Epiphanies?..

[ppilotmike]

My epiphany was realizing that, "it's okay if other people don't understand the desire to build your own airplane."

In my own pursuit for perfection, I wanted everyone who asked the question "why build an airplane?" to fully understand and appreciate the "why".. I talked about freedom, speed, efficiency, cost savings over certified, expertise gained, pride of ownership, the challenge, adventure, passion, etc, etc. and they still don't get it. I think I wanted to see them get that same look in their eyes that I apparently get (according to my wife) when talking about planes. Maybe I needed this to feel like I was "normal", whatever that is. In the end, I realized it doesn't matter to me anymore.

[4kilo]

Early in my build I was contemplating a very difficult hole I needed to drill. I was procrastinating because any small slip would totally destroy the part. That's when I asked myself what would happen if I ruined the part. The answer was one of those 'light bulb' moments; "I made this one, if I wreck it, I'll just make another!"

Pat

[N8RV]

I'm not sure if my epiphanies are actually that or if they're just an accumulation of levels of building evolution, but two come to mind and they worked in concert to carry me past the empennage and on to the wings and fuselage. Both were at Oshkosh and not in my work shop.

The first customer-built RV-8 I saw at Oshkosh was ... umm ... interesting. Having just started my tail feathers a couple of weeks before Oshkosh, I was VERY critical of the builder's trim tab.

However, as I looked over the plane, I saw LOTS of stuff that appeared pretty cobbled together, and obviously not built per the plans. I honestly felt sorry for the builder (OK, so hubris was rearing its ugly head -- it had, after all, been flown to Oshkosh, not trailered.) It was then that I KNEW that even I could build an RV.

I lost count of the number of times I screwed up that stupid HS bracket (don't remember the part number, but you all know which one I mean.) I'd make one, discover that I'd messed it up, order another angle, wait for it to be delivered and start over. It had to be PERFECT.

After building the empennage and getting quite frustrated with the imperfections that were multiplying, I moved on to the wings. With each little dinged dimple, I winced because I could see my Gold Lindy fading away.

The next Oshkosh got me going again because I saw, through a builder's eyes, what a true grand champion looks like. I saw details that I'd never seen before on trophy planes, and was humbled as I considered how scarred and battered my project was.

Disappointed, I went home and surveyed the wings. I did some serious soul searching and accepted that Smokey would never win any awards, but would be a SAFE and FUN plane to fly, at the very least, and made that my goal.

Seeing a poorly-built RV inspired me to get started, and seeing the best of the best inspired me to accept imperfection and just get the darned plane built! Valuable lessons both.

[Louise Hose]

Originally Posted by stevemcgirr

For me, a major reason for taking on this project, an RV 7, is to build as a team with my 14 year old son, Doug. Ultimately, it will likely be his plane anyway.

This means, when he bucks a row of rivets on a skin surface, and loses control once (this happened) bucking the skin next to the rivet into a little, but visible, blister, I have had to learn that the skill being acquired is far more important than the cosmetic result.

BTW, building an airplane is a blast. Building an airplane with your son is indescribable

I often wonder how many spouses and kids are driven out of the shop by the pursuit of perfection. Paul and I had several serious discussion before and early in our build ensuring that he wasn't going to pursue perfection AND have me as a building partner. I had almost no experience in the skills needed to build, so there were going to be mistakes made. Thankfully, Paul agreed that we are striving for a safe plane we can be proud of, with many of his special design features, but not a plane of award-winning workmanship and I've had a wonderful time learning to build. And, without the stress of "failing" to meet some Oshkosh judge's standard, I find myself comfortable re-making parts and drilling out rivets just to satisfy our own standard.

Oh, and my epiphany? When I made my first figure 8 and Paul didn't pop a cork. He didn't even get upset. I realized that he really is happy to accept some mistakes as long as I was learning and trying to do good work. He told me then, and several times since, that building is more about learning to correct/hide your mistakes than being perfect.

[Greg Arehart]

Originally Posted by prkaye

... After flying my -9A for a year, I've had two epiphanies

1) 160kts just isn't fast enough

2) A taildragger would be better

(kidding... sort of).

It's still possible to change #2!

greg

[videobobk]

I'll never forget how soon that moment came to me. The first night of squeezing rivets, I said, "I will take my time, I am NOT going to have to drill out rivets." I drilled out 12 that evening. Still have 'em in a film can, just as a reminder.

Last year I started supervising a high school group building a 12. Right away I decided "B" work was good enough. "A" work really only exists on show champions, and after you have a couple builds under your belt. So, a cleco left a dent in the VS. Paint prep will cover it. Several other small things have happened, and a few replacements have been purchased. Things look quite good and are structurally perfect.

The surprising thing is that now most of the work would get an "A." Tuesday three guys (including a supervisor) from the local FSDO spent an hour or so going over our RV-12, and I got a letter on FAA letterhead that I just might frame. We did ourselves proud; they were very complimentary. I would say that the secret isn't to try to build perfection, but to put your heart into your work, and learn from your mistakes. I know a bunch of kids doing just that.

Bob

[gib]

No one was born with the skills to build an airplane.....you have to learn them. That was my light bulb moment.

[KatieB]

I've been a craftsmanship nut since I was a kid building model airplanes. I've built more show-quality living-room-queen RC models than I care to count. So, I was really hung up on doing perfect work when I started building my own airplane. My tech counselor won a Bronze Lindy with his first airplane, an RV-6A. His airplane is gorgeous down to the last painstaking detail. It was also the first RV I ever saw up close and the first I ever rode in. How's that for setting the bar? He saw my stress right away and gave me some advice- a test for whether or not a part should be scrapped.

1. Is it still safe? If not, the answer is obvious. If yes, then you have options.
2. Will it cost me the Silver Lindy? If yes, then scrap it OR accept it and shoot for Bronze.

He also said, don't let perfection be the enemy of good work. If you live in fear of making mistakes, you will never finish the project. If you try too hard to fix mistakes, you might cause more damage than if you'd have just accepted it and moved on. Know the requirements for proper metalwork and systems installation so there is no question about airworthiness.

I'm fortunate now to have a previously flying and nicely-built airplane to rebuild. My goal is for the parts I build (like the entire empennage) to match the quality of Tony's work.

[aarvig]

Yep, I had a beautiful epiphany today. I don't care if my plane isn't perfect. I just care that it is safe.
I spent some of my free time today filling and sanding the infamous dent. I need to get some 400 grit sandpaper and then I'll finish the sanding and priming. Then I'll leave it alonee until its painted.
Things I learned...
1.) My plane won't be perfect but it will be safe.
2.) I can fill a dent pretty darn well...bring on the dents (just kidding)

I am WAY happier accepting a plane that isn't perfect rather than trying to build one that is. I can't imagine building a perfect plane and then having a scratch or dent...it would be a nightmare. So, moving forward, I will strive to build a safe, airworthy aircraft to the best of my ability but without the need for perfection that was beginning to rob me of my enjoyment of the process.

[Ironflight]

And of course, Epiphanies aren't just about building.....

We all know how invulnerable when we are young, right? Well, have you ever had one of those moments when the intellectual knowledge that you can be killed in an airplane suddenly and sharply comes a " bullet past the ear" moment - when you feel all the way down to your nerve endings just how lucky you are to be alive? Did it change the way you conduct at least that part of your flying? If it did, you had an "epiphany".

See...epiphanies are about how you view and react to the entire universe!

Great contributions so far BTW....

Paul