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  #1  
Old 08-09-2014, 08:32 AM
ColoRv's Avatar
ColoRv ColoRv is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tampa (BKV)
Posts: 926
Default A different kind of Oshkosh

This year's Oshkosh was different for me than previous years in that this time I flew in my newly completed RV8! The trip was relatively uneventful both ways with most of it spent dodging weather and winds I'm not sure I was quite ready for with my 60 hours of RV time. As my guru said though, "That's how we gain experience."





Bright and early Monday morning the judges descended on my new bird.



We build these wonderful flying contraptions surrounded by our friends and as our friends they tell us what a beautiful job we do but 21 judges signing the card are not our friends and these experts don't pull any punches. Later in the day a judge arrived who went straight to every difficult part of the build. Another judge pointed out that this was the RV expert in their group, and I recognized the name Rick Gray from these forums. He had me unlock the controls and raise the flaps and really took my plane apart. It's humbling when a real expert finds every one of our missteps. He couldn't have been nicer about everything though and it was obvious he was trying to help me improve my skills. After pointing out a couple dozen heartbreaking errors, he shook my hand and told me I really built a beautiful bird. What a great guy, as were all the judges.



I stayed at the plane all week and met more people than I thought possible. What a great community of people we have in this RV hobby of ours. There were some characters too of course as I was informed that I should have gone Dynon instead of Garmin due to Garmin being made for cars while Dynon is IFR certified. Also learned my base/clear was bound to peal off on the way home, and my angle valve isn't really suited for an RV. It really is an experience standing next to your plane for a week of Oshkosh! I am happy to report not one kid stood on my wheel pants or played trampoline on my empennage. I was waiting for a kid to show an interest so I could put him in the pilot seat and have him fire up the panel but alas no such opportunity arose.

On Friday I received a letter from EAA inviting me to the awards ceremony, which arrived a short time after my buddies played a prank with a fake official letter inviting me to attend a metal workshop at Oshkosh to improve myself and offering that I should leave prior to the ceremony. My buddies...not to worry, I will get even. In any event, I did get the real letter and on Saturday night received....



The weather got nasty again on Sunday and prevented my departure prior to the airshow which didn't break my heart.



So my plane's first Oshkosh is in the books and I came away from it amazed by the people involved in our hobby and with knowledge of how to improve my bird for next year. Those Lindy's really do look pretty cool...see ya next year Rick. It will be a little harder finding the faults next time!
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2015 Sun n Fun Kit Built Reserve Grand Champion
2015 Oshkosh Kit Built Champion
2015 Jeffco Kit Built Grand Champion
2014 Oshkosh Outstanding Workmanship Award

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  #2  
Old 08-09-2014, 08:42 AM
C. Brenden C. Brenden is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
Posts: 136
Default Congrats!

What a beautiful airplane!
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  #3  
Old 08-09-2014, 08:44 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default Sweet..

You ought to be very proud....congratulations.

Best,
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RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
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Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
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  #4  
Old 08-09-2014, 09:06 AM
BillL BillL is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
Default

Congratulations on your accomplishment!

I wonder if there is anyway to get the kind of inspection and scrutiny without being at OSH once a year?

Super plaque, anyone would be proud to have that hanging about the place. Be sure to show it off back home too.
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RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
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  #5  
Old 08-09-2014, 09:09 AM
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greghughespdx greghughespdx is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Aurora, OR
Posts: 843
Default

I looked at your plane while at OSH. You definitely deserve the workmanship award - Nice and congrats!!
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  #6  
Old 08-09-2014, 09:10 AM
Mike H Mike H is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Savannah
Posts: 806
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Congratulation, you have a really nice RV-8! I know we don't build these aircraft to win an award, but an award now and then is icing on the cake.

FYI, you may gain a few knots if you change the low wing airplane symbol on the Garmin to the jet symbol!
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  #7  
Old 08-09-2014, 09:26 AM
rockwoodrv9 rockwoodrv9 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
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That is a great story Bill. It has to be humbling getting the equivalent of a colonoscopy with people checking your work out. Im not sure I am up to it. I may bring a big tarp the first year I fly in!!

Good work my friend. Have fun flying!!
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  #8  
Old 08-09-2014, 10:11 AM
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panhandler1956 panhandler1956 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,686
Default

Great job Bill! I saw your bird there, gorgeous!

Thanks for the sharing your experiences. Great stuff!

Brent
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Columbus, OH
RV-8 'Contrary Mary' flying
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  #9  
Old 08-09-2014, 10:15 AM
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chazking chazking is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: State of Bliss
Posts: 396
Default Excellent

Work & paint
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  #10  
Old 08-09-2014, 12:15 PM
crabandy crabandy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ottawa, Ks
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Default

I'm no expert, but when I got within 5 feet of your airplane at OSH I new you were going to win an award. Great Job!
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