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RV15 #150159, dad and 3 girls build

F

Frog Hobson

Member
I am lucky to have three daughters who are all interested in aviation. I am a retired Air Force pilot, and recently got back into GA. The girls love flying, and when I mentioned building an airplane they couldn't wait to get started. So not wanting to disappoint, I convinced the wife that building an airplane with the girls would be great for their education. Much to my surprise the wife agreed and here we are. Day one, inventory 2 hours
 

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First work started, countersinking
 

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Vertical stab complete, just over 6 hours. The kids are still super interested, and get really upset if I work on anything without them being there. Overall really happy with how nice the instructions and kit are going together. This is my first time building/ assembling an airplane, so if anyone notices mistakes please point them out.
 

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Love to see this. My daughter was 10 when I started my -12 build and would join me in the shop from time to time to help out. By the time I was finishing up she was 14 and was climbing into the tight spots to help take care of SBs while I was doing other things.

Now she's 16, learning to fly in that same -12, and a little too busy being a teenager (and active CAP cadet/officer) to help much on the -15 but I can live with that.

I hope adding a couple pics of my own version is ok, in the spirit of the father/daughter build thread. I think you will find that while the jump-start to career ambitions and all that is true, it pales in comparison to how having this kind of experience together builds a bond that is invaluable as you go through those otherwise 'difficult years'.


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Frog Hobson said:
Vertical stab complete, just over 6 hours. The kids are still super interested, and get really upset if I work on anything without them being there. Overall really happy with how nice the instructions and kit are going together. This is my first time building/ assembling an airplane, so if anyone notices mistakes please point them out.
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Nice FJ!
 
I did, per directions. But I am absolutely not convinced that needs to be…especially on a land plane in the arid Southwest. There was some discussion about the merits of doing so (or not) on My Project - Tail page.
 
Jetmart said:
Did you do any special prep of these parts before priming?
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I scuffed them up lightly with a Scotchbrite pad so the paint would have something to adhere to. Cleaned and primed them. I also wondered about the benefits of priming these parts because I am planning to paint the aircraft and these parts are all on the exterior. Just following the plans.
 
I primed the parts on the side you can't get to, the outside will be painted with aircraft. Also I live in AZ, not to worried about corrosion. My 1946 Cessna had zero corrosion at 80 years old
 
Just finished up the rudder. I did a lot more prep on these parts, and used pro seal on the last two holes closest to the trailing edge.
 

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Kudos to the kiddo for wearing her PPE! Ear protection, eye protection, and hair pulled back in a pony tail. And she doesn't get distracted and look up at dad taking pics while she's using the grinder. Nice job.
 
Great stuff. I hope they all stick with it and see it through to the end, instead of getting bored and bailing out part way through.

Hopefully one day they'll be drawing straws over who gets the keys each weekend. Great legacy.

My daughter (21) wasn't born when I started my RV-6 however just today we were talking about making arrangements for her to get a rating. I talk a big game, offering her the RV-6 like it's nothing, but I'm certain once she actually takes it off me I'll be pacing the ground looking skyward and being critical of her landings.
 
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planenutz said:
Great stuff. I hope they all stick with it and see it through to the end, instead of getting bored and bailing out part way through.

Hopefully one day they'll be drawing straws over who gets the keys each weekend. Great legacy.

My daughter (21) wasn't born when I started my RV-6 however just today we were talking about making arrangements for her to get a rating. I talk a big game, offering her the RV-6 like it's nothing, but I'm certain once she actually takes it off me I'll be pacing the ground looking skyward and being critical of her landings.
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So far they have shown no signs of being bored, and actually get really mad if I do anything without them. They have been around aviation their whole lives, and two out of the three want to be pilots.
 
TShort said:
I am about to go out to the shop and tackle the elevator skins ... was thinking about this as I clecoed them together. I'm hoping the thin nose / no hole yoke will get it done, but I think it will be tricky with the cupped die on the piston.
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Let me know, I ordered one of those yokes so hopefully it works
 
I was able to get them set using the thin nose / no hole yoke.
I had to swap to the longer piston on the squeezer, and the rivets are just close enough to the web of the rib that the nose of my yoke deflected things just a tiny bit. I considered grinding some off but was able to make it work. Also had to add a couple washers to get the short rivets to set (I don’t have a longer cupped set for the smaller button head rivets).
The last rivet was trickiest!
The last 3 required feathering the piston just up to the point where it would squeeze the rivet and then sliding it into position.


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D-Dubya said:
Kudos to the kiddo for wearing her PPE! Ear protection, eye protection, and hair pulled back in a pony tail. And she doesn't get distracted and look up at dad taking pics while she's using the grinder. Nice job.
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Just a comment on the “PPE” idea. I never work in the shop with open toe shoes. It is not just having something heavy fall on your foot, but the potential for cuts, etc. also. It is great that you have kids interested at an early age.
 
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