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-   -   How Much is Your Build Costing? Mine is Currently at... (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=177984)

PaulvS 12-23-2019 07:45 PM

Choices determine the cost
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mfleming (Post 1394632)

How are you doing? Are my numbers far out of line or is this just what it takes this day and age?

Once upon a time it did not take over $100K to build a 2 seat RV. And I don't think that's due to inflation, or losing track of how much we've spent on sandpaper and other low cost items, or buying tools that we REALLY NEEDED and did not already have.

I'm amazed at how much work can now be outsourced: airframe construction (QB or assist), panels, wiring harnesses, super paint jobs for $10k-$20k. That would all add a bit to the finished cost. And I'm also amazed at what CAN go into a panel, lighting, AP, upholstery, after-market fittings etc.

The way to keep the cost down "back then" was to: build it the way Van intended it, do most of the work yourself, install a used engine, fixed pitch prop, panel for day VFR, auto engine gauges, possibly second-hand instruments and radio etc.

I fly with a couple of buddies, one has an older RV-6, the other a newer RV-7A. This -6 is as simple as it gets with 160 hp. The -7A has a fully integrated IFR panel, custom interior, custom paint job, autopilot and lots of buttons to push and color graphics to watch. Guess which one is more fun to go fly in? ;)

jcarne 12-23-2019 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulvS (Post 1394899)
Guess which one is more fun to go fly in? ;)

While you do make some very good points keep in mind this isn't the shared opinion of all. I bet the -6 is more fun to fly in the sense of feeling the plane and the simplicity of it but I for one really enjoy the more technical side of flying. Being able to fly instrument approaches for the fun of it is what I consider fun. Unfortunately my version of fun costs more. :D

Vlad 12-23-2019 08:55 PM

Here comes the penny pincher. Slowbuilt 9 no primer no paint, wood prop, used round gages, new (the cheapest) factory engine, every tax, tool, delivery and fee included. Bought some new stuff at reduced price, bought some aftermarket parts at full price. Came at seventy three thousand two hundred eighty plus some change before first flight. Stretched over 5 years. All local hardware store expendables counted. DAR fee included. Selling the tools down the road helped with gas a bit :)

9GT 12-24-2019 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad (Post 1394920)
Here comes the penny pincher. Slowbuilt 9 no primer no paint, wood prop, used round gages, new (the cheapest) factory engine, every tax, tool, delivery and fee included. Bought some new stuff at reduced price, bought some aftermarket parts at full price. Came at seventy three thousand two hundred eighty plus some change before first flight. Stretched over 5 years. All local hardware store expendables counted. DAR fee included. Selling the tools down the road helped with gas a bit :)

I built my RV-10 on the penny pincher method also. I took great care when ordering my kits to delete unused items with those I would upgrade. All my kits were new from the factory. A lot of the accessories were purchased here on the forum at a nice discount. My prop was new from Van's and the engine was a late model V4A5 with only 191 hours TTSN that had a mild prop strike that I went through. That was purchased from Wentworth. Even with 6 new Millennium cylinder power assemblies, I was at less than half the cost of a brand new engine from Van's. Simple cloth interior from Flightline, no fancy aftermarket IP or overhead console (I fabricated my own), Full Garmin G3X 3 screen IFR glass panel from Steinair, I wired myself. DIY painted. I made a decent profit when I sold that plane. EVERYTHING I could do myself, I did. EVERYTHING I could fabricate myself, I did that also. Some people can afford to build with an open checkbook. I am not one of them. :o

pjc 12-24-2019 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schristo@mac.com (Post 1394878)
I've spent more for fuel and oil than I did building :)

Now that is a WIN!

For some on-topic content, my father (a consummate scrounger) built the RV-6 I am flying for less than $50k all in. It did take him 17 years, but he did *everything* himself.

BlackhawkSP 12-24-2019 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketman1988 (Post 1394658)
Don't look at the -10 numbers!!!

On the 10, you could go QB everything, all Garmin glass panel, and a 25K paint job and you would still be 1/3 of the cost of a new Cirrus !!! And, you would probably be faster and have more useful load !! These things (all models) outperform the "store bought" airplanes by a wide margin, especially when you throw in the maintenance costs of certified verses experimental:-).

kentlik 12-24-2019 04:00 PM

I have a motor that needs disassembly and reassembly(IO-360 FI) but after that, I am currently in south of $20K, not by much. VFR AFS 5600 no autopilot.
Carbon Catto fixed pitch prop. Plan on having the motor parts done professionally and assembling myself with the help of veteran motor guy.
If I don't go with the AFS I can subtract another $4K.
I scoured the interwebs...it can be done.

bruceh 12-24-2019 05:27 PM

I was about $93K into my first flight. Since then, paint, upholstery, O2 system, etc, etc, has pushed the cost up even higher. I did do just about every upgrade that was available. Van's cost estimator is woefully unrealistic. In the big scheme of things, having a brand new airplane with everything you want on it is priceless.

bpattonsoa 12-24-2019 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackhawkSP (Post 1395037)
On the 10, you could go QB everything, all Garmin glass panel, and a 25K paint job and you would still be 1/3 of the cost of a new Cirrus !!! And, you would probably be faster and have more useful load !! These things (all models) outperform the "store bought" airplanes by a wide margin, especially when you throw in the maintenance costs of certified verses experimental:-).

And actually sell at a profit! ;)(Just don’t divide the profit by the true build hours.):eek:

DaveLS 12-24-2019 07:32 PM

No earthly good can come from these evil calculations.

Hobbies do not require financial justification.

-Dave


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