Talk some sense into me

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:42 pm

I'm getting as bad as Chad. I'm starting to have some big time second thoughts about building the RV-7 and building something like a Zenith CH 701 instead. It's light sport so I can ditch the medicals for now, cheaper to build, does the kind of flying I really like to do (low slow, backcountry landings). The RV-7 kit is a whole lot easier to build than the RV-4 kit was but I just have this nagging feeling that it won't be the plane I really want.

I think I need an intervention.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:01 pm

I'm rubbing off on you guys!

You won't get an intervention from me...I say build what you want! RV's are great, but there are LOTS of other great airplanes out there...Zenith is just one!!

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:33 am

cjensen wrote: I'm rubbing off on you guys!

OMG... It's all making sense now! (Chad will get that)

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:55 am

Scott,

No intervention here either. Truth be told, if I were starting today, I wouldn't build an RV.

That being said, the 701 and the RV are very different aircraft. What's most important to you... speed? STOL? $$$? Is crossing the Sierra's important? You get my point.

BTW, is THIS the kind of flying you like?

rv8or · Post by **rv8or** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:06 am

RV7Factory wrote:
Truth be told, if I were starting today, I wouldn't build an RV.

Brad, could you elaborate on this...just curious.

Thanks,

J

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:06 am

RV7Factory wrote:
cjensen wrote: I'm rubbing off on you guys!
OMG... It's all making sense now! (Chad will get that)

Hehehehe!

Post by **Spike** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:37 am

Scott, build what you want. Why are you doing this? I assume its for enjoyment. If your not enjoying it, then don't do it.

RV7Factory wrote: No intervention here either. Truth be told, if I were starting today, I wouldn't build an RV.

Thats me to a tee, though Ive already told you guys about this. Patti and I looked at ditching the 9A this year at Osh. If I were to start today, it would be a Sportsman, but that was not available when I started. The 9A will be a fantastic plane, I just think the Sportsman would be a better fit for me.

THIS the kind of flying you like?

Oh boy, that gave me a pudgy.

rv8or · Post by **rv8or** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:12 pm

Spike wrote:
Oh boy, that gave me a pudgy.

Careful...that kind of talk could get you banned

J

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:30 pm

rv8or wrote:
RV7Factory wrote:
Truth be told, if I were starting today, I wouldn't build an RV.

Brad, could you elaborate on this...just curious.

Thanks,

J

RVs fly like crap!

Just kidding. When I started the RV I had no plans on doubling the size of my house (and mortgage payment), or for having a child who is now heading to day-care at a private school. I am not complaining, just stating facts.

If I were in the decision making mode today, I think $ would be a much bigger factor in the process. I would probably build a Rans S-19.

rv8or · Post by **rv8or** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:46 pm

Totally agree. The price of gas has been on my mind for a while (we've had THAT conversation before), and recently, I've started spec-ing out my panel...YIKES!

Starting to get concerned about budget creep from th planning stages through now. It won't get any better, IMO.

I guess I like a little sanity check occasionally from fellow builders; so I know my concerns aren't completely in the weeds.

Thanks Brad.

BrickPilot · Post by **BrickPilot** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:04 pm

This thread makes me feel very comfortable with my decision to go with the Bearhawk as opposed to an RV-7 or -8. Lots of work ahead and money to spend, but with a wife that is totally supportive, it's doable although still quite intimidating.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:20 pm

rv8or wrote:I guess I like a little sanity check occasionally from fellow builders; so I know my concerns aren't completely in the weeds.

Believe me, you are far from completely in the weeds! I have MAJOR concerns about the future of this project, but I keep plugging away, hoping for better days ahead.

Brad and I have had this conversation many times, going back to my week-long date with him at OSH '07.

It's hard to think about the enormity of this task we are all undertaking, and still see the end result.

I'll be honest as well, and say that if I were starting today, I would be building a Sonex all the way. Flying for less than $30k! I'm $5k from that right now in my RV!!

Post by **Spike** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:30 pm

Want to do something scary? Figure out what kind of money you will realistically spend on your project, and multiply 60% of that by 4. This is where I get crabby. A partnership of 4, each contributing 60% of what you will spend on the RV, will typically buy one hell of a certificated plane. And you will have 40% left over for annuals, maint, etc.

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:32 pm

yeah, then you get to share it with three other people. And buy only PMA parts. And pay an A&P.

Post by **Spike** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:37 pm

Yup, and in the long run, your plane will fly more and rot less, and you will still have most likely saved money and wouldn't have to wait for 3 - 7 years while it is being built.

painless · Post by **painless** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:48 pm

Sometimes you have to factor in that building an RV, or any homebuilt for that matter, is partly entertainment/therapy. My project took me 10 years to complete. Partly due to other obligations/responsibilities and partly from a financial standpoint. I figure that I spent between $5000 and $6000 per year on my RV while I was building. During those years, I quit chasing women and cut way back on the alcoholism.

Another thing to consider is that these airplanes fly just great irregardless if they have the latest and greatest glass panel in them or not. You don't have to spring for the most elaborate panel. Get the instrumenation you can afford for now, with the option to upgrade once the kids are out of college.

Even though you are indeed spending a wad of cash on your airplanes, just think where else you would have piddled it away....not counting higher house mortgages or ever increasingly expensive kids. In the end, you have a heck of an airplane, that is sellable if need be.

As I have posted before, one of the quotes from a Lancair add from way back that kept me going was, "Sometimes in life you just have to say, 'Screw it....I'm doing this!'"

Build on Gents....

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:03 pm

Spike wrote:Yup, and in the long run, your plane will fly more and rot less, and you will still have most likely saved money and wouldn't have to wait for 3 - 7 years while it is being built.

The former isn't much of an issue for me... my cherokee acquired 265 hours from annual to annual this year, and I'm the sole owner. The latter is also a relatively minor issue, because I have something else to fly in the mean time

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:14 pm

cjensen wrote:Brad and I have had this conversation many times, going back to my week-long date with him at OSH '07.

For the record, I drank a lot of beer at OSH 07 but it had no effect... Chad didn't get any better looking.

Post by **Spike** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:31 pm

RV7Factory wrote: For the record, I drank a lot of beer at OSH 07 but it had no effect... Chad didn't get any better looking.

So then you are saying that your state of soberness was not causal to your feelings for Chad?

BrickPilot · Post by **BrickPilot** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:34 pm

RV7Factory wrote:
cjensen wrote:Brad and I have had this conversation many times, going back to my week-long date with him at OSH '07.
For the record, I drank a lot of beer at OSH 07 but it had no effect... Chad didn't get any better looking.

While that may be true, you did share an umbrella when it rained... an obvious and egregious violation of guy law. Shame shame.

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