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  #11  
Old 10-07-2015, 12:03 PM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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I had a tripod with camera and after each section, would take a picture of me in it and transfer it to my file named RV-12 on my computer. I also transferred the pictures to a hardware stick for backup. You may get a finicky inspector and he can sit at my desk and browse the pictures and the dated completion steps in the builder's manual.

Best,
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Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132


Dues gladly paid!
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  #12  
Old 10-07-2015, 04:33 PM
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Jetguy Jetguy is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas, Fort Worth
Posts: 1,237
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Q1: Is my understanding correct that one really does not need to keep a build log for the RV-12 ELSA, since one has to take the 16 hour maintenance course regardless, to be able to do Condition Inspections?
Yes!

Q2: My unscientific analysis of the last year of RV-12 postings and review of builder's websites that have completed and are flying their planes, seems to show that RV-12 owners tend to fly more hours per year than typical RV owners. Is this true or am I delusional?
There are many factors why this occurs. Top of the list is average fuel cost are much lower than almost all other planes that are not rotax powered. On average you burn about 4.5 gallons per hour. When in the pattern doing touch and gos this goes down to 3.5 gallon per hour. If you use Premium gas you do the math for your area prices. In my state Premium runs about $2.30 per gallon X 4.5 is $10.30 per hour. So you don't have to worry about emptying the bank every time you go fly after your fixed costs like hangar rent and insurance. Next would be how simple the over all operation of getting it out of the hangar and flying the airplane is. Its almost as simple as getting in your car for a drive once you understand the avionics in the 12.

Q3: I've reviewed a number of build logs and web sites where the builders have completed their RV-12s in 12-14 months. Is this atypical or reasonable. I have a full time job but can easily put 20 hours per week into the build so by my calculations it seems realistic. I'd like to finish it in time to fly it to Oshkosh 2017.
That gold is feasible how ever Life has a way of getting int the way especially if you are married! Two years is a realistic gold for a first time builder.

Q4: Does it make sense to order the empennage and wing kit at the same time?
Building a plane is an adventure and a big commitment. I'm not a big fan of ordering multiple kits at one time mostly because of the cost. Remember what i said about life. Also there is always changes to improve the sub kits over time so you may miss an update if you already have the kit. Just my opinion.
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RV12 N1212K
Flying Since June 2010
1020 Hours as of 9/30/2017
Johnrv12@icloud.com
RV14 Wing, arrived and building at Rdog's new Hanger at 16X
S/N 140014
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  #13  
Old 10-07-2015, 04:55 PM
garyr78 garyr78 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Carlsbad, ca
Posts: 49
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" Life has a way of getting int the way especially if you are married! "

I've spent the last couple months laying wood flooring, having new carpets installed, painting the inside of the house, laying tile in the laundry room, having a new fence installed and will be finishing laying synthetic turf in the backyard in 3 weeks. All honey-dos.

I am thinking that I might be good to go with the RV-12 build without distractions from my wife, at least for 18 months or so.
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Gary R.
RV-12iS Empennage complete, wing kit on order
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  #14  
Old 10-07-2015, 05:08 PM
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Bill_H Bill_H is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Marshall TX (KASL)
Posts: 1,783
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Do NOT bother with some highly detailed build log unless you just like that stuff. Do this instead. Initial every step in the plans as you complete it. Sign and date every page in the plans when all steps on that page are done. The highly detailed plans become your build log. Take plenty of pics when you are building.

BTW you will have some pages where you put off a step or two. mArk those with sticky notes until you finish the page.

Order the emp, wings, and fuse together. Emp and wing will be done quickly. Fuse will take awhile, then you will need finish kit.

My RV12 took about 950 hours, very meticulous engineer first-time builder. cOuld do another one to same quality in <800 hours.

It's FUN!
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Bill H, RV12, N412BR "Sweetie", Skyview-equipped, KASL Marshall TX
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