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  #1  
Old 11-17-2017, 12:13 PM
acpilot's Avatar
acpilot acpilot is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Langley B.C
Posts: 40
Default Thoughts on Building Assistance

I am getting closer to starting an RV build. I have gone back and forth on various models, building vs buying etc. and believe building is the best route for me. I am probably still a few years away from being totally ready to enjoy the RV lifestyle so I figure a build will fill that gap. Also ,I don't think hangar space near me is that plentiful so I will have to wait for that as well. I figure it will be a couple of years before I am at the stage that I would require a hangar so a build makes sense. I have basically settled on the RV-7A as I like the idea of a tricycle gear a hope that my kids may some day use it to learn to fly.

I have never built anything like an RV before and am quite intrigued with the various assisted building courses. I think it would be an excellent way to start my kit and learn valuable building skills. It will also be nice to use certain tools and decide which are the correct ones to purchase. I really like the idea of someone with experience taking me through the overwhelming experience of a crate of metal to a finished empennage in a week or so. I have seen 2 that are fairly close to me, Axsysair (WA) and Synergy Air (OR). If anyone has any advice on starting a build this way they would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
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Looking forward to an RV future.
Finally ready to start flying for fun and not just a living.
C-185
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CT-114
CC-130
A320
B767
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Vans RV 7A /14A/ RV 10 ???
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  #2  
Old 11-17-2017, 01:41 PM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
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Impossible to answer for someone else, but if you think you need it, you probably do. And possibly, even if you don't. ;-)

Seriously, if you have a well developed skillset using tools and reading/following directions, and you have some local support like a good EAA chapter, you can do it without a paid assistance program. But those programs will almost certainly get you up to speed a lot quicker.

BTW, being near the end on my -7 and seeing the start of a -14, I'd put good money on the -14 being a lot easier/quicker to build, just because of better docs.

Last edited by rv7charlie : 11-17-2017 at 01:44 PM.
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  #3  
Old 11-17-2017, 03:57 PM
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wirejock wirejock is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
Default Mentor

Building is not magic. Anyone can learn it. One of the classes is great but I've always been a proponent of finding a skilled Mentor. I can't count the amount of money and mistakes my Mentor saved me.
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Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
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  #4  
Old 11-17-2017, 04:20 PM
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mfleming mfleming is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Joseph, Oregon
Posts: 561
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by acpilot View Post
..... I have seen 2 that are fairly close to me, Axsysair (WA) and Synergy Air (OR). If anyone has any advice on starting a build this way they would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Went to Synergy last November to build my empennage.

If you have a spouse or friend who is interested in helping, there no additional charge to have them with you when your there. My wife had a great time learning all the basics.

If you do go, take the fundamental class, usually on the Saturday before the empennage class starts. The fundamental class introduces you to all the tools and you complete a practice kit in one day.

One of the benefits of working with all the different tools is you learn which one you think are needed and the ones that are just a luxury. You won't waist your money on unnecessary ones.

Even though I'm an A&P (hadn't worked as one for over 25 years) I really thought I came away with new skills.

I was a great experience and I can't say enough about Synergy Air.

If one builds their whole kit at Synergy, it can be expensive but I thought the fundamental and empennage classes were a great value.
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Joseph, OR
sagriver at icloud dot com

RV-7 Slider #74572
Started 11/2016
Empennage completed 11/2016 (sans fiberglass)
Ailerons and flaps completed 3/2017.
Wings completed 12/2017
Started on QB fuselage 01/2018
Donated for 2020 and so should you

Last edited by mfleming : 11-17-2017 at 04:25 PM. Reason: Add content
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  #5  
Old 11-17-2017, 04:29 PM
vic syracuse vic syracuse is offline
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Locust Grove, GA
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Synergy is an option, as mentioned, and a great one at that. You can also order the tool kit from van's and build it. You might be surprised.
We ALL had to learn at one time, and the kits 40 years ago were a WHOLE lot different than they are now. The RV-14 and RV-12 (and even the RV-10) are pretty much assembly manuals. There are no blueprints. If you can build something from Home Depot or Lowes, for sure you can build these. You even get to fly it when you are finished.

There is so much help these days, from things like these forums, to Tech Counselors and other builders. Most are just a phone call or FaceTime away from getting your questions answered.

Take the first step and build the tool kit. It will be the start of a wonderful journey.

Yes, I'm the Van's rep, but I get nothing whether you buy a kit or not. I've been encouraging builders for decades before Van's made me official. I'm encouraging you from my heart.

Vic
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Vic Syracuse

Built RV-4, RV-6, 2-RV-10's, RV-7A, RV-8, Prescott Pusher, Kitfox Model II, Kitfox Speedster, Kitfox 7 Super Sport, Just Superstol, DAR, A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor, CFII-ASMEL/ASES
Kitplanes "Unairworthy" monthly feature
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  #6  
Old 11-17-2017, 09:44 PM
DRMA DRMA is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Posts: 406
Thumbs up Synergy Air Recommendation

I highly recommend the Synergy Air Empennage Class!

Even though I have been involved in auto mechanics, woodworking, plumbing, etc. all my life and am an engineer, I still took the Synergy Air empennage class to start my RV-10 project. I found it to be a great way to learn a variety of ways to accomplish the build, working with several of the Synergy Air A&Ps during my 8 days there. It was a great learning experience and helped me to be able to confidently continue the build once I got home. And it was a great introduction to a variety of tools that helped me decide which to purchase as a starting point.

I also took the EAA Sport Air sheet metal workshop ahead of the Synergy Air class, which helped me learn some of the basics. But you get essentially the same thing with the Synergy Air Saturday intro class.

Yes, it costs both time away from home and money. But it helped me avoid the typical early builder mistakes. For me, it was well worth the cost.

Best of luck with your new project.
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RV-10 First Flight April 1, 2020. Currently in Phase 1
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  #7  
Old 11-17-2017, 11:36 PM
Flying Canuck Flying Canuck is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 387
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acpilot View Post
I really like the idea of someone with experience taking me through the overwhelming experience of a crate of metal to a finished empennage in a week or so. I have seen 2 that are fairly close to me, Axsysair (WA) and Synergy Air (OR). If anyone has any advice on starting a build this way they would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
I did an RV building course with Axsys Air before starting my build, back in 2015. They ran the course even though I was the only student (I paid for a couple and brought my son along). It was an excellent introduction for me and gave me the confidence to get a good start on the project. We built the Vans practice airfoil which gave a pretty good overview for a lot of the earlier parts of the build. The location was great, much closer for you in Langley than it is for me from Central Alberta.

As far as building the whole empennage in a short period of time - you'll have one hurdle coming from Canada. The pre-cover inspection. You won't be able to completely close up the empennage unless you arrange for an inspection down there before coming back - probably not a practical idea. I bought my project already started so I didn't have much to do on the empennage. I think I would have preferred starting from scratch since the empennage is such a good learning opportunity. The empennage also has the benefit of being much less expensive to make mistakes on.
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Dynon SkyView HDX, IO-320 and WW 200RV C/S. Flying as of August 6, 2018

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  #8  
Old 11-18-2017, 07:10 AM
TS Flightlines TS Flightlines is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ridgeland, SC
Posts: 2,589
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Something else to consider with Synergy and others, there is a riveting partner there when you are ready!
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Tom Swearengen, TS Flightlines LLC, AS Flightlines
Joint Venture with Aircraft Specialty
Teflon Hose Assemblies for Experimentals
Proud Vendor for RV1, Donator to VAF
RV7 Tail Kit Completed, Fuse started-Pay as I go Plan
Ridgeland, SC
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  #9  
Old 11-18-2017, 08:35 AM
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robertahegy robertahegy is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: East Troy, WI
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I had never bucked, driven, or squeezed a rivet before starting my 7A project. I did have good mechanical and electrical skills. I went to an EAA RV assembly weekend seminar to learn the basic skills. I knew I would need a partner to assist and buck rivets, so my husband also attended to learn skills to assist. There is a lot of help on this forum and classes to attend to learn skills. I would spend the money on education and build on. You can invest in the tail kit at a reasonable cost and test your skills and learn that way.

Roberta
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Roberta Hegy
Built/Flew an RV-7A
Air Troy Estates, East Troy, WI
Ford Expedition and TRICE "Q"
Built Glen L "ZIP" Classic Outboard Runabout and Super Spartan Hydroplane
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  #10  
Old 11-18-2017, 04:49 PM
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acpilot acpilot is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Langley B.C
Posts: 40
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Flying Canuck

Thanks for the info on the inspection, didn't think of that. I am new to this whole build process. Does the inspection need to be done by a Canadian Inspector and if so how do I schedule one? Is there a document that I can download that explains at which stages I need to have an inspection?
__________________
Looking forward to an RV future.
Finally ready to start flying for fun and not just a living.
C-185
DHC-6
CT-114
CC-130
A320
B767
B787

Vans RV 7A /14A/ RV 10 ???
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