Building a Van's Aircraft RV-7 Rudder

[@rwsavory]

Thanks for posting, and I like your narration. I'm glad there are folks who enjoy this type of work, but I ain't one of them. I'd rather be flying and working on smaller maintenance items.

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

I like the semi-time-lapse format with voiceover; if I were to build a Van's, I would order the DVD, but to get the rough idea, this is a nice overview. Building a CriCri.

[@guybyars8181]

Great video, very instructional and interesting. But the music detracted from the final result.

[@stevenwolfe2279]

Great video. I got a bad feeling that young people don’t have the opportunity to get a start in aviation since 911. This video certainly helps the situation!

[@HomebuiltHELP]

Yes, Steve, I think it's more than just that. The cost nowadays to get your PPL, and the kits themselves! A very large segment of the population is excluded by pricetag alone. Its turning into an exclusive club. I don't think that's good.

[@thomasaltruda]

Those skins are under dimpled. Way under dimpled! You see the pillowing and light bending around the dimples? Check out cleaveland tool video about dimpling. You need to either use a heavier steel hammer, or more than one whack with that orange rubber thing.

[@thomasaltruda]

@@FourthWayRanch I only use the pop rivet dimple tool when no other tool will get in there. As for the nail breaking, nails are cheap. I use an air rivet tool (harbor freight one works) and turn the air way down so it doesn’t break the nail. It will still break after a few uses.

[@thomasaltruda1243]

@@FourthWayRanch omg! I would quit building and throw away all my tools if I had to dimple everything with the pop rivet dimple tools! Have you tried the DRDT2 or the C-frame? So easy!

[@brianthomas1999]

Like the videos. Have to say, though, that the background music reminds me of the music from the car chases in "Dukes of Hazzard".

[@clydecessna737]

Fantastic!

[@guytero8812]

Great video but that music became a bit too much after a while.

[@clydecessna737]

Forgive me for asking irritating questions. In general, how much less expensive is it to make a homebuild compared to a similar production aircraft?

[@2Phast4Rocket]

A Vans RV7 will take you about 80K to build. But adding IFR avionics + constant speed prop, it may cost you over 100K. A used Cessna is a lot less expensive to purchase at first but it won't fly like an RV7.

[@RossLeavitt]

Depends. Do you want to buy a new or used production aircraft?

[@orbitalair2103]

Vans uses every tool in the book almost. Plus all the dimpling, very time consuming. Of course the RV-7 is quite a capable plane, fast, manueverable. Reinforces my choice to scratch build. The Thatcher CX-5 uses only basic tools. the Zenith kits are easier too from the videos I have seen. Thanks for posting these so we can compare.

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

Thatcher CX-4 plans are very inaccurate; I had to redraw a bunch in SolidWorks to find dimensions and verify. Would not do it again.

[@angusgreeneyeslefay9485]

subscribed,infected

[@asiasmells71]

Omg another tail section.. If anyone has had half the number of tail you have done in the female type they have had toooo muchhh!!!

[@chevymarineretired]

Do you ever listen to your own narration? Hard to listen to.

[@pegbars]

I find him to be very good. I like his style. Very knowledgeable and helpful too.