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10-27-2016, 09:31 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Aurora, OR
Posts: 843
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PilotFuse
It's funny you should ask this. One of my primary reasons for building is to share the experience with my kids. I don't care if it takes 10 years to finish.
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Heck, that's the best reason in the world. If you get to spend quality time with the kids, finishing would really just be a bonus. Icing on the cake. Then you can take them flying in it.
Maybe they'll be the ones to figure out the engine and electronics for ya. 
__________________
Greg Hughes - Van's Aircraft - Community, Media, Marketing
Van's web site | Instagram | Facebook
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Building RV-8A since Sept 2014 (N88VX reserved)
Dual AFS 5600, Avidyne IFD 440, Whirlwind 74RV, Superior XP IO-360
VAF build thread - Flickr photo album - Project Facebook page
Aurora, OR (EAA Chapter 105)
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10-27-2016, 09:36 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lake Country, B.C. Canada
Posts: 2,416
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Wow! will the real home-builder please stand up!
you guys just hit the rivet on the head!
my Dad started building wing ribs for his Jodel on the kitchen table before I was born.
It flew when I was 9!
after that were a few engine overhauls, paint jobs, windshields, gear mods....there was always the smell of airplanes in the basement, or his shop...and I knew where to find him any time of day, or evening!
Then he started another build, and I learned SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much about him, and tools, and patience, and quality, and ....well, you get the idea.
and who do you think had the BEST Dad in the whole neighbourhood!?
...no contest!
no, you're not just building a plane, you are building a family, it's values, and the community that comes with it.
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Perry Y.
RV-9a - SOLD!....
Lake Country, BC
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10-27-2016, 10:48 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
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You can do it, if you want it. Don't worry about any lack of knowledge. You can find the answers to just about any question just by searching these forums. Ask away and you will be surprised by the generous responses by the collective mind here. Heck, I've got BSEE/Comp Sci & MSCompEng degrees and I think I learned more practical electronics understanding by building my RV-9A than I did in college.
If you don't start, you won't finish.
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10-27-2016, 11:16 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Salmon Arm, BC
Posts: 933
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To get started on the electrical stuff I suggest you read of this book:
http://www.aeroelectric.com/Catalog/pub/pub.html
I read it cover to cover, it is an easy read for a novice and very educational.
For engine stuff I believe Lycoming has a program where you attend and learn.
You can do it for sure. You will need some patience, the willingness to do things over when they go wrong, and you will need some patience. If you have a hot temper that gets the best of you and you start throwing things well........it will become a little more expensive and you will learn patience.
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Mark Olson
1987 RV-4 Sold
2003 Super Decathlon - Sold
F1 EVO Rocket, first flight May 31/14
First in line for the Sonex JSX-2T kit
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10-27-2016, 11:20 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,646
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You have to REALLY want to do it. If that's the case, and only if that's the case, everything else will fall into line, time and money permitting.
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Steve M.
Ellensburg WA
RV-9 Flying, 0-320, Catto
Donation reminder: Jan. 2021
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10-27-2016, 11:32 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Delta BC
Posts: 122
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Do it!
I was 20 years old when I dug into my Uncle's partly finished (wings and tail) -6 project, that he started when I was about 5. I had a years worth of commercial flying experience at the time, and helped out on a few inspections on the c180 floater I was flying back then. I knew little to nothing about how airplanes went together when I started, but 7 years later I'm close to having a flying airplane. I made my share of dumb mistakes, but between forums, books, and harrassing AME's, I know I will have a solid and well built machine.
I also am really enjoying learning from my dad with this project. Although he isn't into planes like me, he has been restoring motorcycles his whole life and his incredible knowledge of machine tools, metal work, engines, drawings, autoCAD, etc, has taught me so much and helped me along the way.
My grandfather always said "If someone else can do it, then so can I". I was raised to never sell myself short, and thats the advice I give to you! If you want to build an RV, why let anything stop you?
Alex
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Alex Doughty
Canadian ATPL
Flying!!
Last edited by rv6builder : 10-27-2016 at 11:38 PM.
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10-28-2016, 06:08 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Auburn, AL
Posts: 200
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Lots of great advice here...I too had the exact same worries as you (and still do at times!). Sometimes it stresses me out when I start thinking about how I will learn it all. Then I just tell myself to focus on one task at a time. It will come later. Patience and determination. You can do this!
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Steve T.
CFII/MEI/ATP 737,DC-10
RV-7 slow build
AUO
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10-28-2016, 06:28 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Riley TWP MI
Posts: 3,070
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The RV-12 has a plug and play electrical system. It is similar to building or repairing a computer. Just plug in the cables. The step by step instructions make building the airframe and installing the engine relatively easy.
Since your family will be growing along with the aircraft project, you might consider a 4 place like the RV-10.
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Joe Gores
RV-12 Flying
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10-28-2016, 07:08 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 214
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Did you wake up one day, knowing how to build that picnic table? Or did you have to read a little, maybe study some drawings? You can learn anything. The fact that you are employed for using a set of skills that you learned is proof of that. The information is out there, whether on this forum, youtube, EAA workshops, you name it.
BTW, I'm also a "computer guy" so I wasn't exactly "at home" in a workshop. I'm having to learn all this stuff for the first time while I build my -9A. I know nothing about engines right now but I know I'll be able to find the information to learn.
Cheers! 
Last edited by sbal0906 : 10-28-2016 at 07:10 AM.
Reason: added a point
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10-28-2016, 07:34 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Central MA
Posts: 42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mich48041
The RV-12 has a plug and play electrical system. It is similar to building or repairing a computer. Just plug in the cables. The step by step instructions make building the airframe and installing the engine relatively easy.
Since your family will be growing along with the aircraft project, you might consider a 4 place like the RV-10.
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You know, I've been considering the RV-10, but it comes down to this: With child #3 on the way, we've already outgrown that from a "how many seats?" perspective. It'd be nice to be able more than one kid at a time (the others are 10 and 4 currently), but it's tough to justify building something that'll still be one seat short.
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