Ironflight

Ironflight

VAF Moderator / Line Boy
Mentor
Now I remember another reason that I wanted to do as much as possible at home before going to the airport, and am glad that I did! On a weekend, having the newest "project" on the field, it gets pretty hard to get anything done! Everyone had to drop by to see the new and interesting toy...And I do have a personal rule that I don't work when I have visitors - it is too easy to screw something up when your attention is divided. The last thing I want to do is be rude, so I guess I'll just have to accept it...or close the hangar door and live in a blast furnace (not!). ;)

I spent ten hours out there today on the clock, and probably did six hours of work - I guess if I get half the time being productive, I should be happy. Today I finished doing all of the wing root nutplates, fuel lines, and electrical interfaces. Now to put those final wing spar bolts in the freezer and get them ready to insert....

Oh well, perhaps it will become old news on the field soon, and I can get this thing finished!

Paul Dye
Paying for TWO hangars (one Grumman, one RV-8) until the one gets flying and the other can be sold.... :eek:
 
Hangar visitors

This seems to be a well-known problem. Put those visitors to work - at least they can polish some aluminum while talking!

Ahh, to have even one hangar, what a dream! :) If I'm lucky, I'll find a place to slip my 8 under someone's bizjet. I've never seen a "private" hanger here in Switzerland.
 
20 minute rule.

rv8ch said:
This seems to be a well-known problem. Put those visitors to work - at least they can polish some aluminum while talking!
Click to expand...

I agree, institute a 20 minute rule, if they stay over 20 minutes, put them to work. The helpful ones that like to work will come back often, the rest will tend to stay away.
 
20 minute rule

I live in an airpark and often have the same issues. Most of the neighbors that come by are pretty good and don't just hang out. It is tough to not share the enthusiasm with them.

I have another friend that I grew up with. He is half way through his pilots license training, his son just graduated from F16 training and he has always been involved in model airplanes (me too). The bad thing is he just will come by anytime knowing I'm out in my hangar working on the nearly completed 7. On one of the visits I finally told him if he was going to hang out I was putting him to work!! He was pretty excited to help.

I have an ongoing list that I keep on the bench for notes and "things to do." I simply put a mark on the stuff I would have him do. Admitedly, it was some stuff I just wanted to put off doing and didn't want to do. He took it on with great elan. He installed my heat muff and associated tubing, the internal tubing from the Naca's to the vents, aligned the alternator, and assisted in taking off the prop. I'm sure he will be back this week and I've got a new list. He is very mechanical and would be building his own plane if he had the means.

I understand you can't do this with everyone but you know who you can. The other thing you can do is get good lighting and keep the door closed or nearly closed. Also a sign might help.

If this is all we can complain about in the process we are doing pretty good.

Darwin N. Barrie
P19
 
Food For Thought

Has anyone who is currently building ever spent time at another person's hangar prior to starting on their own kit? If so, how were you treated? Did the other person seem put out that you were there or did they share the excitement of building with you? Did you just want to hang out and BS or did you offer to do the less than pleasant jobs? No answer is needed, these are rhetorical questions. I just thought we all might want to do a little reflection. I would like to believe this falls into the, "What goes around comes around" category. Or maybe it is a "do unto others..." type thing.

I have spent about a year waffling on the decision, going to meetings, hanging out with other builders, and asking all of the silly questions. I don't think I would have ever taken the leap if it weren't for the patience and understanding of a lot of great people in the Houston RV builders group. They are all a bunch of great people and they are more than willing to go out of their way to answer questions or help out. I know that everyone who is building knows people that fit into this category. They just always seem to have time to help you out.

Give a little extra and it will come back to you.
 
You're right Tom....

I hope no one took my start of this thread the wrong way...I actually said that "I hate to be rude", and therefore, I am not. I will spend a lot more time with a prospective builder in fact, than with the local airport bums (I use that term affectionately!) who just want to jaw-jack because they've used up their avgas allowance for the week.... ;)

I think that an open hangar door is a great way to invite the potential builders/pilots into the fold, and will stop what I am doing to help them out!

Paul Dye
 
Desperate for hangar space anywhere I got a lead on a newly constructed hangar at Greensfield (M71) just 15 miles from my home. I called the owner of the airport who happens to live nearby. That very evening, he and his wife pulled into our driveway (in a Rolls Royce yet) for the "interview." When they arrived we chatted in the living room for a time then Mr. Green and I excused ourselves from the spouses as I escorted him to the garage where he first spied wingless "Darla" perched proudly on her landing gear. The first words out of his mouth were "Oh my....Rick you have GOT to finish this project at MY airport." Then he shouted "Marge! Come out here and see this!"
When I moved the 6A project to the largest newly constructed hangar at our small airport, we immediately became the focus of the place. Hard to believe, but almost no one based here had ever seen an RV and surprisingly, many never even heard of one. At times it was impossible to get any work done, particularily on weekends when the visitors could sometimes overwhelm the hangar. But I bit my tongue many times and perservered. A nice thing about being retired is tomorrow really is another day. I've made many friends at Greensfield, especially Tom. A retired chief flight test engineer who also worked at McDonnell-Douglas and retired about the same time I did, we never met on the job. With over 2000 hours of flight time and holder of a dozen STC's, his intellect is razor sharp but his body fails. He too, had never heard of an RV. One time, I delivered "The RV Story," "Fiberglass 101," and several Orndorff videos to his hospital room where he passed the hours watching them.....over and over again. From his engineering background and perspective he came to appreciate the genius of Van and his designs. Tom made me absolutely promise that he would be the very first passenger when "Darla" flew. At just 25.1 hours of flight time that promise was fulfilled. It took 3 people to help his crippled 74 year old body into the plane. When I turned over control to him, he was astounded at how responsive "Darla" truly is, and he let everybody at the airport know it.
35solution8wg.jpg

Since that flight, I've given the first RV ride to many of the local pilots. Sometimes cynical about the claimed performance numbers RV's enjoy, none who have flown with me have the slightest doubt anymore. Keep pounding those rivets and be gracious to your visitors. Its all about the journey my friend, that's why I just can't stop building...and building...
Rick Galati RV-6A "Darla" 74 hours
RV-8A empennage complete
C-150 engine MOH with Tom's guidance (and signature)
 
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Good Example Rick

That is a moving story Rick and a good example. You took the high road - well done!

Bob Axsom
 
Food for thought

You are right Tom. I hope I didn't come off that people are unwelcome. Far from that. I have shown my project to over 20 prospective builders, (2 last week) as well as current RV owners/builders. I really welcome this.

Regarding my friend, I love him like a brother and don't mind him coming over at all. I just felt that he would be happier working. Indeed he is. His son (the F16 recent graduate) is assigned to the Guard in Tulsa. He is making the decision on which RV he is going to build. He wants an 8 (obviously) his wife wants a 7.

I'm not even flying yet and learned about 2 years ago the RV people are the greatest group of people one could ever meet. Can't wait to get flying and expand the fun.

Darwin N. Barrie
P19
Wrapping it up!!!!
 
Not at all

No not at all! Not pointing fingers at anyone or anything said, just providing some food for thought. I don't want newcomers or interested individuals to think they may not be welcome in any way.

On the other hand, we all know how frustrating it can be when we are trying to get something (anything) done and keep getting interrupted. I am probably the worst! When I am working in the yard or in the garage and the Mrs. interrupts me, I don't always display the most patience and diplomacy.

Those who might be overextending their welcome need to be sensitive to and respectful of the builder's time. Most builders are more than happy to chit-chat and most of them can throw the bull as well as anyone. If you want to talk planes, why not invite the builder over for a burger and some beer on your time. I don't know of too many who will turn you down.

In my opinion, hangar time should be reserved for getting that first look at a project and asking some specific "getting started" type questions. Then if you want to come back again, ask if it is OK and ask if there is anything you can do to help out. Like any visit, don't overstay your welcome or take advantage of the builder's hospitality. Afterall, he or she is trying to get a plane built. You don't want to develop the reputation of being a "Hangar Rat." Calling ahead and asking is always a good policy and prefacing a visit with, "Look I really appreciate the visits we have had and I don't want to interfere with your building so if it is too much of an imposition, just let me know" is a good way to give the builder an easy out if the time is not convenient.

I know everyone on this forum is a great person who will go above and beyond to help out a fellow builder or potential builder. I want everyone who reads these postings to know this and not to think they are not welcome.
 
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