Go for it
Mike Weaver said:
I am wondering how detailed the written instructions are and if a lot of the construction information has to be interpreted from the plans? Time to build in not an issue but safety is. I have not found any FAA records that a RV has come apart in the air, but what if I unknowingly not do something correctly and my does.
I would welcome any input. I am really having a hard time making the decision to do it or not.
Thanks for your help. Mike Weaver
Mike good questions. Let me say
Yes you can probably build a plane, many many have, and many of those boys and girls have never built anything. I say
probably because
perseverance is key. If you give up easy than you may not finish, that's a fact, but I don't get the feel your that kind of person. There are no 100% guarantees in life or building a RV, but the chance of success if you stick with it is very high.
Structural Safety - I'll correct one of your comments, there have been a few RV's come apart, emphasis on few, over the +25 years they have been around. The RV-7 in particular has no structural failures I know of to date. Any plane can be flown beyond limits, Cessna, Piper, but in general RV's are very strong, every bit as strong as any Cessna or Piper. Really the RV is quite a bit stronger than most factory planes because RV's are aerobatic. The few airframes that have come apart in-flight, where mostly from exceeding the limitations (diving and/or sharp pull-ups at excessively high speed). There where some from improper construction, for example the rear spar connection was not even close to plans. It was an obvious error but was ignored. The beauty of metal structure is if you screw up, you scarp that part or assembly and build another. Van is very fair about selling you individual repair parts for builder mess ups, which happens to the best of us.
The basic RV design is not in question. RV's are very strong if flown in the weight and G limits and built per planes. Building per planes is not hard or mysterious. The new kits with
pre-punched parts and better instructions and drawings reduce build errors even more. Once you start building you will have 100% confidence in the structure. I can't explain it to you unless you are building, but you will know it is good. The
beauty of metal structure is you can see if you have good holes, rivets and bolted connections. Also with the EAA technical advisor program you can have an experienced person be a second pair of eyes to assure QC. You know who is good at inspecting, your wife or girlfriend. Once you show them what a proper rivet looks like or what good edge margin is, they will let you know if your work is up to specs or not.
System Safety - like engine and fuel for example. Following the plans and standard configurations, not one of a kind unique designs, gives you very safe systems. Even though RV's are "Experimental Amateur Built airplanes", the experiment has long been over. There are so many planes built and flown with great safety, we basically copy these known configurations and assure success. Van now provides air boxes, baffle kits, hoses, fuel systems, exhaust systems, controls, brackets, alternators, props, electrical supplies and complete firewall forward parts kits, so making good safe system installations is fairly easy. The system area use to be left to the builders to forge for themselves years ago, but the kit supply market has matured and is now providing custom parts just for the RV. See Van's Accessory Catalog on their site. Also order a free Spruce Aircraft Catalog to see what is available.
As far as
instructions & drawings they are good. There is also
help on line, builder web sites to look at, EAA tech advisors, local RV builders and of course Van's, to answer questions by email or phone.
Instructions could always be better, sure but they are very good. Some one brought up the Christian Eagle kits bi-plane on another forum. They where renowned because they came with a razor blade on the outside of the box to open the box. It came with everything in little packages for each step and very detailed instructions. If you needed to glue something it came with the glue, stir sticks and cups to mix it. Van's kit does not come with tools and other materials like primers and sealants, but it's not top secret. These items are easy to acquire thru multiple sources. So you will have to buy a considerable amount of tools and supplies to get started: air compressor, rivet gun and bucking bar, air drill (high speed more accurate), dimple dies, shears............ (the list is long). Tools are investment and don't really lose value. You will likely want some bigger powered items like drill press, band saw, belt sander and grinder wheel with a scotch-brite wheel. When you get closer to making the big step you can check the archives of this forum for tools to buy and best places to buy these items. Van's instructions also has guidance.
Building is an education and you will learn. If you like learning and acquiring new skills you will love the building process. Even if your goal is only to have the plane and are not in love with the building process, you will still learn and look at it with pride and achievement. It's a big commitment in time and money, but when you are done you will have a beautiful flying plane. Even if it's not perfect show winner, it will be safe, fast and fun if you follow the plans and standard practices. If you don't start what will you have 2-5 years from now? (more time on the couch watching TV)
