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  #71  
Old 01-04-2012, 08:02 PM
DonFromTX's Avatar
DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
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Location: La Feria Texas
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Very disappointing news for us waiting for it. I am tempted to stick in a minimal steam gauge set, and fly while waiting for Skyview.
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  #72  
Old 01-04-2012, 09:27 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
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Location: Boulder, CO
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Don, you're building an E-AB airplane. Why not just buy the Skyview from someone else and press on?

Dave
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  #73  
Old 01-04-2012, 11:49 PM
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parqld parqld is offline
 
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Location: Queensland, Australia
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Default Why not still offer the old system?

This might sound like a dumb Question and I may have missed somthing, but why do Vans not offer the old System D180 untill the Skyview is available, I would have thought that logical.
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  #74  
Old 01-05-2012, 05:34 AM
Dave12 Dave12 is offline
 
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Location: Elkton, Md.
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Not a dumb question at all Paul. I think it happened because of Garmin discontinuing the 496 line and Dynon coming out with the Skyview. Although it has slowed some builders progress, I think they will be have an amazing panel for their wait. This could be a dumb answer?
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  #75  
Old 01-05-2012, 09:27 AM
Teamfanok Teamfanok is offline
 
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Location: Skillman,nj
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Yes, this is a problem with some builds. I have received the finishing kit with no wiring. It is b/o. The only steps you can work on is the canopy. The work under the floorboards can't be done as it seems the wiring would difficult later on. Just my thoughts
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  #76  
Old 01-05-2012, 10:48 AM
Keith Williams Keith Williams is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Milan, Illinois
Posts: 130
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Jeff, I am at about the same point. I went ahead and did the flight controls and this week am putting the tailconeless fuselage on the gear. But no fluid in brakes (until I see what has to be undone to get that fabled wiring harness in). Next step will be building (but not installing) the gas tank, then the canopy. So plenty to do for now.

But pretty soon I am going to "have a dog in this fight" when it comes to waiting for Skyview. As I approach that point I have two questions and an opinion to share:

1. As was just mentioned, do not see how Vans could make the business decision to withdraw the D180 and strand their ELSA customers....and not explain why they have done that. Amazing to me - it would be so easy to communicate their thinking. Looking forward to hearing Van's side of that story. I suppose it will emerge someday.

2. Also, as was just mentioned, I do not see why so many people "wait" when the EAB alternative is there. As one who does not see the value in E/LSA versus EAB, I will not be "waiting" if I reach the point that I can no longer build around the Van's wiring project. I say that as one who was a first time builder of an IFR, autopilot equipped RV6 in the 1990's and did the wiring (except for the radio stack) myself. I thought planning and doing the wiring was one of the more interesting and fun parts of the RV6 build. To me, "plug and play" is way overrated.

Despite this Skyview issue, and a LOT of little problems with the plans, I remain a strong supporter of Van's. I think they are trying to stay "lean" while working to deal with the huge jump in complexity that comes with trying to do it all for each and every one of us. I have noticed that my expectations are orders of magnitude higher than they were with the RV6 project. On balance, I am willing to manage my expectations because I think the alternative is a big run up in cost. I hope they stay "lean".

But gosh, it does not take much money or time to communicate with us customers (brief explanations of plans changes, etc.). I hope they appreciate the value in that.

Back to work.

Keith W.
Milan, IL
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  #77  
Old 01-05-2012, 10:50 AM
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engineerofsorts engineerofsorts is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 306
Default Working on the Engine kit without the new panel

I ordered the engine kit to keep me off the streets and out of the pool halls while waiting for the Skyview panel. I appreciate what a messy job it must be to come up with kits which fit all the retrofitting-to-various-build-stages problems. However, just to keep me going, it would sure be swell if Van's could release the new instrument panel sheet metal pieces. This would allow me to mount the throttle/choke/AP cut off switch, etc. while waiting for the complete Skyview system. Maybe not worth the inventory-related hassle for them, however....and will only delay me by a few hours anyway???
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  #78  
Old 01-05-2012, 11:20 AM
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DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
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Location: La Feria Texas
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I don't care a flip about ELSA either, but my indecision is based on some of the nice things in the avionics kit, like the ADAHRS mounts, wing electrical connectors, panel cutouts, and some minor wiring and the continued promise that is "just about to be offered".
I am definitely thinking about alternatives, and have already contacted Stein Air and Aircraft Spruce, another alternative is to just install minimum steam gauges for fist flights. It would appear to us without actual knowledge of the problems, that this is taking far longer than it should, maybe it has a very low priority. If my DAR will sign it off, this should do the trick.
[IMG][/IMG]
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Last edited by DonFromTX : 01-05-2012 at 11:31 AM.
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  #79  
Old 01-05-2012, 11:51 AM
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txaviator txaviator is offline
 
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Location: Arlington, TX (DFW)
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Default Keith W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Williams View Post
Despite this Skyview issue, and a LOT of little problems with the plans..........
Keith W.
Milan, IL
Keith,
Perhaps I should ask in another thread (so we don't drift off topic within THIS thread) but for us newbie -12 builders, can you share some of the problems you've seen within the plans? I just don't want to make a mistake if it is avoidable.

Thanks-
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RV-12 Built / Sold / Flying
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  #80  
Old 01-05-2012, 11:52 AM
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txaviator txaviator is offline
 
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Location: Arlington, TX (DFW)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DonFromTX View Post
I don't care a flip about ELSA either, but my indecision is based on some of the nice things in the avionics kit, like the ADAHRS mounts, wing electrical connectors, panel cutouts, and some minor wiring and the continued promise that is "just about to be offered".
I am definitely thinking about alternatives, and have already contacted Stein Air and Aircraft Spruce, another alternative is to just install minimum steam gauges for fist flights. It would appear to us without actual knowledge of the problems, that this is taking far longer than it should, maybe it has a very low priority. If my DAR will sign it off, this should do the trick.
[IMG][/IMG]
Don,
Looks GREAT to me!
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