Actual build times?

[chinch]

Hi everyone.

I'm trying to do the maths on QB vs standard RV8 kit. When I first started my -8 emp kit back in 1998, the standard kit was widely thought to require ~2000 build hours. But since then, kits are now prepunched (on what work I was able to do on the emp, I spent a LOT of extra hours agonizing over jigs and alignment) and the QB kits are also available.

Does anyone have *actual* build times from workshop ready to flying on an 8 or 8a, QB or standard?

Thanks very much in advance
Chris

[twsurveyor]

Originally Posted by chinch

Hi everyone.

I'm trying to do the maths on QB vs standard RV8 kit.
Does anyone have *actual* build times from workshop ready to flying on an 8 or 8a, QB or standard?
Chris

Chris, I have several friends who have done QB's and several friends who have done standard Kits.

First off, a lot depends on the quality of construction you want. Do yo want an "averege" RV with a VFR panel or one approaching "show quality" with the latest and greatest IFR panel? Secondly, I have come to the conclusion that "build times" (in hours) are misleading. I tend to think of "build time" in terms of years (that is if you , like most of us, are a part time builder)!

All that being said, I'd say build time for an "average QB RV" would be 2-3 years and 4-5 years for an "averege standard kit". If you want show quality add another year or two! Hope this helps!

IMHO,

Tommy

[scard]

RV9A Oshkosh award winner, standard build, 2700 build hours.

[apkp777]

Never will win an award -9, 1030 hours (standard build).

[sglynn]

I'm about to finish the canopy and I'm at 1200 hours and 2 years calendar time. I work full time (more than full time) but kids are grown and moved. So I work on it a couple hours a day and weekends. It's only taken two years to build the empennage, wings, fuselage, and canopy. And I've learned a lot. The thing about the fast build is will you really learn the skills you want and need to work on it in the future. I doubt it. Go slow build.

[bruceh]

I started on my RV-9A empennage 8/20/09. Took 2 months to complete and immediately started on the wings. Finished them in 6 months. Started on the fuselage 4/26/10. As of this week I'm working on the brake pedals and forward fuselage. Still have several months at least before the fuselage is done. Not sure when I'll pull the trigger on the really expensive stuff (engine/avionics) since I have 2 kids in college to pay for.

I work on the project pretty much every evening for a couple of hours and on the weekends between other household chores. I've probably taken 60 days off in the last year due to travel and family commitments. Not really keeping track of the hours. It goes by fast if you keep a steady pace. I started out with a 5 year plan, but will hopefully have it flying in much less time. It is going together much faster than I thought it would.

[AirbusPilot]

My slow build RV-8 took two years. Empenage 2 month, Wings 8 months, fuselage at quick build stage 2 months, finish kit 4 to 5 months, Instrument and FF 2 or 3 months, painting 4 months.

I worked on my free days, about 10 days a month 10 hours a day.

[Vlad]

Speaking of hours my RV probably wins. I spent approximately 35,040 hours already (started in 2006) and still not done What's your method of counting the hours?

[Jaypratt]

I have built about 36 Rvs. Most of them have been with the owners helping with the build.
I have built 7 solo. Most have taken me around 600 hours to build the QB to a rolling airframe, including FWF. The rest of the story is,,,,,, the panel and glass parts take about another 400 hours. 1000 hours to build a RV8,7 QB, carb, vfr...

Add a bunch of hours to make it a nose roller, fulie, IFR,

I like to build a simple RV. Keep it simple and build your RV light. It will kik A.....

[chinch]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Speaking of hours my RV probably wins. I spent approximately 35,040 hours already (started in 2006) and still not done What's your method of counting the hours?

Hah! I squeezed my first rivet on my 8 back in 1998, ...lemme see, carry the one, add my shoe size, I make it over 100,000 hours and the skin still isn't on the HS! That's got to be a record.... (of shame )