RV-3 Tail Kit Arrival

iwannarv · #1 05-22-2007, 02:05 PM

Well I am finally getting around to posting the arrival of the RV3 tail kit - had the last couple weeks of high school, and graduated last saturday, so I've been busy finishing things up!

Many people probably followed the story of this tail kit. It was offered by Mr. Ken Simmons as a free kit to a good home. However, the reciever had to pick the kit up in Oregon, and I am in Kansas. I asked if we could arrange shipping, because I am an 18 year old pilot, and have a passion for RVs and experimental aviation. Many supporters of this site began to donate toward shipping the kit. At this point I was already in shock! As support grew, so did my excitement! Tony Partain then offered free shipping of the kit, so the money raised was put into a gift certificate for tools and such for building the tail. I shared this experience with my local EAA chapter, and they too are as excited as I am! I have great support from local builders who are willing to help out! I have recieved misc. hardware, the gift certificate, many words of encouragement, even an instrument panel ready for instruments from a local RV3 builder (Bob Vasey) who had it extra, just for motivation

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Tail Kit:

Many thanks go to Ken Simmons, Tony Partain, Doug Reeves, and all VAF and EAA members who are supporting this project. It is you guys who make dreams come true! This is a great opportunity for me that I am very lucky to be a part of! At the moment, I am getting a workspace set up, and beginning to gather tools, review plans, etc.

p.s. - My EAA chapter president made some phone calls, and I recieved a call from David Hipschman - editor of EAA Sport Aviation. He would like to do a story about my experience and the generous support among EAA members.

Mike S · #2 05-22-2007, 02:13 PM

Congratulations on the plane, and the graduation.

Mike

captainron · #3 05-22-2007, 02:47 PM

Shouldn't you be looking happier?

iwannarv · #4 05-22-2007, 02:53 PM

This better?

I had to search for some smiling pictures! Mom snapped that one when I didn't think she was going to!

captainron · #5 05-22-2007, 02:56 PM

There you go!!!!!!

iwannarv · #6 05-22-2007, 03:03 PM

Tony's shipper - Great guy!

captainron · #7 05-22-2007, 03:07 PM

It looks like your tail kit was partially started. Make sure you check over all the work, especially placement of hinge brackets as they are sometimes not positioned correctly by newbees.

iwannarv · #8 05-22-2007, 04:32 PM

Yes- the tail kit was started. I will be checking everything out before I continue building.

DeltaRomeo · #9 05-22-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

p.s. - My EAA chapter president made some phone calls, and I recieved a call from David Hipschman - editor of EAA Sport Aviation. He would like to do a story about my experience and the generous support among EAA members.

Amazing!

Have fun building, Brad. Congrats on your graduation.

Best,
Doug

PS: Make sure to lobby David to plug the VAF Forums - after all, it's the genesis of the event.

SportAvServ · #10 05-22-2007, 06:46 PM

Hi Brad, I've been following your story, I would like to donate somthing, I have some used but good steam engine guages and other parts that I have collected over the last 20 years of building. If you would like them I will send them, if you don't use them you may donnate them to your local EAA chapter for some other deserving person. Love that your building, so now that your graduated, where are you going to collage?

Take care.

Randy