How do you know when you're done?

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

I've just written a new piece on the nature of the last stage of RV construction, when you start redoing things and making changes on stuff and decisions you've already done.

Still, you'll be face a challenge when you get near the end a project and here's why: You'll realize there are things you could have done better and you'll be tempted to do them again and there are things you wish you'd done.

In avionics, this is a constant problem but here's the secret: No matter what you put in your instrument panel, you'll find a thing you could have put in it instead when the next monthly issue of your favorite aviation magazine comes in the mail. Get used to it and ignore it. If you're building your airplane just to impress someone else, maybe you're building an airplane for all the wrong reasons.

I'm interested in hearing your late-construction tales when faced with plowing ahead or building some more.

[RV7AV8R]

Of course, you are never really done. Every one I know flying is still thinking about or making changes.

[pierre smith]

....so we fine tune the airplane to our liking as time and money allows

In the -6A, we added an SL-40 a year later, then a TruTrak ADI II two years after that. Now the new owner replaced the steam gauges with glass.

My -10 had a Garmin 430W added this winter and an HS-34. By Fall, it'll sport a new TruTrak Gemini for coupled approaches....see....like the nesting instinct a new wife goes through, making her new home, HER new home

Best,

[Brantel]

I chose to fly when it was airworthy and safe. The rest is fluff!!!

I added wheelpants and fairings after it was flying.

Paint is not done and there is still allot of prep to do to the glass work before paint can be done.

I have already changed GPS's and added additional avionics and servos....

Some people would die before they would fly unless the airplane is 110% finished.

Others never consider them finished.

I will most likely be one of the later. I can see where I will be finishing this thing years from now.
Maintenance after flying is another major task and time sucker...I already have a baffle crack that I am going to have to fix and I am not even out of Phase I yet....(the new baffles have not solved the oil cooler mount cracking problem)

[Bob Axsom]

Bob refining the design for more speed is enough to keep me working until I can't do it anymore. The speed carrot is a good one to keep you focused an striving for excellence of the airplane in one area of performance. It is not for anyone else and when my testing shows an honest increase of one knot the bond between between me and my airplane gets ever deeper and tighter. Knots are the tie that binds.

If you have that focus as you build these wonderful multifunction airplanes the deviations are minimized. If you build and just have this general heady feeling of wonder about this dream airplane that you will own someday, you will flit around and get lost in the process.

Bob Axsom

[Ironflight]

I have a mental list of "things that have to be complete in order for the airplane to fly safely". It probably should be written down, but it is not that big of a list. The airplane flies when that list is complete - and I don't let the list change as the program reaches some never-to-be-attained "end" because, well...it's not attainable!

the Val has had numerous panel upgrades (both HW and SW) in the 4.5 years it has been flying. heck, we put an entirely new panel in Mikey a couple years go, after it had been flying 18 years. So yup - I agree with those who say that it is never finished.

But...you CAN define when it is flyable. All essential systems must be complete and acceptable - not perfect. Perfection is the hobgoblin of those who wish to complete something. Yes, "good enough" is good enough! How do you know what that is? Consult a tech Counselor, A&P, or someone that has finished an airplane before. Get them to write you a list of what needs to be done to get it flying. Work of the list, and get ready for the DAR.

Glad to hear that you must at least THINK that you're getting close enough to worry about it Bob!

Paul

[Jamie]

It's done when you sell it (or it's destroyed).

[slyfox]

Originally Posted by Brantel

I chose to fly when it was airworthy and safe. The rest is fluff!!!

I added wheelpants and fairings after it was flying.

Paint is not done and there is still allot of prep to do to the glass work before paint can be done.

I have already changed GPS's and added additional avionics and servos....

Some people would die before they would fly unless the airplane is 110% finished.

Others never consider them finished.

I will most likely be one of the later. I can see where I will be finishing this thing years from now.
Maintenance after flying is another major task and time sucker...I already have a baffle crack that I am going to have to fix and I am not even out of Phase I yet....(the new baffles have not solved the oil cooler mount cracking problem)

Believe this, mine did the crack thing on the oil cooler baffle seam. I went and used the .45 wire and went from the baffle above the cylenders to the back of the cooler, did this in 3 spots down the cooler. I joined the wire to the baffle above the cylenders with an bolts. This has held up nicely for over 200hrs now, I was going to do something else and replace this setup, but it's working nicely, so why change something that is working. easy fix. Wait until the FAB brakes at the air alt door or the plate that hooks to the carb. There is a fix for that also.
\
My plane will never be finished, thus the name experimental. I just fixed my elevators after 300hrs. I have about a 1/4 total, 1/8 on each side mismatch between the two sides, vans said it was ok and would effect anything. Wrong, after welding up the hole on the right side I redid the hole and now it doesn't have the difference as much between 130kts and 165kts on aileron trim.

I am constantly doing something to the aircraft, still working on pants, eek what a job. I still have an auto pilot to get in it. Lots of small stuff that doesn't mean anything really, maybe in looks, but who cares it flys.

[N941WR]

Bob,

You are never done! There will always be changes you want to make. Need has almost nothing to do with it.

[lancef53]

I think mine will be done when I fluff it up for the next owner, and see it fly away!!