And frustrating, a lot of "frustrating", especially if you are a perfectionist. I've had to let go of a good bit of my OCD on this project, it's probably done wonders for my mental health.

It's just not going to be perfect, probably why everybody posts low resolution pics on the forum! :D

Keep in mind the painter is going to fix all those cosmetic flaws.

Edit: You will be an expert at drilling out rivets in no time!

Lots of good advice. You can do it and in a reasonable amount of time. My Dad lost his arm in a farming accident at age five. There is nothing he couldn't do.

Do it "Troop!"
 

Based on your past accomplishments and your apparent drive I say you can build an RV. You may need help sometimes, but finding it shouldn't be a problem. It'll be easier than "flying the bag."

Gotta love that one pinhole of light that always seemed to shoot directly into the left eye.... I was OEF 7, crashed out April 28 2006.... CW3 Flanigan was with us who passed there in July 06 if ya knew him?

Resources available right down the road from Tampa
 

Bucking the rivets is about 1 percent of the time. It is the understanding what to do and the preparation of the parts that is the time consuming part. One thing to recognize is that Vans has done a nice job breaking the kits down into multiple buys so you do not have the whole commitment up front. Buy the first kit and give it a try. If you want a smaller bite, they sell two practice kits. You can also watch the EAA videos to see how and what is done. EAA also has metal working classes between Tampa and Orlando, so you can take a class.
links:
http://vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/stor...roduct=toolbox

http://vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/stor...aining-project

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-...kshop-schedule

http://eaavideo.org/channel.aspx?ch=ch_homebuilding

The bucking process uses the mass of the bucking bar, it is am impulse reaction, so it does not take much force. You could probably tape the bucking bar to the prosthetic. I would think the challenge will be feeling the bucking bar on the rivet, that will add to the challenge that we all have and I would expect a few more "bleeping" dings, we all have some :)

Can you start and finish the project is probably totally independent of your perceived handicap. You cannot grasp the level of tenacity that is required to finish before you start, at least I could not.

I would encourage you to give it a try.

Welcome
 

RRR matey, welcome aboard the good ship VAF:D

It is possible and you WILL accomplish it in a reasonable amount of time. You will need help because I don't know anybody who ever built an airplane without assistance.

Thank you for volunteering to go to war to defend our freedom!

How about a -12?
 

I suspect your not one to have to rely on others for help. Maybe consider a -12 with blind or pulled rivets? I'm not sure the -12 is all pulled but most of it is. You could shoot blind rivets all day long with a pneumatic gun one handed.

And I too thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Hi Daniel, there are numerous posters on this thread who are giving you opinions on whether you can finish an RV14A and they are universally optimistic about your chances...however many of the posters have never finished building an RV. So they are talking from the heart and not from experience.

So that is your problem here. Everyone wants to encourage you. Whether they are giving you good and realistic advice is another question. I'm sure you understand the situation.

Of course you can build an RV14A. You are obviously a clever and determined individual and there is always a way. However my opinion is that, realistically, it will take you a fairly long time to finish the aircraft. But if time is not a consideration then go for it.

During the build of my RV7A I found that there were many many tasks that were extremely difficult to accomplish even with 2 hands.... installing adel clamps, hard-to-access riveting, safety wiring etc etc....the list is endless. In very congested and hard to reach areas the degree of difficulty increases exponentially. And getting good quality and timely assistance with building tasks can be problematic.

It might be prudent for you to give serious consideration to building an RV12. It's not exactly a hotrod but a good sports aircraft non-the-less. The fact that it uses pop rivets rather than driven rivets would make an enormous difference to you. It is also a much more comprehensive kit with a greater degree of prefabrication. In particular the FWF and electrical systems are virtually plug and play.

Alternatively you might like to consider buying a completed RV. You can often buy them for less than the cost of the parts and be in the air immediately. It just depends whether you get your jollies from flying or from spending years tinkering in a workshop.

Tampa Builder
 

I have plenty of scrap, and plenty of tools for you practice with!

Sent you a PM.