Kit build time

[Caummisar]

For build time, I'm not tracking hours, I'm tracking YEARS.

[togaflyer]

Personally, I wouldnt worrry about the hours. There is a beginning, and if you stay with it, you and your family will be proud owners of an awsome airplane in the end. Have faith in your building ability, forgive yourself quickly when you make mistakes, and absorb those times when it all just went perfect. The resource and knowledge of all the people here, along with the many logs floating around on the internet will help keep you on the tracks. Most of all, enjoy it. What you will be doing dates all the way back to the Wright Brothers and all the early pioneer builders. How awesome is that.

[ReidVaitor]

I built my plane in 4 years. Kit #1 in one month #2 a few months, 3# a few more months Finish kit way over 1 year, Panel and interior build another year. I kept a log of hours, for my repairmen certificate, otherwise I loved the journey. The kit isnt what will cost the most, but the engine choice, prop and panel. All three of these can wait until the end (especially the panel). The finishing touches, like windows, canopy and paint prep, interior and wiring will take time and there will be little to show for it except the dwindling budget.
Sounds like you and me had the same initial wait and excitement to start a project. I never regretted the time spent building and never was in a rush to fly. I built the best plane "I" wanted and did it with time versus money. Enjoy the journey and expect that you MUST work on the plane every week or it will take a long time, work on finishing a page and write how long it took, otherwise dont fret the hours. Do plan on ordering the next kit 1-2 months before finishing the kit your working on.
Set a budget and always be ahead of that budget, I had it planned before I started and knew when I could move on to the next stage, my speed and "improvements" always worked around the planned budget, never stressed it and always had time to add another layer of resin to the canopy and make it that much more smooth before I ordered the engine.
Best of success! I hope you enjoy building your plane as much as i did.
Pascal

[dave4754]

I ordered my kit in 1993and I am building the QB fuse now with wings built and empennage checked off.

Sound like a long time? It is but along the way, moves, divorces, job loss etc. etc

So here is my skinny on it, if you count only build hours as hands on riveting, pulling, clecoing etc...... then I would say 1500 to 1800 hrs for the RV 7 is right on with 40% wings, 30 % fuse and the rest just finishing and preparing for first flight.

However, the kit is poor in that many things are hidden in drawings that are numerous, manuals that are not very self explanatory and so you find yourself here thankfully pouring through archives, and posts to see what "the other guy" did. Hours spent this way I do not add up.

As for my comments above on "the kit is poor" I am reminded that the plane is 50% of the homebuilts at OSH and have about 9000 copies flying so take my opinion on that with a grain of salt..... it is My humble opinion though.

Good luck it is fun and next spring this bird will fly, so will yours

[Lynnb]

Welcome aboard. I'd blame Frank and Rusty equally. You're welcome to come by and see my build, that will make three 10's being built in almost the same neighborhood!

Lynn

Originally Posted by 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!

[blahphish]

A while back I made a spreadsheet that you can enter your own values in to help track the build time and cost. Maybe its something you would find useful: http://n42bu.com/post/2012/02/07/RV-...t-Planner.aspx

Enjoy the journey and I look forward to watching your progress.

[blueflyer]

Originally Posted by Caummisar

For build time, I'm not tracking hours, I'm tracking YEARS.

Me too. I'm on year 3 (or maybe 4....) and I have the emp and wings finished. I totally enjoy the work and my pace/progress.

[aerhed]

To balance the scale, the one I just finished took just over two years and four thousand hours. Including engine build, panel, all wiring, my own consoles, carpet, and paint.

[bruceh]

Don't worry about counting the hours. It is pointless accounting. Just keep plugging away every day at something and you'll end up with an airplane in a few years. The biggest contributor to slowing down the build is to take a week off (or two). Annotate your build plans and instructions as you go, so you'll know where you left off. Otherwise you'll spend a whole night in the shop figuring it all out. The second biggest contributor to a slow build is deciding on things like engine/prop/avionics. With the -10 there is still lots of leeway in these areas. Have the funds ready and pull the trigger on all of the expensive items as soon as you need them. Otherwise, you will be looking for things to work on while you wait for them to arrive. Lastly, search the forums before every new area in the build and do your research before you start. It will save you lots of time and $ in mistakes. Don't be afraid to ask for help here. There are no dumb questions!

Good luck with your new project!

[tfoster100]

Andrew

When you get your kit and get started I would like to come over and see it. I live in DFW area and am thinking about building. Let me know if and when I could stop over and see the kit.

Thanks. And congratulations on taking this big step.

Tim