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bretttdc(at)yahoo.com
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 Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:45 am Post subject: builders experience |
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I think the expectations of potential builders vary
greatly. Their real world experience varies
considerably as well. For example, a professional
that has never worked with tools will most likely have
a steeper learning curve than a tradesman that has
worked with his tools all his life. Someone that has
not yet mastered map reading skills is going to have a
tougher time with plans than a draftsman or auto cad
operator.
I personally found my plans built (not a kit) project
to be quite basic really. However, I have extensive
experience in reading plans. I am also an expert
craftsman in wood, plastics and other sheet goods.
This is the first project I have ever built from
metal. Therefore, I had a learning curve in this area
as well. The point is that most of us will have to
learn some new skills in the process. Some more than
others. The more you need to learn the longer the
project will take.
I got a phone call one day from a guy that lived about
ten miles from me. He introduced himself and
explained that we had a couple mutual friends. He had
heard that I was in the process of building a 701.
The next weekend he came over and hung out for a while
as I worked on my project. So I put him to work. By
this time I was passed most of the learning curve as
far as the sheet metal work was concerned. He had
taken an RV workshop and was able to help me with
solid rivet technique. We worked together on the
project for several months. A friendship developed as
well. He has now started his own 701 project so I see
a lot less of him. We still work together on our
projects from time to time. Some of the areas that
gave me the most problems are no big deal to him
because we have been through it all together before.
Find someone in your area and help them with their
project. Someone building the same plane would be
ideal. The skills are about the same for all the
Zenith designs so don't worry if they are building a
XL and you want a 701. In doing this your learning
curve will be greatly reduced. I did not have that
option. I am building the first airplane to ever be
manufactured in Costa Rica. This list has been an
invaluable tool for me. I have several mentors here.
There is a guy in Canada that has the same auto
conversion setup I am using. He has helped me
tremendously even though he lives about four thousand
nautical miles away. I guess you could say one of my
most important tools is the Internet and groups like
this one.
I suggest you use caution where you get your advise.
Find someone that has built the plane and is still
flying and refining it. These people have been
through it and know what does and does not work. We
all draw our opinions about these planes from
different perspectives. The best perspectives seem to
come from the people that have done it and are doing
it.
Resist the compelling urge to modify. If you are a
first time builder your best bet is to stay with the
plans. Very few mods that I have seen make the plane
fly better. Most mods just add complexity and weight.
Remember, this is only one perspective, mine. There
are at least three hundred others on this list as
well. Many of them quite interesting and better
informed. Good luck, blue skies and smooth landings.
Brett Hanley
CH 701 plans built
San Jose, Costa Rica
(506)771-7078
(506)371-4064
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d_kandle(at)velocitus.net
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| Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:53 am Post subject: builders experience |
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I completely agree with these comments. On the wall of a Navy Captain
I once saw a plaque with the statement: "Better is the enemy of Good Enough"
Some of the changes I have seen to aircraft were to fix imaginary
problems or they were fixes to a problem that the builder couldn't
figure out the underlying cause. (For example one builder moved his
radiator to the bottom of the aircraft because he could not figure
out why there was not enough air passing through it to cool the
engine when it was installed inside the cowling).
At 07:44 AM 1/2/2006, you wrote:
...
I suggest you use caution where you get your advise.
Find someone that has built the plane and is still
flying and refining it.
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| Quote: | Resist the compelling urge to modify. If you are a
first time builder your best bet is to stay with the
plans. Very few mods that I have seen make the plane
fly better. Most mods just add complexity and weight.
Brett Hanley
CH 701 plans built
San Jose, Costa Rica
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DO NOT ARCHIVE
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craig(at)craigandjean.com
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| Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:00 pm Post subject: builders experience |
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Or as Chris Heinz has said "relax, you are not building a 747".
-- Craig
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