After quite some deliberation, (and with the support and backing of family and close friends) I've decided to build a kit plane, specifically the RV-10. [More info can be found here: http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv10.htm] Welcome to my blog! Although set to public viewing until circumstances dictate otherwise, it will serve a two-fold purpose. A) Document the construction and prove myself as the builder for the FAA and inspection requirements, and B) Provide a forum for family, friends, and those interested to follow my progress.
I am definitely not making any profit from this venture and I ask that you not profit from my work either. I share my experiences, pictures, and videos in order to provide another source of information for future builders, in much the same way that I have gathered information from dozens of previous builders before me through their blogs and kitlog pages.
Choosing from the Van's Aircraft line was an easy decision from the minute I set eyes on the construction style. Although I had heard of kitplanes previously, I had only seen the wooden frame and metal pipe/cloth construction styles. I was first introduced to the Van's line when a co-worker bought himself a flying RV-8. It turns out that I know an additional three people at the local airport who have respectively built their RV-8, RV-9, and empennage/wings of an RV-10. The next easiest decisions were going with side-by-side seating and tricycle gear configurations.
The choices boiled down to the RV-7/9 vs RV-10, specifically better gas efficiency of a 2-place and aerobatics for the -7, vs all-weather cruising comfort and 4 seats in the RV-10. I see myself traveling quite a bit in the future and would love to partake in such ventures with my future family, colleagues, and business partners. The RV-10 is a lot of plane for a single person, and the extra hours and work will factor into my timeline, but it is realistic for me to grow into it. Also, after flying around in a fighter jet the past 6 years for my real job, I don't foresee acrobatics as something that would be comparable. Maybe in a few decades when I have forgotten what 46,000+ lbs. of thrust feels like, I'll build the RV-7 or its replacement..., as a retirement present of course!
That about does it for today, and this journey begins. I look forward to the months and years to come and hope to bring you all along. Blue skies and check six. -M
