Do we have another build in us at 59

[jimgreen]

I'm 71 and on my second build, this time with a partner. The main disadvantage with the first build was too many solitary hours in the shop.
Almost forgot how to talk.
Flying is great but there is nothing quite like building.

[David-aviator]

Go for it Rick, it is good for the mind....started slow build 8 at age 73, enjoyed every minute of it. Even learned how to land a tail dragger in the process.

Will be 78 in a few weeks, thinking about another build but that's probably all I will do about that, think about it.

[drone_pilot]

If you love it, do it! It's good for the soul! Take it at your own pace and keep it fun. I'm 52 and just finished a 7A just a month ago. I'm already planning another. Wife said I need to build another because I'm already driving her crazy with my spare time!

[N804RV]

Hmm..... 59? Gawd, I hope that's not too old to be building airplanes! I'm just now getting to the point to where I have the time and money to enjoy building.

I'll finish my -8 in about 2 years. I'll be 60. I'm already planning on building another airplane, maybe 2.

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by jimgreen

The main disadvantage with the first build was too many solitary hours in the shop.
Almost forgot how to talk.
g.

Get a dog. Always happy to listen, never talks back.
I started my (first) build at age 59.

[rv6builder]

Of course its not too late! My grandpa was starting projects until the day he died. I hope I can do the same!

The big thing is you have to love what your doing. I love building/working on airplanes and thats why I do it. I fly every day for work and although I enjoy it, the building aspect of my project is what gets me excited. I guess if your strictly building to fly then perhaps an already built or quick build is the way to go....

[mturnerb]

I'm 61 and just starting on a -14a. But more importantly - as a physician and in general life experience, one thing I have learned is that goals, activity, and projects keep people "younger" and healthier. How many of us know someone who was very active and healthy then retired and started doing "nothing" and didn't live much longer?

Of course there are exceptions like unexpected illnesses, but the mind-body (perhaps just as importantly, "heart-body") connection is real. I find myself spending hours in the garage tinkering away on this project, waking up sore but feeling better than I have in years. I have immense respect and take strong lessons from folks like Mel and "Don from Texas" to whom age is nothing but a number. I say "go for it"!

[goatflieg]

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer

Rick:
We are the same age. I am 59.5 turning 60 this year. The RV-6 I build and fly will be 20-years old September 2017.

I started an RV-8 last year. Wing kit was delivered to my hangar November 2016. Moving parts to my heated garage for construction. Started working on it this month.

I kind of look at building that I need to build to keep my mind and body active. Yes there is arthritis pain in my hands if I use them too much. Yes there is a through tear in one of my rotator cuff muscles that can get irritated if I over use it. IF I do not build this project these and other body parts will degrade.

It is my opinion that I need this project to keep everything working in my body. I was able to keep my mind active for a while putting together and making a Hackintosh work but I really love doing metal work.

Being retired, I can work on the project when I want or however I make my own daily schedule.

Gary, we might be twins (60 next July and at about the same stage on the build)... and of course we are all brethren here. Many similar stories... My body issues are similar; age is having its way with my vision and hearing and I have arthritis in my knees, feet, elbows and hands from many years of physical labor. And although I was lucky enough to retire early in 2000, the past 17 years have not been kind to body or my mind, either. I have my doubts too; can I really face and conquer this challenge... or is it just going to end up a huge, expensive, botched project I'll never finish?
Well, darn it, I'd better be able to finish it... this constitutes the biggest part of my bucket list; I've held the dream of building and flying my own aircraft for three decades now. There have been many delays, distractions and setbacks over the years, and the time and and opportunity is finally here now. This is the biggest life goal I've ever set for myself, and I'm not going to let myself down. I've worked hard to lose a lot of weight in the past two years to get myself into flying shape and ease the strain on my joints; despite the aches and pains, my overall health has improved a lot. I renewed my third class medical and regained my currency. I've tooled up and gotten started, and it feels good to be working steadily and making progress on something that I will enjoy for the rest of my life. And to be honest, it helps me keep my sanity. There is so much going on in the world that I find disturbing and discouraging. My mantra for maintaining my mental health has been to keep my head down and keep building my airplane. That may sound selfish... but we all do what we have to do to survive. This project is helping me survive.

[DRMA]

I'm 63 years old and started building an RV-10 in May of last year (2016) as my retirement project. This project has replaced my previous job, and I work on the plane about 30 - 35 hrs/week M-F and take the weekends off. I'm using the QB fuselage and wings in order to shorten the total build time, and just started work on the Finishing Kit last month.

Just work at a steady pace, and I think you will find that the muscles while sore initially will slowly improve as you use them.

Best of luck with the new project.
Dave M.

[Rupester]

59? No sweat. I started building my Nine at 57. One of the smartest decisions I ever made.