N_Franklin
I'm New Here
Howdy Y'all,
I had been really thinking on this for some time, while I was working on my private. I have been lurking on here for several months now, and I have come to the conclusion that I think an RV, specifically an RV-14A, would be right for me. I passed my checkride a few weeks back, and now I think that this is something i want to do and move forward with. I have seen the lead times for kits from Vans, and put in a tail kit order last week to try to start the clock, but I was hoping that i could get some advice from the experienced builders on how to best start. I think i have reasonable woodworking and light machining experience (i have already made some initial workbenches for this project), but i can't say i have any "aircraft building" experience, outside of theory and R/C, and have never so-much-as held a rivet gun. The Vans website says that is enough to get started. Is that what y'all think, too? I assume those toolbox/sign/etc. starter kits are a good idea?
There are several sites out there who advertise "RV" tool kits. Are they a good idea, or is it better to try to piecemeal out only the tools you need? Is there a brand/source/site most people use?
Did most of you have prior experience? How difficult is it to dive right in? How much of a learning curve did you experience? How often have you relied on other builders in the area?
I want to do this right, and acknowledge that i really don't have much experience with this and am rather new to GA as a whole, and want to learn as much as i can. Thanks in advance, everyone, I appreatiate any insights y'all have.
TLDR: Howdy! New kid on the block here, any tips for just getting started?
I had been really thinking on this for some time, while I was working on my private. I have been lurking on here for several months now, and I have come to the conclusion that I think an RV, specifically an RV-14A, would be right for me. I passed my checkride a few weeks back, and now I think that this is something i want to do and move forward with. I have seen the lead times for kits from Vans, and put in a tail kit order last week to try to start the clock, but I was hoping that i could get some advice from the experienced builders on how to best start. I think i have reasonable woodworking and light machining experience (i have already made some initial workbenches for this project), but i can't say i have any "aircraft building" experience, outside of theory and R/C, and have never so-much-as held a rivet gun. The Vans website says that is enough to get started. Is that what y'all think, too? I assume those toolbox/sign/etc. starter kits are a good idea?
There are several sites out there who advertise "RV" tool kits. Are they a good idea, or is it better to try to piecemeal out only the tools you need? Is there a brand/source/site most people use?
Did most of you have prior experience? How difficult is it to dive right in? How much of a learning curve did you experience? How often have you relied on other builders in the area?
I want to do this right, and acknowledge that i really don't have much experience with this and am rather new to GA as a whole, and want to learn as much as i can. Thanks in advance, everyone, I appreatiate any insights y'all have.
TLDR: Howdy! New kid on the block here, any tips for just getting started?