Talk me out of building a Van's RV

iamtheari said:
My friendly local A&P used to build aluminum wings for a living. He wants to build a plane with me. I am absurdly tempted because this method will probably get the thing done in months (or at most years) instead of decades and it will probably fly straight, plus building the plane under an A&P's supervision could lead to qualifying for an airframe mechanic certificate, which will have other benefits in life.........

What I need now is someone to talk me out of the whole thing. Does anyone in the upper Midwest have a flying RV-7 and/or RV-9 they would like to have a pilot-rated passenger or safety pilot in for a couple hours to help? I'm in western ND so the entire states of MT, ND, MN, and SD are within easy reach and I would fly a little farther than that to get a taste of something before committing over $100,000 and many hours of my life to it. I hope someone can help convince me not to do this!
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Just do it! I helped build one back in the late 90's in The Netherlands, started my own project before life got in the way and still regret selling it. And... just this morning saw that the guy that bought it just flew it for the first time. Even more envy now. Do it!
 
CJ Rader said:
Oh geez, this forum is dangerous. I accidentally wander into this thread, which then leads me to Trade-a-plane.com and various other dark corners of the internet vying to sell me an RV-9A.. Aaaaaaaaaahhh!!
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This thread is not good for me. Every time it gets bumped I look at the calendar and my 401k statement.
 
Cas Hoefman said:
Just do it! I helped build one back in the late 90's in The Netherlands, started my own project before life got in the way and still regret selling it. And... just this morning saw that the guy that bought it just flew it for the first time. Even more envy now. Do it!
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Too late...
 

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N3368K said:
. . . if one is really proficient and on their game, both the Thorp and Mustang can be flown from smaller grass strips. On guy routinely flew his Mustang II in and out of 2700' with trees on each end.
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Wow, never realized that 2700' is short . . . But when I visit a 2000' grass strip, I don't take more than one pax with half tanks. I do trade the 2nd person for more fuel, though. Mooneys aren't known as short field performers. I was based for 7 years at a 3000' paved field with trees on each end, it was easy peasy. Now I'm on 3200' open on ine end and falling off to a river on the other.
 
Hank S said:
Wow, never realized that 2700' is short . . . But when I visit a 2000' grass strip, I don't take more than one pax with half tanks. I do trade the 2nd person for more fuel, though. Mooneys aren't known as short field performers. I was based for 7 years at a 3000' paved field with trees on each end, it was easy peasy. Now I'm on 3200' open on ine end and falling off to a river on the other.
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Trees on north end are 80’ literally at end of runway. South end is more open 30’ trees 50’ from end of runway where I’m based. I know a couple of folks who won’t fly their RVs in there.


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Velocity173 said:
Not a huge fan of RVs. Like composites myself but you can't go wrong with an RV. Well thought out design and you'll never need to worry about getting parts, unlike my Glasair 1 which isn't supported anymore.
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The only hesitation I have about composite is that (I believe) the leading kit manufacturers don't include a lightning protection grid and the aircraft could be structurally compromised by a lightning strike. I could be wrong.

I really like the Glasair II and III from a performance and aesthetic standpoint over the RV's.
 
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iamtheari said:
It's almost depressing how little duct tape goes into this plane.
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Oh you could add as much as you like, really. It’s your airplane. Might not please the inspector at the end, but there’s nothing stopping you really. :)
 
N3368K said:
Trees on north end are 80’ literally at end of runway. South end is more open 30’ trees 50’ from end of runway where I’m based. I know a couple of folks who won’t fly their RVs in there.


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That's a pilot limitation, not a RV limitation.
 
dell30rb said:
The only hesitation I have about composite is that (I believe) the leading kit manufacturers don't include a lightning protection grid and the aircraft could be structurally compromised by a lightning strike. I could be wrong.

I really like the Glasair II and III from a performance and aesthetic standpoint over the RV's.
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Correct, lack of a faraday cage was a concern of mine as well. Over time I’ve come to accept the slim odds of a Lightning strike and the fact that if it does happen, it won’t necessarily be catastrophic.
 
tsts4 said:
That's a pilot limitation, not a RV limitation.
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True, but the RV is a more capable short field plane than the Mustang II or T-18. I'm pretty used to it having flown in/out regularly in my planes for 15 years and have been based there two years now. I flew my underpowered Swift in there several times, but only when winds were from the south and solo with 1/2 fuel. A pilot who doesn't understand the plane or his own limitations is a problem on that strip. If anyone isn't comfortable flying there, I'm not going to try to talk him into it even if he plane is capable. I grew up flying from a 2000' ag strip so short doesn't bother me. It sure does many folks.

Hank S said:
Wow, never realized that 2700' is short . . . But when I visit a 2000' grass strip, I don't take more than one pax with half tanks. I do trade the 2nd person for more fuel, though. Mooneys aren't known as short field performers. I was based for 7 years at a 3000' paved field with trees on each end, it was easy peasy. Now I'm on 3200' open on ine end and falling off to a river on the other.
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2700' alone isn't short. Add in the fact it is sod, sometimes needs cut or is wet and has the aforementioned trees of substantial height at north end...it can be short. I'm sure a Mooney could get in and out to the south with a bit of wind. Problem is, many folks aren't comfortable enough to try it.
 
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Cas Hoefman said:
Awesome! Get a better way to ‘store the parts’ though... good luck!
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My spare bedroom was ideal for air-conditioned RV parts storage, and freed up working space in the garage. Had just about everything but the fuselage and wings in there. Hardest part was maneuvering the horiz. stab through the front door and making a hard right turn down the hall!

Iamtheari, here's another build photo for inspiration!!

IMG_1943.jpg
 
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The photo was just the horizontal stabilizer posed on the "deburring couch" the day I finished it. It's actually stored under the stairs in the cradles. The vertical stabilizer is also in cradles. The rudder is temporary sitting on top of the barrel/pallet of whiskey.

I have a 6' French door directly out from the main work space. I can put the wheels on the fuselage and roll it out, with a small side-shift halfway through. I may even try to hang the engine in the basement. The more I can do there, the faster I can do it.

I also ordered some teleprompter glass, a small OLED display, and a fresnel lens to build a prototype HUD. All of the experimental avionics spit enough data out for logging purposes to drive a pretty complete HUD, and if the prototype works out I can study how to get additional data to be even more complete. Because anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
 
iamtheari said:
I also ordered some teleprompter glass, a small OLED display, and a fresnel lens to build a prototype HUD. All of the experimental avionics spit enough data out for logging purposes to drive a pretty complete HUD, and if the prototype works out I can study how to get additional data to be even more complete. Because anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
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While making your own HUD is certainly in the spirit of Experimental aviation (education, recreation, etc.), you can buy one for not much $$$$$:

http://grtavionics.com/home/efis-systems/heads-up-display/
 
Cant talk you out of it... I LOVE my RV-7
 
JDACO said:
Cant talk you out of it... I LOVE my RV-7
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You’re way too late anyhow. I have about 6 more lines of rivets on my RV-14 empennage kit and I am plugging away at the fuselage kit despite a busy summer.
 
Nice! The 14 is an awesome airplane! I fly the heck out of my 7a!
 
nauga said:
:eek:WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THIS?!:D

Anyone know an app/interface that will get me from a Dynon head to a Hudly?
The Dynon boxes already talk to a Raspberry Pi.

Nauga,
popeye
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It’s funny but GRT doesn’t do big splashes, they just sort of add stuff and you have to go find it. I felt the same way about their infrared cam. Never found out if it worked well enough to help me with runway deer.


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WannFly said:
I read this whole thread...twice, to talk me out of getting into this ...






then i ordered the USB stick for -10
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Terrible idea. That's how I got started. I ordered the USB sticks for the -7 and for the -14. I looked at them both and thought the -14 looked really easy, so I ordered the empennage kit. (I also bought a bunch of electrical outlets, wire, and plug-in fluorescent light fixtures and listened to audiobooks while wiring up the temporary electrical system to power the factory.)

If you do want to see some of these processes in action, you're welcome to fly west and visit my project. But then you will be forced to participate in my "what shade of gray should I paint the interior?" poll.

P.S. Don't read my "talk me out of building" thread from about this time last year. I got no help at all there.
 
iamtheari said:
Terrible idea. That's how I got started. I ordered the USB sticks for the -7 and for the -14. I looked at them both and thought the -14 looked really easy, so I ordered the empennage kit. (I also bought a bunch of electrical outlets, wire, and plug-in fluorescent light fixtures and listened to audiobooks while wiring up the temporary electrical system to power the factory.)

If you do want to see some of these processes in action, you're welcome to fly west and visit my project. But then you will be forced to participate in my "what shade of gray should I paint the interior?" poll.

P.S. Don't read my "talk me out of building" thread from about this time last year. I got no help at all there.
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i know rt? i had different expectations from POA.
i was going to ping you offline and invite myself over ...lol:p. count on it, if the WX ever clears up. its has been 2.5 weeks of IFR or MVFR. i will drive if i have to. interestingly over at VAF i found a guy in my backyard who built and flies a -9A now and believe he is building a 8. meeting him this saturday to ogle at his bird.

bought a bunch of 2X4 last night to get my garage insulated and turn it into a shop... weather i build or not, i will have an insulated garage for sure :p.

PS: love to talk about all shades of grey... i hear there are 50 of 'em
 
Keep on trucking on it Ari. You have to work on it every day even if just for 1/2 hour to keep the momentum going. The big milestone is when you get the basic airframe done and then comes the endless engine, cowl and avionics installation. I have built one RV 7 and over 1/2 of another one and about 1/2 of an early RV6. I've also built most of a Zenith 750 and I'm on my 4th Supercub so I know what it takes. I really like the improvements Van's has done on the 14 and that's what I would build if doing a Van's airplane. PM me when you get to engine/prop combo as I have a bit of experience there. I've also installed a lot of Dynon stuff. Putting a Skyview in a Nanchang and a D180 in a Supercub right now.
 
Since it's your first time around, I'd say be prepared to spend a lot of hours on the computer as well, doing research about that one thing that only works that one way in that one situation, unless you buy the adapter you can only get at that one place for that one price. :sosp:

But I won't talk you out of it.

as a matter of fact, come pick me up in it.. :yesnod:
 
Skyrys62 said:
as a matter of fact, come pick me up in it.. :yesnod:
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Thanks to the helpful dissuasion of this thread since I posted it just over a year ago, I am on pace to fly my new RV-14 taildragger to Airventure 2019. Of course, pace is a funny thing and I'll probably finish it just in time for Airventure 2025. But I do have a giant, unseaworthy canoe in my basement now, and that's something.
 
iamtheari said:
Thanks to the helpful dissuasion of this thread since I posted it just over a year ago, I am on pace to fly my new RV-14 taildragger to Airventure 2019. Of course, pace is a funny thing and I'll probably finish it just in time for Airventure 2025. But I do have a giant, unseaworthy canoe in my basement now, and that's something.
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Well, I spoke too soon on that. But my RV-14 has its airworthiness inspection set for tomorrow. All of you failed to talk me out of it, and for that I will be forever thanksentful (half thankful, half resentful). Good work, everyone. I hope to see you all at Airventure!
 
iamtheari said:
Well, I spoke too soon on that. But my RV-14 has its airworthiness inspection set for tomorrow. All of you failed to talk me out of it, and for that I will be forever thanksentful (half thankful, half resentful). Good work, everyone. I hope to see you all at Airventure!
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Congratulations on the completion and good luck on the inspection. I think there is some rule about pictures or it didn't happen. Am I right?
 
l8evator said:
Congratulations on the completion and good luck on the inspection. I think there is some rule about pictures or it didn't happen. Am I right?
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The specific rule is that you must post a picture of your new airplane. As of today, I only have an airplane kit. Tomorrow, if it becomes an airplane, then I'll have to post a picture. :)
 
iamtheari said:
As of today, I only have an airplane kit. Tomorrow, if it becomes an airplane, then I'll have to post a picture. :)
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Very good sir! I do love happy endings. Building and flying your own plane don't put you in a class by yourself ... but it don't take long to call the roll!
 
Congrats
 
iamtheari said:
Well, I spoke too soon on that. But my RV-14 has its airworthiness inspection set for tomorrow. All of you failed to talk me out of it, and for that I will be forever thanksentful (half thankful, half resentful). Good work, everyone. I hope to see you all at Airventure!
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Congratulations.
 
That's awesome - good for you. You didn't just talk about it, you did it!
 
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