New builders thoughts

Flyguytki · #1 10-31-2009, 05:32 PM

So I have been lurking the site for about five years waiting for the day when I can start my own build and I think the day has come well maybe. A little background on myself, I'm 22 I have been flying since I was 15, and am a senior at embry riddle in Daytona and will be commissioning in the army as a transportation officer in may.(not my choice I wanted aviation) so Now onto my plan, my thoughts were to get a start now so that when my service is up in 4 years I have incentive to continue building instead of convincing myself to start from scratch. I have decided on a 7 as my favorite part of flying is being able to share the experience with others and sitting next as aposed to infront of them better suites that. I was thinking of collecting tools and starting my tail kit in the very near future and then ordering my wings in January or febuary so they would arrive right as I get outa school. This leaves about 6 months to finish the tail/ learn and only 2 or 3 months for the wings before I would leave for training and my duty station, I forsee little building time after that for a few years. Am I being unrealistic for giving 2 months of solid work to complete slow build wings? Am I being unrealistic in this whole idea? Should I just wait till I'm out to start? Thanks for the input!!

-David

Jeff R · #2 10-31-2009, 06:05 PM

If you can work pretty much full time on the wings, you should be able to pull it off. If you can also manage to store everything and you have the funds, you may as well go for it. Who knows, you might find a GF/wife who, unless you have already started, won't agree to your starting otherwise.

If it weren't Vans, I would be worred about support in 4 years, but they will be around and while they might come out with something better than the 7, I don't see how it could be much better, and they will still be supporting it.

Have fun!

dav1111 · #3 11-01-2009, 05:40 AM

It is never to soon to start on your build. Even after you go active duty, as long as you are not shipped overseas you will find that you can devote 10-20 hours each week on the building project. You are much better off staying after the project even if you spend only one hour each day working. If you lay off a couple of weeks and then go back to spend 1/2 to a whole day working on the project it will be less productive than doing a little bit each day because after one to two weeks away from the project it takes a little while to get up and going. Daily involvement with the plans and parts makes things go lots better.

helodriver · #4 11-01-2009, 05:47 AM

Have you checked the Army Reserves for Aviation positions? We just bought some more UH-60's and have an on going fixed wing commitment in the sandbox. Just something to think about if you really want aviation. Of course if you went Warrant Officer you could definitely have Aviation.

Flyguytki · #5 11-01-2009, 06:48 AM

Wish I did have a choice but I went the ROTC route and was selected for active duty, my oml score turned out not so great so I fell into the needs of the army group. When I turn captain I can apply for a branch transfer but right now I see myself in for four years then doing something else. But you never know. Well see.

Another question now ... Besides a tool kit what other tools are needed?? Band saw, drill press?? Anything else

- David

D-Dubya · #6 11-01-2009, 07:54 AM

First off, thanks for your service.

Regarding tools, there are must-haves and nice-to-haves and the line between the two can be debated endlessly on this forum. I would recommend a good drill press and a solid bench vise for the must-have category. A shop vac is also pretty handy and will get used all the time to clean up metal shavings from the shop and the plane. You don't need a giant one; just get a small one that won't take up much floor space. You're not sucking up bricks or anything.

You can get by with a hacksaw, but I have a good Sears 14" bandsaw that a buddy "loaned"

to me years ago. It has been very handy, and it gets used more than I thought it would. If you get one, don't get a cheap-o version. Having the blade flex around and stall out on a cut is frustrating.

Most people get a bench grinder for the Scotchbrite wheel, but I've just used the arbor that came with it and put it in my drill press when needed. Another builder joked that I may be the first builder to ever complete an RV without a bench grinder...but I've done fine without it.

My last bench tool is a 1" sander, the kind with a belt and a disc. It's been handy, but it's not a must-have tool. It can be a time saver, but aluminum gets hot very quickly on a sander. Hand filing works fine...it's just a little slower. But hey, you're young and should have lots of energy. So you could save a few bucks on power tools if you want.

This is just what works for me. Your mileage may vary. Hope this helps, and good luck!

avee8tor13 · #7 11-01-2009, 08:12 AM

David,

If you have a wife or girlfriend, make sure they are on board with the kit building thing.

If you do not have a wife or girlfriend, make sure you work in the kit plane into the minimum dating requirements and/or wedding vows.... :0)

Flyguytki · #8 11-01-2009, 08:42 AM

Haha my current girlfriend is actually an army aviator and is all on board and wants to help!!

D-Dubya · #9 11-01-2009, 09:44 AM

If she's rich and good-looking, she's THE PERFECT WOMAN!

Oh, wait...no. That would be superficial of me to even think that. Hope you two have fun building!

704CH · #10 11-01-2009, 10:40 AM

If it helps, I just hit my 6 month building anniversary from the day I got my Emp Kit. I spent a few weeks before that setting up the shop and getting tools together etc.. With a full Time Job, no kids, a very understanding wife, I have been able to average about 15-20 hours a week.

6 months later I am just about ready to start my tanks. Not sure exactly how much time I have left in the wings, but would love to finish them up early next calendar year so I can start the fuse this spring.

http://www.704ch.com/