Brief Description: Year 3 of building, 236 hours = 1141 total hours
Today marks the end of the third year of building. Looking back over the year of building, I didn't get as many hours logged this year as I would have liked - only 236 hours this year compared to 476 in year one, and 429 in year two. I did get some major things done - like the fuselage mostly complete and the landing gear measured and drilled - but there were also setbacks...like the Horizontal Stabilizer being disassembled. I really don't feel bad about that one becasue the new HS will be Service Bulletin compliant and more importantly, it will be stronger!
Most importantly, I am still enjoying the building process and I still enjoy those small victories where I make a part that won't have to be made again... I just keep making small parts and eventually I will have one big part.
I have nailed down the engine builder I will be using (Barrett Precision Engines) the propeller (Whirlwind 200RV) and governor (PCU-5000X)...and recently I nailed down my paint scheme - which will remain a secret until paint time! :)
Update : So of the original 5 of us that all started about the same time - building RV-8’s (and a -14), most are still cranking out airplane parts. My Houston buddy is going great guns again and is still neck and neck with me. My San Antonio buddy is still cranking out parts now and again, slow and steady. My (QB) buddy has been traveling but will be cranking up the shop again soon and I am now at the same point in the build as he is. He might actually have as many hours on my airplane this year as his - so I appreciate that. My other RV-8 buddy in Virginia is still cranking and is slightly ahead of me - and is flying his newly purchased (sweet) AT-6!! I am trying to work myself into his flight schedule :) My RV-14 buddy who put his airplane building on hold after the birth of his daughter is still on hold.
