Building out of sequence

[GVilleFlyer]

Hello!
Vans sent my Finishing Kit with many parts back-ordered, several of which are needed in the first section. Can I skip forward, perhaps to attaching the main gear, in order to keep building? Has anyone done this? The option is to sit on my hands until May......

 

[KEG]

Get used to the delays... it seems to be getting worse. I have had to 'skip around' throughout my entire build. Just be sure to look ahead in the KAI to make sure you are not doing something that you will just have to undue. Also, keep meticulous records on what has been completed and what yoiu have to 'go back to'. I simply marked completed steps in the KAI with a green check mark; marked skipped pages/steps with those sticky page markers; and made any appropriate notes in pencil. By the way... 4 years into my 12iS build and I am still discovering parts not included in delivered kits, even after what I thought were my thorough inventories.

 

[Baron71]

Hello!
Vans sent my Finishing Kit with many parts back-ordered, several of which are needed in the first section. Can I skip forward, perhaps to attaching the main gear, in order to keep building? Has anyone done this? The option is to sit on my hands until May......

I took over my RV-12is project from someone who bought all kits at the same time, so I just go section by section.
As for the finish kit, I just completed section 32 (flight controls) and now head over to section 35 (landing gear and engine mount). So far, I don’t see anything why you couldn’t start with this first, as long as you finished the break lines from Section 28.
But please keep in mind that I haven’t started Section 35 yet.

 

[ScottJ]

The only downside to installing the gear legs out of sequence is they elevate the fuselage making anything inside more difficult to work on - at least for altitude challenged people like me.

 

[CTCole]

Hello!
Vans sent my Finishing Kit with many parts back-ordered, several of which are needed in the first section. Can I skip forward, perhaps to attaching the main gear, in order to keep building? Has anyone done this? The option is to sit on my hands until May......

You don't say what steps/parts have been completed, so only a general answer is possible. Yes, much can be done out of sequence, and some should be done in a different sequence than the chapter numbers. For example: attaching the gear before the tailcone. Good excuse for lots of quality time fully studying the KAI and making notes of the contingencies.