I have a friend that I have known for years, a theater carpenter who has a realistic and somewhat skeptical view of the more "creative" people in his world. One of his favorite sayings is "It's not supposed to mean anything, it's ART!"
I tried to remember that phrase when building my RV, not so much for it's direct connotation that some things don't have to make sense, but rather that it is important to remember what parts of the airplane are "engineering", and what parts are simply "art". I think that one of the things that stalls people in their build is not being able to identify between the two, and getting bound up on a task that, in actuality, doesn't make any difference. Oftentimes, you will never be "ready" to start an art project - you simply have to dive in and learn what you don't know along the way.
An example:
1) Drilling the aft spar attachment holes is "engineering". Do it right, get the right edge distance, measure 20 times and drill once...or the consequences could be SEVERE!
2) The exact shape of the fiberglass windhsield fairing is "art". If you sweat making it exactly "right", you'll never get it done. Shape it until it is pleasing to the eye, and press on. (On an RV-8, I have seen people stalled for months on how to overlap the fairing to the Canopy skirt. Just look at someone's picture, copy it, and go!).
If you are dealing with Primary Structure, loaded parts, fuel plumbing, or BIG electrical loads, you are in the realm of engineering. Anything that, if it fails, could have serious results falls into this category. Build it to plans, use proper aviation techniques and parts, and don't get creative unless you have done the engineering to PROVE that your modification is adequate.
If it's adding an inch to the instrument panel, building a sub-panel, sculpting the shape of the empennage fairing, shaping (reshaping, repairing, etc...) the wheel pants - well, that's more in the "art" category. As is interior design, glare-shield shape, and a hundred other thigns that can slow you down.
Of course, I am not advocating sloppy building by any means. But identifying what is critical, and where you can use your creativity should allow you to liberate yourself from a self-imposed dead end.
I'm sure that we can build a list of the RV "art" projects that might help those still buidling....
Paul
I tried to remember that phrase when building my RV, not so much for it's direct connotation that some things don't have to make sense, but rather that it is important to remember what parts of the airplane are "engineering", and what parts are simply "art". I think that one of the things that stalls people in their build is not being able to identify between the two, and getting bound up on a task that, in actuality, doesn't make any difference. Oftentimes, you will never be "ready" to start an art project - you simply have to dive in and learn what you don't know along the way.
An example:
1) Drilling the aft spar attachment holes is "engineering". Do it right, get the right edge distance, measure 20 times and drill once...or the consequences could be SEVERE!
2) The exact shape of the fiberglass windhsield fairing is "art". If you sweat making it exactly "right", you'll never get it done. Shape it until it is pleasing to the eye, and press on. (On an RV-8, I have seen people stalled for months on how to overlap the fairing to the Canopy skirt. Just look at someone's picture, copy it, and go!).
If you are dealing with Primary Structure, loaded parts, fuel plumbing, or BIG electrical loads, you are in the realm of engineering. Anything that, if it fails, could have serious results falls into this category. Build it to plans, use proper aviation techniques and parts, and don't get creative unless you have done the engineering to PROVE that your modification is adequate.
If it's adding an inch to the instrument panel, building a sub-panel, sculpting the shape of the empennage fairing, shaping (reshaping, repairing, etc...) the wheel pants - well, that's more in the "art" category. As is interior design, glare-shield shape, and a hundred other thigns that can slow you down.
Of course, I am not advocating sloppy building by any means. But identifying what is critical, and where you can use your creativity should allow you to liberate yourself from a self-imposed dead end.
I'm sure that we can build a list of the RV "art" projects that might help those still buidling....
Paul