RV 14 - Possible to build by yourself?

[Bavafa]

Originally Posted by WDD

Thanks. Is it possible if I train by watching and assisting others, get organized, get the quick build kit, and do 6 hours a day 5 days a week to do this in one year?

As others have mentioned, probably unlikely but it also depends on a number of factors.
Is there going to be any modifications/deviation from plans... any deviation/upgrade will add more time, sometimes much more.
Will you be priming all parts ... that adds more time.
Will there be any delays in kit shipment? You might not have control over that.
Your level of commitment to the quality will also affect the build time. Hint, aiming to do it right the first time will save time.

As a reference, it took me 11 months to build it and another two months for painting. I was putting an average of 50 hours a week, but I had a few upgrades, fully primed and paint ready stage.

Good luck.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by Bavafa

As a reference, it took me 11 months to build it and another two months for painting. I was putting an average of 50 hours a week, but I had a few upgrades, fully primed and paint ready stage.

Good luck.

But, Mehrdad---you are an experienced repeat offender.

Warren, you might try to find an EAA chapter in your area, and get some experience helping others with their projects.

Nothing like hands on to give you a true sense for building. And you will build up some good will for the times you need to ask for help on your own project.

[Bavafa]

Originally Posted by Mike S

But, Mehrdad---you are an experienced repeat offender.

Warren, you might try to find an EAA chapter in your area, and get some experience helping others with their projects.

Nothing like hands on to give you a true sense for building. And you will build up some good will for the times you need to ask for help on your own project.

Mike,
You are absolutely correct. I just did not want to assume on Warren level of experience and abilities. Needless to say, as I am approaching the retirement age, my endurance for long hours in the garage is getting less and less.

One other factor, which was a huge factor for me was, building it at home. There was no travel time to the hanger, distractions by visitors, etc. Lets call it quality time in the garage

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by Bavafa

as I am approaching the retirement age,

Congrats on that

[jeffw@sc47]

RV-14A, 140195.
Built the airframe kits, hung the engine, assembled and near finished:

EMPENNAGE- did all of it by myself, had to come up with a large back riveting table and a few helpful tools and techniques for the fuselage tail cone.

WINGS- All of the prep and assembly of the parts myself; assistance riveting the top skins because had a eager volunteer and there were so many rivets, and parts of the bottom wing skins that were hard to buck by myself.

FUSELAGE (COCKPIT PORTION)- Did a QB for that which required about 120 hours to complete substantially. Attached the rear fuselage tail cone to the cockpit fuselage myself - did lots of prepping to arrange and align the two portions and got hem to fit. Had help to do maybe 120 rivets to join the two.

FINISH KIT- All myself.

FIREWALL FORWARD- Hung the engine and all of the FWF bits and pieces myself.

COWLING and WHEEL PANTS/FAIRINGS- All myself.

COMMON FUSELAGE WIRING HARNESS- Organized, purchased bulk wiring and connectors, crimping tools, and built that myself. Should have bought that outright, it was a long and tedious challenge - it does work!

WIRING- Did all of that except the harness that connected the Garmin G3X panel avionics (Approach Fast Stack did that).

ASSEMBLED WINGS/TAIL FEATHERS TO FUSELAGE- All myself except two assistants to attach the wings.

Ordered the emp kit Oct 2014, expect to be ready for the DAR in a month or three, I hope.

[SantosDumont]

I think the only way realistic way to complete the RV-14 in a year is to order everything at the same time. The lead times for parts are not insignificant. With all the parts at your disposal then it just becomes about the time you put into it.

I would not recommend this approach for most people.