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Construction log

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aprazer

Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 93
Location: Boise, Idaho

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:26 am Post subject: Construction log

Greetings:

I have been looking for an aircraft construction log -- found two; My Kit Airplane and Kitlog Pro. MKA needs Microsoft Access (which I don't have) and 

Kitlog Pro only takes three pictures per entry date and it is available for any one on the internet to view. I have not kept very good records and need to reconstruct. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Mack

601XL in final stages

_________________
The poh-oh-unemployed farm boy from Idaho

n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:35 am Post subject: Re: Construction log

I use MS Excel and just keep it in a spreadsheet. I use all digital pics,

and print them about 4 per page on el-cheapo photo paper.



For what it's worth, my experience is that the more the DAR costs, the

less attention he's gonna pay to these kind of details. My last one did

not even open the log just looked that it existed, and spent a little bit

of time on the plane.  



On the other hand, a real FAA guy working for a government salary

might spend the whole day looking at it ...

lnk(at)iowatelecom.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:52 am Post subject: Construction log

Don't know anything about it but this one was mentioned in Kit Planes

recently.

http://www.expercraft.com/ 



[quote] --

lo2u

Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 46
Location: Upstate New York

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:55 am Post subject: Construction log

I have both and like  both for different reasons.If you do use My Kit 

Airplane their is a version of an Access reader which comes on the 

installation disk which works fine. One exception if you have Office 2007 

installed even after advice from the author and Microsoft tech services I 

was unable to get the 2007 uninstalled no matter what we tried and I ended 

up unable to use the provided MKA on this computer.My final solution was to 

put it on a seperate computer which did not have Office 2007 ever installed 

on it. It then worked fine and I find it very good.. as they say your 

mileage may vary but it suits my needs.. George Race 

MyKitAirplane(at)MrRace.Com

who wrote the program would I am sure be happy to answer any questions ..



In order to be candid I was one of many beta testers and have no interest or 

gain from any sales..



Ron Culver

---

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:13 am Post subject: Construction log

Not necessarily. I had two FAA guys do the inspection on my first plane and honestly getting all the paperwork done and returned was the most trying part. As for the onsite inspection, they asked if I had a builder's log and I showed them the CD and the printout which was fifty-some-odd pages of MS Word document in a 10 pitch font. They looked at it very briefly and asked if I had photos to back up the log so I showed them the two CDs of photos and opened one up on a laptop. They said very nice, looked at a few and then got around to looking at the plane and wrapping up the paperwork. It took about an hour altogether. 



My point is if you have the documentation they aren't determined to pour through it looking for gotchas. They mostly want to know that you have done your homework.



My 2 cents worth,



Dred



---- n85ae <n85ae(at)yahoo.com> wrote: 

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 I use MS Excel and just keep it in a spreadsheet. I use all digital pics,

 and print them about 4 per page on el-cheapo photo paper.

 

 For what it's worth, my experience is that the more the DAR costs, the

 less attention he's gonna pay to these kind of details. My last one did

 not even open the log just looked that it existed, and spent a little bit

 of time on the plane.  

 

 On the other hand, a real FAA guy working for a government salary

 might spend the whole day looking at it ...

Tim Juhl

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Location: "Thumb" of Michigan

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Construction log

I did mine in html.  Using Dreamweaver, I created columns where I could make my daily entries and then made hyperlinks to the pictures I took of the work done.  It can be viewed in any web browser and burned to a CD or DVD for storage.  



Tim

_________________
______________
CFII
Champ L16A flying
Zodiac XL - Jabiru 3300A
Almost done! It'll fly in spring!

Terry Phillips

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Corvallis, MT

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:27 am Post subject: Construction log

Mack



I am using Kitlog Pro, and find it to be a reasonably decent app. I have 

had some questions and have gotten prompt responses from their tech support.



I encountered a few really annoying quirks (mostly losing typed input 

because I failed to click the right button). I documented them and emailed 

their tech support, asking that they try to improve the app. To my 

surprise, Matt Dralle of Matronics responded, writing that he had bought 

the Kitlog Pro business, and that they would try to incorporate my 

suggestions into the next release (2.1). I later sent in couple more 

suggestions, and Matt responded back asking if he could have my database 

file to test the new version. I sent it and he replied that my suggestions 

had been implemented and tested.



I was impressed.



I agree that the 3 photo limitation is a bit bothersome. However, your 

database is only available for internet access if you choose to upload it 

to the Kitlog's site. Many builders have done so--I find Ron Lendon's to be 

a particularly useful resource. But it is purely optional, and I'm sure 

many have not uploaded their databases. I have not done so yet--I'm waiting 

until I get a bit more done. But if any other builder can gain something 

useful from my log, then that's all to the good.



I didn't want to spend $50 for the application, but we should document our 

work, and, compared to the cost of the project, $50 is in the noise.



BTW, are you still poh-oh-unemployed on the farm in Idaho, or are you just 

from Idaho?



Terry

At 09:26 AM 3/16/2007 -0700, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Greetings:

I have been looking for an aircraft construction log -- found two; My Kit 

Airplane and Kitlog Pro. MKA needs Microsoft Access (which I don't have) and

Kitlog Pro only takes three pictures per entry date and it is available 

for any one on the internet to view. I have not kept very good records and 

need to reconstruct. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Mack

601XL in final stages


	


Terry Phillips

ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

Corvallis MT

Just starting a 601 kit

_________________
Terry Phillips
Corvallis, MT
ttp44<at>rkymtn.net
Zenith 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail feathers done; working on the wings.

pacificpainting(at)comcas
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject: Construction log

I think just about anyway you want to document your building will be OK. You 

are just supposed to prove that you built the plane. I have KitLog Pro and 

it works fine for me. Since procrastination is one of my best traits, my log 

only gets entered into when I feel like I really have to show something for 

the record. I think some of the guys have spent as long on their websites 

than I have in building my plane so far. That's great as far as I am 

concerned because it can be very helpful no matter which model you are 

building.



Good Luck

Dave - 801 builder in Salem



---

Jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject: Construction log

I have kept my time all of my professional career, so keeping a construction log is no big deal to me.  I use QuattroPro spreadsheets for both time and cost.  I log my time every day.  I sort of see it as a way of paying myself for my *good* work. I keep separate columns for work on the airplane and other, essential work, such as building the work table.  I also keep a column for each category that has a running total and a running total of both.  The same applies to my cost spreadsheet.  I will print out the time log at intervals that will fit on a 8 1/2 x 11 page. I don't complicate things by trying to integrate photos.  These are kept in a digital photo file and each one is dated. The photos I print periodically (using AutoCAD), two to the page (24lb. bond), front & back, and labeled with the date and what is represented.  



Jay in Dallas

Ron Lendon

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: Construction log

One way I get by with the 3 pic limit is by making more entries and spreading the time across them.  It keeps good records and tracking expenses is real easy.  



The reason for posting it to the net is to share the experience.

_________________
Ron Lendon
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
CH 601 XLB
N601LT - Flying
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
https://sites.google.com/site/corvairenginedata/

secatur

Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Posts: 50
Location: New Zealand

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:20 am Post subject: Re: Construction log

Hmmmm, I'm not a real good record keeper so I decided to support these pages and get Kitlog Pro into the bargain for $50 !



Excellent idea of mine!



Kitlog Pro is EASY to use and up to the task of mandatory record keeping (at least in Australia!) and sharing if you wish ! Too easy! and if you want more pictures on a certain topic or area, just make another (or 50) entries! Too easy !



As well, if Matt now owns it, support will undoubtedly be good!

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:43 am Post subject: Construction log

What I did on my first airplane was to simply  create an MS Word document file. I wrote an entry every work session beginning  with the date, followed by a brief description of what I accomplished with  attention paid to justifying my work to an inspector at a later date. Each  entry ended in the amount of time I spent on that session, then a running total  of the cummulative time. I kept the photos in a totally separate folder which  was subdivided into tail, wings, fuselage etc. That worked just fine so that's  what I'm doing again this time. I'm sure there are much slicker and more  professional looking ways to do the same thing but my way didn't require buying,  installing, and learning a new program. It took very little time to write  entries each session as I progressed. The project is enough of a time hog as it  is without making it a vocation.

  

 Dred

  

  

 ---

aprazer

Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 93
Location: Boise, Idaho

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:44 am Post subject: Re: Construction log

Thanks everyone!

Reply s were great! Looks like Kitlog Pro had the biggest following with word programs and separate photo albums following second. I appreciate every ones comments.

Mack

_________________
The poh-oh-unemployed farm boy from Idaho

ashontz

Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 723

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:12 am Post subject: Re: Construction log

Yeah, it would be nice if MyKitLog 



1)took more than 3 pictures per entry. 



2)Stored the full size picture so that you can zoom in on it.



3) Ability to more easily print out all logs at once so that you can make a nice print out of all of it without sitting there baby sitting the printer and clicking from one log to the next. 



4) Sort of export function to PDF that can be taken to Kinkos and printed out in a nice bound book. That would be sweet.



Being a computer guy myself, that wouldn't be too hard and would really make the product stand out. One other cool thing would be the ability to index so that when you have you're printed log with 250 pages, you can go to the index in the back and look up (reamed hole) or something like that. WIth the logs, you're not just building an airplane, you're writting a short book too.

Terry Phillips

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Corvallis, MT

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:20 am Post subject: Construction log

Andy



If you want to produce .pdf's, without paying Adobe's price for a full up 

copy of Adobe Acrobat, take a look at PDF Creator. 

(http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/)  It is an open source app 

that loads as a printer driver (like Adobe's PDF Writer). (Open source 

means that it is developed by volunteers for free distribution and the 

source code is freely available. There's lot's of other good stuff on 

SourceForge. Look around and you might find something else you need.)



To produce a .pdf from any application, just select PDF Creator as your 

printer, fill in the file info pages, give it a file name, and viola, 

you'll have your .pdf. The .pdf's open up just fine with Adobe Reader.



I use it all the time to "print" receipts or order summary sheets whenever 

I buy something on the Internet. I can find the info files on my PC much 

more reliably than I can find paper printouts, and I can cut and paste any 

information from the receipts into, e.g., Kitlog Pro. There are other free 

pdf writer clones available--this is just the one that I have used and can 

recommend.



Terry

At 06:12 AM 3/18/2007 -0700, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Yeah, it would be nice if MyKitLog took more than 3 pictures per entry. 

It'd also be nice if it stored the full size picture so that you can zoom 

in on it.



One other wish would be to be able to more easily print out all logs at 

one so that you can make a nice print out of all of it without sitting 

there, and/or some sort of export function to PDF that can be taken to 

Kinkos and printed out in a nice bound book. That would be sweet.



--------

Andy Shontz

CH601XL - Corvair

www.mykitlog.com/ashontz


	


Terry Phillips

ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

Corvallis MT

Just starting a 601 kit

_________________
Terry Phillips
Corvallis, MT
ttp44<at>rkymtn.net
Zenith 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail feathers done; working on the wings.

ashontz

Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 723

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:32 am Post subject: Re: Construction log

Cool. Thanks



 	  Terry Phillips wrote: 	
		  Andy



If you want to produce .pdf's, without paying Adobe's price for a full up 

copy of Adobe Acrobat, take a look at PDF Creator. 

(http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/)  It is an open source app 

that loads as a printer driver (like Adobe's PDF Writer). (Open source 

means that it is developed by volunteers for free distribution and the 

source code is freely available. There's lot's of other good stuff on 

SourceForge. Look around and you might find something else you need.)



To produce a .pdf from any application, just select PDF Creator as your 

printer, fill in the file info pages, give it a file name, and viola, 

you'll have your .pdf. The .pdf's open up just fine with Adobe Reader.



I use it all the time to "print" receipts or order summary sheets whenever 

I buy something on the Internet. I can find the info files on my PC much 

more reliably than I can find paper printouts, and I can cut and paste any 

information from the receipts into, e.g., Kitlog Pro. There are other free 

pdf writer clones available--this is just the one that I have used and can 

recommend.



Terry

At 06:12 AM 3/18/2007 -0700, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Yeah, it would be nice if MyKitLog took more than 3 pictures per entry. 

It'd also be nice if it stored the full size picture so that you can zoom 

in on it.



One other wish would be to be able to more easily print out all logs at 

one so that you can make a nice print out of all of it without sitting 

there, and/or some sort of export function to PDF that can be taken to 

Kinkos and printed out in a nice bound book. That would be sweet.



--------

Andy Shontz

CH601XL - Corvair

www.mykitlog.com/ashontz



	


Terry Phillips

ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

Corvallis MT

Just starting a 601 kit

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