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  #31  
Old 10-29-2016, 10:33 AM
PilotFuse PilotFuse is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Central MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lndwarrior View Post
I'm not saying this would be the case, but I would say at least it was something you may want to considered.

If you decide to go this, you will quite literally spend thousands of hours working on the plane and equally as many thinking about it and researching it. This is a lot of time that you could be spending with your kids doing things they like.

It's possible they may not enjoy painstaking hours making slow progress. They may even end up resenting all the time you spend on the plane.

Not saying this would be the case, and it was not mine, but it is something to consider.
This is also on my mind. I've realized that I'm OK with it taking a very, very long time if no one shares the interest. I also tend to have time during the day (when I'm not on the road for work) while my wife and kids are at work/school.
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  #32  
Old 10-29-2016, 10:35 AM
PilotFuse PilotFuse is offline
 
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Originally Posted by Gary 40274 View Post
Why do you want to build? If it is to get an RV then go buy one. If it is because you like a challenge and like to learn then go build one. There is nothing so difficult to learn that the average person can't do it.

Be honest about your motivation.

Gary Specketer
It's definitely about the experience/challenge, primarily. The reality is that there are plenty of certified, readily available used planes I could find that are likely a better fit for my current mission. I want to build something with my own two hands, and be a part of this awesome community. The airplane itself will be a better fit for me years down the line that it would be right now.
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  #33  
Old 10-29-2016, 11:13 AM
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Saville Saville is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: KBVY Massachusetts
Posts: 1,100
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You say you don't know much about engines and avionics and that causes you to hesitate.

What I suggest is that you buy one and fly it.

I can guarantee you (from personal experience) that you will start to pick up the knowledge along the way. Mainly due to maintenance, and problems you may have and possibly the desire to upgrade the machine. In fact one thing you can do is buy a machine with old instruments and do an upgrade. It will be a cheaper machine and much of the upgrade can be done outside of the plane.

I had to tighten a lose flare fitting on one fuel tank air vent line. I learned A LOT about the fuel level transducer, flared fittings, and Proseal.

You will learn what an NPT thread is, what thread sealant to use and how tight to make it. You will learn about flared fittings and tubing and how to make them. When to use flexible hoses and when to use aluminum tubing.

You will learn all about the myriad of fittings out there and become intimate friends with parts vendors.


I bought an excellent RV-8. Well built and maintained. Yet I have a list of upgrades. Here's three examples:

1) The stick is way too short for me so I need to install a new one, I also want to move the elevator trim switch from the instrument panel to the Infinity Grip I want to install.

This will get you into wiring

- DB connector for the Infinity grip back-fitted to what is already there
- moving the wires from the panel rocker switch to the coolie hat of the Grip
- determining which wires do what on the present stick do what and
how to connect them to the grip


cutting and installing tubing
- bought a new stick and it has to be sized so that there' s ample
room between the top of the Grip and the bottom edge of the
instrument panel)
- what bolts washers and nuts to use on a component as
important as the stick. You will learn the designations for these
items (which number is for "grip"? what is "grip" etc)


2) Installation of an Odyssey 925 battery

- The battery won't fit in the battery tray as the tray is presently configured
I got a new tray and see that I need to buy the right size nutplates
(what are those?) and rivets (get the correct size) for the nutplates

- I need to fashion new right angles which keep the battery from
sliding side to side as the 925 is not as wide as the present tray expects.

This will get you into clecos, cleco pliers and rudimentary riveting.

- I may have to fashion a longer cable for the battery ground.

So this little project taught me about rivet edge distance, rivet sizing, how to drive a rivet, drilling holes for rivets, etc. All necessary for building a plane.




3) Install an airspeed indicator whose units are knots rather than MPH

- Again NPT fittings as that's what the ASI requires. What one do you get for plastic tubing (AN840-4D for my airplane).


So there's three examples of fairly small upgrade projects all of which teaches you some of the rudimentary skills necessary for building an airplane.

Basically you will find that "Nothing is Ever Simple (NES)" when you are starting out and you will learn a lot with each task you perform.


Just a thought.
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Last edited by Saville : 10-30-2016 at 12:22 PM.
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  #34  
Old 10-29-2016, 05:03 PM
rapid_ascent rapid_ascent is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 1,261
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For a comparitively small amount of money you can but a tail kit and only the required minimal set of tools and give it a try. After that you'll at least have a better idea of what's involved with actual building. If you decide it doesn't fit either you or the kids stop at that point. Sell your stuff and move on. Sure you'll lose a little money but then you'll know that it wasn't the right thing for you. No biggie.
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* Cabin Interior - In progress
RV-7 SB Wings
* Both Wings fully skinned
* Fuel Tanks Complete - No leaks finally
* Ailerons Complete
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RV-7 Empennage - Complete (a little fiberglass work left)
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RV-7 Preview Plans
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EAA Sheet Metal Class - Complete
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  #35  
Old 10-29-2016, 05:31 PM
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snopercod snopercod is offline
 
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"To get things done, you must love the doing." --Ayn Rand
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  #36  
Old 10-29-2016, 06:48 PM
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hawkeyestof hawkeyestof is offline
 
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Location: Georgetown, TX
Posts: 91
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All good information here. I learned the many skills required to build an RV while building. My help came from VAF, other internet sources and mentors. Ok to make a mistake if you can "un-do" it. The Vans guys and gals in the parts order store are great to work with. Sure - ask me how I know. Build on. J
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RV-14 empennage, wings and fuse done.
RV-12 N238GS flying
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Flew her to Alaska and Caribbean Islands
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  #37  
Old 10-29-2016, 09:01 PM
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Champ Champ is offline
 
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Location: Kingsville, Ontario, Canada
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I enlarged this, put it in a plastic sleeve and tacked it up in my shop for most of my build. It came from here on VAF, I think from someone's signature. Many here will likely recognize it.

"IT IS NEVER SKILL OR CRAFTMANSHIP THAT COMPLETES AIRPLANES, IT'S THE WILL TO DO SO."

Thank you to the originator.
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  #38  
Old 10-30-2016, 09:39 AM
Neal Trombley Neal Trombley is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: North Fort Myers
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Like becoming a parent none of us had experience. I plan on leaning on fellow rvrs and VAF a lot. Best of luck in both areas.
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  #39  
Old 10-30-2016, 10:15 AM
bobnoffs bobnoffs is offline
 
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Location: n. wi
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so i am the wet blanket. this forum is composed of people who have ''drank the kool aid''. myself included. but you should be aware that there is more than one person who bought a kit and then never finished. i am sure you would get another take on your question if there was a forum of builders who never finished. take all the parts of your life into consideration. make a wise choice. these are big bucks.
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  #40  
Old 10-30-2016, 10:23 AM
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Saville Saville is offline
 
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Location: KBVY Massachusetts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobnoffs View Post
so i am the wet blanket. this forum is composed of people who have ''drank the kool aid''. myself included. but you should be aware that there is more than one person who bought a kit and then never finished. i am sure you would get another take on your question if there was a forum of builders who never finished. take all the parts of your life into consideration. make a wise choice. these are big bucks.
You're not the only wet blanket....I'm suggesting he buy one to fly and the maintenance and upgrades will teach him lots about engines and avionics.
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Last edited by Saville : 10-30-2016 at 12:21 PM.
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