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  #31  
Old 07-11-2019, 12:22 PM
s11033 s11033 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobTurner View Post
You, or anyone, may work on an experimental aircraft as much as you like.
(1) if the work is ?major?, the FAA will require you to test fly for some hours, no passengers, non-urban area, before letting you carry passengers.
(2) You must have an annual ?condition? inspection done. This may be done by anyone with an A&P license, or, one of the original builders who was given a ?limited repairman certificate? by the FISDO.
Doing your own inspections is a nice benefit of building your own airplane.
Thank you for the clarification. Sounds doable. I do think I have a serious case of the builder bug...

Quote:
Originally Posted by YvesCH View Post
Hi Steve,

I was in more or less the same situation 5 years ago. Finished my studies, no Family/Girlfriend and a very good first Job.

I just pulled the trigger for a RV-8 (QB) and started. Now I am 90% done and I have a Girlfriend I want to marry. I was one year into the build when I met her and she always supported me to build as much as I could. The plan was to finish before marriage and Children but I am not sure if it is going to work out. But would I do it again? Yes absolutely 100%! I love building as much as I love flying (Maybe that changes when I switch from the Champ I fly now to the RV). But it I have a great time building my Dream machine.. And I am 100% sure it won`t be my last plane I build (but first I will marry and have babies)? So if you want to do it - go for it


I am 32 and soon be flying my dream plane...
Sounds like we?re in a similar position! I hope to be in your shoes in the next 2-3 years! I?m seeing an RV8 project for sale beyond the QB stage, and it?s got me thinking...

Quote:
Originally Posted by dreed View Post
Hey Steve-

Welcome to this great site! I just want to throw my experience out as yet another data point. Sounds like you've got your life pretty well figured out at a young age which is awesome!

I purchased my RV7 tail kit 15+ years ago. I knocked that thing about pretty quickly and ordered the QB shortly thereafter. Then... life got in the way. Career, multiple houses, girlfriends, other hobbies etc. My plane moved with me a couple times and took up a bay in my garage getting dusty. I did have a 172 for a while but sold that too.

Last year I was at the point of sell off my project or finish and can happily share that I chose the latter and am getting much closer and should be flying this year (best decision!). I'll end up with an awesome plane, likely much better than I would have had if I had kept building back then.

I guess if I were to do it all over again- I'd tell my younger self to buy a flying one and then build later in life (where I am now). Finances are much better, time is probably the same or slightly worse but priorities are now more focused. I am now mid 40's now so still lots of good RV flying time and probably another RV build in my future too (RV10)

Again, just my experience- either journey you take will be great.

Good luck!
Thanks a lot for the advice. I?ll definitely look into flying 4s. I looked at 8s and the majority are beyond my price range.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vfrazier View Post
Tom,

You flew with Ray and it was a PLEASURE??? Surely, not the same Ray Ward that I know?!

Ray is a hoot and has been extraordinarily helpful to us, and to everyone involved. He plans to have his new F4 in our display at Osh this year... just over a week away.

We're in the north display area, about 100' away from Van's, between the warbirds and the brown arch.
Gosh I wish I could be there...
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  #32  
Old 07-11-2019, 01:01 PM
s11033 s11033 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vfrazier View Post
Indeed, hundreds of noobs built RV-4s, including ME! It's not magic, but it does require that you show up with your brain ready to learn new skills.

We have, or will tell you where to get, everything you need to build one of these machines. Help is only an email or phone call away! Having 2 NEW F1/F4s in the air already attests to the fact that mere mortals can indeed do this.
Thanks for chiming in Vince. Do you have any ballpark estimates on what it would cost to buy the Rocket fuselage and have someone pre-assemble it to the highest degree that?s legal? I think I?m getting my head around what a partial RV8 kit would cost to mate up to the fuselage.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vfrazier View Post
Steve,

Rebuilding an engine is a snap for someone like you. Disassemble; send everything to Aircraft Specialty Services, Divco, or similar; get it all back with yellow tags; reassemble it; and BOOM.... practically new engine for a LOT less.

I love the building part too. When you gotta build, you gotta build. If you've got the sickness, building is a cherished part of the results. Like having an aluminum baby.

Buy an RV-4.... sheesh... they will ruin you also. My RV-4, which I bought back after 25 years, ruined me and led to a Rocket addiction that appears to be incurable.

One last thought... RV-8s are excellent planes too, but build what you want, what you really want. I tried to build an RV-6 after my first Rocket, but my heart was never in it. So, on to Rocket #2!!! Woo hooo! I get jazzed everytime I look at it.
Sounds like a really cool option. I found an O360 that was disassembled and inspected for $12k. I?m not sure if that?s a good price or not. It looks like it just needs to be reassembled. I may go that route. What kind of paperwork should I look for? What parts need yellow tags and what parts don?t? How hard would it be to install an EFII kit and which ones do people seem to like?

The more I look at the straight and Super 8, the more I like them. But then I look at a Rocket and always feel completely enamored. Do you guys have any plans to offer pre-drilled kits at some point down the line? It seems like it might be an option to finish someone?s 8 project now, and build a Rocket in the future if you guys plan to pre-drill.

Thank you!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder View Post
Plenty of debate on the -8 vs Rocket on this site, but there really is no substitute for seat time in both. Suggest you fly a Rocket first though. The -8 is so good that you might just think airplanes can't get any better... But you would be WRONG! Flying an -8 after the Rocket makes this fact glaringly obvious.
I really would love to go for a ride in both. Does anybody know of RV8s or Rockets in New England? If only I could make it to Osh...

Also, I did some reading last night on the Super 8s, and that also sounds like it might work for me. They?re different enough, and are a simple modification. And I?m a huge sucker for climb performance... Without much searching I found a mostly completed RV8 kit (beyond QB) for $35k and it seems like a straight 8 or Super 8 might be a much easier build. I could spend that additional time rebuilding an engine, which I think I?d enjoy more and probably learn a lot from.
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  #33  
Old 07-11-2019, 01:56 PM
Toobuilder's Avatar
Toobuilder Toobuilder is offline
 
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There is more to the 8 vs Rocket debate than performance. They are vastly different ergonomicly. I (and my wife) strongly prefer the Rocket but again, YOU need seat time. Don't make a "paper" decision.
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WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.

Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
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  #34  
Old 07-11-2019, 02:12 PM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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In case you did not pick up on it, Mike has both a Rocket and an RV8----so he is well versed to advise about the differences.

There is one more option I have not seen mentioned yet------Super 8. Here is one example. http://mstewart.net/super8/
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Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."

Last edited by Mike S : 07-11-2019 at 02:15 PM.
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  #35  
Old 07-11-2019, 02:22 PM
rocketman1988 rocketman1988 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sunman, IN
Posts: 2,189
Default Be realistic...

You really need to realistic about your build because:

1. It is going to take longer than you think.

2. It is going to cost more than you think

Any "simple mods" you plan on doing, well, however long you think they will take, multiply by 5.


For some data points:

I am building a -10 and my first run IO-540 core was $12.5K. I had the engine built by Barrett and when all was said and done, with Dual EFII, the engine cost $55K.

The 3 Blade MT prop mated to the engine was another $15k.

Let's not talk about the avionics cost...

I am 95% complete and have 2200+ hours invested in the build.

You may find that your engineering degree can get in the way at times, due to trying to overthink things...
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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+
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  #36  
Old 07-11-2019, 03:09 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocketman1988 View Post
You really need to realistic about your build because:

1. It is going to take longer than you think.

2. It is going to cost more than you think

Any "simple mods" you plan on doing, well, however long you think they will take, multiply by 5.....

Ah, man, that is so true. All of it.

Dave
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  #37  
Old 07-11-2019, 07:50 PM
s11033 s11033 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder View Post
There is more to the 8 vs Rocket debate than performance. They are vastly different ergonomicly. I (and my wife) strongly prefer the Rocket but again, YOU need seat time. Don't make a "paper" decision.
Thanks a lot for chiming in. It's certainly valuable to hear from someone that owns both. How would I go about looking for owners/builders in my area? If only I could make it to Osh...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S View Post
In case you did not pick up on it, Mike has both a Rocket and an RV8----so he is well versed to advise about the differences.

There is one more option I have not seen mentioned yet------Super 8. Here is one example. http://mstewart.net/super8/
I hadn't picked up on it, thank you. I think I actually wrote my post saying that I was interested in learning more about the Super 8 at the same time that you were writing your reply. I came across that FAQ page last night. It certainly sounds like a cool route...

Quote:
Originally Posted by rocketman1988 View Post
You really need to realistic about your build because:

1. It is going to take longer than you think.

2. It is going to cost more than you think

Any "simple mods" you plan on doing, well, however long you think they will take, multiply by 5.


For some data points:

I am building a -10 and my first run IO-540 core was $12.5K. I had the engine built by Barrett and when all was said and done, with Dual EFII, the engine cost $55K.

The 3 Blade MT prop mated to the engine was another $15k.

Let's not talk about the avionics cost...

I am 95% complete and have 2200+ hours invested in the build.

You may find that your engineering degree can get in the way at times, due to trying to overthink things...
Thanks a lot for the advice and the data points. I'll look for deals on both 360s and 540s and see which one I find the best deal on.

Yeah, we have another kid in my unit that does my same job and has the same degree, and he has not concept of "good enough"...

Steve
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  #38  
Old 07-11-2019, 08:20 PM
F1 Rocket F1 Rocket is offline
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Melboring, FL
Posts: 180
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Build what you want, not what others think you should build or what you might think makes more sense to build. Bottom line is it?s a love affair between you and your project and you will be married to it for a long time.
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F1 Rocket #25
N14ZM "Dreamer"
Melboring, FL

Last edited by F1 Rocket : 07-11-2019 at 08:22 PM.
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  #39  
Old 07-11-2019, 08:32 PM
s11033 s11033 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F1 Rocket View Post
Build what you want, not what others think you should build or what you might think makes more sense to build. Bottom line is it?s a love affair between you and your project and you will be married to it for a long time.
Thank for the advice. I just heard back from Loyd Remus and he said they'd be happy to assist. I'll give him a call tomorrow and see if he can give a ballpark budget for the fuselage build.
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  #40  
Old 07-11-2019, 08:36 PM
s11033 s11033 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
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Guys, what's the best way to get an opinion on whether an engine on eBay is a good deal or not?

If purchasing a disassembled engine, what parts need to be yellow tagged and what parts do not?

Would it be feasible to put an IO540 in an "F8" and fly it within RV8 performance limits? I like the idea of having crazy climb performance and running it real easy on cruise. Seems like used/overhauled IO540s might be more readily available at the moment than O360s.

On another front, how difficult would it be for someone like me to install an SDS EM5 kit assuming I was rebuilding my own engine?

Thanks!

Last edited by s11033 : 07-11-2019 at 09:39 PM.
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