RV-8 Pre-build Research
 

Hi All,

I am currently in the planning phase of the build for my RV-8, and I want to call on the experience of all you guys before I go ahead and buy my project and build it.

First of all I am looking at buying the standard kit and I read all about it how it is pre-formed and no special tools required etc, but from you guys with the build experience I wanted to know if there was any special tooling you needed or whether it can be built just from air tools and hand tools?

I have decided on my power plant and I am happy with that but I was wondering what hidden bits people forgot or overlooked if any?

Also I'm looking for options on avionics and wanted all your guys experience who have built and flown the RV's what Avionics systems you preferred and work well? Preferably I want to use a digital interface for PFD and Nav.

Thanks in advance for any advice and opinions.

Luke

I am working on a slow build RV-8. The kit is fantastic. I had no airplane building experience and it went together very quickly (I'm almost done). There are some parts that are challenging, but nothing you cant over come with some dedication and looking at pictures. a little motivation goes a long ways. It's kind of like a big puzzle with a big support group. If the parts don't fit its because you are doing something wrong.

Can you build it with hand and air tools? Yes. A bandsaw, bench grinder and drill press will help tremendously. You dont need anything fancy, I literally bought the cheapest ones available at the local hardware store.

Avionics are up to you. Mine is fairly basic. They give you a blank panel for you to do whatever you want with.

thanks for the reply and the advice/info, do you have any photos from how it arrived and stage by stage?

A scotch wheel is very useful for debuting edges, takes forever by hand.

Welcome to VAF
 

Luke, welcome to VAF:D

Granted you're in the UK I believe, so things may be a little different, but the risk is fairly low overall. I bought the tail kit figuring if I didn't enjoy it, or it was more than I thought it would be, I'd simply sell it. There's a market for builders who want to start with a pre-built tail kit. Thus you'll be able to recoup most of your investment back - and tools are always resellable too.

The tail, anyway, arrives like this:

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...1vueUTuuytQe8C

There are lots of existing sites out there with progress pics along the way.

I installed a Dynon system, and it's been great, but you can go as unsophisticated or as sophisticated as you would like. You won't have to make this decisions until a long time from now, so don't fret too much. You'll likely change your mind a few times along the way too.

Shipping to the UK will be a lot less for a standard kit and availability will usually be better.
No jigs or fixtures other than the support frame for the wing which is quite quick and easy to construct.

The fuselage is more fun to assemble than the wings. Least popular job is prosealing the fuel tanks. Although canopies and glass fibre work aren't too popular either.

Have a look at the recommended tool list. Some items can be got from general tool stores, but you will need to get a lot of it from specialised aircraft tool suppliers. Pete and Diane at Gloster Air Parts in the UK can source most of it for you and can rent out a few specialised pieces that you only need for 1 or 2 jobs.

Leave the avionics decisions until late in the project as the market is always evolving and theirs no need to tie up money. By the time you get to that stage you'll probably have a better idea of how you want your panel. If you want IFR, take a look at the LAA requirement documents before making a decision.

Thanks all and thanks for the welcome, all this information is great.

Just query as to how you guys progressed, did you build the empennage first then the fuselage seems like the most logical transition to progress to?

just because I will prioritise which kits I order first.

On the -8 you want to do the wings second. The reason is because there are some long parts needed for the fuselage that will more economically ship in the box with the wings due to its length.

Here is one of my favorite series of pictures from my build. My wife is helping inventory the fuselage kit.

The big box arrives:

(Click to enlarge)

The sarcophagus is opened


Almost finished unpacking and inventorying:


(Click to enlarge)

The other kits are packed with similar care and I was stunned that nothing was damaged in shipping. (Your millage may vary.)