Newbie here

stevewiz · Post by **stevewiz** » Sat Oct 05, 2013 5:25 pm

Hello everyone, My name is Steve and my son is Steve Jr. My son decided about 8 months ago that he would like to build a plane. Since then its been non stop research on the web blogs, EAA vidios, rv builders pages and talking to many people at Oshkosh Air Venture this year. He decided to go with the Vans RV7. We will be building the plane at my home in Appleton Wisconsin and the garage is ready, tools are all here, built both trial kits from vans and drilled out half the rivets in the tool box kit for practice and redid them. The empennage will arrive Monday(it was here Friday but we could not pick it up because it was a 3 day shipment?)from fed ex so we will wait till Monday for delivery. I am a private pilot but not current now (have not flown in many many years and about 70 Lbs ago)with a little over 300 hrs all in a piper warrior. My first question to the group is, when in the building process should we have a teck consular look at our work and how do I contact one. Do I just pick the closest one to me and call him or her. Also my son does not have his PPL and will be starting that journey shortly. Thanks for letting me be part of this group.

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 12:20 am

Welcome, Steve!

I would recommend getting someone involved right from the start. Not only for the inspection of your work, but they may be able to help you get started in the right direction and save you from making any big mistakes. One of the most common ones with newbies, for example, is under-dimpling. That's what I was doing at first, and my horizontal stabilizer's rivets all had big shallow depressions, or craters, around them. My first technical counselor pointed this out to me and gave me a simple lesson and demonstration about how to properly dimple, and it's been good ever since. Had I talked to him first, though, it would have spared me the work of fixing all those early dimples. Anyway, that's just one example. The earlier the better. But definitely before you close anything up. You want someone to look inside and examine your work while it can still be seen.

I would locate the nearest EAA chapter and go to some meetings and get involved. Ask around, and you'll find someone who can help you.

keep us posted, and put some pictures up for all of us, will you? Congrats on choosing to build an RV-7. Excellent choice!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 7:23 am

Steve squared!

...or Steve to the second power! Ha! Two Steves building a seven! GREAT!

Steve, this is a great experience to share with your son!

When I first started, I had no idea what I was doing. I found some local senior builders and they helped me get started and have answered my questions all the way through.

A tech counselor is a good thing. Especially a TC who is savvy in RV's!

...and of course, there is always us here!

Keep us posted and WELCOME!

CJ

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:54 am

Get someone to give you Rivet 101. I spent a couple hours with a TC before I started my tail. Helped immensely!

since you are in Appleton, you should contact Chad Jensen, he's just own the road from you. He might know a thing or two about building since he is with the EAA Homebuilders

Chad Jensen
920-426-6806 - office
Technical Specialist - Homebuilts

Welcome to the group

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:06 am

OH yeah!

I remember that Jensen guy!

Where has he been lately!?!

Is he still alive?

CJ

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:55 pm

Last I saw he was in Cabo, bahamas or something like that. probably thinking of building a Seaplane and drinking coconut beer.

painless · Post by **painless** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 7:47 pm

Welcome, Steves!

I second getting ahold of Chad. I suspect that if he comes out to have a look at your progress, it might cost you a prime rib at the Black Otter in Hortonville.....

Enjoy the journey gentlemen! If the opportunity presents itself, I would be happy to fly down to have a look sometime, and perhaps provide some inspiration in the form of RV stick time. I'm cheap too...no prime rib required!

TomNativeNewYorker · Post by **TomNativeNewYorker** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:17 pm

hydroguy2 wrote: drinking coconut beer.

Is coconut considered a nut, vegetable, or fruit?

stevewiz · Post by **stevewiz** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:28 pm

Thank you all for the warm welcome and I will be giving Chad a call in the near future. Also Jeff we would love to have company anytime. Best bet would be Appleton or Bernard. They are roughly same distance for us to pick you up. They just repaved Bernard and I think they made it a little wider. Also Fed Ex just arrived and we have plane parts to play with. My son is working 2nd shift this week so we will be doing a little inventory in the morning

fastaviationdata · Post by **fastaviationdata** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 4:51 am

Hi Steve, You found a great place about that. Welcome and Enjoy! Goodluck!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:20 am

Hey Steve Squared! Sorry I missed this post last week...I check in here every day, but missed this one somehow. Perhaps I was kicking back a bit of coconut rum reminiscing on a recent Caribbean trip...

Anyway, as was mentioned, I am in Oshkosh, work at EAA, built a 7, and would be happy to come take a look at your progress when you're ready for a TC visit.

Welcome to RB!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:21 am

hydroguy2 wrote:Last I saw he was in Cabo, bahamas or something like that. probably thinking of building a Seaplane and drinking coconut beer.

I'd be lying if I said that thought hadn't crossed my mind!

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 5:35 pm

I know I was thinking about it when I saw your pics of the beach