It looks like there's a price break if I order the QB before the end of the
year, so it's time for me to figure out the 5 answers to the 5 questions on
the order form. I'd really appreciate any input from you guys.
They are:
Option 1: Fuel float sending units, two, $54. (As opposed to what? The fuel
tanks are already built in, it's not like they're changable.)
The fuel tanks aren't really "built in", but they are built. You'll want to take them off for paint prep and to do a pressure leak test.
There are two different types of sending units available but the QB's are built and mostly lock you into the float senders rather than the capacitive senders unless you want to go to some extra work.
For my part, I wanted the float senders anyway so it didn't matter. Just order the float senders and be done with it since you'll probably be adding a fuel flow rig anyway.
Option 2: Pre-punched VFR instrument panel, $25. (Shouldn't this be part of
Finishing, not Fuselage?)
Nope, it's part of the fuse and comes with the QB fuse kit. Whether it "shouldn't be" or not is Van's call.
Think twice about the pre-punched panel unless THAT layout is exactly what you are going to want. I'm sure they're out there, but I think most builders "do it their way" because of the many choices available to the Experimental market. The standard QB fuse kit comes with a blank instrument panel so I'd recommend just taking it and designing (and cutting out) the holes for your own panel. You can always buy a prepunched panel later if you decide you want it. Don't let that slow you down for getting the QB fuse ordered this year..
Option 3: External Step Kit, $85 for one, $170 for two.
If you're building an "A" model, get both sides. They may slow you down a MPH or two (or maybe not?), but without them, you'll eventually blow out a knee getting up there, or your passengers will bend and dent all sorts of things trying to step on and grab on to things you don't want them too.
If you're doing a taildragger, you shouldn't need them if you're under 70 years old. 
Option 4: Dual Brake Kit (for second seat) $170
Not truly necessary but you never know when you'll want to have them available. Perhaps you'll one day take your IFR instruction in your own RV and the instructor will want them... or you may let someone else fly left seat and you'd want to have them available to you? You never know.
What you probably DO want for sure is the the optional parking brake. Sure, you can always tie the RV down, but you won't always for a short lunch stop and you never know when a gust will come up and send her rollin' down a sloped ramp into the fuel pumps.
Option 5: Static Air Kit (ports and lines) $18.50
Of course, you need it. The only question is if you want to use the standard Van's kit or if you want to spend 5 times more and get a kit that has better fittings and connectors. From what I've seen, most builders use the Van's kit. It's easy to get carried away and buy all the extra stuff available to where you could be flying a $125,000 RV.
What did you do??
