Still thinking about an RV-14

[OkieAviator]

Both, I think. I started a log on the EAA site so I have something I can show the DAR. I'll probably post updates here for major milestones.

With my 10 neither the DAR, nor the FAA for the repairman cert even cared to look at my build log. Ordered a 14 QB kit last week and while I’ll take pictures and make notes in the planes, I don’t plan on spending the time doing an online build log. Point being do it because you enjoy it, not because you think the DAR or FAA want to read through it.

 

[kyleb]

With my 10 neither the DAR, nor the FAA for the repairman cert even cared to look at my build log. Ordered a 14 QB kit last week and while I’ll take pictures and make notes in the planes, I don’t plan on spending the time doing an online build log. Point being do it because you enjoy it, not because you think the DAR or FAA want to read through it.

In today's world, I'd take a lot of pic's with my phone and let that record stand for proof. Neither of my 2 DAR's even wanted to look at the pictures. They just wanted to check out the airplane and associated paperwork.

 

[Jim K]

In a surprise to absolutely NO one, my 540 cases didn't ship last week while I was out of town. I felt like ass yesterday (caught some California cooties I guess), but still spent a little time in the shop. What I did get while I was gone was the parts to finish my elevators and horizontal stabilizer. Elevators are officially done as I finished wiring and installing the trim motor yesterday. I also finished riveting the lower side skins of the tailcone which made it into a big solid piece I can move out of the way. Expect to get the HS done before the engine cases get here

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

Wow, it’s looking like a lot of progress in a short time. I hadn’t expected big chunks of the plane to be complete so early, with wiring, trim, etc. I realize the end is far away, but what percent complete does this represent? The reason I ask is that I always thought building was really something should have tried when I was younger, but you’re making it seem achievable…and that might still seem like an illusion to me.

 

[tsts4]

Wow, it’s looking like a lot of progress in a short time. I hadn’t expected big chunks of the plane to be complete so early, with wiring, trim, etc. I realize the end is far away, but what percent complete does this represent? The reason I ask is that I always thought building was really something should have tried when I was younger, but you’re making it seem achievable…and that might still seem like an illusion to me.

See post #301. With an RV, tangible progress happens fast early on then tapers off over time. This can be discouraging to some builders when after very quick, visible progress the projects transitions into the phase where weeks, months and sometime years go by with little visible to show for the amount of work other than a shrinking bank account.

 

[Jim K]

Wow, it’s looking like a lot of progress in a short time. I hadn’t expected big chunks of the plane to be complete so early, with wiring, trim, etc. I realize the end is far away, but what percent complete does this represent? The reason I ask is that I always thought building was really something should have tried when I was younger, but you’re making it seem achievable…and that might still seem like an illusion to me.

I really like the concise list this guy posted: https://vansrv14project.uk/build-timeline/ I'm spending WAY less hours per section than him, but I'm guessing that in the end the proportions will be the same. Guessing I'm counting hours more like @iamtheari did. I have only 187 listed so far, which doesn't seem like enough.

From what I've seen the tail kit is like 1/8 of the airframe. The wings 1/4, fuselage 3/8, finishing 1/4. That's the airframe, then there's still some wiring, plumbing, etc, for the engine and all the avionics. I'd guess I'm 2/3 through the tail kit, maybe a bit more. The fairings will probably take longer than I think.

It is very exciting to see big pieces coming together. I'm dreading doing the wings next, because the most boring part is deburring ribs, which there is a lot of in the wings as you can imagine.

 

[iamtheari]

It is very exciting to see big pieces coming together. I'm dreading doing the wings next, because the most boring part is deburring ribs, which there is a lot of in the wings as you can imagine.

You will imagine that, and as a result the reality will be easier than you built up in your mind. (Unless you read this post. Then, you’ll fail to dread it enough for it to seem easy when you actually get there.) The canopy remains the main part of the build that I would most rather never repeat. And I did it before the wings.

 

[Jim K]

After the boiler fiasco, I went back out to the shop to do some rivet smashing stress relief. Finished the horizontal stabilizer. That's it for the tail feathers. The HS is the one part I've built that I'm not proud of. I made several mistakes, drilled out a LOT of rivets, and one mistake snowballed into having to use a bunch of oversize "Oops rivets" that I don't feel great about. I don't think it's unairworthy, but if the technical counselor tells me to rebuild it, I won't be totally surprised. So here's that:



At least i can stick it in the attic and get it out of the way for now. Io-540 cases are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.