VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 06-19-2013, 09:16 PM
George4242 George4242 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Hampton Iowa
Posts: 3
Default The journey begins!


Well gentlemen.. It has begun, RV-8. Any tips, tricks, suggestions or words of wisdom to share? I've got some time to kill before I actually order kit parts, so I've got some prep time. I plan on reading the manual repeatedly and hopefully gaining some knowledge from the experienced builders. I've already found some builders in Boone Iowa and plan on getting a hold of them once I have some free time from work. Some questions I have;
-are there any tools I should get/avoid?
-is there anything I should just straight up avoid?
-has anyone used a 200+ power plant?
-turbine power plant?
-what is the never exceed speed?
-has anyone done some modifications to the frame to increase that?
-have there been any successful and well documented retract modifications? (yes I know it isn't the 'smartest' thing to do)
-has anyone done a real fast back, I've seen the bubble fast back, but I would really like to do a BF-109 style cockpit.
-How much more room does the "tall" option give you?
-what does it do to the rear seats space?

If you haven't already clicked on reply and started reaming me a 'new one' well thanks A little background on me, I'm an Aerospace Engineering student at ISU, I love working with my hands and work on cars quite often, and I'm not afraid of a little challenge! So I do know that some of my questions are very in depth, very challenging and may be impossible, but that's what being an engineer is about. So I would love any help, sympathy or suggestions.

Thank you all,
George
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-19-2013, 09:29 PM
lorne green lorne green is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Oliver, B.C. Canada (Okanagan valley)
Posts: 786
Default

George, firstly...welcome!

I would really consider taking an EAA sheetmetal course this summer. It will get you up to speed real quick.
From learning which end of the cleko pliers to hold, to bucking rivets of various sizes. good luck
Oh, SB or QB? (first lesson)
Regards
__________________
Lorne
RV 7a tip-up
Pre-cover MD-RA Inspected.
Canopy completed. Bonded with Sika-Flex.
Up on her mains, Firewall Fwd and wiring on going.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-20-2013, 05:52 AM
Skykingbob's Avatar
Skykingbob Skykingbob is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bealeton Virginia
Posts: 557
Default Welcome!

George,

Welcome to VAF and the brotherhood of -8 builders

YOL BOLSON MY FRIEND!
__________________
Bob "Skyking" Corriveau
"PRINCE TRAPPED IN A PILOT'S BODY"
Yes I paid my =VAF= membership dues!
RV-8 QB Reserved N212KB
ATP
CFI/CFII/MEI

Build Site: http://www.mykitlog.com/skykingbob/

"Nothing worthwhile has ever been accomplished without inspiration, determination, and perspiration!"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-20-2013, 07:13 AM
panhandler1956's Avatar
panhandler1956 panhandler1956 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,686
Default Welcome!

Great to have another -8 brethren among the herd!
__________________
Brent Owens
EAA Chapter 9 Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Columbus, OH
RV-8 'Contrary Mary' flying
N784DE S/N #82614

www.fixedwingbuddha.com
Follow me on Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-20-2013, 07:19 AM
N546RV's Avatar
N546RV N546RV is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brookshire, TX
Posts: 1,036
Default

Regarding the tall option: How tall are you? I'm a solid 6'3" and I find that there's more than enough legroom in the front of an -8.
__________________
Philip
-8 fuselage in progress (remember when I thought the wing kit had a lot of parts? HAHAHAHAHA)
http://rv.squawk1200.net
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-20-2013, 07:29 AM
RV7Guy's Avatar
RV7Guy RV7Guy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
Default Congrats

Congrats and welcome to the wonderful world of RV's. This will be a memorable journey. This is an exciting time to be building. I think there will be lots of changes in avionics by the time you are at that point.

Mike S must be washing his Welcome to VAF apron. You'll get it later

Been away from the computer for a couple days putting the plane back together after paint. MS
__________________
Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
www.JDair.com
RV-7 N717EE-Flying (Sold)
RV-7 N717AZ Flying, in paint
EMS Bell 407,
Eurocopter 350 A-Star Driver

Last edited by Mike S : 06-21-2013 at 07:39 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-20-2013, 10:29 AM
Randle Randle is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Atascosa, TX
Posts: 106
Default

Welcome aboard George. You need to get ahold of the guys down at W&C builders assist in Boone, IDK if that is the builders you were talking about. Since you go to school at ISU, it is just another 20 minute drive down HWY 30 to their hangar at Boone Muni. http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=99697
I picked up my wing kit from them in December and there were 9 RV's being built in their Hangar, to include a Super 8 (IO-540 powered RV-8). Give them a call or stop by sometime. It will be a priceless experience for you in the beginning of this journey.
__________________
If you are 90% efficient, and your buddy who checks the 10% you missed is also 90% efficient, together you're 99% efficient.

RV-7A - empennage done minus glass
wings nearing completion
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-20-2013, 10:21 PM
George4242 George4242 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Hampton Iowa
Posts: 3
Default :D

First, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT!

Yes Randle those are the gents I was told to get a hold of, however I didn't have a name or anything. Do they do this professionally or just for S&G? What is a super 8???!!??!

dude.. Lorne green I would literally kill to be able to go to one of those, but I have 2 days off every 14 days and I work 6-4 on a hog farm. /: I'm sure there's another resource, I'm not going to start with the metal till next summer. ( I want to get as much of what I plan on doing designed, tested, and double checked before I take a 22k (ish) kit and start hacking away at it.. ) I plan on getting many many books on the subject as I have lots of time during the school year.

N546RV; I am a full 6'6'' without shoes. I fit into a 944 and 911 nicely and a 152 and 172 (my current plane) very well so I'm not a huge guy, most of my height is in my shins (no joke, its kinda freaky..)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-21-2013, 07:14 AM
N546RV's Avatar
N546RV N546RV is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brookshire, TX
Posts: 1,036
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by George4242 View Post
N546RV; I am a full 6'6'' without shoes. I fit into a 944 and 911 nicely and a 152 and 172 (my current plane) very well so I'm not a huge guy, most of my height is in my shins (no joke, its kinda freaky..)
Yeah, you might be a candidate for the tall pilot option. To my knowledge, all it does is move the front seat back a bit, which gives you some more legroom at the expense of your backseater.

It's probably good that your height is in your legs really. When I sat in an -8, once I was settled (and the pedals were moved all the way forward!) my legs were fine. The canopy, on the other hand, was pretty close to my head.

I don't think you have to commit to the tall pilot thing until you order the fuse, so you have some time...but definitely find yourself an -8 to sit in. Just be prepared to have some moments of fantasy while you're in there...
__________________
Philip
-8 fuselage in progress (remember when I thought the wing kit had a lot of parts? HAHAHAHAHA)
http://rv.squawk1200.net
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-21-2013, 07:40 AM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default Welcome to VAF!

George, Welcome aboard the good ship VAF
__________________
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."
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:46 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.