Best advice you got from another builder?

[Paul K]

Sorry, second post?

[Mike Buckler]

Just try to check off one item off the plans per day!!

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by YellowJacket RV9

Oh good grief. There is nothing wrong with building a show-plane OR a go-plane. Just decide which you want and don't compromise on airworthiness items. But don't tell new builders they HAVE to build a perfect show-plane, or most of us would have never finished and given up in frustration. I'd love to do it on my SECOND plane. But I can tell you I have just as much or more fun in my unpainted plane with a small smiley on the vertical stabilizer than any of the Lindy winners. We need to be encouraging new builders, not telling them that they have to rebuild every part with a minor superficial flaw - it's admirable, but certainly not necessary.

Chris

I never said everyone has to build a perfect showplane.

However I would encourage all builders to build to the very best of their abilities... to give it their very best shot. The attitude of "close enough is good enough" has no place in aircraft construction.

This is simple. We can encourage quality in construction in the Experimental category or we can encourage a slapdash-get-'er-done attitude. I just believe that logic dictates that it is in our collective (and personal) interest to do the former.

Incidentally, here's my one-line advice to builders:

Don't practice on the plane.

[dbhill916]

Originally Posted by rgmwa

"I think you should do it". Wife's advice, so who was I to argue?

I thought I was the only one to be told that!

[ArlingtonRV]

Simplificate and add lightness.

I think that was Tony Bingelis.

[rv8ch]

Almost every builder I spoke to encouraged me to avoid changes to the plans. I tried to keep this good advice in mind as much as possible. Changes often take much longer to implement than expected.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonRV

Simplificate and add lightness.

I think that was Tony Bingelis.

A little earlier than Tony B.

Usually credited to William Stout, designer of what became the Ford Trimotor.

A bit from wiki...

Stout is remembered for his engineering credo, "Simplicate and add more lightness." This would later become best known as the adopted maxim of Colin Chapman of Lotus Cars. It actually originated with Stout's designer Gordon Hooton.

Doesn't always work though, as shown in the handbrake system of the 1964 Lotus Elan I owned.

[gottawork]

Pound to fit....paint to match!😬👍

[gyoung]

Originally Posted by dbhill916

I thought I was the only one to be told that!

I was recuperating after my -6 accident and wondering how my wife would react to flying again, let alone building. One day, out of the blue, she said "I think you should build another one."

[Z-EDD]

If pre-punched holes don't line up the problem is NOT the holes! Holes are put there by a computer and are nearly always in the right place, but bends can be off. Try adjusting the flange if you can and you should get a better fit. Has helped several times on the 7, thanks Mart!