Let's Buy a Kid a Kit, Not Doug...

[RV-3Bravo]

I think it's a great idea!! ::Raises hand to volunteer::

[gbrasch]

...when I say "kid", I mean a young adult, not a teenager..........

[Flyguytki]

I am going to try and address this from an aspect that hasnt been done yet, and that would be from the "kid" aspect. I am currently 21 attending school at Embry-Riddle and will comminsion into the army in less than 12 months hopefully flying helicopters. I can not recall how much time I spend on these forums daily, reading peoples full build logs from first rivets to flying. It would be my absolute dream right now to build an RV, however just not feasable. I see it as the type of "kid" who would be interested in this type of program where a kit is essentially given to them would be someone much like myself, who is die hard aviation with everything they do, they are not going to be your run of the mill student studying a basic engineering degree. For myself, the time commitment is not that big of a deal, my work load now if not to heavy and I very well could spend 2 hours a day at least building, however the problems arise in the cost of building. We all know that the initial kit is only the beginning of the expenses, tools, avionics, engines, accessiories, all add up to a large sum of money that the large majority of people in my place do not have and will not have for many years. Throw in the cost of a hanger or tie down spot and insurance and it becomes virtually impossible. I guess what I am trying to say Is that If someone were to offer me a kit, I would be absolutly speechless and blown away however It would either be put into storage for a few years or would have to say Thanks but no thanks its just not feasible and I think this is the same for just about any "kid" that you would come across.

Later on down the road I know that an RV is in the future, I cannot wait till the day when I can start pounding rivets.
david

[danielhv]

Im a youngin' and dont think its a good idea... Just too many kids out there that change their mind way too much. Also, how is a kid going to afford proper maintenance? Engine? Panel? etc? There is no way. Its expensive for me to fly.... I couldn't imagine how hard it would be for someone younger to afford it. I say it goes to Doug. He has made building possible for so many members.

[Ironflight]

As a person who was given the opportunity to work on airplanes and learn to fly them at an early age (yes, Ernie was referring to me), I salute almost ALL of the sentiments expressed in this thread! I especially like David (the 21 year old Embry student) for clearly understanding that no matter how great a thing sounds, practical aspects can really get in the way. I appreciate Glenn's idea - let's take our astounding desire (and ability) to help others with aviation products - but have to dose that with the reality of life. it is rare when something given to the young is truly appreciated as much as something EARNED by the young.

My hands-on aviation opportunity started at age 13, and we rebuilt some Cubs for an FBO, under the sponsorship of Scouting and others. We were given flight time at a discount for the hours that we worked - nothing was handed on a silver spoon, and nothing came without us chipping in our own funds. Yes, my private license cost me only $500 (at a time when most people spent $2,000), but I had a lot of sweat equity in the deal. And when I got into college, there was no way I would have been able to keep up the care and feeding of an airplane. Not until I was established in a job was that possible, and it all came at the expense of just about everything but my job and some volunteer activities.

Yes, I would STRONGLY support giving kids a similar opportunity. Yes, I would support such an effort with much of my time. And yes, I agree with those who express the thought that the RV-3 kit for Doug is a gift, and he should feel zero pressure to do anything but what he wants with it.

I hope that we can organize an educational build or two as Ernie suggests. It will take a lot of commitment on many people's part - but it can be done. It may not happen right away, but it has happened, it is probably happening somewhere, and it will happen again.

Noble causes - training and recruiting the youth of today. But let's not forget that while aviation, airplanes, and building a re a great tool - the real goal is not in giving an airplane to a kid - but in turning kids into great men, whatever they do with the real skills they learn.

Paul

[cytoxin]

IMHO this thread should be deleted as it does nothing but impose considerable awkward feelings for the receiving party.

If you want to start a fund than do so, but man, talk about throwing a bomb over the fence.

The youth workshop stuff sounds like a great idea. BTW

[busterfore]

I agree 100% with William W. I have started typing a reply to this twice and have stopped short of posting it. Reiley had a great heartfelt idea and it took off like gangbusters. If someone wants to propose something else, then do it after Reiley's idea is finished. Doug get the garage ready and get to work dude. There are a lot of us who read this forum and website multiple times a day. Obviously, based on the response, you deserve the gifts being bestowed and enjoy it. You and your kids will have a blast.

William is right, this is not right and it is going to create an uncomfortable situation. Please let this be the last post on this. First things first. If you want to donate to the RV3 get after it. If you have a different idea, wait a month or two and throw your idea out there. I know the motives are good but the unintended results are not. Please, let's let this end here.

Glenn
Decatur, Tx
Renting and Wishing I Was Building

P.S. Thanks Jay Pratt for being so kind today to me and my daughter today. She and I loved looking around your hangar of RVs.

[L.Adamson]

[quote=busterfore;264676] Please let this be the last post on this.

I agree 100% too!

Even the the airplane is 100% paid for, the expense of a hangar (even splitting the cost of one), insurance, fuel, and maintenance is far too great for most young men or women just getting out of the teen stage. At the moment, I average expenses of $632 a month, with a paid for aircraft.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[iwannarv]

Decided to chip in on the thread since technically I am a 'kid' who was given a tail kit, and I must admit it is rather awkward to sit back and see all responses (as cytoxin noted). However, I want everyone to know in my personal situation it wasn't a fund set up, or anything asked for, it was originally offered up FREE to ANYBODY who wanted it. Because of the 'it's free' type of offer, I felt that I had an opportunity to the tail kit as much as anybody on this site did. I was just lucky to be the first to see it, and, just happened to be a yougin'. The other offers that came after for shipping was similar to Doug's deal - just out of the generous hearts of VAF members. Now here is my take on the whole deal:

I think its great to support young builders like myself, and I feel that the best way is to be a mentor is by allowing them to learn techniques in a builders class or in a garage with a builder of the airplane as an extra set of hands. I agree with many that if money is raised specifically for a 'kid' builder (especially one my age), there is much more responsibility by the local mentors to make sure the purpose is being fulfilled. Like mentioned before, a tail kit doesn't just build itself when you touch it. It takes lots of tools, a workspace, etc to do it. After recieving my tail kit, it took awhile to be comfortable to fork out the money for tools, as I was going to college in a few months upon recieving it. I needed to budget myself and decide when it was best to make that financial decision. Plus, working on the family farm kept me extremely busy, and there was a time restriction there. It was many months untill I was able to buy tools and even start. By then, it was back to school (three hours away from home). Then, it was on to build a suitable workshop to build the tail in. I am very lucky to have an aviation-loving father who has been willing to help me accomplish the 'getting ready to do it' task. I have definitely not lost any motivation, and rivets are being driven in my airplane shop out in the barn - it just took time to get there. I'm determined to learn and get it done. However, I know it will most likely be out of college before I will be able to afford a set of wings, and that was something I knew from the very beginning and I was prepared for. That is why I'm not it a huge hurry, I want to soak up as much information, be able to analyze the process, and do it right.

To put it in a short explaination:

Is it feasible for me (or any other person) in my current college student low finances status to build and maintain an entire AIRPLANE? No.

Is it a great opportunity for me to work on a TAIL, and in hope someday, finances and time allowing, I'll be able to add that tail to an airplane when the time is right? Absolutely.

If somebody started something for a 'young builders tail', there would need to be much more consideration than just the tail (throw in a lot more for everything else needed to accomplish the task, and definitely have a picky selection process on who is getting it). You must think if you want the reciever to build an AIRPLANE, or build a TAIL as an educational experience?

(edit: apologies to the last two posters, was writing this as you asked for no more replies. moderators remove if need be.)

[Hawkeye7A]

Originally Posted by gbrasch

Well, there goes my moderator position and good status on VAF, Doug is gonna delete me forever but hear me out. All the time we see young folks on this forum wanting to get into aviation. With all due respect to Doug, he is already an accomplished pilot with an airplane and money. Why not sponsor a young person and buy him or her a kit. Lets not get too complicated here, maybe have an established EAA Tech Rep nominate someone they deem worthy, and a kid they would agree to oversee in the process. It just seems like a better thing to do...................Glenn

Now, that's the spirit Glenn. I love Doug as much as the next VAF junkie, but youth is what we need to keep this (the world's greatest hobby) alive! I'm with ya, pal!