Question
: Hi, I was reading about Brian’s RV-7 experimental airplane. I was wondering if they come with manuals on how to build it. Because I’ve never done electrical work on an airplane nor do I know how to build one.
Answer : Aircraft kits do come with manuals on how to build the plane, within limits. I will use the Van's RV series as an example in my answer; because that's the make I am most familiar with. Van's kits are for the airframe only. The builder is responsible for providing and installing all the other things needed, such as wiring, plumbing, engine, propeller, interior, instruments, paint, etc. Some other brands may include more than just the airframe, such as the engine. One of the key components of the FAA's provision for Experimental Owner Built and Maintained aircraft is EDUCATION. While I am pretty mechanically inclined, I had never done anything like building a plane when I started working on mine. I knew next to nothing about sheet metal work and riveting. I attended an EAA workshop on how to do sheet metal work before I ordered the kit. How well things go for you at such a workshop will give you an idea as to how successful you might be at building a plane. The EAA also has workshops around the country in other subject areas, such as fiberglass or tube and fabric, for those interested in building a plane based on those types of construction. If you go to EAA's AirVenture at Oshkosh, WI at the end of July each year (and I highly recommend it), there are many daily free seminars on aircraft building skills and information. Going to AirVenture will also let you see the various kit planes in person. Your local EAA chapter is also a good source of information and help with your project, as well as formal guidance in the form of EAA Technical Counselors. In the case of the RV series, the first thing you order and build is the tail. This will let you see, without investing a huge amount of money, if you can build a tail. If that goes OK for you, then you can order the rest of the kit. There is also at least one company that hosts a "help/teach you to build your own RV tail" workshop, where you can build your tail with their help and guidance, in about a week. I believe Glastar and Lancair (as well as many others) also offer various builder workshops for their kits. You don't have to be a mechanic or mechanical or electronic engineer to build a plane. You don't need a lot of tools or a huge workshop. What you need is a willingness to learn. Attention to detail is a key attribute, as is patience. One "other builders" link on my RV builder's website is to the web site of a 60 year old lady who is building a Van's RV plane as her first project. As far as I know, she is doing well with that. Another key thing is to stick with it. Depending on what kit you choose, you can spend from 100 hours for a simple ultralight model to thousands of hours on your project. The key to completing it is to not give up and to commit to working on it at least a little bit every day that you can. Another way to try building would be to begin with a simpler kit, such as one of the ultralight brands like Quicksilver, CGS, Titan, Kolb, Quad City, etc. Some of the other kit brands use pop rivets, as opposed to the flush rivets found on RVs. While these planes are not as fast as an RV, they are quicker and easier to build. Each plane brand will have plenty of support available, both from the factory and from user groups on the internet. That will help you with the "educational" part. There are aircraft kit directories available, including one on my web site, that will help you compare kit features and decide which brand to buy. Many brands have a "quick build" option available, if you have more money and less time. Regarding electrical and avionics, the FAA allows you to get help in building your plane. You just need to do the majority of the work. Friends can help with your project, though. All the avionics work may be done by an avionics shop. If you read and follow Bob Nuckolls' "Aeroelectric Connection" book, you can learn all you need to know about your wiring. Blue Mountain Avionics' founder, Greg Richter, wrote a paper on wiring your plane, entitled "Aircraft Wiring For Smart People", available as a free download from the BMA web site. There is also at least one support mail list devoted just to wiring your plane. You will also want to get the aircraft builders bible, the FAA Aircraft Circular 43.13, available in printed format from aircraft parts suppliers and as a free download from the FAA web site. This book will tell you all the things you need to know to build your plane in a workmanship-like manner. Links to all these things are on my web site. The more you stick to the manufacturer's basic airframe plan and resist the urge to customize and add features, the quicker your plane will be completed, and the lighter it will be. You mentioned reading about my plane, so perhaps you've seen my web site. There are many details and links there to more information. You definitely CAN learn to build a good, safe airplane. Brian Meyette http://brian76.mystarband.net/RV-7Ahome.htm
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