VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

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

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > RV General Discussion/News
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-25-2018, 06:51 PM
Piper2 Piper2 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Mt Carmel IL
Posts: 4
Default Thinking about starting an rv10 build

Hi all, I?m here because Ive been thinking about starting a 10 build within the next 6 months. The reason I?m on here talking about it though is maybe I should just be happy with what I have and keep flying and have fun. Right now I have a piper arrow ll. It has awesome paint, good low time engine and prop, all the low presti speed mods and so everyone says it?s an awesome arrow and best of all she?s paid for! What really grinds my gears though is I HATE having a shop tearing my bird apart and telling me how great my plane is but...oh ya it?s going to need the notorious wing walk repaired ($5000), nose strut needs work but cant make a simple repair you got to spend another $1200 there for one from a salvage yard and it just goes on every year. I?m sick of keeping mechanics and aviall in jobs. I think it makes more sense if I would like to upgrade to go to a used sr22 but I think my whole problem will still exist with any certified plane.

I?m a pretty good fabricator welding steel and such but have never done anything with aluminum. Am I wanting to build for the wrong reasons?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-25-2018, 07:04 PM
RV10Pilot RV10Pilot is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Medford, NJ USA
Posts: 283
Default

You have the right reason for owning an experimental. It may not be the right reason for building one. If you want to fly one of the best 4 seat single engine airplanes, buy a RV-10. If you want to spend the next few years building one of the best 4 seat single engine airplanes and then fly it, by all means build a 10.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-25-2018, 07:08 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
Default

I think you're wanting to build for the right reason, maybe the best reason. But have you considered buying one instead of building it?

Building an airplane is, at least in my opinion, a fun but challenging activity. The RV-10 kit is a very high quality kit, but there are still many things to build. It's a large airplane for a homebuilt, and a very capable one. Depending on your approach, it can take considerable time to build and needs some space, too.

I'm sure other people will offer their thoughts. Mine are simply that it's a darn good idea provided you don't expect an instant airplane.

Dave
RV-3B still building
Cessna 180 flying
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-25-2018, 07:17 PM
rocketman1988 rocketman1988 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sunman, IN
Posts: 2,189
Default data point

I have 2000 hours invested and am still not flying...soon, I hope!
__________________
Bob
Aerospace Engineer '88

RV-10
Structure - 90% Done
Cabin Top - Aaarrghhh...
EFII System 32 - Done
297 HP Barrett Hung
ShowPlanes Cowl with Skybolts Fitted - Beautiful
Wiring...

Dues+ Paid 2019,...Thanks DR+
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-26-2018, 12:00 AM
amerkarim amerkarim is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Houston Tx
Posts: 53
Default

Just my 2 cents..

If you can afford to buy it built, then just buy it and fly it. For the money, the RV10 is the best plane in its class in the world in my opinion, even prebuilt.

If you can't and are prepared to wait a while to fly it, don't like weekends or days off, and want a swear box full to the brim with quarters in your garage, then build it. I think I have about 20K in quarters in mine already

If you decide to build it, the final quality and finish of your build will be determined by how much time you put into it. Do you want a safe flying plane or a Grand Champion contender, its all up to you. People have spent years and 1000's of hours building an RV10.

I just wanted a safe flying airplane and I wanted to build it for my own knowledge, experience and satisfaction. I am 4 months down the line now in my RV10 SB, but I hope to test fly in early Dec, so you can also do it in 6 months if you are determined. The kit is excellent and the instructions are easy to follow.

Build or buy, there is no right answer.

Best wishes and good luck in whatever you decide

Amer
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-26-2018, 02:34 AM
Piper J3's Avatar
Piper J3 Piper J3 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hinckley, Ohio
Posts: 2,066
Default

Not quit the same airplane but still a good story?

I owned a J3-Cub for 23 years and hated having someone else turn wrenches on my airplane that whole time. Airplanes are sacred? Call me paranoid, but I don?t trust other people working on my airplane.

Three years ago I traded my Cub for a flying RV-12 from the original builder. It is registered E-LSA which makes it sort of unique in that I was able to take a 16 hour LSA Repairman Inspection Aircraft Course and now I can sign for my own annual condition inspections. I totally enjoy the freedom to work on my plane and authority to inspect and sign for the annual condition inspection.

The only folks I?m beholding to now are transponder certification and bi-annual flight review...
__________________
-
Jim Stricker
EAA #499867
PPL/ASEL 1970 - Sport Pilot since 2007
80 hrs Flying Aeronca Chief 11AC N86203
1130 hrs Flying 46 Piper J-3 Cub N6841H
Bought Flying RV-12 #120058 Oct 2015 with 48TT - Hobbs now 622

LSRM-A Certificate 2016 for RV-12 N633CM
Special Thanks... EJ Trucks - USN Crew Chief A-4 Skyhawk
MJ Stricker (Father & CFI) - USAAF 1st Lt. Captain B-17H
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-26-2018, 08:00 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default Yep

We've had our -10 for 8 years and the love affair keeps getting better....the absolute best plane for the bucks!...plus we do all our maintenance and we're allowed such niceties as electronic (Lightspeed) ignition.

Best,
__________________
Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132


Dues gladly paid!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-27-2018, 08:06 AM
Piper2 Piper2 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Mt Carmel IL
Posts: 4
Default

Thanks for all the great replies. Technically no I can?t pay cash for one already built but building in phases shouldn?t be a problem. Also the biggest reason I?m little scared to buy is someone else?s build quality, and building would be the way I am capable to be able to know the systems enough to be comfortable to work on them. My thinking would be to keep my arrow until I?d be ready for the power plant and prop and that would easily pay for that as well.
I farm and own an excavating business which is good and bad. I have the shop, room and my time Is sporadic. Somedays I can work on it all day such as when it?s raining or snowing or middle of summer when crops are all in the field. Sometimes you just need a break with work and say heck with things so I could go and hide building I?m thinking.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-27-2018, 08:34 AM
N941WR's Avatar
N941WR N941WR is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
Default

You will find the time, if you keep your eyes on the prize.

I was traveling full time during my build and still managed to finish it in just over four years.

There is nothing difficult in building an RV, jeast a LOT of nothing difficult.

Good luck with making up your mind!

One other thing, all those tools you already own won't help you much. Be prepared to buy some really cool new ones. For example, I have two inch-pound torque wrenches, one very small one and one medium sized one.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-27-2018, 08:38 AM
jcarne's Avatar
jcarne jcarne is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Worland, Wyoming
Posts: 1,365
Default

As long as you think you can find the time for it it sounds like your heart is in the right place. My moto is to try and do something on it EVERY day. Building is pretty enjoyable (some tasks more than others) and very rewarding when you finish a large section. Good luck in finalizing your decision.
__________________
Jereme Carne
PPL
RV-7A Emp. done
Wings done
Fuselage done
Finish kit almost done
Exempt but gladly paying!
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 12:56 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.