VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Model Specific > RV-14
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-21-2017, 04:51 PM
Indytim Indytim is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SW Missouri
Posts: 52
Default Any quickbuild experience?

I'm back to studying the feasibility of building an RV14. Since I can't buy a 14, and I want it done exactly the way I want it, I think building might be the way to go. I'm willing to spend a little extra to move the project along.

I've found quite a bit of info on actual build times for the standard kit, but can't seem to find much on Quickbuild experiences. Has anyone finished either qb wings or fuselage? Do you have a guesstimate for time savings?

From reading forums and logs, it looks like "aggressive" avg time, working efficiently with no deviations from plan would be 1200-1400 hours for the standard kit, but I'm unclear if that assumes paint and panel.

If I were to get quickbuild wings/fuselage, and have Steins do my panel, and I'm optimally setup and reasonably well organized, is 900 hours to a flyable, non-painted aircraft a decent estimate?

I was a welder for many years, and I've always been pretty efficient in the shop. I took the build class at Oshkosh a couple years ago, and while we only built a small assembly, I was pretty comfortable with it, probably due to the fab experience in my former life.
__________________
RV-8 - building empennage now
1987 Mooney 252 TSE / Encore Conversion --- sold
VAF dues paid through 9/30/2018
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-21-2017, 04:57 PM
Mel's Avatar
Mel Mel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
Default

There's an old saying and it certainly applies here.

"Build an airplane because you want to build an airplane."
"Do NOT build an airplane because you want an airplane!"
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-21-2017, 06:18 PM
woodmanrog's Avatar
woodmanrog woodmanrog is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 774
Default

An experienced builder working 8 hour days could build a quick build 14 in 6 months. A newbie could do it in a year. This estimate is based on my own experience.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-21-2017, 08:01 PM
dave4754's Avatar
dave4754 dave4754 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Edson, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 483
Default RV 7 quick build experience

My QB fuse has saved me 200 hrs at least
__________________
Dave Cobb
[color="Red"]=VAF=2019 Donation - and a bit extra for great work![/COLOR="blue"]
Empennage RV 7 - Tipper
Wings complete

Dynon installed and running
Fuse closer to completion, Canopy complete
AME reviewed and repaired O-320-Lyc installed
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-22-2017, 05:18 AM
jeffw@sc47's Avatar
jeffw@sc47 jeffw@sc47 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Simpsonville, SC (SC47)
Posts: 312
Default

Took me around 2 months, or 100 hours to substantially complete my 14A QB Fuselage, a few minor things to finish up on the cabin interior to end up painting the interior. Now about half way through the Finish Kit.

Seen or heard reports of taking anywhere from 800 to 1400 hours to complete a slow build 14 fuselage, so definitely some time savings on the QB.
__________________
Jeff Warren
Simpsonville, SC (@SC47 > 10nm NW Triple Tree)
1946 Bellanca Cruisair 14-13-2 (73 YRS OLD 8/15/19)
RV14A (N14ZT), Ser#140195
Start 10/11/14
Dues paid 12/1/19 (USArmy 2/67-2/70)
www.mykitlog.com/jeffw@sc47
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-22-2017, 09:26 AM
Indytim Indytim is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SW Missouri
Posts: 52
Default

That's a couple of good data points on the QB fuselage. Very encouraging, thanks.

Does anyone have experience with the QB wings?
__________________
RV-8 - building empennage now
1987 Mooney 252 TSE / Encore Conversion --- sold
VAF dues paid through 9/30/2018

Last edited by Indytim : 02-22-2017 at 10:48 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-22-2017, 09:49 AM
YellowJacket RV9 YellowJacket RV9 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL KCLW
Posts: 1,281
Default

There are a number of build centers out there that will assist you with or do a large portion of the work, you just join them for a few weeks or so. Spendy, but if you want a custom built 14, fast, that may be the way to go. Purists may not approve but apparently it satisfies the 51% rule still.

Chris
__________________
Chris Johnson
RV-9A - Done(ish) 4/5/16! Flying 4/7/16
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-22-2017, 02:54 PM
Nova RV Nova RV is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 492
Default

The slow builds will take much, much more than 1400 hrs, probably a minimum of 1000 hrs more and could make the QB route more compelling for you. I have 1100 + hrs and am no where close to being finished and work fairly quickly. If you want an airplane more than you want to build and can afford the QB, then that's what I would do. I'm happy with my slow build decision even if it delays me flying my 14 for a year or so vs a QB.
__________________
Chris Moon
Leesburg, VA

CFI-I ASMEL, ATP

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

www.mykitlog.com/chrismoon/
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-22-2017, 03:53 PM
Mel's Avatar
Mel Mel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
Default Not Really.......

Quote:
Originally Posted by YellowJacket RV9 View Post
There are a number of build centers out there that will assist you with or do a large portion of the work, you just join them for a few weeks or so. Spendy, but if you want a custom built 14, fast, that may be the way to go. Purists may not approve but apparently it satisfies the 51% rule still.
Chris
If you start with a quickbuild kit, there's not much wiggle room for paid assistance. Be very careful with this line of thinking.
A lot of people are already pushing the edge and the FAA is watching.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-22-2017, 07:55 PM
Scott Hersha Scott Hersha is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 1,558
Default

I built a set of RV14 slow build wings in 4-5 months and about 400 hours when that was the only kit available and there were no QB options. That included finishing the wingtips and fitting/rigging the ailerons and flaps.
A set of QB wings should take you no more than 100 hours to finish, probably closer to 50 if you have prior experience. You could probably do that in a month if you stayed focused, saving maybe 3-4 months - just on the wings.
__________________
SH
RV6/2001 built/sold 2005
RV8 Fastback/2008 built/sold 2015
RV4/bought 2016/sold/2017
RV8/2018 built/Sold(sadly)
RV4/bought 2019 Flying
Cincinnati, OH/KHAO
JAN2020
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:26 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.