Current and future builders,
One of the most distracting and sometimes paralyzing things a builder can do is go off reservation and make changes. Sad but true. It usually starts by reading something here on VAF or seeing something at Oshkosh and wanting to incorporate it into your build. Every change I have done during the course of my build has cost me time and sometimes money. At some point, you have to freeze the design and finish the dog-gone thing, at least that's what I've been telling myself. Guys like Horton and others come up with some of the best stuff but those great ideas have added years to my build (little exaggeration here if I may).
If you ever make the mistake by calling a fellow builder who is flying their creation, you will be sorry because they will provide so much hands on experience you will be remaking stuff before nightfall. At some point you will be presented with so many must do changes, it will cause temporary builders paralysis. I know, I've been there. I talked with a fellow RV yesterday and today I need therapy.
So, my advice is stay the course. No changes. None. Especially no structural changes because the designer owns the design. Want to install a tinted high dollar canopy? Nope. Want to change the wingtips to the new top secret RV-9 high speed high efficient mooney style tips? No way. Want to put oversize tires on your deal? Denied. Want to improve the fire rating of the firewall and floor design. Sorry. Want to improve the structure to provide more margins? Can't do it. Want bigger fuel tanks? Say it ain't so. Want a custom exterior color? Sure, any color as long as it's high visibility white. Want to use Silka? No way Hosea. Want titanium gear legs? No your not Trump. Want to put a RV-4 wing on an RV-6? Sorry, that's impossible (don't shoot me Smokey Ray). Want to put a 6-cyl on a -6? Time for therapy. An auto engine? Are you crazy??
I could go on and on but I hope you get the point. No changes. Simple and effective and the best use of your time. Thank you for your time and best wishes for your standard run of the mill RV build. You will thank me later.
Please excuse me while I attempt shoehorn this -14 horizontal on my rear of my -9. Shouldn't take that long..............
Cj
One of the most distracting and sometimes paralyzing things a builder can do is go off reservation and make changes. Sad but true. It usually starts by reading something here on VAF or seeing something at Oshkosh and wanting to incorporate it into your build. Every change I have done during the course of my build has cost me time and sometimes money. At some point, you have to freeze the design and finish the dog-gone thing, at least that's what I've been telling myself. Guys like Horton and others come up with some of the best stuff but those great ideas have added years to my build (little exaggeration here if I may).
If you ever make the mistake by calling a fellow builder who is flying their creation, you will be sorry because they will provide so much hands on experience you will be remaking stuff before nightfall. At some point you will be presented with so many must do changes, it will cause temporary builders paralysis. I know, I've been there. I talked with a fellow RV yesterday and today I need therapy.
So, my advice is stay the course. No changes. None. Especially no structural changes because the designer owns the design. Want to install a tinted high dollar canopy? Nope. Want to change the wingtips to the new top secret RV-9 high speed high efficient mooney style tips? No way. Want to put oversize tires on your deal? Denied. Want to improve the fire rating of the firewall and floor design. Sorry. Want to improve the structure to provide more margins? Can't do it. Want bigger fuel tanks? Say it ain't so. Want a custom exterior color? Sure, any color as long as it's high visibility white. Want to use Silka? No way Hosea. Want titanium gear legs? No your not Trump. Want to put a RV-4 wing on an RV-6? Sorry, that's impossible (don't shoot me Smokey Ray). Want to put a 6-cyl on a -6? Time for therapy. An auto engine? Are you crazy??
I could go on and on but I hope you get the point. No changes. Simple and effective and the best use of your time. Thank you for your time and best wishes for your standard run of the mill RV build. You will thank me later.
Please excuse me while I attempt shoehorn this -14 horizontal on my rear of my -9. Shouldn't take that long..............
Cj