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01-06-2011, 09:01 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Martinsville, IN
Posts: 2,326
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What i noticed is that they are pushing an IO-540, which is essentially a 260 hp engine to 300 to 350 hp to quote their performance numbers. That will significantly reduce the TBO and increase the cost of your engine. If you go with a standard 260 HP engine, I suspect their performance numbers would not look as promising.
I'd really like to see some 260 hp numbers for a 4-place version, and post it in KTS and NM please. Then compare them to the RV-10.
The kit itself looks like a quality kit. Just be aware that building a glass airplane is not like building an aluminum one.
__________________
Randy Pflanzer
Greenwood, IN
www.pflanzer-aviation.com
Paid through 2043!
Lund fishing Boat, 2017, GONE FISHING
RV-12 - Completed 2014, Sold
427 Shelby Cobra - Completed 2012, Sold
F1 EVO - partially completed, Sold
F1 Rocket - Completed 2005, Sold
RV-7A - Partially completed, Sold
RV-6 - Completed 2000, Sold
Long-EZ - Completed 1987, Sold
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01-07-2011, 06:16 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lewis, KS
Posts: 134
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Building
I'll let everyone else sell you on which plane to build (although, on this website i don't think the "other" guys stand a chance). My only thoughts for you are that you want to build the plane in 1 or 2 years. With you being gone overseas for 4-6 months per year I am willing to bet that a large part of your time back on stateside will be spent with friends/family.
On the bright side, maybe you can talk them into helping you out. There isn't much (atleast up to the point where I'm at on my -10 build) that cannot be done by yourself but there's LOTS of stuff that would be a lot easier with a second or third set of hands. As for the actual physical building part itself, I think you'll decide really quickly on the emp section that "I can definitely do this" or "I don't think I want to do this". I don't personally think that just anybody can build a -10 unless they are determined to do so. Determination cannot be stressed enough. The wing section is pretty monotonous. Deburring rib after rib after rib. Then on to the other wing doing the same thing over and over. It gets pretty hard to look forward to continuing work. Then you complete a section and cannot wait to start the next section. To me it's kind of a roller coaster ride.
I bought my emp kit secondhand in 2005. The VS and rudder were complete and the spar of the HS was completed. I took over at that point. I have gone SSSSLLLLLLOOOOOWWWWWWW build and am now nearly ready to put the bottom wing skins on. I was a lot like you when I first started. I was determined to be done in 2-3 years. Well, marriage happened, and now we're on kid #3, in the meantime my wife (who was only 33 at the time) went through breast cancer, work, rest of family, etc.......
I've often thought about selling my kit and buying a completed airplane but when I do get a few hours to spend in the shop it is a very rewarding few hours. To see the nearly completed tailcone/emp, and nearly finished wings sitting in the cradle knowing that my hands built that is an awesome feeling. Cannot wait til it's finished to see what that feels like.
I've considered taking my kit to a local airport (within 50 miles as I live in Western Kansas and help is VERY sparse) where they've built lots of RV's and letting them help me finish my build. However, for the amount of money they want just to build it I could buy a very nice Cherokee 180 and continue my build myself.
Anyway, you sound like you've done your homework. My only thought for you is don't set any timeframe to be done in. You will have plenty of setbacks that a person really never considers when starting their build. You will also have lots of excellent days. One of the best is when you actually complete your first whole part (in your case it will be the VS). One thing to consider is that every once in a while Vans will come out with a SB. When this happens i drop whatever it is I'm doing on my kit and install the newest SB. This always keeps me up to date and I won't have to do them at a later date.
Sorry to be so long winded but there's a lot of "other" things to think about before purchasing the kit. Whichever kit you decide to build I'm sure you will enjoy. You sound like you have the bug so until you try it you will never know. GOOD LUCK!!!
Bill Britton
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01-07-2011, 09:01 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 179
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RVs
I bought my RV4 in September of 2009 and I can tell you that it is the most amazing aircraft that I have ever flown, does everything good. You won't go wrong if you go with a Vans product. Like eveybody is saying, over 7000 flying and plenty more on the way and the support from Vans aircraft is awesome. When they say that when you own an RV you are part of the Vans family, it really is true.
Good Luck in whatever you decide.
Brian Eisner
RV4(C-GRJT)
Halifax NS
Canada
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01-07-2011, 12:51 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 18
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I had the same dilemma
Hi,
I'm an RV 7A builder and had the exact same dilemma when I was choosing my kit - except for me, it was in the 2 place category - RV 7A or Tango.
The numbers - performance, price and build time definitely had me leaning towards the Tango 2 initially. I also had some conversations with the company and all indications were that they knew what they were doing. Kitplanes also did a nice article on the Foxtrot.
For me though, reality finally hit. Given that I'm a relatively low time pilot, insurance was an issue. I spoke to Falcon and realized it would take a while for me to get insured in a Tango and the prices quoted to me were rather high.
The next is support. There are 5-8 experienced RV builders within a 20 minute drive from home that have been there before. You can't put a price on that.
Most importantly for me, I took my wife to a weekend course to learn working with metal and another one where we worked with composites. For her, the smell of epoxy in the house and fiberglass dust was a big no-no while she was more than happy bucking rivets, match-drilling, deburring and dimpling. If support is big, support from my spouse definitely tipped the balance.
And in the final analysis, for a first time builder with limited mechanical skills, there's nothing like the confidence of 7000 flying examples and by some estimates many many more under construction.
Regardless of what you choose to build, jump right in. Its a decision you will not regret - I promise you that.
__________________
Empennage Complete - except for fiberglass
SB Wings in progress - spars complete.
Follow my build log at http://www.ravingnomad.com - not fully updated
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01-07-2011, 01:53 PM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Just to add a bit of balance (??) to the discussion, I happen to like working with fiberglass.
If I had a chance to choose a mythical RV that is available in either metal, or premoulded fiberglass, (and the only difference was in the material), I would go FG.
But, then that is just one mans opinion.
And, yes, I have built a FG plane in the past.
I do not dislike either the metal or fiberglass, I just think the lower parts count, and rapid assembly of the fiberglass construction is a winner.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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01-07-2011, 02:41 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tuttle, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,563
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV7Ron
Although I'm not in the camp of believing that "anyone" can build one of these as some are (at least not without significant help). Thats a personal evaluation you need to make. Keep this in mind, it looks way more intimidating before you start, than what it actually is in reality.
Its been said many, many times by people smarter and with way more experience than I. Its perseverance that will get you through more than anything else, including technical skills...you have to be "bulldogged" determined to finish it in my opinion. That's key.
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I agree 100%. I consider "bulldogged determination" the most important trait/skill I have. I did not know how to do 99% of what I had to do when I started. I could not have ever completed this airplane without many many people helping ( and that includes all the insight I received from everyone on this forum) but most importantly, I could not have completed this airplane if I did not have a dogged determination to successfully complete the project.
Not finishing was NOT AN OPTION!
PERSEVERANCE was by far the key to completion for me.
Last edited by RVbySDI : 01-07-2011 at 02:55 PM.
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01-07-2011, 07:33 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVbySDI
I agree 100%. I consider "bulldogged determination" the most important trait/skill I have. I did not know how to do 99% of what I had to do when I started. I could not have ever completed this airplane without many many people helping (and that includes all the insight I received from everyone on this forum) but most importantly, I could not have completed this airplane if I did not have a dogged determination to successfully complete the project.
Not finishing was NOT AN OPTION!
PERSEVERANCE was by far the key to completion for me.
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"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."
John Calvin Coolidge
__________________
JV
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
RV7 QB - Airframe largely complete, sans canopy and glass... unfortunately sold
RV6 - O-360-A1A, Hartzell CS, dual G3X VFR... purchased
Dues paid 2015
"Being defeated is only a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent."
-- Marilyn vos Savant
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01-08-2011, 11:07 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 5,766
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Realistically you probably won't be able to build a standard -10 kit in 2 years by yourself unless you are very motivated and have a ton of spare time. Even a QB kit might challenge that timetable. Figure 1500-2000 hours for a QB and 2500+ for a standard kit for a first timer as minimums. This is 3-4 hours per day for 2 years, 7 days a week.
I guarantee you won't enjoy doing the cabin top, doors and windows but if you keep grinding away on it (pun intended) those parts will get done like all the other tasks. I hope your wife is patient and understanding...
This being said, building your own aircraft will give to a lot of satisfaction, knowledge, new skills and probably be one of the major accomplishments in your life. It is a very rewarding experience on many levels.
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01-08-2011, 10:52 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Bellevue, NE
Posts: 686
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tool box complete
After a bit of coaching, this is the result. Could very easily be the beginning of an RV grin...

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02-28-2011, 02:43 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Omaha NE
Posts: 85
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RV-10 it is......
kit ordered 1 feb 2011 High Noon ....2010 prices..woo hoo
kit arrived 11 feb 2011 Builder # 41231
VS complete,
should be dimpling the rudder skins tonight.
 <------ electronic RV grin.........
Last edited by JoeB : 02-28-2011 at 02:46 PM.
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