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  #11  
Old 05-11-2012, 12:42 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
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Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
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Whit, one more thing that has not yet been mentioned, is to check for a local EAA chapter in your area.

That would be a good way to get your feet wet in homebuilding is there is one available.
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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."
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  #12  
Old 05-11-2012, 07:44 PM
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RV8Whit RV8Whit is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Southaven Ms
Posts: 5
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Thanks all

Im going to need to clean the garage before any ordering is done.

Those of you that have finished or are still building would post any pictures so I can get an idea of what I'm getting into.

Thanks
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  #13  
Old 05-11-2012, 08:09 PM
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tkatc tkatc is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,747
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Whit, look here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=85066

I just started too. While you don't need as much as I have, a nice workshop helps. Guys build inside 1 bedroom apartments!

Good luck!
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My ATC opinion is NOT an official FAA recognized opinion, so any advice you get from me is ONLY my opinion.

Track my RV7A!!

Bought my flying -7A
Building an -8! (Fuse)
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  #14  
Old 05-12-2012, 05:04 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default Welcome Whit.

You have all the room you need to build any RV except the 4-place 10..maybe even the -10.

Take a look at where I started my Cassutt Formula One racer, many years ago. My wife understood and a bedroom became the living room and the living room became the airplane factory...wing anyway:



Cutting back on some of your RC building and saving that money for a tailkit is very practical too

Check out the Elvis sideburns and striped pants of the early '70's....

Best,
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Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132


Dues gladly paid!
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  #15  
Old 05-12-2012, 11:44 AM
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DRBuilder DRBuilder is offline
 
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Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 96
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV8Whit View Post
Thanks all

Im going to need to clean the garage before any ordering is done.

Those of you that have finished or are still building would post any pictures so I can get an idea of what I'm getting into.

Thanks
Welcome to the forum Whit. Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and your parents have taught you well. Take a look at my website if you would like to see LOTS of detailed pictures from my build. That will give you an idea of what it was like to take on a project such as an RV. Someone else posted that you will need LOTS of disposable income to complete your project. That is true, but it doesn't mean you need to have it all at once. Even with a limited income, if budgeted wisely, you can achieve your dream over time. It took me 6 years to build my Super-7, and I know several builders out there working on their projects for 10 years or more but are almost finished and ready to fly. The important thing is, every day you need to ask yourself... "What have I done today that will get me closer to my goal?" If you can answer that question honestly, every day, you will no doubt achieve your goals sooner than later, whatever your goals may be.

Congratulations on taking the 1st step to learning a very rewarding hobby by joining this forum. The link to my builder's website is listed below. Enjoy!
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Wake Forest, NC
EAA 1114, Apex, NC
N713DR Super-7 IO/540 SOLD
http://www.drrv7.com
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  #16  
Old 05-13-2012, 07:52 AM
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Jeff R Jeff R is offline
 
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Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 602
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Whit,

I highly suggest you get the books by Tony Bingelis. They are dated a bit, but contain a ton of help suggestions and tutorials that will help make the building process easier to understand. Plus, it will provide many hours of enjoyable reading.

Building a plane is an awesome experience but, like most things that might appear glamourous to the outside, it is a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Literally. And the construction gets tedious and boring (you get sick of rivets after the first thousand, especially knowing you have thousands more to go), and it costs a lot of money and takes a lot of time. But as the major assemblies come together and you see an airplane forming, it becomes worth it.

I was 10 - way back in 1965 when the Fly Baby and T-18 were big - when I first started to dream about building an airplane, and 47 years later that dream is just a few weeks from being realized with a first fligth. I hope it doesn't take you anywhere near that long!
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Jeff Rosson
Repeat Offender
RV14 - Working on Empennage/Tail Cone
RV9A - Completed! First flight on July 18, 2012!
Based at Merritt Island, FL (KCOI)
VAF Number: 1170


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Star Trek Quote: "Logically, it could work. Also, logically, there are a hundred variables, any one of which could put us in a worse position than we're in now." Mr. Spock in Return to Tomorrow
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  #17  
Old 05-13-2012, 03:20 PM
TS Flightlines TS Flightlines is offline
 
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Location: Ridgeland, SC
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Welcome Whit! Alot of great advise on VAF. Many repeat offenders, and some of use that are getting in the process. There are many builders albums on here to guide you, and many more builders that will offer help, many in your area. Seek them out.
Tom
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Joint Venture with Aircraft Specialty
Teflon Hose Assemblies for Experimentals
Proud Vendor for RV1, Donator to VAF
RV7 Tail Kit Completed, Fuse started-Pay as I go Plan
Ridgeland, SC
www.tsflightlines.com, www.asflightlines.com
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  #18  
Old 05-13-2012, 09:46 PM
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danielhv danielhv is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Mesquite, TX
Posts: 936
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One of Vans' practice kits would be a good way to get your feet wet! I built both before taking the plunge!
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  #19  
Old 05-13-2012, 11:08 PM
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Flyin'Bryan Flyin'Bryan is offline
 
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Location: Littleton, Colorado
Posts: 269
Default Pics, Tips, and more....

Quote:
Originally Posted by RV8Whit View Post
Thanks all

Im going to need to clean the garage before any ordering is done.

Those of you that have finished or are still building would post any pictures so I can get an idea of what I'm getting into.

Thanks
Whit, as a few others have already indicated, many of the builders maintain their own website or builders logs that contain pics and other information about their progress. Many of them begin about the same way, which is usually getting a shop or a building area ready for the task.

If you check the signature lines on the bottom of many of the responses from individuals that have replied to your posts, you will see that many of them have web links to their own personal builder sites, myself included. Just click on those links and you can see each builder's progress and view whatever pics they have included.

Here on VAF there are other also other threads that begin with the phrase "Show us a picture of your......" These range from completed projects, status of current project, instrument panels and avionics, etc.

Happy hunting...
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Bryan Raley
http://bryansrv8project.blogspot.com/
Building RV8
EAA Chapter 301
CFII/MEI, ATP
SportAir Workshop Graduate x 4: Sheet Metal, RV Building, Electrical, and Composite classes.
Tail Wheel Endorsement Completed
Empennage done, Wings in progress, N462AK reserved.

Last edited by Flyin'Bryan : 05-13-2012 at 11:13 PM.
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  #20  
Old 05-14-2012, 10:22 AM
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RV8Whit RV8Whit is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Southaven Ms
Posts: 5
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As someone said in a post they built the practice kit. What do you build. And how much do they cost.

Also does anyone know what a empennage kit cost for an rv-8 so I know how much to start saving up for?

Thanks
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