail build log. I am now slowly rebuilding the log as best as I can using estimates of time, and the timestamps of the pictures I took during that part of the build.

Get done with a major subsection, print out the log, if only to recover from a crash of the drive you were using to backup your computer in case of a crash (ooohh there's a mouthful).

wirejock 10-01-2013 07:58 AM

builder blog
 
I keep written notes in my paper log in the shop and take pictures of noteworthy moments. No one wants hundreds of pics of me deburring holes!
Every week or two the notes and pics get moved. Notes transfer to my Excel log where I keep time and cost. Then the notes are copied to my on line Google blog (see signature).
I backup to two external hard drives. One is on my network. One is a portable off site. I too lost a drive once.
I know it sounds like a pain but really isn't. Now that I think about it, I need to scan all the receipts and the paper log will be backed up too.

rleffler 10-01-2013 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbalmos (Post 812444)
PRINT OUT HARD COPIES!!! That's my best advice personally. Disclaimer - I *am* a computer guy. :)

So am I.......:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbalmos (Post 812444)
About a month back, I had a silently corrupt filesystem on the external drive I was using for backups. The drive never failed, but the filesystem chewed data into chunky applesauce. And annoyingly, the only file I could not recover was my tail build log. I am now slowly rebuilding the log as best as I can using estimates of time, and the timestamps of the pictures I took during that part of the build.

Get done with a major subsection, print out the log, if only to recover from a crash of the drive you were using to backup your computer in case of a crash (ooohh there's a mouthful).

I deal with these issues all day long at work trying to explain why all the replicated copies of a file were corrupt. Backups only are good as to how many iterations are kept and can you restore from the last known good copy. I know, IT 101 stuff.

That's one of the reason's I like mykitlog. If you publish to the web, you at least have the web to copy and paste your data from. Knowing that at some point in time, I was going to get an inspection and asssuming that the inspector wouldn't be computer saavy, I printed hard copies. Although I did batch print them about once every quarter.

I also took weekly snapshots of the mykitlog access database and archived those as well.

fixnflyguy 10-01-2013 08:03 AM

What I did
 
Since I started my build before I owned a computer or a digital camera, I simply used the builders manual and made a dated note at the end of each time I worked on the plane in the margin of the manual. I also made dated notes on the plans..I took pictures along the way, and ended up with a nice photo album that I still add to with the plane flying and any mods I do. I had the local FSDO do my inspection/certification...I dont think they ever looked at either, even know they were laid out for them. The aircraft, and your general knowlege will tell way more than the documented logs, or at least thats the way it seemed to me. I am an AP/IA that has spent 33 years doing aircaft maintenence, and I dont skimp on documentation for anything, but for the RV-4, Im glad I just stayed "old school", and focused on building.

rzbill 10-01-2013 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarvig (Post 812370)
The program is excellent. However, since its best to save all available fundulation for the build I recommend a digital camera and a notebook. Simply document the date and time spent in the shop and on what task and take some photos (make sure you are in some of them).

+1 on the camera and notebook.

Keith Rush 10-01-2013 08:27 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and info. I appreciate it.

Keith

beav 10-01-2013 09:50 PM

Custom Software
 
If you're reasonably technical and use a Mac, you're free to use the software I wrote to manage your site:

http://www.jasonbeaver.com/rv7/site-info.html


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