Newbie reporting!

f14av8r · Post by **f14av8r** » Tue May 08, 2012 5:40 am

Hi Everybody,
My name is Randy. I'm currently an airline pilot and spent 25 years in the Navy. I was an enlisted submariner for 4 years then started flying and spent the majority of my career as a F-14 pilot. I live in Weston, Florida, right outside Fort Lauderdale.

I've spent the last several months learning about RVs and homebuilts (is that one word?) generally as I prepare to build my first airplane. I can't tell you how helpful this site and all your fantastic builder's sites have been during my research. I've decided to build a RV-7.

I took the 30K ride (seems to me more like 80K) at Sun-N-Fun this year in one of Van's RV-7s. I was probably 90% sold already but a ride in the airplane cemented my decision to go with Vans. I came home and ordered the Preview Plans and since then have spent untold hours reading through those, Wanttaja's book Kit Airplane Construction, and perusing builders sites. I'm planning on going to Oshkosh in July and signed up for the EAA SportAir RV Aircraft course in Waco in August.

I have some work to do converting my garage into a suitable airplane factory this fall before I order the kit. I'll probably do that late 2012 or early 2013. I'm still struggling with the decisions on canopy type, determining where to put the third wheel, engine, etc.

I'm truly looking forward to starting what I know will be a long, rewarding journey and hope to get to know some of you along the way. Any advice you might have on how best to prepare / educate / equip myself would be greatly appreciated.

Randy

Post by **Spike** » Tue May 08, 2012 5:52 am

Welcome!!

Spike

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-----Original message-----

From: RB Lists - The Hangar <support@rivetbangers.com>
To: hangar@rivetbangers.com
Sent: Tue, May 8, 2012 10:40:08 GMT+00:00
Subject: Newbie reporting!

Hi Everybody, My name is Randy. I'm currently an airline pilot and spent 25 years in the Navy. I was an enlisted submariner for 4 years then started flying and spent the majority of my career as a F-14 pilot. I live in Weston, Florida, right outside Fort Lauderdale. I've spent the last several months learning about RVs and homebuilts (is that one word?) generally as I prepare to build my first airplane. I can't tell you how helpful this site and all your fantastic builder's sites have been during my research. I've decided to build a RV-7. I took the 30K ride (seems to me more like 80K) at Sun-N-Fun this year in one of Van's RV-7s. I was probably 90% sold already but a ride in the airplane cemented my decision to go with Vans. I came home and ordered the Preview Plans and since then have spent untold hours reading through those, Wanttaja's book Kit Airplane Construction, and perusing builders sites. I'm planning on going to Oshkosh in July and signed up for the EAA SportAir RV Aircraft course in Waco in August. I have some work to do converting my garage into a suitable airplane factory this fall before I order the kit. I'll probably do that late 2012 or early 2013. I'm still struggling with the decisions on canopy type, determining where to put the third wheel, engine, etc. I'm truly looking forward to starting what I know will be a long, rewarding journey and hope to get to know some of you along the way. Any advice you might have on how best to prepare / educate / equip myself would be greatly appreciated. Randy rivetbangers.com - Discussion topic http://www.rivetbangers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=39676#39676

Submitted via email

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue May 08, 2012 6:08 am

Welcome to the world of homebuilding Randy! Keep the questions coming...don't be afraid to ask anything here!

TomNativeNewYorker · Post by **TomNativeNewYorker** » Tue May 08, 2012 8:46 am

f14av8r wrote: I'm still struggling with the decisions on canopy type, determining where to put the third wheel, engine, etc.

Hi Randy,

No CADS on your canopy, and the little wheels go up front. The only thing that is supposed to go on the tail has a HOOK on it.

Been beating rivets to deaths since about 1985. Former squid here myself, 5 years active in an E-2 squadron as an airframer. 15 years at two different Navy depot facilities as a sheet metal mechanic, starting out on intruders and as they were getting retired moved on to repair, mods and airframes changes on tomcats.

Back to another squadron as a civilian doing O level maintenance for the navy a few years. Now in Kuwait as a contractor in the metal shop doing as little as possible on Kuwait AF hornets while dreaming about pork products and booze.

The three most important rules in my book are---

#1. Measure twice, cut once.

#2. a good metalsmith knows if he messes it up he should be able to repair it.

#3. refer back to rule #1.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Tue May 08, 2012 1:04 pm

Randy, WELCOME!!!

Good decision to go with the -7 and Tom is absolutely correct about everything except for the little wheel. It goes in the BACK!!!

With a little bit of training anyone can fly a taildragger!

Hell, I do it!

Post often and we will see you at OSHkosh!

CJ

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Tue May 08, 2012 8:10 pm

Welcome to RB's Randy! Enjoy the journey.

pat · Post by **pat** » Sat May 19, 2012 5:58 am

Hi Randy, this is the right place, lots of encouragement mixed with a dose of good fun. Your 7 will require a third wheel, whether you put it in front or back really doesn't matter, CJ will tell you to put it in the back but I've been told he never could ride a tricycle. Just don't put it in line with the other two. Enjoy the build

Pat

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon May 21, 2012 12:55 pm

Any way you slice it... it is an RV. How bad is that!?!

CJ

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