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  #11  
Old 05-04-2016, 10:17 AM
krhea krhea is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Peck, Kansas
Posts: 137
Default Documenting my build

I would use Pages, allows you to start a table and insert photos into the cells of the tables, save often, print when you are done.

I have built and certified three experimental, the first build log was as documented as you could want, a 4" binder. The FAA inspectors just flipped the pages and glanced.

The second build had a lot less details, two pages of printed photos, and a lot of receipts (scratch plans built) the FAA inspectors didn't even glance, but they really studied the weight and balance.

The third build is a slow build RV7, again a couple of pages of small photos, a spreadsheet log, with loose details and Vans receipts and other receipts.
The DAR glanced at the build documents, he studied the Catto prop longer than he looked at the airplane because he couldn't figure out the serial number.

My experience is to build and document enough to prove what you did, building gets you flying quicker, but publish a technical document if you must.
Its a lot more fun to fly these airplanes, almost as much fun to build and they are so easy compared to scratch building.
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  #12  
Old 05-04-2016, 11:14 AM
ka6dan ka6dan is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dunnellon Fl
Posts: 174
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When I started building I set up an excel spreadsheet like the one described above. After a while I realized I was spending construction time keeping up the spreadsheet. If your building nights and weekends as I did for the first three years you have very limited time and 15 min. At a computer is time for 8 or 10 more rivets. Went to Walmart purchased a year planner and kept a record of my work as I walked out of my shop when it was time to for into the house. Took less than a minute. I often took a photo to two at that time. In the end my DAR was happy with my five year planners as was the FAA. My system did not keep a record of the total hours or rivets driven but let me have slightly more build time each work session.

Don't get me wrong I truly admire the folks that post their work. It is a great source of information and I doubt I would have finished my 9A as successfully without their contributions
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RV9A
Phase I @ X35 is complete
Paid My 2020 dues. 😃
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  #13  
Old 05-04-2016, 06:28 PM
BigD'sRV14 BigD'sRV14 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Reno,NV
Posts: 25
Default

Thanks again, this is why I'm building an RV, great support, many great people willing to help.
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Dennis Schade
Reno,NV
urischade@aol.com
RV-14 #140298

Completing an RV is not a race, but it is the ultimate victory.

2018 Donation Sent
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  #14  
Old 05-05-2016, 05:21 AM
jswareiv jswareiv is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 474
Default Log Book

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigD'sRV14 View Post
Thanks again, this is why I'm building an RV, great support, many great people willing to help.
As with choosing which plane to build in the first place, what's your mission for the documentation? Do you just want to satisfy the requirement, or is it something you want to look back on years later? I created a Wordpress website, not that difficult and post entries there. I do take a lot of pictures of the progress and the majority of them do not make it to the website, especially the majority of my mistakes. I didn't update the blog daily, but it has more important parts of the process.

Having just completed my airworthiness certification and my repairman's certificate, my DAR didn't look at my website. I do use a Mac for everything and had my IPad with all the pictures I have taken, which he scrolled through. The big thing I did was check every step as it was done in the instruction manual and after each page was completed, I dated and signed it (initials). Then when I completed each section, I dated and signed the first page of the section. That also helped to make sure I didn't miss any steps. When I went to get the R.C. at my local FSDO, they also wanted to see my checklist for my annual. "My annual? I have 4 hours right now." I wasn't aware of that, but they want to make sure you have read what is required and that you are comfortable in your ability to complete everything on the checklist. They printed out a standard one from the FAA and there isn't anything difficult on that list and that sufficed.

The DAR is going to be looking at what the FAA says is a potential danger based on recent crashes. Of course make sure all your jam nuts are tight and torque sealed. He basically checked all the control surfaces and that's really all he cared about. Of course this was what my DAR was interested in and your results may vary. He told me I've spent 2 ½ years building this thing, I shouldn't expect him to find any issues in ½ hour. At least ½ the time is spent filling out paperwork. Hope that helps.
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Stoney
First RV-14 Flight 04/17/2016
Serial #140087, N214SW - Sold

Last edited by jswareiv : 05-05-2016 at 06:42 AM.
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  #15  
Old 05-05-2016, 07:01 AM
Nova RV Nova RV is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 492
Default

Please consider any of the methods that put your work online for others to see. I know that I have read probably all of the RV14 builds online and refer to them often when I get to a new section as it really does help the new builders even if you are a new builder too. I am new but I know others read my Kitlog and I hope I am helping the next guy.
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Chris Moon
Leesburg, VA

CFI-I ASMEL, ATP

RV-14A kit # 140243 (flying as of 11/18)

www.mykitlog.com/chrismoon/
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  #16  
Old 05-05-2016, 09:31 PM
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KatieB KatieB is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Stilwell, KS
Posts: 1,096
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I started out by writing a blog on Google Blogger. That got tiring after a while, so for the past 2 years I've been taking pictures with my phone and uploading them to my Picasa Web album with the Picasa Tool app. I love it because I can type a quick caption when I upload each picture. The problem is, Google is killing Picasa, so now I'm trying to find a new alternative. I'm leaning toward Flickr. Eventually I will make a picture book using Snapfish. A buddy who built a Panther used Snapfish to make a coffee table book from his builders log pictures and it was really cool.
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RV-3B sold, but flying!
Next project: ???
Builders gonna build...
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  #17  
Old 05-06-2016, 01:19 AM
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bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
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In the vein of a picture is worth 1000 words, I decided to simply set up an online gallery as my build log. I pay $60 a year for a SmugMug pro account. I have my own internet domain tied to the account, so as long as that is mine, the links won't change. Definitely worth the small amount per year to store unlimited numbers of photos and videos, both publically and privately.

I take pictures, upload them to my MacBook in iPhoto, then over to my SmugMug site. Drag and drop is all it takes. Once the photos are online, you can add captions that explain what the heck you are doing in the photo.

When I went to the FSDO to apply for the repairman certificate, I just showed them the photos I had on my laptop. Didn't even show them the website (no wifi!). They looked at them for about 5 seconds and said OK, looks like you built it! No need to really over document this just for the FAA. I also marked off every paragraph on the build instructions as I went and dated them as a more complete "log" of build activity. Having a nice build log online is very useful when something comes up here on VAF and you want to recall how you did something or other. I refer back to my photos all of the time and share them here when applicable.
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Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
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  #18  
Old 05-06-2016, 01:17 PM
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walter walter is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mansfield TX
Posts: 339
Default

Check out wordpress.com, it's free or you can spend a little and add features.
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Walter Tondu
Flying RV-8A - Fastback, IO-390, G3X Touch, 74 HRT
Prior RV-7A Build Log
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  #19  
Old 05-06-2016, 09:48 PM
BigD'sRV14 BigD'sRV14 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Reno,NV
Posts: 25
Default

Thanks everyone. Lots of ways to skin-a-cat
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Dennis Schade
Reno,NV
urischade@aol.com
RV-14 #140298

Completing an RV is not a race, but it is the ultimate victory.

2018 Donation Sent
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  #20  
Old 05-07-2016, 03:56 PM
joatmon joatmon is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Waupaca, WI
Posts: 6
Default Luddite

I have been highlighting the steps in the plan book as I complete them, along with recording daily hours worked (for me and for helper when required) somewhere in that section. My only computer file is a folder of pictures showing the completed work of the section.

If I ever get to the finishing stage I may just put in traditional instruments just to be different
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