The Day Has Come....

 Well after a long anticipated wait, the first kit arrived yesterday.  I was a bit disappointed to be starting on the wings before the tail, but I am glad to at least have something to work on.  I am waiting for one or two more parts for my Air Hose system.  I opted to buy the Rapid Air Products RapidAir System.  This was a good setup as it had 100 feet worth of hose and two outlets.  It would allow me to setup a drop down reel, and remote reel by the garage, and keep my compressor in the back of my garage.  I am trying to maximize the distance from the bedrooms to the compressor so I can hopefully work in the evening after my kids are asleep.  Time will tell how that plan will work out, I might be limited to certain tasks only late in the evening.  I am going to do another post about that system and my feelings on the setup for it.

The Truck Has Arrived.

Step 1 : Convince the Family

 So the process has begun.  There is no way to embark on this type of long term project without involving the boss, AKA my lovely wife.  My wife has always supported my ideas including running two businesses, taking lots of trips, and doing things at home.  However, building an airplane is a bit of a different project.  The first time I brought it up, I got the deer in headlights look.  Then I got the, “What the hell do you know about building airplanes?”.  So it was a tough start for sure.

 I let the idea sit in the back of her kind and would sporadically bring it up.  She had started to show interest and had a few questions, I mean who wouldn’t?  She asked about how to do it, what’s involved, and even if there’s help for it.  She queried about the required inspections and we discussed the EAA technical advisor and DAA responsibilities. She was happy these things are available and required to check the work.  

The one item we still disagree on, which I can live with, is she prefers I hire someone experienced to do the maiden flight hours.  If this was the stipulation to allow be to build, I think I can handle it.  I mean let’s be honest, this is a long term project, she might have a new viewpoint by then.  

So what did she bargain for you ask?  My wife is now guaranteed the convertible she always wanted once we retire.  I guess that’s a fair trade.  😎

So what now?

So my next plan of attack is to start collecting the tools and setup workshop.  My workshop for this will be our two car garage.  Right now we have a lot of stuff there so I need to get creative to make space.  My goal is to reorganize this space in the spring once it’s a tad bit warmer outside.  Then in the summer I hope to tackle the electric extension, air hoses, and workbenches.  This should set me up for my birthday in June and Christmas to start collecting tools.  

My goal is to buy a tool kit from Isham or Cleaveland Tool.  They both seem to have good reviews and I’ll compare the items a bit more soon.  I have to upgrade to a real tool cheat to make space as well for all of the tools.  It should be an interesting year trying to setup and prepped.  

After I have everything in place, I plan to take part in Synergy Air’s fundamentals at minimum.  A few people have done the empennage build with them as well, but I’m not 100% sold yet.  If I can save 6k and do that slowly myself, that’s money for all the other expensive stuff I’ll need later.  

So for now I will continue to plan and research various elements, then I’ll prep the workshop once the winter ends.