Kit build time

[N941WR]

Tools and skills make a big difference!

I spent 2400 hours building a -9 (with a non-standard engine and other custom touches) and a friend built the exact same plane in something like 1400 hours. (Both were slow build's.)

The difference is he is an A&P and had all the tools and as skills, while I had neither but acquired both as I built.

Now, when I help a new builder, I've realized that I can burn through a kit rather quickly.

Be careful on your mods, they can really slow you down. For example, the two seat side-by-side RV's are designed to have Cessna style push/pull throttle and mixture controls but I wanted a throttle quadrant. That simple change added about 40 hours to the project. (Throttle quadrant kits are available for the -10.)

Good luck with your-10, they are great planes!

[ppilotmike]

So, with a total thus far of about 1,650 hours, my "slow build" RV-10 breakdown is below:

Shop Preparation - 218 (I renovated my garage and tracked it)
Training - 132 (I've tracked SportAir workshops/other classes so far)
Emp Kit - 452
Wing Kit - 804
Fuse Kit - 43

[Jaypratt]

I built one of the first RV10 QB Kits
We had has built quiet a few 2 place RV before starting the 10
We spent about, 2000 hours on the project. That was a 8 or nine years ago,, so memory is a bit shadowy

Aprox hours breakdown,,!!!

400. Empennage kit
200. Wing kit
900. Fuselage kit
500. Finish kit including wiring Panel. Ready to paint, plans built, no mods

Hope this helps a little.

[bill@fusion4.net]

My times previously listed are "Shop Time", but does not include VAF time (2x shop time), or other internet research time.

[Gary 40274]

I usually tell folks that when you have the airframe built you are half done. The engine, panel, electrical, upholstery, and paint take up equal tile to the airframe

Gary Specketer

[Palamedes]

I'm almost done with my Empennage and I have spent 258.43 hours on it.

I started Feb. 14th and am still working to finish it (I'm 3 pages away). I average just over 3 hours per days that I actually work on it.

By all accounts, this is fast. *shrug*

I think what others say is the right answer though.. it goes as fast or as slow as you. If every day you put 1 hour in, the plane will take 2000+ days to finish.

My "Goal" is to have the plane finished and flying before 2020.

[Jerry Cochran]

When I started my -6a "QB" in 2001, Van said 1000 hrs should do it. I stopped counting at 3000. Of course I counted shopping for tools, keeping up with the Matronics list then this one, perusing the plans, going to Van's for advice, staring at and trying to understand the plans, etc... Then the actual work which I think would have taken up about 40% of the time. We had a guy here who would build RV-8's for rich folks and put out one per year of full time++ work. Ready to fly but unpainted.

Jerry

[jfrank71]

Glad to see you jump in with both feet. I have to apologize for setting the hook... It was my -10 that you got to fly in. It looks like it made a big impression. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions (mostly about flying rather than building. Mine was a quick BUY kit).

[TXHardWorker]

Ha, hey Frank. Your plane was an excellent gateway, but it's not wholly your fault. It just simply helped open up Pandora's box. The box has always been there, I think I shut it up a long time ago, and just realized I didn't want it closed any longer.

My finish is a LONG ways away, but I'm sure we'll cross paths plenty of times. Thanks!

[BigD]

My time so far, slow build kits:
Tail kit 310
Wings 408
Fuse 730
Finish/FFWD 880

Some of that time is doing my own upholstery, and I did all the wiring/avionics myself (parts/schematics from Stein). Left to do is roll servo, bottom wing skins and wingtips, then mount wings/tail surfaces and get ready for DAR...

==dave==
N102FM