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  #11  
Old 01-05-2018, 01:43 AM
rv8ch's Avatar
rv8ch rv8ch is offline
 
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Default Model builders

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lizard Lips View Post
...
My concern is my lack of experience in building an aircraft. Built and flew large scale RC model aircraft (10 hp engines, etc) for many years, but that's models, not full scale aircraft. ...
The aircraft that I've seen built by folks that built RC models are usually outstanding. Not sure if they have better attention to detail, or tenacity, or some other skills that are applicable to building a full-scale aircraft, but there seems to be some strong correlation there.
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  #12  
Old 01-05-2018, 05:12 AM
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maniago maniago is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bowie MD
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Couple of thoughts...

1. Though one poster hinted at it, it'd be hard to find an opinion on this site about not building....this is originally a mecca site for builders. So youre kinda asking the choir about learning to sing.

2. Mel was succinct and correct.

3. Youre age need not be an issue, as long as you consider building an experience in and of itself. It is a very rewarding experience, more mental than physical for sure. But yeah, there are physical requirements: contorting yourself inside the fuse to do stuff, or laying on your back on the concrete floor working above your head etc. If you still do all your own car maintenance (oil changes, brakes, tire changes etc) and are good with that, then youre easy good with this.

If not, yeah, I'd go buy and go fly, and get the EAB experience by doing what the FAR lets you do on it. Thats still a never ending learning experience.
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Last edited by maniago : 01-05-2018 at 05:15 AM.
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  #13  
Old 01-05-2018, 06:35 AM
tracy tracy is offline
 
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I didn’t build mine and didn’t want to. As a kid, I didn’t want to build the RC’s, just fly them, so I would try to get someone else to build them. But then again, I’m ADHD! But I’m definitely glad I bought one, having flown lots of different aircraft, they are the best! However, I do enjoy working on mine as things come up. You can do anything except the conditional inspection. I found several things on mine that I didn’t like and changed them. So, in a way, I did do a little construction.
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  #14  
Old 01-05-2018, 07:18 AM
pa38112 pa38112 is offline
 
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Location: Clarksboro, NJ
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel View Post
If you want to build an airplane, build an airplane.
If you want an airplane, buy an airplane.
+1

If you are interested in building a 10, you have the skills from your background. If you want to fly places with your wife, you are loosing time by building. You did not mention your financial position, but if you can, why not do both ? - buy (or rent) a plane and see if you and your wife are really going to enjoy it. After a few flights/trips you might realize that this is or is not what you two are going to enjoy together. Also attend a Synergy build class and get started. The class will get you started off right and will help you decide if building is what you really want before you jump in and buy the whole kit. If you decide you like flying more or building more you sell off the other. The other thing this approach does is help you choose the right plane - If you are building for the build then there are probably better planes for you than the 10. The 10 will require more help, space, and money. Maybe a 7 or 12 is better for you if are doing this as a build project rather than building your future travel machine.

I dreamed about building for 10 years and finally just bought. Then I started building a 7. I am enjoying building the 7, but don't really care if I ever get it done. It is great doing the build as a hobby without having to dedicate every waking moment of my life and free time building it (which is the only way to build a plane in a reasonable amount of time). I also have a much better idea of what I want in the plane I am building because of my experience owning and living with a RV first.

Best of luck to you which every way you go !!!
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  #15  
Old 01-05-2018, 07:29 AM
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RV8Squaz RV8Squaz is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rv8ch View Post
The aircraft that I've seen built by folks that built RC models are usually outstanding. Not sure if they have better attention to detail, or tenacity, or some other skills that are applicable to building a full-scale aircraft, but there seems to be some strong correlation there.
In my opinion, the skills learned from building RC models completely translate to building a full scale airplane. I had built a dozen or two RC models in my youth, including a couple 1/4 scale models. To start, you learn how to do stuff. Wood, fiberglass, coverings similar to fabric, even metal, it?s all there. Systems installation, controls, bellcranks, hinges, engine, plumbing are all surprisingly similar. The way the airplanes are put together are also very similar with spars, ribs, bulkheads etc. You learn what works and what doesn?t. And yes, you do learn attention to detail and tenacity.

Let?s wind back to 1995. I was at Randolph AFB learning how to be a T-37 instructor pilot. One of my instructors shared my enthusiasm for GA and invited me to his home to see his project. He was building a fiberglass canard airplane. Sorry, I don?t remember the type. He had most of the airframe complete, but had yet to close it up. I took one look at his project and said to myself, ?I can do that! It just looks like a big RC model!?

I wish I could remember that instructor?s name and what he was building. He set something in motion in me that would change my life forever. He suggested I drive to the Fort Worth Alliance to see some big fly-in over the upcoming weekend. I didn?t even know what a fly-in was! It was there that I was first exposed to an RV. I saw a pretty little RV-4 owned by someone who would years later become a friend of mine. I couldn?t wait to learn more about this unique airplane I had just seen. Cross country, aerobatics... I was hooked and the rest is history!
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  #16  
Old 01-08-2018, 10:44 AM
Flienlow Flienlow is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Snohomish,Washington
Posts: 19
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Sorry if I am high Jacking..
BUT...

How do you prevent the 10 year build? What steps can you take to get this completed the soonest as practical?

Not counting the RV12, what is a realistic build time estimate for RV Aircraft? (RV10,14?)

I have read that Zenith Ch750 kits are suppose to be able to be completed in 400hrs. I think that is a gigantic crock for the average person.

I have read that a Kitfox SuperSport can be completed in 12-15 hundred hours.
Would this not put a RV build time at 5000+ hours?
Sorry if my questions are stupid. It just that I am leaning away from building an RV due to perceived long build times. And yes perhaps I am candidate to just buy one.
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  #17  
Old 01-08-2018, 10:52 AM
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Auburntsts Auburntsts is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flienlow View Post
Sorry if I am high Jacking..
BUT...

How do you prevent the 10 year build? What steps can you take to get this completed the soonest as practical?

Not counting the RV12, what is a realistic build time estimate for RV Aircraft? (RV10,14?)

I have read that Zenith Ch750 kits are suppose to be able to be completed in 400hrs. I think that is a gigantic crock for the average person.

I have read that a Kitfox SuperSport can be completed in 12-15 hundred hours.
Would this not put a RV build time at 5000+ hours?
Sorry if my questions are stupid. It just that I am leaning away from building an RV due to perceived long build times. And yes perhaps I am candidate to just buy one.
First is money -- being able to buy anything/everything when you're ready for it, buying quick build kits, attending factory supported build programs, attending a builder's course vs learning on your own to learn skills, etc.

Second is time -- being able to devote significant amounts of it, non-stop. This can be mitigated by having money, but the opposite is not true.

Barring that, it's just a matter of trying to do something every day and keep the project physically close as long as possible. If you are building at home, once you move to the airport productively tends to go into the toilet unless you live no more than a few minutes away.
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Last edited by Auburntsts : 01-08-2018 at 10:56 AM.
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  #18  
Old 01-08-2018, 10:57 AM
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RV6_flyer RV6_flyer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flienlow View Post
Sorry if I am high Jacking..
BUT...

How do you prevent the 10 year build? What steps can you take to get this completed the soonest as practical?

Not counting the RV12, what is a realistic build time estimate for RV Aircraft? (RV10,14?)

I have read that Zenith Ch750 kits are suppose to be able to be completed in 400hrs. I think that is a gigantic crock for the average person.

I have read that a Kitfox SuperSport can be completed in 12-15 hundred hours.
Would this not put a RV build time at 5000+ hours?
Sorry if my questions are stupid. It just that I am leaning away from building an RV due to perceived long build times. And yes perhaps I am candidate to just buy one.
It all depends. Build times will be all over the map. Variables are skills, tools, and money. Some people take a extremely long time redoing stuff that is good enough trying to be perfect. For the modern RV kits being shipped from Van's Aircraft, I expect completion in 1,500 to 3,000 man-hours. Some people with the skill set, tools, and time, will be done in less than 1,500 hours.
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  #19  
Old 01-08-2018, 11:23 AM
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Carl Froehlich Carl Froehlich is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flienlow View Post
. SNIP

Not counting the RV12, what is a realistic build time estimate for RV Aircraft? (RV10,14?)
SNIP
Assuming you have a day job and this is your first build:
RV-14; four years. My RV-8A slow build took 4.5 years from first kit to first flight. The RV-14 is a faster build than the RV-8.
RV-10; five to six years. My RV-10 slow build (second project) took 5 years. The RV-10 is a big project.
If you get a quick build, you save perhaps a year.

My current slow build RV-8 should see first flight late summer 2018. That will put it right at two years - but I have most afternoons free to put in 3 hours or so.

Carl
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  #20  
Old 01-08-2018, 11:49 AM
leok leok is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 375
Default Time to build

A typical man year is 2080 hrs. That is a 52 week/40 hr year. That's a real full time job (as a minimum w/o overtime)

I find builders logs from 1600-4000 hours on an RV 10. Realistically the bottom end is a Quick Build near stock aircraft, 4000 hours is Slow Build with lots of custom installs (like AC, Custom Interior, bells and whistles etc). It also varies by how completely one counts the hours. I count only those in the shop directly on the aircraft (excepting only the electrical diagrams done in the warmth of the house). I would guess that for every hour in the shop I spend an hour looking, reading, thinking and ordering that I don't count.

I figured I could spend 500 hrs/yr or 10 hrs/week. for a 4-5 year project. My actual is closer to 400 hr/yr with all of the family and home projects required. I also looked at how much I could spend a month to fund the project. At around 160K +/- project cost and 48-60 months that was $2500-$3500 per month to have a paid for aircraft without financing anything.

If you want to know how long a build will take, look realistically how many hours you can work each week, $s you can spend and do the math.
My only other comment is your history of completing long complex projects. Letting the project collect dust for weeks/months/years make for never ending builds or lost interest.
My wife tells me she is a "project person", but will loose interest in anything that takes more than 3 hours. I have routinely taken on multi year projects for most of my adult life.
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