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  #1  
Old 03-27-2016, 01:41 PM
rkiefer2 rkiefer2 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 72
Default Documenting Build

Im getting started on my EMP kit. I see several builders use different resources for building Kit Log, Word Press, Blogspot, etc.

Questions

Does this serve as your primary documentation or the build or do you also have separate documentation for the build?

Any recommendations on what to use for tracking the build progress?
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  #2  
Old 03-27-2016, 02:00 PM
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Auburntsts Auburntsts is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 2,861
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rkiefer2 View Post
Im getting started on my EMP kit. I see several builders use different resources for building Kit Log, Word Press, Blogspot, etc.

Questions

Does this serve as your primary documentation or the build or do you also have separate documentation for the build?

Any recommendations on what to use for tracking the build progress?
Yes. I used KitlogPro but there are other off the shelf programs plus you can roll your own with web and non-web based products. Basically whatever you have that can marry text and pics to produce a record of the build. Try to get some pics with yourself in the frame.
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  #3  
Old 03-27-2016, 02:27 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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My primary record is my blog right here on VAF, in the "My RV Build Project " section.

I'd say it's free except that I pay my dues to DR because the entire site is so helpful. But I can say that the marginal cost for the blog is zero.

Dave
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  #4  
Old 03-27-2016, 02:45 PM
DragonflyAero DragonflyAero is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 173
Default Kitlogpro

I used Kitlogpro as my only build log, and included pictures with nearly every entry. I had my AW Inspection last week and was able to present a nice 270 page book printed using the Kitlogpro program. It costs a few bucks but is easy to use and effective.
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  #5  
Old 03-27-2016, 02:53 PM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
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If you're asking about what is legally required, most inspectors just want evidence that you (or some combination of amateurs) actually built 51% of the plane. Hand written notes, photo album, DVD loaded with pics, web site, etc etc; you pick it, or combination of its. I started with time notes in the margin of my build manual, and started taking photos with a digital camera. Once I got past detailed steps in the manual, my log became basically photos, with minimal notes; only dated photos.

Just like any important record, it makes sense to keep more than one copy, in more than one location, so that you're not forced to recreate something after the fact that might look a bit 'contrived' to a suspicious inspector.

Charlie
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  #6  
Old 03-27-2016, 02:55 PM
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KRviator KRviator is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sydney, Aust.
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I primarily used a paper-based 'logbook' as to what I did each day, but towards the end of the build found I wasn't filling it in as much anymore as I wasn't doing specific tasks, rather tweaking a few little things each time.

One thing I wish I had done is to take more photos during the build. I probably have less than 50 photos, total, of my build.
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  #7  
Old 03-27-2016, 02:59 PM
ShortSnorter ShortSnorter is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: NOLA
Posts: 229
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While I do have a blog, I have a ledger book that I write the date and time spent each session along with the page and steps completed. I also sign and date each page once completed. Probably overkill...
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  #8  
Old 03-27-2016, 03:03 PM
Wiley Wiley is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brownwood TX
Posts: 87
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I started my documentation with a software package. After8-12 months, I changed computers and long story short, some information was lost. Knowing that I may build for several years, with a few tech changes and new computers, I decided to go with paper. I mainly took pictures and had them printed. I then wrote the date on the pictures and put them in a good ol' fashion album. Worked fine for the DAR. All hardcopy.
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  #9  
Old 03-27-2016, 03:12 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Location: Dayton, NV
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On my first couple of builds, I kept a spreadsheet where I recorded the date, amount of time spent, and a comment on what I did for each work session. And I took pictures - the JPEG file saves the date.

After realizing that I post a lot of what I do in the aviation world, or write about it in the magazine, I foudn I had plenty of other "proof" that I built the dang thing, so now I just rely on pictures, and dating the page of the instructions or drawing when I complete the page (or drawing). I no longer care how much time I spend, and the more you post here about what you do, the better record you have....and it helps others!
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  #10  
Old 03-27-2016, 03:16 PM
BobTurner BobTurner is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
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Yes, I kept a notebook of daily work, but the DAR hardly looked at it once I told him I had lots of photos of work in progress, some with me in them. I took a Mac out to the hangar, and had it up and running and just pointed the DAR to the photo album. That was sufficient for him. YMMV.
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