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-   -   Required reading? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=152361)

theman1990 08-14-2017 03:21 AM

Required reading?
 
So before I decide to go/no-go an RV-14a project, is their any "required reading" one would recommend. I'v e read akll through Van's site, several builder blogs and this forum but I still don't see/get a "step 1: do XXXXXX" sorta theme... Things like tables, space, what kinda primer, does it even NEED primer etc etc etc....

Tom Martin 08-14-2017 05:19 AM

Step 1
Do a bit of local RV research. Find out if there are any multiple builders in your area.
Websites are great but they are typically first time builders and sometimes errors are made that get corrected on the plane but not on the website!
2. Check EAA and sun and fun websites to see if there are any award winners in your area. These are the guys to ask how to do things right
3. See if the multiple builders are award winners, bingo!

rgmwa 08-14-2017 06:04 AM

Step 1 is `Order tail kit'. Everything else will soon fall into place. ;)

Ed_Wischmeyer 08-14-2017 06:10 AM

Go visit folks, go talk to them, try some riveting and fiberglass, take some workshops.

Reading is a good start but not enough. After all, as the saying goes, nobody learns to swim by reading a book. :-)

Ed

bkervaski 08-14-2017 07:30 AM

I took the EAA riveting class in Ohio and then just started. You learn as you go. Just buy a toolkit and order the Empennage and just start. You'll make lots of mistakes and you will be a master at removing bad rivets in non time :D

jcarne 08-14-2017 07:50 AM

One thing not mentioned yet is reading section 5 in the plans manual. This contains a lot of useful information and tips in it. I also do a lot of searching VAF on what ever I am working on to see how others have done it and if there is a common problem to watch out for.

AviatorJ 08-14-2017 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgmwa (Post 1195996)
Step 1 is `Order tail kit'. Everything else will soon fall into place. ;)

Fantastic advice. Prior to starting I tried to plan everything out and prepare as much as possible. Then someone gave me the above advice and it's all worked out.

The key is take your time with the tail, it essentially introduces you to some new skills and techniques that carry through the rest of the build.

flion 08-14-2017 08:19 AM

"Kitplane Construction" by Ron Wanttaja. Good sections on planning, both physical space and financial, as well as an overview of all the types of construction (and an RV covers most of it except fabric). Then get the set of Bingeles books from EAA - they'll get you thinking like a builder. EAA also has a good series of videos online that cover different aspects of building.

Auburntsts 08-14-2017 08:28 AM

There are a ton of EAA Hint's for Homebuilder's videos that anyone can watch: http://www.eaavideo.org/channel.aspx?ch=ch_hints If you are a visual learner like me, the videos are generally way more informative than any text on the same subject.

One note about a lot of the books out there. They were written when a lot of home building was still via plans and what kits were available were nothing like the modern kits of today, like the RV-14. The info is still good, it's just to the uninitiated they might paint a picture of required processes and skills that simply have been engineered out. IOW you will be more of an assembler than a fabricator.

thinkn9a 08-14-2017 08:38 AM

Have you gotten this?
 
Best 10 bucks you can spend at Van's,...

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