Fastest build by an amature

[kevinsky18]

Who here has built their plane the fastest in terms of days from the time they received their emp kit until their first flight.

I suppose to be fair we should break this down in terms of plane type and quick build verse regular slow build.

Prize, as always in aviation, is bragging rights.

[airguy]

Van's webpage lists the record as 85 days for a non-prepunched 6.

http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/buildrv.htm

[N941WR]

First, second, or third build?

I could probably make the next one in 1/2 the time. Even then, it stil wouldn't be any kind of record.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by airguy

Van's webpage lists the record as 85 days for a non-prepunched 6.

http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/buildrv.htm

I believe that was the professional builder in Chino (or Corona?) in the early 90's. It was around his 10 th RV. He had made jigs and some "matched hole" parts for sub-assemblies, giving him a different assembly sequence.

Not going into primer wars.... ... but, IIRC he used the Akzo primer, and primed all inside surfaces on the parts straight out of the box. He then drilled, dimpled, cut, trimmed and assembled the parts, and then did a touch up of all raw edges with an airbrush or similar. Essentially, no stopping to prime at any stage in the assembly. I seem to remember he also worked 12+ hour days... and I think one was an Oshkosh winner...

gil in Tucson

[jeff beckley]

I just added mine up last night. RV7A I started Sept 30 2005. !9 months.
1065 hours including three tone paint, GNS 430, Blue mountain EFIS, AutoPilot.
1113 lbs.
This came out to working on it 2.5 hours everyday.
I had it inspected tuesday night and the DAR said that it was one of the nicest planes he has seen in several years. This is the first plane I had built.
Sunday is the big day if the weather holds out.

[Jaypratt]

Jeff,

I love to read of your sucess in your project. Good times and fun gear.
I am sure you will have many hours of fine flying.

Cheers
Jay

[rickmellor]

Originally Posted by jeff beckley

I just added mine up last night. RV7A I started Sept 30 2005. !9 months.

Dude ... I started at the same time and I only just got the wings on. I need stop working at work so much.

-Rick

[jclark]

Originally Posted by az_gila

I believe that was the professional builder in Chino (or Corona?) in the early 90's. It was around his 10 th RV. He had made jigs and some "matched hole" parts for sub-assemblies, giving him a different assembly sequence.

Not going into primer wars.... ... but, IIRC he used the Akzo primer, and primed all inside surfaces on the parts straight out of the box. He then drilled, dimpled, cut, trimmed and assembled the parts, and then did a touch up of all raw edges with an airbrush or similar. Essentially, no stopping to prime at any stage in the assembly. I seem to remember he also worked 12+ hour days... and I think one was an Oshkosh winner...

gil in Tucson

Yes, I seem to remember him telling me that he worked 6 days/week and sometimes 14-16 hours and had a helper.

I am still piddling around over 85 MONTHS!!! on a another one.

James

[RV7Guy]

Mark Chamberlin built his slow build 7 in 16 months 2 weeks. This included a full time job and some travel for work. He said he could have finished it in less time had he not had to travel during the last 6 months of the build.

He's got well over 100 hours since Dec of '06.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by RV7Guy

Mark Chamberlin built his slow build 7 in 16 months 2 weeks. This included a full time job and some travel for work. He said he could have finished it in less time had he not had to travel during the last 6 months of the build.

He's got well over 100 hours since Dec of '06.

Ahh... but aren't all of the RV-7s pre-punched??