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10-06-2016, 11:55 AM
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 436
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Another consideration...
Resale-to some extent...if reselling it will ever be a factor.
As my RV search progressed, I found myself leaning towards a QB aircraft due to the widely varying levels of build quality I was running across.
To explain-I have arrived only lately to experimental aviation, and specifically to the RV arena. On top of that, I am a non-builder owner.
So, I know very little of the "build" side of the RV world.
First off, there are SB RV's whose level of workmanship and finish far exceed a factory product, no question. Finding one, and rapidly getting a sales agreement in place can be a challenge as the good ones get snapped up very quickly.
As previously stated, Van's QB kits have earned a level of respect for their quality and workmanship.
The take away for me (rightly or wrongly) was that as a newbie, a QB RV gave me a "comfort level" that at least portion of the aircraft's structure was "factory built" by folks trained and practiced in doing so.
By it's nature, a pre-buy inspection can only go so far-you cannot disassemble the aircraft, and there are critical build areas that cannot be looked at.
A QB aircraft (for me) gave me a measure of reassurance (in my inexperience) that at least those areas we could not inspect had a very high degree of accurate, workmanlike completion done by folks who do this stuff everyday.
For me, a QB was a "plus" while I was searching for one to purchase.
Good luck with your build!
__________________
Rob Schroer
RV-7/N75WV
YIO-360-M1B
New Braunfels, Texas (KBAZ)
VAF Monthly Donor
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10-06-2016, 12:47 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 886
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Quote:
Originally Posted by efitzgerald
Grayforge - Where are the caps that you are referring to available? Might as well order them at the same time.
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These are the Retrofit Lockable Fuel Caps that Vans sells.
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10-06-2016, 01:06 PM
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Tenino, WA
Posts: 17
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Finishing up -8 QB wings
As others have stated, the QB quality is very good and if you're short on time, it's a great way to go (especially the fuselage).
If you're only mod is 1 flop tube, QB is still a no-brainer. I'm finishing up my -8 QB wings (very similar to the -7) and doing a number of changes including flop tubes, fuel return lines, ER tank mounts/connections, leading edge taxi lights. It's all doable with a QB, just can take some extra effort and bodily contortion working around the completed QB work.
Good luck!
Chris
__________________
Chris Michalak
Tenino, WA (KOLM - Olympia, WA)
RV-8: QB Wings
N828CM - Reserved
EAA Lifer
2017 VAF dues happily paid
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10-06-2016, 03:56 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 886
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Problem with the Flop Tube is that it requires Capacitance Fuel Sensors and one needs to be installed at the outboard end of the tank. Not very feasible with the tank already built.
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10-06-2016, 04:21 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Locust Grove, GA
Posts: 621
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A different perspective
I am a first time RV builder and am building a -10. I bought a couple of partially built kits including a damaged QB fuselage which I intended to repair. I ended up selling everything and starting new. I wasn't happy with the build quality and didn't have the skills to repair and complete what I bought.
I attended a Fundamentals class at Synergy back in May and then built the empennage and tailcone in two weeks. I learned a great deal, had more fun than I've had in years - but did not learn enough to feel confident I could do the rest myself.
So I went back a few weeks ago and built the fuselage, again with Synergy. There was a QB fuselage there we could use when the plans were ambiguous, plus we could compare build quality. The QB was good, but I think ours was better. Plus I left out the floor pans so I could install some insulation. If you want to do that with QB, you need to remove the landing gear mounts and the floor pans - which are riveted in place.
I gained a lot of experience and confidence and now feel I could complete the build now on my own. However, I had so much fun and value the experience, patience and tribal knowledge available at Synergy - so I'm going back in late January to build the wings. I want to do locking fuel caps, capacitance probes and HID lights. Harder to do with QB wings.
QB is definitely cheaper (but not necessarily quicker) than what I've done. Slow build is cheaper yet. Personally, I didn't have the skills to build the kind of airplane I knew I wanted - without going the route I've chosen.
The journey of the build is as important to me as getting the airplane flying. Not everyone has the same desires and goals. There are compromises no matter which route you take.
__________________
Krea Ellis
Locust Grove, GA
DA20-A1 "Princess Amelia" - gone home to Amelia Island
RV-7A Phase 2
RV-10 under construction at Synergy Air South
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10-06-2016, 04:28 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 886
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That does sound like a great way to go Krea!
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10-06-2016, 05:01 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TajMahal
As others have stated, the QB quality is very good and if you're short on time, it's a great way to go (especially the fuselage).
If you're only mod is 1 flop tube, QB is still a no-brainer. I'm finishing up my -8 QB wings (very similar to the -7) and doing a number of changes including flop tubes, fuel return lines, ER tank mounts/connections, leading edge taxi lights. It's all doable with a QB, just can take some extra effort and bodily contortion working around the completed QB work.
Good luck!
Chris
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Another method used in the past is to install a standard float sender in the second bay. With it located very close to the inboard rib the accuracy is just about the same as when it is in the outboard bay.
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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10-06-2016, 05:30 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Dryden, MI
Posts: 66
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Problem with the Flop Tube is that it requires Capacitance Fuel Sensors and one needs to be installed at the outboard end of the tank. Not very feasible with the tank already built.
The normal float type sensors cannot be used with a flop tube? I am assuming that quite a few people have QB wings with flop tubes, what are they doing.
I was originally thinking about a combo fuel and smoke oil tank to go behind the seat for acrobatics but I was leaning away from that for weight reasons.
Eric
Last edited by efitzgerald : 10-06-2016 at 05:50 PM.
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10-06-2016, 05:45 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Granbury Texas
Posts: 1,136
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I have built 4 QB RVs, all four were outstanding quality, for every one you here about with an issue I would bet there are a couple of hundred that were perfect. The quality control is outstanding. Absolutely go QB.
__________________
Built, RV 8, RV8A, RV 10, RV12, Purchased RV7A
Restored J3Cub and PA28R180
Pecan Plantation
Eagles Nest Mentor
EAA Tech Counselor
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10-06-2016, 05:53 PM
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 436
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Just an observation about the accuracy of fuel tank measurement...I wouldn't let concerns about it be an outsized consideration of the type of kit selected.
Searching this website will reveal plenty of reading about the inaccuracy of the float system used.
What I have found in practice with my float-system equipped RV-7 is that I use the fuel gauges as "strategic" info, not "tactical".
They can tell me an approximate, general level, but no where near with any accuracy to get a good feeling about. Or feel confident taking a risk on...In other words, they are like almost every other spam can GA aircraft you've flown...
To compensate for this shortcoming, I drained the tanks, then placed measured amounts back in and took readings with sticks so as to be able to make a very accurate estimate of actual onboard fuel before launching.
The other half of the solution is that the aircraft came with a "Red Cube" fuel flow measurement tied into the Skyview. There is a procedure listed to refine the red cube's accuracy, and I used this on multiple flights to where I now have a very "dialed in" ability to determine almost exactly how much I've burned since startup. I routinely can determine burn within a quart...most of the times well under that.
That ability makes the gauges much less critical, IMO. Valuable for things like alerting you to a massive external fuel leak, for example...but for wondering if you really have 5 gallons left on the left side?
No way.
Sorry for the thread drift.
__________________
Rob Schroer
RV-7/N75WV
YIO-360-M1B
New Braunfels, Texas (KBAZ)
VAF Monthly Donor
Last edited by Aggie78 : 10-06-2016 at 05:55 PM.
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