What is your build schedule?

[Brantel]

I also agree with the do something everyday no matter what or how small crowd....It works!

[DaleB]

I have found that I often need to alternate weeks... one week is airplane building, the next is "everything else". Sideline business, house maintenance, vehicle maintenance, family obligations, that sort of thing. Once in a while it stretches out to 2 weeks at a time, in either direction. Right now I haven't touched the plane in 2 weeks, and it's eating at me!

My overall goal is to be flying in 2 years; maybe not unrealistic since the kit was partially complete when I bought it. Right now I'd gladly swap my slow-build fuse for a QB if someone offered.

I have started setting small, intermediate goals. For instance -- I really, REALLY want to get the wings done this month, get them to the storage unit and have the fuse kit brought home before the start of July. I may miss that, but I'll be close. It helps to give myself a small sense of urgency so I can keep things prioritized.

Inertia can be your friend or your enemy... most often it's not your friend.

[KatieB]

If you do find that life happens and you take long breaks, it makes you realize that a great builder's log is a handy tool, because you can look back on your old photos and say "Oh yeah... THAT's how I did that!"

Some of the best advice above is to know when to quit for the day-- when you are tired or get really frustrated. There is no shame in starting again after some rest. You will wreck less metal that way.

[bird]

My build is dictated by my chief financial officer(wife). I do something on it every day. Even while waiting on the next parts there is something to do or plan.
My CFO is also dang good at bucking rivets.

Bird

[rgmwa]

I've found I average 10 hours per week. Been building 2 years and 8 months so far. My initial guesstimate was 2-2 1/2 years, but it looks like it will be closer to 3-3 1/2. No big deal, and the end is in sight now.

[ccsmith51]

I haven't built an RV, bought one. But, I did build a Sonex. I completely agree with trying to do something on the project as often as possible, even if it is just cleaning the shop (garage) and putting away tools.

I had a four month break in the build where I was out of town. The project was covered up in my half of the two car garage. When I got home there seemed to be sooooo many more important things to take care of. It languished for another two months. Finally my wife said either finish it or sell it, and that was the motivation I needed. It took a lot of focus to get started again but once I got back in the routine I really enjoyed it.

So, do what you can as often as you can, and someday you'll be making the first flight in a plane you built!!

[airguy]

Another vote for a good detailed builders log - I can't tell you how many times I've pulled up my builders log and photos to verify that was done (or note) and how it was done.

[MauiLvrs]

We planned for first flight in spring.
She flew ... the last day of spring...
a year later that we had first planned...
But we were on schedule ... we flew in spring

Always tried to do at least something every day.

[Tomcat RV4]

I have to agree the most important thing is to plan on doing something every chance you get...Most important keep family time available...I also answer when will it be finished with Friday, just don't say what year...I am also older and don't work as fast as used to.....must be fun, not another job
RV4 slow build.....vertical, rudder, horizontal, elevators, flaps, ailerons done.
wing spar reinforcements riveted ,fuselage just turned over last month, working on inner stuff...Tom Hankamp........(Tomcatrv4)

[schristo@mac.com]

I set a planned schedule for hands on work Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday... with documentation, research, planning, ordering, and normal life in-between

This worked pretty well up to the very end where I seemed to be working on the plane almost every day...

Standard build - first flight in 21 months with around 2,050 hours of construction time with each work session averaging over 5 hours.