VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

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

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 11-24-2014, 05:54 PM
FredMagare FredMagare is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyle, TX
Posts: 566
Unhappy I am in need of motivation....

I have just spent six hours bending and flaring tube for fuselage plumbing. While I got it done, I am seeing very little progress. I have been working this project for TEN YEARS now (off and on)! As I move forward with one task, I'm struck with the realization that I cannot complete it until I finish another task first. (There's ALWAYS something else.) I feel as if I'm in over my head right now and not sure if I should continue putting money into this project.

Is this really worth the hassle and expenditure? How have builders gotten over this hump?
__________________
Fred Magare
GySgt, USMC (Ret.)
PP-ASEL, A&P
Frederic.magare "at" gmail.com
RV-9A Firewall Forward
[Engine purchased]
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-24-2014, 06:04 PM
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

Sounds like you need a motivational flight
__________________
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
  #3  
Old 11-24-2014, 06:13 PM
s10sakota's Avatar
s10sakota s10sakota is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Westland, MI
Posts: 311
Default

Fred hang in there! Yes it is worth it. You surely have noticed that there's intense periods of frustration, and there's that overwhelming sense of joy and victory when even the smallest of tasks get completed!

My current RV-7 project is my third homebuilt and by far the most frustrating as so many parts just don't fit. But I know in the end I'm gonna have one sweet airplane!

If it makes you feel better, I got so frustrated with my fuel tanks that I stepped away from the project for 10 months. Then, after attending a Young Eagle's event with a lot of RV's present, I found some motivation, went home, and got to work on the tanks. Honestly, once they were done and leak free, I thought "well that wasn't so bad" and felt total victory over the tanks.

Keep at it man-it's all worth it!!
__________________
Mark Pensenstadler
1962 Piper Cherokee 160
2003 RANS S-10
2011 RANS S-6S
2011 Vans RV-7
2015 Zenith Cruzer
1962 Mooney M20C
2019 KITFOX Super Sport
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-24-2014, 06:14 PM
pilot28906 pilot28906 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Murphy, NC
Posts: 535
Default

Hey Gunny,
I am about where you are; just installed the HS. I know what you mean about spending a lot of time and seeing little progress. I have thought many times if I should stop building but I can't seem to give in. I just concentrate on the task at hand and don't look too far ahead. I am sure it will be worth it!

Just $.02 from a retired MSG.
__________________
John Johnson
Murphy, NC
RV7
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-24-2014, 06:29 PM
Vlad's Avatar
Vlad Vlad is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,151
Talking Problem 153

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S View Post
Sounds like you need a motivational flight

There is a little problem with some digits here otherwise I would lend a hand to a Marine. Those pesky aluminum tubes would be finished in one day


__________________
Where is N666BK?

Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-24-2014, 07:14 PM
mikehoover's Avatar
mikehoover mikehoover is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 626
Default

It took me ten years. I had developed the feeling that I would never finish - never could see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I kept going. One task at a time. I got frustrated many times and took several lengthy breaks. One so bad I got married and had a child!

There were two occasions where someone who saw I was not making progress due to inactivity told me that if I wanted to sell my project, let them know. The second time I heard this, it lit a fire under my tail.

My dad always taught me to finish what you started. And this always helped me perservere.

10,000 little tasks.

One day, a fellow RV'er (extraordinaire) dropped by my hangar and walked around my project and said, "You can be flying in a month." And proceeded to state his case.

He wasn't far off!

Every time I am airborne in my 9A, I look all around the horizon and at each wing, and the groundspeed, and grin.
__________________
Mike Hoover
Columbia, SC
www.aclog.com/rv-9a/
www.eaa242.org/
N194MH first flight on 08-26-12

Last edited by mikehoover : 11-24-2014 at 07:15 PM. Reason: spelling
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-24-2014, 07:14 PM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
Default Keep at it!

It is OK to get frustrated and to spend time away from the project. One thing at a time and there are times when it seems like you need to have everything done to move on. My longest periods of not building were due to family commitments, work travel and lack of funds to continue. It is all worth it once you fire up that engine the first time, make your first flight, and post-phase 1 flying. I got to take my daughter up today for her first flight in the airplane. Two weeks ago we flew out to visit her in Colorado, now she is home for Thanksgiving and finally got airborne.

Getting my family into the general aviation thing has been a large part of my motivation.
__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-24-2014, 07:37 PM
jcaplins's Avatar
jcaplins jcaplins is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Davis, CA, USA
Posts: 540
Default

Only 6 hours for the fuel lines!?? I think it took me 6 weeks!

I'm 12 years in to mine, and just now have power.




I feel a bit more motivated when certain milestones are reached.
__________________
Jeff Caplins
California
RV7 N76CX
(started: Feb 2002 --> Completed: May 2016)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-24-2014, 07:37 PM
Ron RV8's Avatar
Ron RV8 Ron RV8 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Okanagan Valley BC, Canada
Posts: 483
Default

This was my daughter's reaction the first time I closed the canopy on her...



You should have heard her squeal with delight the first time we did a roll...

I know life sometimes gets in the way but when you can, try and do a little bit each day, even if it's only 15 minutes. What I found was that if I was away from it for more than a few days, I found that I was spending most of my time just trying to remember what I had done last, and what I needed to do next. Even if your 15 minutes is just spent figgering out the next step, at least you are pointed in the right direction...

Good luck
__________________
Ron Townson
Okanagan Valley BC, Canada
RV-8 Completed Dec 2013

Membership renewed Sept 8, 2019
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-24-2014, 07:51 PM
FredMagare FredMagare is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyle, TX
Posts: 566
Default

Thank you all. That's just what I needed to hear. I suppose I should just keep doing those little tasks until there are no more left to do.

It's good to have this family to keep me on the right track.
__________________
Fred Magare
GySgt, USMC (Ret.)
PP-ASEL, A&P
Frederic.magare "at" gmail.com
RV-9A Firewall Forward
[Engine purchased]
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 03:52 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.