What makes the RV14 kit faster to build?

[kbalch]

Originally Posted by joe gremlin

I'd like to understand what these items are and what they'll cost for budgeting purposes if nothing else. And yeah, on some level I'd hate to go into a 9 because it looks like it will be X cheaper than a 14 and then find out when its all said and done it was only Y cheaper because of things like these mystery items.

If absolute cost is the driving concern, then build the -9; it'll be less expensive than the -14 in nearly all cases. If, on the other hand, value is the driving concern, then it's all down to precisely which aspects/features are important to you.

In other words, none of us have enough information to make a judgement and a complete list comparing the line items omitted from the standard -9 kit and included with the -14 is something which is unlikely to have been compiled by anyone here.

Perhaps simply ask Van's to generate a comparison with an eye toward those specific items of import to you.

[Keith Rush]

Originally Posted by mturnerb

What I found is that they need deburring "on condition" - the holes are generally punched to size and need no deburring. In most of those instances, a bit of light work with Scotchbrite is all that's needed - usually on the "exit" side of the punched hole.

Synergy Air teaches a method of dimpling skins with the blue vinyl still in place - you can't deburr with vinyl in place so they're confident in the quality of the holes with no deburring (and my understanding is that Van's is OK with this).

You have to read the instructions carefully though - some parts are common with other models or for other reasons are punched undersized. In these cases the instructions tell you to match- or final- drill, in which case deburring should be considered likely. I like using reamers and found that in many but not all cases holes final drilled with reamer are clean enough that no deburring is needed.

Turner,

Thank you for the info. Much appreciated.

Keith

[kevinsrv7.com]

Originally Posted by GPV

Hi all,

Can any of you builders tell me what makes the 14 faster to build?

I am aware of the following:

Final sized holes
Pre-assembled wiring loom
Easy fit canopy

Is there anything else? Any prefab parts that aren't in the other kits or anything? What about deburring, etc?

Your advice is appreciated!



Greg

Build per plans, keep your systems/panel/electrical simple, Don't prime. Build at your house/garage, heat your workshop, Install a big dry erase board in your shop for notes, Buy quick release pins for your tatco riveter.

[ronmachisen]

I will have to say this has been a really easy kit to assemble so far. EVERYTHING, just fits! Step by step instructions, really well machined parts and Vans support = AWESOMENESS Andrew got me started by watching every one of his videos and some 3 times over. Thanks Andrew! The only thing that takes most of your time, is prep work like deburring.

[Hartstoc]

Originally Posted by Bavafa

Hands down, the 14. I loved my 7 and it was a beautiful, trouble free and capable RV but the 14 has grown on me so much more and I love some of the improvements that they have done to the kit. Simple things as the steps, pre cut engine baffles and the main gear logs.

I have to think that pilot size has a lot to do with the choice for many. Speaking as a 5’-10”, 155# “pipsqueak”, my 7A fits me like a glove and I would not trade its nimbleness and the performance I enjoy for anything. Although my long-legged 6’-2”, 185#(200# with chute) aerobatics instructor can squeeze in beside me(WELL within Van’s aerobatic weight and CG limits with 20 gallons fuel, btw), he is clearly uncomfortable in my plane and much happier in his own RV-8.

Americans tend to be bigger in all dimensions than they were 50 years ago, so the 14 is a very logical progression in Van’s lineup as it can accommodate almost anyone. I’d have to recommend the 7 or 9 for pilots in my size range, but if I were the size of my instructor, the 14 would be a no-brainer.- Otis

[Bavafa]

Originally Posted by Hartstoc

I have to think that pilot size has a lot to do with the choice for many. Speaking as a 5?-10?, 155# ?pipsqueak?, my 7A fits me like a glove and I would not trade its nimbleness and the performance I enjoy for anything. Although my long-legged 6?-2?, 185#(200# with chute) aerobatics instructor can squeeze in beside me(WELL within Van?s aerobatic weight and CG limits with 20 gallons fuel, btw), he is clearly uncomfortable in my plane and much happier in his own RV-8.

Americans tend to be bigger in all dimensions than they were 50 years ago, so the 14 is a very logical progression in Van?s lineup as it can accommodate almost anyone. I?d have to recommend the 7 or 9 for pilots in my size range, but if I were the size of my instructor, the 14 would be a no-brainer.- Otis

Otis,
I am of similar height but wider, at 185lb, and never felt squeezed in my RV7A. I enjoyed it tremendously but one thing that I like about the 14 more, it is much friendly for a instrument flying than the 7. This, coupled with better nose/landing gear makes it a great choice for me, and the extra room helps too.

[kbalch]

Originally Posted by Bavafa

Otis,
I am of similar height but wider, at 185lb, and never felt squeezed in my RV7A. I enjoyed it tremendously but one thing that I like about the 14 more, it is much friendly for a instrument flying than the 7. This, coupled with better nose/landing gear makes it a great choice for me, and the extra room helps too.

Exactly. Although my wife and I are both slim (think the “old” normal - 6’/160 & 5’6”/112), the -14A was a no-brainer. The vastly-improved kit, the increased elbow room, the larger panel area, the friendlier instrument-flying qualities, and the re-engineered nose gear were all contributing factors in our opting for the -14A.

Once my wife requested a nosewheel, side-by-side RV this time around, no other model was considered.

[Hartstoc]

Originally Posted by Bavafa

Otis,
I am of similar height but wider, at 185lb, and never felt squeezed in my RV7A. I enjoyed it tremendously but one thing that I like about the 14 more, it is much friendly for a instrument flying than the 7. This, coupled with better nose/landing gear makes it a great choice for me, and the extra room helps too.

Point taken- although I?m hoping the G3X/GTN/GSA28/GMC507 Garmin system I?m installing with AFCS and auto-trim will help tame the twitchiness of the 7 quite a bit when IFR. I do also love its aerobatic performance. Got to admit the nose gear on the 14 is relatively bulletproof, though. I?m installing Anti-splat but it will still be inferior to that.- Otis

[kiljoy]

Originally Posted by ronmachisen

I will have to say this has been a really easy kit to assemble so far. EVERYTHING, just fits! Step by step instructions, really well machined parts and Vans support = AWESOMENESS Andrew got me started by watching every one of his videos and some 3 times over. Thanks Andrew! The only thing that takes most of your time, is prep work like deburring.

Anytime Ron! It?s hard not to have fun, even with all the deburring, when things fit the first time like you?d meant to do it that way! And then we all take a little credit when something doesn?t look like it fits together but we make it fit! We still say it?s vans great kits (which it is) but inside we tell ourselves it?s us

[chopowski]

Originally Posted by kiljoy

The 14 kit is amazing. I hate using that word (my wife uses it far too often) but that's what it is. With the 14 you're not really building a plane, you're assembling it.

No matter how many times I'm certain that I've cocked up and that things won't fit together they do.

How does this kit compare to the RV-12 in terms of the kit itself?