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Build times - time to get restarted?

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_lr_(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:14 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

I was one of the first to buy a tail kit (#22), but life intruded and

after some initial progress the kid has been untouched for the last 2

years. I'm now getting the itch to get hack into the project, but I'm

wonder if I've bit off more than I can chew. 



I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has completed, or nearly

completed a Quick-Build RV-10, regard times to completion for each of

the sub-kits (empecone, wings, etc). Did you try to optimize for lowest

cost of fastest build time? What major obstacles did you hit? What

words of advice/encouragement would you offer?



Its getting depressing to see the tail parts hanging there every time I

pull into the garage. Its time for me to either get my you-know-what in

gear or admit to myself that this isn't going to happen and sell the

tail kit.



Replies directly to this email _lr_(at)yahoo.com are welcome.



Thanks in advance,



Larry Rachman

ISP

__________________________________________________

john.erickson(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:30 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

Larry,



I've got kit #40208 and have also been getting discouraged now and then as I

see guys with slowbuild numbers well after mine flying already. I'm

military, have a couple kids, and while my building hasn't stopped (other

than during a couple deployments), let's just say the wing flaps have taken

me over 9 months so far, and not because the flaps are difficult.



That being said, when I first started building a couple years ago, I set a

goal of flying in 2 - 3 years. Obviously not going to happen.  I changed my

goal a year or so ago.  I enjoy building. A lot. However, when I try to put

a deadline on the project, it seems to turn from a fun project to a job.

I've decided I'm going to work on it at whatever pace is enjoyable, and it

will fly when it flies.  (or as someone on the list said, I'll fly it when I

run out of parts.)



My recommendation. Get the tools out and get your shop set back up.  Don't

try to power through building your plane (besides, we're not building

airplanes, we're building hundreds of small projects that end up flying in

close formation).  Spend 5 minutes out in the garage doing a little bit.

Spend 4 hours if it feels good (and the family lets you). Just go out there

a couple times a week and say hi to the project.  Eventually it will be

done. Don't worry about times for subcomponents or total build because then

you WILL get depressed when, like me, you find it takes longer to build part

X than Joe Bagodonuts took to do the same thing. 



Just my $0.02 worth...



John

#40208 Wings (still)



--

mritter509(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:51 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

Larry,



I purchased tail kit #43 November 1, 2003 (QB Fuse and wings).  The plane 

was inspected on July 21 and I flew it on July 22, 2006.  I worked on the 

project two or three days most weeks and didn't let it consume all my free 

time.  Saving time for the grandchildren, fishing and a little time at the 

office around pay day was just as important as finishing the plane.  I 

wanted to keep the project "fun". Some days you just have to say the hell 

with it and go do something else.



Early on I decided not to keep track of my time or cost.  It was going to 

take what it took and I sure didn't want to set any deadlines.  I get enough 

of that stuff at my CPA office.



In my case it seemed to be more fun when I could enlist the help of friends 

and enjoy a cold one at the end of a day bucking rivets.   Most of my 

friends will work for beer.



The plane is great and performs as advertised but I really enjoyed the 

building.  Learning new skills and the sense of accomplishment is what it 

was all about for me.



Mark



 	  Quote: 	
		  From: Larry R <_lr_(at)yahoo.com>

Reply-To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 06:13:28 -0700 (PDT)






I was one of the first to buy a tail kit (#22), but life intruded and

after some initial progress the kid has been untouched for the last 2

years. I'm now getting the itch to get hack into the project, but I'm

wonder if I've bit off more than I can chew.



I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has completed, or nearly

completed a Quick-Build RV-10, regard times to completion for each of

the sub-kits (empecone, wings, etc). Did you try to optimize for lowest

cost of fastest build time? What major obstacles did you hit? What

words of advice/encouragement would you offer?



Its getting depressing to see the tail parts hanging there every time I

pull into the garage. Its time for me to either get my you-know-what in

gear or admit to myself that this isn't going to happen and sell the

tail kit.



Replies directly to this email _lr_(at)yahoo.com are welcome.



Thanks in advance,



Larry Rachman

ISP

__________________________________________________

Rick S.

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Las Vegas

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:59 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

What John fails to mention is he has a flying RV-8 that consumes some of his time as well  

I have reached some sort of burnout several times. Deems and I share the same dislike for the summer heat, which will set you back becasue it robs your attention to detail. Work, family demands, busted fingers all play a part. John is 100% right when he say if it starts to feel like a job, take a break. I'm in no hurry, I'm 40185 slow build. I'm doing a bunch of wiring which I totally enjoy but sitting in the background is that darn glass top, which until I stop swaeting out a gallon of water a day it will sit there waiting for nice cool fall temps. I have always held to the do SOMETHING each day theory, be it cleaning up, reading plans, deburring parts from way ahead in the build, (which is really nice when you come to that part and find it ready to drill, dimple and install) The other RV forums have all addressed this issue so you far from being alone. To a point I think we all have flet this was too much to take on at some point then you work past it. I've been at it since Feb 2004 and won't even speculate as to my completion date. Sam Buchannon said at some point your going to run outta parts, then it's time to fly.



Rick S.

40185



do not archive

_________________
Rick S.
RV-10
40185

Jim & Julie Wade

Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 34

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Build times - time to get restarted?

I work heat better that cold!!!! Big hanger can't heat well. I have a big water fan!!!! You know with the water trickling down the back grates. Drops the temp 15 degrees up to 30 feet in front of it. I have worked all summer in 100+ temps with no problem!!!!

Back to the kit!! How do you eat an elephant?????

One bite at a time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I to went through depressed times. Everyone will!!!!!

Jim

383

bcondrey

Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 580

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:46 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

I have had numerous interruptions of weeks at a time due to work related

travel.  Frequently it's hard to get restarted but picking a specific

task to work makes getting your arms around it a lot easier.  I have

done my plane using slow build versions of the kits.  I was too

optimistic for timing on both the wing and fuselage kits - they sat

around for weeks/months before I completed the preceding kit and was

ready to move on.  



One thing that is HUGE motivation is a ride in a friends' RV - check out

your local EAA chapter and I'm sure you'll find somebody willing to take

you up.



Bob #40105

Back to engine baffling after a few week break for OSH and work

travel...

wayne.e(at)grandecom.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:25 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

I'm obviously not understanding something. A person  will make a posting and at the bottom of the posting it will say

  

 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=56714#56714

  

  

 which will be the same thing that I just read but  in a little different format. What is the purpose of this, to post to two  different sites?

  

 Wayne Edgerton # 40336

  

 do not archive

 



   [quote][b]

Tim(at)MyRV10.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:27 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

It's because Matronics can be read by email or from a web

forum, either way.  This is just a link into the

web forum.



Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD - Flying

do not archive

Wayne Edgerton wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   I'm obviously not understanding something. A person will make a posting 

 and at the bottom of the posting it will say

  

 Read this topic online here:

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=56714#56714

  

  

 which will be the same thing that I just read but in a little different 

 format. What is the purpose of this, to post to two different sites?

  

 Wayne Edgerton # 40336

  

 do not archive

jjessen

Joined: 22 Apr 2006
Posts: 285
Location: OR

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:32 pm Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

Larry:  



Others have given replies to this that are on target, but I want to share a

thought or two since I have come very close to selling my project a couple

of times and found I could not let it go.  I almost didn't bite on this

topic because of the personal nature that encompasses why each of us builds.

We all love flying and to a degree building, but beyond that I'm sure we

each have our reasons to take on such large a project, and thus wasn't sure

if my two cents meant much beyond me.  



I have often said to my friends and fellow builders that if I can't get this

plane in the air in two or three years then why bother.  I'm getting older

and the reason to build is to fly a plane that is way more than I could have

afforded otherwise, one that is fast, great to fly, holds a bunch,

comfortable, and so on.  I've also said to friends and fellow builders that

I don't keep track of my build time (or at least very accurately) because I

love to build and this thing will get done when it gets done.  I've looked

at my wallet a few times and have heard the echoes of emptiness that reminds

one of a vast cave, a deep cavern with no chance of filling up while this

project continues.  I've read Tim's thoughts, as well as others, that we

best be enjoying flying now, for we may not be able to for long, given this

and that cost or this or that regulation, and I've practically gone into a

psychological tail spin thinking of all the problems and consequences.

But.......



I cannot wait to get out to the hanger and back at it after this latest

round of a month hiatus due to travel.  I may never finish in the timeframe

that I'd like, but I love the building and the camaraderie so much, and it

has become such a part of my thinking, my daily mental routine, that I doubt

I'd be happy without it.  I've fallen behind my goals, and my building

neighbors, but I've learned so much about so many things that would have

passed me by.  More importantly, I've learned more about myself, my ability

to learn new skills, to improvise, to seek out answers based in fact, to

enjoy the time spent at a project that will become a legacy to those who

know me and my love of flying.  Even if I only get to fly it for a few

years, my son will love it, and what a gift to give to another who loves

flying so much.  This will be as much of a legacy gift as any of the other

things I've built, and in the meantime I'll have had a wealth of good

feeling making all those parts fly in close formation and meeting all the

folks along the way.  



Anyway, I guess my point is that, if you can find the time, and if you can

find the resources over that time, I wouldn't get depressed at the progress.

Decide what it means to you to build, not what it means to you to hurry up

and fly.  If you love the building, then let it be the most compelling and

amazingly broad hobby a person can have.  It'll take a few more years then

you'd planned, but what good project doesn't demand more of us?  If you

really want it done faster, then plan on at least one night a week, maybe

two, that you set aside for building, plus one full weekend day.  Negotiate

that with your family and then stick to it, except for family time.  You do

not have to build this magnificent flying machine, but you certainly can and

will if you want to!  Plus, you'll have the support of all us other

builders, cheering each of us on.  



John Jessen

  Tailcone  40328



do not archive



--

dav1111(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:02 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

Larry:



First let me give you my background so you have some perspective to work 

from.  I am a 60 year old first time builder with 1500+ hours flying time, 

an instrument ticket, and a full time law practice.  My first five airplanes 

were three C182's, a C-177, and a Bellance Super Viking.



My sixth airplane was an RV-6A which I purchased.  I loved it so much that 

when the RV-10 came out I decided I had to build it in order to have both an 

RV and a four place airplane.  From October of 2003 until about July of 2004 

I worked on the Emp/Tailcone kit getting it mostly built.  I had an A&P 

friend who taught me the basic building skills and gave me a hand at times 

when it really helps to have a second pair of hands (there are a lot of 

those times).  When the QB wings arrived I did a little work on them while 

finishing up on the Emp/Tailcone but the wings I basically set aside after 

receiving the QB fuselage and worked on it until about March of 2005 when 

one of my best friends (and RV-10 builder) passed away.  I spent most of my 

spare time over the next three months helping his widow get his RV-10, 

engine, and prop sold.  I then had three major surgeries during the period 

of May-August of 2005.  When I recovered and got back to building in 

November of 2005 I pushed ahead with every free waking hour (average 6 hours 

sleep a night) until I finished my RV-10 and flew it on 7/28/06.



Thirty three months from start to finish including the over 8 months of down 

time, and keeping my solo law office afloat.



Would I do it again?  In a heart beat!!  I have enjoyed the building process 

even though the last three months were hell on wheels because of the 

deadline I set for myself of flying to OSH2006.  I flew the week of OSH2006 

just not to OSH2006.  So close yet so far away.



My -10 is in the paint shop at GLO Custom Paint and I am due to get it back 

next week.  I can hardly wait.



Had I not sold my RV-6A early during the building process I would not have 

pushed myself so hard to get the RV-10 built by OSH2006, but on the other 

hand I am really glad I sold when I did as I obtained a really good price 

and it helped pay for the RV-10 build.



If you are not going to make a commitment to build, now is the time to sell 

your Emp/Tail kit.  Building an RV-10 takes both a commitment of time as 

well as money.  From a time standpoint you will be better off committing a 

regular consistent amount of time, whether that is 10 hours a week or closer 

to 20 hours a week for part time building.  The long layoff's and stop/start 

of the building process is not helpful and will cause you to have to spend a 

lot of extra time just getting back up to speed in the building process. 

 	  Quote: 	
		  From a money standpoint, I did not build cheap, however I probably have 

about $150,000.00 in my RV-10, but I didn't go as expensive as some who I am 
	


sure will have $200,000 or more in their RV-10.  I doubt you can do a decent 

job of building a quality RV-10 for less than about $125,000.00.



I hope this helps you make a decision.  One thing I assure you of, if you 

decide to the building commitment there are a lot of really great guys out 

there who can help you with advise, pictures, and encouragement.   The RV 

community is one of the best groups of guys and girls you will ever come 

across.  If you are not active in a local EAA chapter I would also encourage 

you to get active as the EAA group is great as well.



Russ Daves

N710RV flying

[quote] --

bldgrv10450(at)comcast.ne
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:18 am Post subject: Build times - time to get restarted?

Larry

I enjoyed the history and detail of your build process. I am having a great 

time work on kit 450 fuselage now. It's fun to look at all the beautiful 

RV10's completed but, some how it seems more achievable when you read the 

history of your completion. When your in the process concentrating on each 

little detail the overall task seems daunting, but bit by bit you look at 

what you have completed and the building of an RV10 is a truly rewarding 

undertaking.

Paul Grimstad

RV10 #40450 fuselage

Portland, OR

do not archive



---

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