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05-12-2017, 09:16 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanH
Devil's advocate here....
There is nothing wrong with throwing in the towel...
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Dan, that?s an excellent point and I?m glad you said it first. It sounds harsh, but not everyone is cut out to build an airplane ? I know I?m not and I?ve been in the airplane business for my whole life. I have all the skills required, and God knows I?ve done the equivalent work of a complete build on all the airplanes I?ve rebuilt/modified over the years, but to slog through from the first rivet to the last drop of paint? No thanks! I have the utmost respect for those that have, but I have no personal interest in that. I much prefer to modify, tweak, tinker, etc. So this means that my airplanes are NEVER done ? which in itself would drive some people crazy.
The point Dan makes is that we have only so much time on this earth, and you should spend that time doing what makes you happy. There is no shame in simply buying a complete airplane and flying the wings off it if that is what you really want. If you want to fly, then buy. If you loved to build and now can?t stand it, change gears and move to something else. No shame as far as I?m concerned.
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WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
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Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
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05-12-2017, 09:44 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder
The point Dan makes is that we have only so much time on this earth, and you should spend that time doing what makes you happy. There is no shame in simply buying a complete airplane and flying the wings off it if that is what you really want. If you want to fly, then buy. If you loved to build and now can?t stand it, change gears and move to something else. No shame as far as I?m concerned.
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I agree with Michael and Dan (though I am not meaning to push you towards quitting....)
It is rare that a person completes an airplane build project without developing at least some level of enjoyment (usually on he order of obsession) of the process.
If someone is not enjoying the process, it might actually be a bad idea to try and continue (become prone to accept lower quality work in the interest of moving the project along, etc,).
Building an airplane is not for every one. The only way to find out is to try it (just being willing to try is an achievement of itself).
There should be no shame in making the decision to not follow through with the "try" part of the plan.
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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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05-12-2017, 10:09 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 2,105
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To get things done, you must love the doing.
A smart lady once wrote, "To get things done, you must love the doing."
I "hit the wall" a couple times on my project. The first time was all the fiberglass sanding and finishing after the airframe was complete. That part was NOT FUN. You RV builders get to enjoy a small taste of that horrible job on your canopy surrounds, turtle backs, and fairings. After two years of sanding, filling, and primering over and over again, I was pretty much a broken man. In order to preserve what was left of my sanity, I finally hired someone to help me.
Not long after that, I packed up and moved to a different state and built a house. The airplane project just sat forlorn in the basement for several years there. Eventually, by force of will alone, I got back on it and "finished" it three years ago. The project has turned out to be the biggest adventure I've ever had.
Curiously, though, nobody really appreciates what I went through for all those years. If people say anything at all, they'll say, "Oh, you have an airplane", like it just appeared via magic. So if part of the reason that you want to build your own airplane is to have people look up to you, it ain't gonna' happen.
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(2020 dues paid)
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05-12-2017, 10:21 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,644
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I'll add .. don't look for perfection .. ever .. the only person looking at your airplane with a microscope is YOU.
Just build it safe and paint it to cover up all your smileys
I'm as OCD as it gets and I had to let "perfect" go like on day 2 I think LOL!
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RV-14A #140376
N196 (Flying)
2019 Bronze Lindy
Last edited by bkervaski : 05-12-2017 at 10:27 AM.
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05-12-2017, 10:49 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,967
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My $0.02
I have been on the fence a few times so far, during my build. Usually, those moments were sparked by frustration, but rarely was the frustration caused by a mistake, lack of skill or feeling uninformed. It was always statements like "my RV-10 build took me 2 1/2 years, standard kit. How long have you been at it now?", or "I love my Cherokee 180! It may be slow, but the whole thing cost me less than your engine and prop are going to cost you!", or "By the time you finish that thing, you're kids won't want to fly with you anyway. They'll be teenagers!" My frustrations were/are rooted in my own impatience, goaded on by others.
On the flip side, I've heard statements from builders like, "Actually, I love the building more than the flying.", or "When I'm finished with this one, I'll probably sell it and build another.", or "Building airplanes is what I've done my whole life. What's another one?" These statements led me to believe that perhaps I don't have what it takes because I'm not "in LOVE" with building.
I firmly believe that no one is 100% "gotta build" or 100% gotta fly." However, only you can determine where you fall on the scale and then decide whether that is enough for you to successfully (and safely) build an airplane. Be honest with yourself about this, because as the saying goes, "You can do anything, but you can't do everything."
For me, considering all the other things in my life pulling me in different directions, I'm about 55% gotta build and 45% gotta fly, so I think I'm in it for the haul, even if it's a long one...
Where do you fall on the scale?
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05-12-2017, 12:26 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 2,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ppilotmike
Where do you fall on the scale?
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That was really a thoughtful post. From childhood I always liked building things but didn't learn to fly until I was thirty five and fell into a job that paid good money so I could afford the lessons. I found that I loved to fly but rental planes were so expensive! Eventually I sold a house and had $20,000 left over that was burning a hole in my pocket. That wasn't enough to buy much of an airplane, so building one seemed like a natural way out of my dilemma. I bought the kit and loved building the plane. At first I thought I could have it flying in 3-4 years. Unfortunately, reality stepped in and I realized that wasn't going to happen. But I just kept going. During those years I was torn between working on the plane and flying, but couldn't afford both. So for a long time I just flew barely enough in a C-172 to stay "proficient".
To answer your question, originally I was 90% a builder and 10% a pilot. During the middle "hit the wall" years I was neither. Then I sucked it up and made a final push and finished the plane. Now that it's "done" (it never will be), I've gone the other way. I'm 90% into flying and 10% into working on the plane. I still enjoy doing maintenance and upgrades on the plane, but it's more of a chore now than it was at first. I still need to paint it properly and get some real upholstery. Sigh...
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(2020 dues paid)
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05-12-2017, 01:38 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,291
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ppilotmike
For me, considering all the other things in my life pulling me in different directions, I'm about 55% gotta build and 45% gotta fly, so I think I'm in it for the haul, even if it's a long one...
Where do you fall on the scale?
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Wow, does that statement ever ring true with me. I've been fortunate to own one airplane and have access to a second airplane while pursuing the dream of building our own aircraft.
There have been days when I've been flying and wondering just how it will feel to fly an aircraft built by my own hands. Then there have been all the bright, sunny VFR days when I've been slogging away in the hangar while my friends have been off having a blast in the sky. Yes, some of those have been tough to take, especially during the paint prep process where it seems like the thankless task will never end.
I contrast these negative feelings with the more predominant positive feelings. Just this week I returned to the hangar after over two weeks of absence. Running my hands over the curves of the airplane, seeing the precisely-formed fuel lines, the tightly-laced wire bundles, and knowing that I had poured my heart and soul into bringing the pile of parts together into a flying machine brought me an almost overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment.
Sure, I know where all our aircraft's warts are hidden. I also know the custom features installed with one of my family members in mind, knowing, too, how much they will enjoy using those features that were installed just for them.
Throwing in the towel as a builder, or never picking it up in the first place, is not an act that should be discouraged or frowned upon. Heck, I didn't build our "flying" airplane, but flying it, knowing it was built in a local farmer's basement almost 40 years ago, has given me the assurance that I can complete our dream aircraft. Throwing the towel in without first getting a good shot of encouragement from fellow builders would be a shame. There are lots of us out there who will go the extra mile to help you get re-energized - just don't be shy to ask.
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05-12-2017, 02:06 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 2,105
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Teddy Roosevelt Quote
Quote:
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The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
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--Teddy Roosevelt
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(2020 dues paid)
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05-12-2017, 02:38 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Anacortes, WA
Posts: 823
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Reasons to quit
Eric
Although most replies are encouraging you to keep going I see a couple fine reasons to quit and sell it. And these are not reasons concerning your skills and abilities. We don't know your situation. So . . .
If you find yourself getting angry from the thought that you can't attend a family/friend event because you have to get into the garage and work on the RV then, it might be time to quit.
If you're building for the purpose of having an airplane instead of for the adventure of building, it might be time to quit and buy a plane.
But if your reason to quit is because there is so much to learn, (and you have plenty of time for family and friends and another plane to fly while you build) then I'd encourage you to take the time, read the plans slowly, keep going. Build on.
__________________
Steve Lynn
RV-7A
Flying Phase I
Anacortes, WA
www.mykitlog.com/sglynn
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05-12-2017, 02:57 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Edson, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 483
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Quitting????
I think i was there this morning, yesterday evening, the week before and yes probably at least three times per month.
I agree with quitting for time constraints, realization that it is just too much project for your available time, money and perhaps that you don't feel up to the challenge of deciphering blueprints, bad instructions etc. all just burning up valuable life time.
However, reading these posts tells me you have lots of company, that made ME feel better and is readily available here on VAF.
I recently made a friend who is starting to build a RV 10 that is helping with my motivation and is it great to have someone to 'bounce" something off of.
I am having a HUGE problem with cowling(nearly caused me to sellout)... but there are the "Cowling Chronicles" and picture of others(on VAF) to help...... this takes TIME! Do you have the time?
If you want to build this RV reach out as you have and find VAF friends, search out others who are close by who can offer support and advice and after time and money analysis are done.....KEEP BANGING those rivets with a parts book close by!
Dave
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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
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