need help deciding if I should do it.

[yakdriver]

Ditch, If you are not going full blown IFR and using 1 comm, transponder and a GPS the wiring kit from Van's is very good. I havn't done a lot of wiring in my life but managed to wire my airplane unasisted. I have the Dynon 100 and 120 efis/ems autopilot, 396 in a Gizmo mout comm, trans, intercom etc and you just take it one wire at a time. Vans basic scematic is very good and the basic wiring harness worked out great. I wired the whole airplane before I installed the front deck and the wings. I have plug ins on each side that plug into the wings. It is a lot like doing the rest of the airplane. Fabricating one part after another until there are no parts left then go fly. Don

[Ironflight]

Ditch, I've learned to look at it this way....

If you believe that you can handle the financial aspect of the whole airplane, then you can certainly afford to gamble a little on a tail kit. $2K for the tail kit, and another $1.5K for tools. Build the tail, see if you enjoy the process.

If you really hate it, you can sell both the tail kit and tools for maybe half what you paid, you've learned something about yourself and what you do and don't like, and you move on to a faster snowmobile....

If you get hooked, you're on the road, and all your questions can be answered by people here and local builders....and they are EVERYWHERE!!

Take the gamble, give it a try - because you will never KNOW until you try it....

Paul

[Rick6a]

Ditch,

Know thyself. I think a measure of innate stubborness is an airplane building virtue because building an airplane is a huge economic and emotional commitment. It demands uncommon dedication and sacrifice. Often, even a time saving quickbuild kit can take a given builder many years to complete. Those same years will inevitably include a healthy portion of life's normal passages that can include any random combination of birth, death, sickness, graduation, jobs, marriage, divorce, accidents, financial setbacks and who knows what else. If life doesn't get in the way, you will also be faced with countless technical challenges.....challenges that can easily require as much creativity to overcome as any building skills you may possess. You have to know how, where, and when to seek technical help. In the end, it is the unmet challenge that discourages the weary builder. All too many airplane projects end up as an aborted money pit languishing in a corner or sold at a great financial, even emotional loss.

Everything you need to know to build an airplane is "out there." Most of us never hung an engine or wired an instrument panel until we bashed our head against the wall trying to do it, often failing at first. To finally get it right, it often takes a healthy measure of stubbornness or tenacity to prevail.

Many well intentioned people will quickly repeat a variation of the oft told bromide that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything including building an airplane...particularily if it is a Van's proven and highly popular design. Well, yea.....I guess so.

My advice remains the same.....Know thyself.

[osxuser]

My question is this, what didn't you like about A&P school? I went to A&P school, and worked as one for 4 years, i would have never considered building without that background. Some people have different comfort levels that I do, but it's a lot of information to learn when it comes to systems and stuff. Like you said, the structure is no big deal, easy to do, and there is tons of guidance on it. Once you start into systems however... the guidance goes away to a great degree, and you are left to fend for yourself.

If engines weren't your thing in A&P school, thats fine, since you are in no way obligated to overhaul or build you own, as long as you can hang it on the mount and plumb the oil/fuel lines you will be fine.

If the panel is where you get hung up, you can have a panel built and pre-wired for you.

You NEED to be commited and to understand to some degree how the fuel, electrical and other systems work, but if engineers can build these airplanes, anyone can... (sorry, I just had to say it...)

[mgomez]

Originally Posted by osxuser

but if engineers can build these airplanes, anyone can... (sorry, I just had to say it...)

I resemble that remark!

Martin

[rvtach]

For background you might be interested to know that when I started this I had never held a rivet gun, never cut sheet metal, never done any fiberglass work, not much experience with engines (I can change oil) and I'm scared of electricity.Today I have nearly completed wings and fuselage in my shop. Among homebuilders I am not unique.

Early in all this I ran across a quote that seems to apply particulary to the affliction of building airplanes. This has been taped to my tool box ever since:

"Until one is committed there is always hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation.

There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising to one?s favor all manner of unforeseen accidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

Good luck

Jim McChesney
Tucson, AZ
RV-7A finishing
N622WR

[jcoloccia]

Originally Posted by osxuser

...but if engineers can build these airplanes, anyone can... (sorry, I just had to say it...)

Heck....even girls can build these things.

Now quick, somebody hide me from Roberta...

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by osxuser

but if engineers can build these airplanes, anyone can... (sorry, I just had to say it...)

That is sooooo hilarious!!! My side hurts from laughing so hard on that one!

[N674P]

Ditch-Lots of good advice here as always!
Another nice thing about building a Van's plane is you can be as much of a loner or a social animal as you want to be. You can keep all of your hard earned knowledge to yourself or freely give it away. Be as selfish or generous as you want.
The whole gamut lurks or participates in these forums, EAA chapters, breakfasts, airshows, and on and on. Whatever skill, building, or "emotional growth" stage you're at, this is a great place to be! Many of the best people you will ever meet, virtually and/or in person...

[ditch]

Well, after thinking about it all day AGAIN.... I think I made up my mind to go ahead and do it. I'm 37, have a nice 3 car garage that just holds a pickup, single, and a good job. Should have plenty room. I really can't see why I shouldn't do it other than getting past the fear of ordering the first part. I've had 2 houses built in the last 3 years. Basements were totally empty and I finished them both doing absolutely everything myself from electrical, framing, sheetrock, mudding and even put in a couple fire places. Learned everything as I went along. Thats kind of how I am. Grew up on farm and you learn that you have to do things yourself to get them done right. My friends give me **** because once I start something I won't quit till its done. They said I would be the same with an airplane. I don't doubt them one bit. Plus going through A&P school, I think I'd be ok.
This is what I had originally planned. Save up the money and do it when I retire. I started thinking, the body is going to hurt alot more at 57 than 37 and I want to have it done before then. I can probably come up with 6-7 grand a year to put toward it. Probably up to 10 if I were to really pinch pennies but I still want to have a beer now and then. I figure if it takes 8 to 10 years thats just about perfect timing. Still have 10 years of flying before I retire. I know that I will run out of cash before running out of patience or ambition. So there you have it..... You'll probably be seeing alot from me in the future and I hope to gain alot of extra knowledge from all of you. WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!