To Build or not to build your own plane

[Bennie Vorster]

http://airsports.fai.org/apr98/apr9802.html

[The Agent]

Wil jy vir 2 jaar op die grond sit.

Nee man ek het gister met n ou gepraat wat n Bushbaby het (stert wiel) namens jou en hy glo daar is nie juis n ander keuse nie praat met Boet hulle, al wat die ou se is kyk na n groter engin.

[Biggles]

I think Agent has a point, why wait? I think homebuilds are for a)technically minded people b) people who want to create something and fly it. I don't believe in the long run it is that much more cost effective? (I may be wrong).

I want to do a homebuild but this is a very long term plan, and I will be flying my trike during.

As a matter of interest... what percentage of homebuilds start and never complete? Or change hands before being completed? I know of two people that have a 20% complete wing and fuselage hanging in the garage and have not worked on them since I have known them... and won't part with them iether... And what it the average lenght of time taken to complete a homebuild in years not man hours?

I think you need to be very dedicated and driven to do a homebuild...

[RudiGreyling]

My 2cents, listen carefully:

If you like building, are technical minded, pretty good with your hands, commited to the time then you can do it. The sense of achievement is just Awesome!

If you are not any or all of the above don't. Get somebody or factory to assemble for you. Typically thes guys charge less than your car machanic to service your car to assemble the kit per hour.

I Remember stats from somewhere saying 1 in 10 kits that are bought get completed, 1 in 100 plans that get bought end up completed. These things may change hands many times before ending up completed.

If you still decide to build, get a prepunched kit that takes a minimum of hours to complete 300-400 for first time. Then move onto something bigger.

If you want more honest opinions of a builder contact me offline.

Regards
Rudi
www.RudiGreyling.com RV7 Builder

[Rudix]

My 2cents, listen carefully:

If you like building, are technical minded, pretty good with your hands, commited to the time then you can do it. The sense of achievement is just Awesome!

If you are not any or all of the above don't. Get somebody or factory to assemble for you. Typically thes guys charge less than your car machanic to service your car to assemble the kit per hour.

I Remember stats from somewhere saying 1 in 10 kits that are bought get completed, 1 in 100 plans that get bought end up completed. These things may change hands many times before ending up completed.


If you still decide to build, get a prepunched kit that takes a minimum of hours to complete 300-400 for first time. Then move onto something bigger.

If you want more honest opinions of a builder contact me offline.

Regards
Rudi
www.RudiGreyling.com RV7 Builder

I agree 100% Rudi !

If all you are interested in is to fly, then buy complete, BUT, if you have the ability, space and time to build, go for it. Just remember that it takes a LOT of time ! ZU-AMV took me almost 5 years of spare time

You must also be prepared to listen to advice, I had to replace hinges when the plane was almost done. NOT fun on a glass plane. Last Saturday I was asked, by an AP, to look at a plane as a "second eye", when I pointed out a potential problem (The AP agreed) the owner was NOT happy He forgot it was his neck on the line.....

I do want to build again, but this time I will have a plane to fly while I am building, that would help me not to get rushed or frustrated.

My only problem is to decide what to build ? I must say the modern prepunched kits look wonderful !

Happy building,
Rudi

[Ian]

Yep, Rudi and Rudi - are both 100% correct.

1. You gotta have (beg, steal, borrow) something else to fly while you build, otherwise you may do a rush job...

2. I'm very lucky I chose a 'pre punched' kit as a first time builder, you see results pretty fast. Also great to work with metal, you just drill out your mistakes (with plenty advice on how to first ...). I was on the verge of going for the Zenithair kit when I found the Savanah, difference is the one advertises 1200 hours vs 350.. No brainer. The real advantage is the 'pre punched' kit builds straight

3. My advice ? - If I had to start again I would first camp on someone's doorstep who has built (or building) the aerie for a day or so to pick up the little tricks, saves you plenty hours. Im talking about the simple do's and dont's, like deburring, cleaning, how to stress skins, insert rivets and line up.

4. I think if one has the ability and the space (as mentioned in prior posts) you get a lot of satisfaction, and you know the aerie inside out.

5. Get an overload of advice from your AP, publications and the agent. Choose an aerie that has plenty build pics available (simple things like the direction of the rivet are important)

6. Follow the instructions, no matter how silly/impractical they seem at the time.

7. Would I do it again (at this early stage) ? - for sure (it will definately be metal again) but it will be in a loooong time, I'm first gonna fly this beauty for many hours ! :D

my 1.5c worth..

Cheers ian