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Making the plunge with a RV-8A

After having the preview plans for a RV8 floating around the house for a couple of years, the decision has been made to press forward. The family has signed off allowing for 2 nights a week and one weekend day. Plan to order the kit in the morning along with some sheet metal tools. I guess I need to begin work preparing the basement for the project. I am having to give up my 67 Camaro for space.
 
Welcome!

Welcome to VAF - you are in the right place and I know you chose the right aircraft! :D Get ready for a great journey!
 
Welcome!

Hey Chad welcome to the RV-8 brotherhood:). Get ready for a great adventure:D:eek:

YOL BOLSON !!!
 
Hi Chad and welcome.

I'm located in Murphy, NC. About 3 hours from Nashville. I've just started an 8a build. Empennage finished. Wings ordered (all standard build). My second time around. Built, flew and sold an RV-10.

It's an amazing adventure. You'll meet a lot of interesting people and learn an awful lot about yourself over the course of the project. Having family backing, and learning when to stop obsessing on the build (and focus on them), will make the journey a lot more fun.

Feel free to give me a call anytime, or to come by if you're ever in the area.

Tom Hanaway
561-702-5456
[email protected]
 
Organize the shop

It seems there's always something you can do to make your shop more functional. Order lead times can be a great opportunity to prep your "facilities" so you can be more productive when the parts arrive.

I also have a 67 Camaro, but can honestly say I haven't touched it since I took the plunge into RV building and flying. You'll never look back.

M
 
It seems there's always something you can do to make your shop more functional. Order lead times can be a great opportunity to prep your "facilities" so you can be more productive when the parts arrive.

I also have a 67 Camaro, but can honestly say I haven't touched it since I took the plunge into RV building and flying. You'll never look back.

M
Second this. Find some RV builders nearby and learn about setting up a smart work shop. It would amaze you how much time is wasted looking for this or that. Also, consider buying two of certain tools. Maybe drill motors, Cleko pliers, etc. Being able to quickly make quick production will keep you motivated, your family off your back (when this takes 3 years versus 6), and improve your odds of ending up with a finished plane.

Also, depending on age, interests, etc. you might consider trying to get your kids involved in the build. My girls had a table with a lot of drawing and coloring supplies in my work shop. They'd draw and talk to me while I worked. Wish I had pics or videos of that...
 
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So I wonder if I am the only one to ever do this. I ordered my avionics today. I know everyone does this, but I haven't bucked a rivet yet. I won't even have my kit till next week. In all my idle time since prepping the shop, I have drawn out my electrical and avionics system. With a long weekend staring me in the face, I thought I would build up some harness. I am going with the 2 screen Garmin 3x with EIS and autopilot. I included the autopilot head garmin sales for ease of use. (Didn't want to have to mash on the 3x for every single thing, still wrapping my head around having the vertical power run through the 3x for all the circuit protection.). I am also doing the GDL39R and the remote transponder with a pair of GTN650's. Still thinking on the back up instrument.
 
I am also doing the GDL39R and the remote transponder with a pair of GTN650's. Still thinking on the back up instrument.

Just my opinion, so it's worth exactly what you paid for it, but I would seriously consider holding off on the avionics for as long as possible. Just like other technology, you never know when the latest and greatest will hit the scene and trump technology that's just a few years old. At the very least, the time delay could devalue your panel before you've even used it - probably not a concerned with the TSOd stuff (unless buying older, used pieces that may lose manufacturer support). Regardless - wow - what a panel; g3X and 2 650s!:eek:
 
So I wonder if I am the only one to ever do this. I ordered my avionics today. I know everyone does this, but I haven't bucked a rivet yet. I won't even have my kit till next week. In all my idle time since prepping the shop, I have drawn out my electrical and avionics system. With a long weekend staring me in the face, I thought I would build up some harness. I am going with the 2 screen Garmin 3x with EIS and autopilot. I included the autopilot head garmin sales for ease of use. (Didn't want to have to mash on the 3x for every single thing, still wrapping my head around having the vertical power run through the 3x for all the circuit protection.). I am also doing the GDL39R and the remote transponder with a pair of GTN650's. Still thinking on the back up instrument.


Chad,
My guess is you already have calculated nearly everything you need to complete your RV in short and efficient order. Get it done and enjoy.
I also had several gages and Whiskey compass before I started my build. Bought here on VAF :)
Nice to have you here.
 
I am curious, what is a fair estimate of time to complete the tail kit? Mine should arrive next week and I am trying to plan out Tail, fuse, finish, wings. What seems to be the average?
 
I am curious, what is a fair estimate of time to complete the tail kit? Mine should arrive next week and I am trying to plan out Tail, fuse, finish, wings. What seems to be the average?


If talking of slow build which I did having a full time job and a lot of commute.

Tail - two months
Wings - four months
Fuselage and finish - almost twelve months.
Add FWF then DAR - ten more months

You indicated you go QB route so cut these times in half (except empennage). If you go to the shop EVERY evening and weekend you would fly in the spring of 2015.
 
T5 shop lighting

Updated garage lighting to T5 lighting and I would have to say this is a must. The difference is literally night and day.
 
Another week to wait! Got email today to expect delivery next Wed.....
Is there an easy way to post pictures. Need something very simple, I completely missed the computer boat. Computer skills are limited to searching for airplane porn and turning the screen blue. This iPad is my saving grace.
 
4 days from kit arrival and I get bad news. Kit comes Wednesday so naturally I have a big week end planned only to find out we have to go out of town for one of the kids sporting events. I guess one way to look at it is I could blackmail the kids into some extra help. The ole I do for you and now you do for me. I still have Christmas break and no apparent toys to put together. Hopefully everyone will be into their presents and won't miss me in the shop for 3 days.
 
I have a shop about 1/3 full of aircraft parts and 2/3 full of packing paper. Can't touch anything until next week but it is finally time for the fun to begin.
 
Work has began

Tuesday 12/17/13, began work this evening. Completed front and rear spar and began trimming ribs. First rivet driven at 6:40 PM. No apparent problems. Really glad to get started. 2.5 hours total from lights on to lights off.
 
Persistance

I have a day job involving a lot of travel, so I opted for the -8A QB kit. Still took me 6 1/2 years.

It was an amazing journey - goods and bads, but ultimately the goods won. Sometime after halfway you'll realize you have too much money invested to quit.

First flight was a wonderful experience - but the realization since then (370 hrs.) that I had this magic carpet that I built ready to lead me into wonderous adventure just by rolling it out of the hanger is indescribable.

One of the things I would do different given the chance - I'd delay the avionics until later in the build. I ordered during the early days of EFIS, and included backup steam gages because no one had the numbers to prove EFIS reliability. I went with good companies - AFS, PS, Garmin, TruTrac and haven't been disappointed - just envious because the new stuff is so much more capable than my initial design.
 
Friday night 12/20/13

Dimpling complete on HS. All parts primed. Ready for final assembly. 5.75 hours total time. Wish I could post some pictures. Need to come up with new log system. Computer literacy would sure be handy now.
 
Wed Dec 25 2013

HS has been assembled and complete except for tips. Got a brief start on VS and that's all it took, skin is on and ready to be drilled. Next session should have the VS complete and ready to move on to tail control surfaces. 4.5 hours today.
 
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