New RV7 builder

johnson81 · Post by **johnson81** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 4:32 pm

Well, not yet. Just sent off for the preview plansâ€¦ It's been a dream of mine since I can remember to build my own plane and everything has finally fallen into place to make that a reality! I'm hoping to order the empennage kit by my 30th b-day which is July 29th. Been lurking here trying to soak up all the info I can before I dive in. Just wanted to say hi to everyone and say thanks in advance for any questions I might have along the way!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:23 pm

Awesome! Glad to see another Rivetbanger start! Take pics when it shows and along the way, and ask as many questions as you can think of.

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:45 pm

order it now so you can receive it for your birthday.

WELCOME to RB

Post by **Spike** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:13 am

Welcome!!

Its great to get a new builder around here. It keeps our blood pumping!

Spike

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:44 am

Sure does...I'd love to see MORE starts, MORE often!!

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 3:37 pm

Welcome to RivetBangers & enjoy the journey!

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:08 pm

Welcome to Rivet Bangers

What are you building? Don't take any of us to seriously! Chad even drinks fruity beer

Enjoy the build and be ready for a lot of hills and valleys/.

itisgood · Post by **itisgood** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:22 pm

Great to hear that you are going to build. I am a 7A and I am presently working on windshield fairing. It is a challenge, the worst of the build so far, but it is still great! Welcome
Dave

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:18 pm

Welcome! Plunge on in and keep us posted on your progress. Lots of great help here to get you through the process of airplane craftsmanship. The fun begins with that tail kit.

dons · Post by **dons** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:34 am

Welcome to the world of building. Don't worry about being completely ready before getting the kit, you always need to do more indirect prep work

johnson81 · Post by **johnson81** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 7:31 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I'll for sure take lots of pics and would love to start a builders log. I keep going back and forth between the the 7 and 7A. I'll probably end up going with the tricycle gear though.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:20 pm

Well...I vote for the 7.

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:47 pm

I also vote for the 7.

Also, since Chad's solidly OFF the fence on this one, you can be sure it must be the right answer

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:49 pm

Touche!

johnson81 · Post by **johnson81** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:52 pm

I definitely LOVE the look of the RV7 but I've never flown a tail-dragger, don't have my tailwheel endorsement, and just wondering if the extra hassle is worth it? Any thoughts on that?

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:57 pm

Yep, I was the same way when I started my 7...zero tailwheel experience, and no endorsement. Build what you WANT, and make the necessary adjustments to fly it. Really...I didn't find it a hassle, and thoroughly enjoyed learning to fly taildraggers. There are moments in training where you feel you can't figure out how in the world you ever got a license in the first place, but it clicks, and it's worth the effort!

johnson81 · Post by **johnson81** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:13 pm

Thanks for the input Chad! That's a good way to look at it; "build what you wantâ€¦"

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:20 pm

I started my wings last month. I hope to get my tailwheel endorsement yet this month. I will then make the decision on the taildragger vs nose wheel. You have until you order the fuselage to make the decision. Nothing a little training can't over come. There are guys building RV's that do not have there pilot certificate yet. Like Chad said you have to build what you want.

johnson81 · Post by **johnson81** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:27 pm

Well I really appreciate the replies. Sounds like I've got a while to make the final decision. I'm just super excited to finally get started!

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:55 pm

Tailwheel all the way baby!

My friend Neil said: if you can't learn to land an RV taildragger, then you probably won't learn to land a nosewheel RV properly either.