I'm slow (no comments, please!)
I think 5 hours is very aggressive, although I know at least one guy who did it and then took a long cross-country.
I just took my time and had no number in mind. I wanted both me AND the airplane to be ready. Some tests I did multiple times just for my benefit.
Some guys on the Forum might describe me as a "boring pilot" to fly with - no fancy stuff, no aerobatics, low flying, steep turns - I fly the RV-12 like it was a 747, with 400 paying passengers in the back.
I love to fly because 1) I'm succeeding at the challenge of taking a machine up into the air and returning it safely back to Mother Earth, 2) because I enjoy looking at things from the air, as well as nice puffy clouds, and sparkling water, and seeing things you could never see from the ground, and 3)taking advantage of the efficiency of an airplane in getting you cross-country in a hurry - even in a slow-poke RV-12. I really enjoy taking the airplane for a lunch in the Islands - a two day, multi-ferry task via surface, or across the mountains - taking an hour to do what takes all day on winding mountain roads, filled with cars, semi's, campers, and logging trucks.
When it came time to sign it off, there was not the slightest doubt in my mind that me and the airplane were both more than ready, and would be able to fly safely. My wife was my first passenger. I'm teaching her to fly now - in case I kick off some day - hopefully she'll be able to get this little Stud Muffin back on the ground and walk away.
Two more flights today! - Numbers 100 and 101.
Bob Bogash
N737G