Building A Workshop….

 So the workshop assembly has begun.  I am not really assembling a structure, but totally reorganizing my existing garage workspace.  My garage has been a dumping ground since we bought the home and is occupied by lots of kids toys and household supplies.  So the last month we have spent buying shelving units, ceiling racks, and totes to organize.  It was a big project but we’ve made a serious dent in it.

My wife unfortunately has taken it upon herself to also reorganize, declutter, and empty the house as well of any unnecessary items.  My credit card seems to be a daily purchase of organizational items lately as we have gone crazy doing this. It has paid off though as the house is quite organized and the garage is off to a good start. 

I’ve been in contact with Cleaveland Tool about the RV-10 toolkit.  They now have everything back on stock and I plan to get that ordered in Mid October.  The DRDT2 is apparently about a 4 week shipping timeline, so I’m leaving myself extra time in case. The one thing I planned to buy along with the kit was the tail light mounting ring. This item makes it easy to reinforce the rudder fairing for a tail light and I was going to order it to save on shipping. Unfortunately, they have discontinued the item and it was something they used to make themselves.  I’ll have to ask around on the Vans forums to see if anyone has one or if they know the dimensions to get it custom cut. 

I also visited my local Harbor Freight last month and bought myself a real toolbox. You’ll see a had a small workbench in the picture below, but added a nice double wide tool chest and end cabinet. It’s nice because it gives me a good working table as well for my band saw, grinder, and other tools to store.

As you can see, I also got a band saw and grinder from Lowe’s.  I’m hoping to get the end of my clean out done this week so I can hit Lowe’s to build the EAA workbenches.  Until the next update.  

Order Acknowledged..... Now It's Getting Real..

 So I got acknowledgement that my order has been processed and received.  I have been assigned my builder/customer number by Van's and have been informed my lead time is 4 months for the empennage.  This is good timing to allow me to build some tables, organize the garage, and get the tools all setup.

I signed up for the fundamentals class offered by Synergy Air South in Newnan, Georgia.  This is a one day hands on class which explains all of the basic skills required to build the plane and do the metal work.  I am looking forward to this and it will be the true introduction to much of what I will be doing.  I still plan to do a avionics/wiring type of class later in the build and will probably do a fiberglass class somewhere as well.  I don't think I'll do any of the fairings until closer to the end so I can concentrate on fiberglass at once and refine that skill a bit more.  Plus I heard its really messy and I would rather combine that to a shorter timeframe for cleanup.

I've begun setting up accounts with vendors so it will be easy to order things and have also started a list of items I will need as I go.  I plan to hit up Lowe's and Harbor Freight later this month to get started on the basic tools and tables build.  I'm not sure exactly how much of this has really sunk in yet.  I think once I start getting tools and such it will get more real to me.

So What Now?

 Prep work has begun and is going into overdrive.  I touched base with my local tech counselor who is also a past RV-10 builder.  He gave me some good suggestions to get started and I will start there.

I signed up for Synergy Air’s Fundamentals class this coming December.  This class will show me how to rivet, countersink, dimple, and other essential skills to do the majority of aluminum work on this build.  This is a good basis of knowledge to get started.  I plan to do a fiberglass and Electronics/avionics class down the road when those times come.

I’ve spoken to Cleaveland Aircraft Tool and will order the tool kit soon.  I am going to finish cleaning up the garage and get the workbench done before diving into that setup.  I don’t want to wait too long as the DRDT2 has been in and out of backorder.  That is essential to get started, so I don’t want to wait until the last minute. 

Time to finish cleaning and getting ready.  December will be here before I know it…….

The Deed is Done!

 So Van's recently announced they will be changing the prices this coming weekend and modifying their shipping procedures to streamline things a bit better.  I have been procrastinating for awhile now but now I have no choice to get my butt into gear.  Why do you ask?

I just placed my kit order for the empennage and wing kits.  😱Queue the panic of this big adventure I am beginning to embark on.  I am definitely going to be a long term builder as I don't have 200k to drop at once.  My plan is to work on this and have it done just in time before I retire so we can fully enjoy retirement and explore the world in it.  I am definetely going to continue flying in the meantime and enjoy that, but I want to have a more capable machine for the fun adventures later.

Van's Aircraft Stock RV-10 Image

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So now what needs to be done:

• Order my RV-10 Tool kit from Cleaveland
• Order my compressor and band saw from Harbor Freight or Lowes
• Finish cleaning out my garage ASAP
• Build my EAA Table(s) and prep for the tools
• Investigate the Synergy Fundamentals class and find a date to go.  Maybe January or February?
• Decide if I want to Prime or not.  I am leaning towards doing it.  I like the Stewart Systems stuff that I found via Charlie Derk's blog.  Its safe and non toxic which makes it easier with kids at home to use.
• Order the DRDT2.  Cleaveland is currently not taking orders since the manufacturer is backed up.  Do I order one from Aircraft Spruce who has them in stock or wait and roll the dice.  I am leaning towards just getting it at the moment.

What are my thoughts so far?

• Debating between P-Mags or doing a Fuel Injected system.  I like the idea of fuel injections and managing the mixture automatically, but it does add a lot of complexity to the build.
• Garmin or AFS for avionics is my only two considerations.  I love the look of the Garmin stuff but it has a big price point.  The AFS systems are more affordable and have great options.  They also have a better system when it comes to easy of installing.  That might sway me but I have quite a few years to decide that.
  
• I have essentially decided I want to do Zip Tips for my wings, an Aveo tail light, and probably something in the cowling.  The cowling light isn't a give in yet but I might decide that during the finishing process.
• I really like the look of the Control Approach rudder pedals.  Its similar to what I have now on the Archer and looks much nice.
• Aerosport Products Interior.  They have great stuff and it looks amazing.  I certainly plan to use them for my interior and console.
• Plane Schemer and Evoke Aviation is the cream of the crop for paint and scheme design.  I probably will use them later when the time comes to design the color scheme and have paint done afterwards.

So has anyone done P-Mags or EFII?  What are your thoughts there?  Zip Tips, do they work well enough for mid lighting or would a cowl light be helpful? 

Instrument Rating Progress

Ever since I got my private pilot certificate, I have said I would get instrument rated.  Not only do I want more flexibility to fly and take adventures, I know it adds a significant safety factor for my family and I.  Being able to participate in the IFR system, fly in clouds, and also make it to destinations more easily is an added benefit.  I started training for my rating last summer and quickly knocked out my written exam.  We were progressing well over the winter when weather allowed, but April hit and the engine went out for overhaul.  We utilized the local redbird for some training to stay sharp while we waited for the plane to come back.  

We finally got the plane back last week and I was able to do my first IFR cross country to KGON.  My instructor was very happy with my performance as I did the entire flight without assistance.  We aim to hit a few more cross countries this month and next month and we should be done.  Just a little time building to wrap it up.  This is definitely one of many things needed to continue on this long term project.

Airventure 2021

 Well after a year off, Airventure has returned for 2021.  I unfortunately cannot attend with my work schedule this year, but I am definitely going next year.  My best friend and I have agreed that we will head out commercially and stay 3 days to explore.  I already am mentally building my list of the have to sees in the exhibition area.  I definitely want to stroll around the homebuilt areas and get to meet and pick the brains of the builders.  It would be really great to meet and talk with a few of the builders I followed that had inspired this project.  

I'll be honest, I've had Live ATC going the last three days monitoring the Fisk arrival and watching it on Foreflight's internet traffic.  I am disappointed I couldn't go, but glad that I have a plan for next year.  Any tips for finding a reasonable hotel would be appreciated, it appears most hotels only book a year out, so next summer hasn't quite opened yet.  

I also am looking to possibly find an RV-10 demo flight.  Van's has restarted their demo flights and I think its wise to reach out to Zach, the east coast rep, to try and setup something.  I can use it as another excuse for a cross country and it will help me wrap up this instrument rating as well.

Update on my Project Prep

I have been working on reorganizing the garage and getting ready for this.  I finally got the overhead storage and all of the shelving put up so I can get the floor cleared out.  This also made room for me to buy a brand new tool chest from Harbor Freight.  The US General tool bench is great and I bought an add on end cabinet to increase my storage.  As I get more of the garage cleaned out, I plan to get started on building the project table and the air piping.  I am hoping the lumber cost drops a bit before I start that build, but sometimes you need to just bite the bullet.  Until my next update... I'll try to remember and snap some pictures of the new shelving and workbenches.

EAA Chapter 528 - Meeting the "Local" Builders

 When I first started planning everyone told me to talk to local EAA Chapters.  I joined EAA and the resources online are quite helpful.  I reached out to the local two chapters and came to find one chapter is essentially dead.  All of the top members moved south and no one took over.  Lucky for me, the East End chapter, Chapter 528 is still functioning.  I reached out and got in touch with Rich who is one of the administrators.  He was nice enough to get me in touch with the single RV-10 in my area's owner.  I got to speak with both gentlemen over the course of the winter, but no meetings were on the table due to COVID.  

Luckily, the weather began to warm and both had invited me out to their hangars, located 10 minutes away at KFOK (Gabreski Airport in Westhampton).  Rich has a RV-6 which is beautiful and was his second home built that he completed with his father.  The aircraft was nice but I unfortunately had a short window to visit and didn't have a chance to go up with Rich.  That's still on the agenda one of these days. 

David who owns the RV-10 is actually working on his Instrument Rating like me.  We had chatted a few times already over the phone about our training and the build process.  I eventually was able to find a day where David was heading upstate for his Pitot Static check and wanted a safety pilot so he could fly under the hood.  It made a perfect situation where I could tag along and check out his plane and get to fly in it.  ?Unfortunately, the day came and the airport was fogged in with the morning fog.  We hung around for about 90 minutes and their was no sign of it lifting in sight.  The nice part was David graciously let me check out and see his aircraft and hangar.  I was amazed by the size and beauty of it, and it really reinforced my desire to build myself a 10.  Hopefully I will get to go up at a later date with him.

I continued to wait and hope the weather would improve, and finally NY let up a lot of the Mask and gathering requirements in the middle of May.  Shortly thereafter, Rich sent out a blast about a gathering at his hangar.  I immediately went into planning mode to insure I could make it.  It was a mostly informal gathering where the members BBQ'd and conversed about flying and building.  It was nice to meet other builders as well, many were building or had built Sonex aircraft.  There was another smaller RV builder present who also had a nice aircraft.  I came to realize a bunch of these builders had electrical backgrounds and were willing to help me when I got to that point.  That is probably one of the most worrisome areas of building for me.  If I can save some money by not doing a full service panel build, that would be a home run.  But I have a lot of steps before I get close to that.  It was a great afternoon and made me eager to see some other builds and get to know these guys better.  I am looking forward to the next meeting which may be held in a Sonex builders garage, which would be nice to see a build in progress.  

Back to the garage reorganization and build planning.  Until my next update.