"Two Weeks to Taxi" Building Program

rv7boy · #1 07-13-2007, 09:29 AM

I just found this link.

http://www.amtonline.com/article/art...tion=1&id=4241

After reading the article, the title seems a little misleading in that "Pilots select their instruments, avionics, engine and propeller, and then choose their own paint scheme after completion of the program." I guess taxiing means pushing it out of the hangar on it's wheels, but HEY, that's pretty impressive even though they are obviously starting with an emp kit and Quick Build Wing and Fuselage kits from Van's. Kinda blows the door off the idea of recreation and education. I must be an old fogey; all these young whipper-snappers want instant this and instant that!

Anybody have any experience with this or know about it? This is the first I've heard of it.

Don

az_gila · #2 07-13-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rv7boy

I just found this link.

http://www.amtonline.com/article/art...tion=1&id=4241

After reading the article, the title seems a little misleading in that "Pilots select their instruments, avionics, engine and propeller, and then choose their own paint scheme after completion of the program." I guess taxiing means pushing it out of the hangar on it's wheels, but HEY, that's pretty impressive even though they are obviously starting with an emp kit and Quick Build Wing and Fuselage kits from Van's. Kinda blows the door off the idea of recreation and education. I must be an old fogey; all these young whipper-snappers want instant this and instant that!

Anybody have any experience with this or know about it? This is the first I've heard of it.

Don

Interesting pricing deltas....

RV7 basic......$140,000
RV10 basic....$190,000

I bet they get a lot more RV10s built.....

derLuigi · #3 07-13-2007, 10:53 AM

After the two weeks the aircraft not painted but otherwise finished. Kitplanes featured a series about the sportsman-program some time ago, there also was a podcast on aero-news some longer time ago.
Not for everybody, but it?s quite impressive what is possible.

Kind regards,
Mario (about to order the RV-7 standard kit)

Jamie · #4 07-13-2007, 11:03 AM

Wow...priced out it's $151457 for a VFR, unpainted -7A. That's more that TWICE what mine cost to build with a very similar equipment list. Why in the world would people use this program to "build" a -7/-7A when there are huge numbers of almost completed airplanes out there or already flying airplanes available?

Apparently TWTT has their own equipment list and standard panel layout, so it's not like you can do a lot of customization, especially in two weeks.

My almost finished, unpainted and ready to taxi -7A is for sale today if someone wants to give me $150K for it.

the_other_dougreeves · #5 07-13-2007, 11:18 AM

High price and not much customization ... Not for me. I would be interested in a longer build period for less $ and with the possibility of more customization. I just don't think that the RV series lend themselves to a two week assembly time.... I can maybe see 4-6 weeks if you had the emp kit pre-built, had the panel pre-built by a shop (SteinAir etc) had all components lined up (engine, prop, FWF components, interior, etc), had good, experienced assistance and absolutely jammed on building (10 hr days, 6 to 7 day/wk). Having other components pre-fabed would certainly help (e.g., wiring harnesses).

I think you're paying them a LOT to have have experience, help, tools, do research and pre-order components. As someone suggests, I suspect they will get more -10 orders.

TODR

Rene Bubberman · #6 07-13-2007, 11:24 AM

Do the math: assuming these superbuilders do not eat or sleep, there are 14x24 is 336 hours in two weeks time. Given the 51% rule it will take about 650 hours to build this plane

If they DO eat and sleep a little it will take about 500 building hours. My deepest respect if you can build an RV7 in this time.
Besides this: the whole purpose of learning, making decicions, creating, communicating with other idiots and having fun goes down the drain.
But then again: this is probably the same YOU veteran builders said when WE started building pre-punched quickbuilt kits

sprucemoose · #7 07-13-2007, 11:32 AM

The 51% rule is not based strictly on pounding 51% of the rivets or spending 51% of the time building, it's a little more nebulous than that.

These super-quick-build shops do appear to comply with the letter of the law, if not the spirit of the law.

Radomir · #8 07-13-2007, 11:35 AM

I only wonder how do they manage to get that cabin top on the -10 look like anything deserving to be a part of your pride and joy in 2 weeks? even if they work in 3 shifts! -10 builders, of course, know what I'm referring to

N402RH · #9 07-13-2007, 11:49 AM

http://www.twoweekstotaxi.com/[url=http://www.twoweekstotaxi.com/]

If it is anything like their very successful Two Weeks to Taxi Sportsman program, and I am sure it will be, you will literally buckle your seatbelt and taxi the plane on the last day with all of the avionics working and the interior finished to a remarkable standard.

Anybody want to buy a RV-4 so I can be the first one to sign up? If I could only decide which one to build?..

Also, all of these planes will have our EFIS systems along with the new Version 5 software to be released at Oshkosh (but don?t call me?I mean it?.this is timed to be released with another exciting announcement).

Rob Hickman
Advanced Flight Systems Inc.
N401RH RV-4

az_gila · #10 07-13-2007, 12:00 PM

Renee... as Jeff said, it's not 51% of the hours...

These parts don't count....

*Engine
*Propellers & Accessories
*Avionics & Instruments
*Interior Items
*Hardware
*Landing Gear
*Exterior Finish and related items

....and the rest is counted as % of "operations" that you do the major portion of...

This link to one of the "Builders Assist" outfits explains it a bit better...

http://www.aoaircrafters.com/build_assist.asp

Even if they creatively get around the "operations" count, it's hard for me to see how the so-called builder deserves a Repairman's Certificate with only 80-100 hrs. of work...

AC 20-139 give the full list of operations, and other others can be added... I wonder if they use this to "enhance" the builder's percentage...

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/3209fec2139ccb3f862569af006ab9e9/$FILE/AC20-139.pdf

gil in Tucson