Taking Flight - Building an Experimental Airplane

[@briand4000]

Similar story for me. Built the first RV8 to fly in New Mexico. Put 400 hrs. on her. Wonderful experience in every way, but life moves on, needed more seats, so sold the RV for an old C-180. It, too, was fun, reasonably fast and hauled anything. But that also ran it's course. I now have an SLSA made by Evektor and it's been a lot of fun and cheap to operate. Hangaring at home makes it seriously more "doable" from every aspect. No hangar rent and can fly anytime. Cheers.

[@DUK3NUK3M1]

I almost cried. I would say the old adage is true: it is better to have loved and lost, than to have never have loved at all. Beautiful story, Sir. Thank you for sharing.

[@retiredman2]

Thank you. She is still flying.

[@rockyjordy3271]

You prolly dont care but if you guys are stoned like me atm then you can watch pretty much all of the latest movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been streaming with my girlfriend lately =)

[@rhettbrian7258]

@Rocky Jordy definitely, have been using instaflixxer for since november myself :)

[@bluejeanmw]

Bravo!!! That took a lot of grit and determination to finish a project of that magnitude. The thrill of flying a plane that you built is a once in a lifetime thing. To start and finish anything in life is a struggle we all try to accomplish.

[@TheAamirRauf]

This is a wonderful story! I'm so sorry you had to sell her; she will always be in your heart and soul! God Bless you!

[@19krpm71]

Excellent story telling. Quite the undertaking. I build very, very large airplane wings for a living and can attest to the vast scope of a project like yours. A Henry Longfellow quote comes to mind, "We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done". The first time you drill a hole or hammer and buck, you feel that coming to life.

[@barrydawson9000]

Thank-you for sharing this. Wonderful youtube video. Congratulations to you for doing something only a small few have done before you. Very inspiring to young aviators such as myself.... Beautiful looking aircraft, too bad that kids have to leave home eventually.

[@dead_p1xl964]

I got to fly a RV-6A owned by the EAA in Oshkosh, and they're fantastic planes. Nice video!

[@maxsmodels]

The irony is that now you have the time to enjoy her but not the money. Now that is the definition of tragedy. Nice video. I am pondering building a plane after I retire.

[@retiredman2]

Thank you. I agree with your suggestion, but lack the time and the will to make further investment in editing. I have lots of other video projects, etc. BTW, the plane is still flying, having traveled recently to Scottsdale for pre-season baseball. Obviously, I still think about "her." Building a similar plane, RV-14 would be a whole lot easier, but a lot more expensive. Take care.

[@n2328b]

While it is difficult to express the love of flying and the loyalty and admiration of the instrument which permits such escatcy, you have accomplished your goal. Many of us have shared and been touched by what is contained in your video.

[@retiredman2]

Thanks, that's means a lot to me.

[@n2328b]

My comments as you can tell are heartfelt. I restored an old swift n2328b video on KZbin. I found myself in the same circumstances you encountered. It was like putting your child up for adoption.

[@dimitristripakis7364]

This was a very good story. I hope you have grandchildren so they can be proud of granpa. By the way, I never liked aluminum airplanes but your video changed that. What a beautiful airplane!

[@theodoreradisek3241]

Thank you for the great story! Videos like yours are a great deal of help for those considering building their own..

[@guytero8812]

Very sad. Beautifully done and masterfully narrated. 😊👏🏻👍🏼

[@andrewnorgrove6487]

A delightful story even being a few years in the making,Its not nice being forced to sell something you love ( thanks for sharing.

[@markp5737]

Great video, you should be very proud of the wonderful work you did on this beautiful aircraft. Even though you sold her, I hope you still manage to rent a plane occasionally and let slip the surly bonds of earth.

[@retiredman2]

Mine was a kit plane so the wings, etc. are defined by the kit company (Vans). The motor is a free choice, but most builders choose Lycomings, either new or re-built (if you can find one).

[@WhallonJesse]

Great story and you have a very narrative voice.

[@porkrinds9572]

That’s one bad cat harry..... excellent video! Many thanks mate!!

[@fernaherm]

nice video...very good job...a real example of hard work. Congratulations

[@bobbertee5945]

Beautiful airplane, love that look...

[@mmichaeldonavon]

Really enjoyed your video; albeit a bit poignant. I just "retired" my little EROS 1650 Mini-max - after 13 years of flying it. I tried putting 1,000 hrs on it, but came up just a bit short. Mine was wood & fabric...cruise @ 75mph, with a Vne of 110mph - slow but I always got to those breakfasts! :-) Lots of my friends are flying the RV's; is a wonderful airplane. I can't fathom 5yrs building - mine was completed in 6 months (at 7 days a week & lots of epoxy! :-) Thanks. N-6395T R.I.P.

[@WhallonJesse]

Great story. Very insightful. Thank you for posting it!

[@charpentierdamien6601]

Wonderful story, thank you so much. Sorry you had to sold her but you lived an awesome experience!

[@joslinnick]

If anyone is wondering, $50,000 in 1997 is roughly $75,000 in 2016 dollars. 5 years is a very common amount of time to complete one of these planes. Many people take 10 years or more to complete their planes because that's how long it takes them to come up with enough money to buy all of the necessary components.

[@Darthreloy]

How much did you spend to own a finished and inspected airplane? How much did you sell it for?

[@mmichaeldonavon]

I made a "general" comment, earlier, but I thought I'd put my two cents in concerning your "retire" comment. As a retired guy, I flew my Mini-max for 13 years on a "shoe string" budget! No hangar (hangar money went into the gas tanks) and the plane stayed "tied down" outside all of those years. A lot of that time was in Florida, so the heat & moisture were not kind to me, at all. I flew for over 30 years - General Aviation is OK, but Sport Pilot is the way to go. Much, much less expensive.

[@opie7afe]

was figuring that was what was done, luckily for me if i ever build a plane i have somewhat of a step up on some guys as i am very mechanically inclined and can paint no not rattle can painting lol.and im sort of ocd with details so dont know if thats good or bad, could be both!. as much as i would love a nice polished aluminum skin like p51's the maintence is wayyy too much coming from experience unless coated so i think i will use paint all the way lol. thanks for the information.

[@AFugal]

Ok so you gave me butterflies thinking about possibly building my own. I have flown a few times and landed them but Cessna had built these planes. I think it would be great to build and fly my own.

[@retiredman2]

So, take a deep breath and realistically consider if you can take on such a monumental task, both, financially, and in your personal relationships. If the answer is yes, it will be one of the biggest undertakings of your life. Otherwise, the enormity of the task will be a disaster. Good luck!

[@LastHumansGarage]

Wow, can't believe I've known you since way before 1997 and have never seen this video. Just got done with the whole thing.

[@RosssRoyce]

Thank you for sharing, very moving! You should build and fly ultralight with grass mower engine-- complete satisfaction from feeling the landscape and almost free maintenance :) cheers!

[@opie7afe]

question, did you coat the individual pieces inside of the wing structure like the spars and ribs and all the other metal bits on the plane to prevent corrosion in the future? or are they pre-coated from the factory? just wondering.

[@evbiv]

Well done...Bravo.

[@davebrittain9216]

What a good story but with a sad ending. Do you feel like you have a long lost love? I was wondering what kind of fees were you facing a year owning your plane and how satisfied were you with the sale price for what you had into it? I have to say that the colors and stripes looks really good! What a gorgeous plane!

[@granskare]

a neat video...t hanks...maybe you will get one of those really light weight airplanes and just fly locally..good luck :) chuck

[@نائلنعمان]

fantastic video

[@bossdog1480]

Nice job sir. It's a shame you had to let it go. It looks like a real beauty.

[@thesimpleeastern]

Did you build all this without any manual or resource, and if not, what did you had ?

[@retiredman2]

There were cryptic instructions and the plans, but most valuable was all the KZbin videos on building.

[@thesimpleeastern]

@@retiredman2 thx. Good stuff.

[@abdaleali1438]

Plz tell me how to make flaps I want to build my own aircraft at home but I done have idea for the flaps plz assist me for any link or idea

[@retiredman2]

Contact Vans Aircraft. They can help you. There are many interest groups out there, too.

[@abdaleali1438]

retiredman2 whare can I contact with them

[@abdaleali1438]

retiredman2 thanks

[@retiredman2]

www.vansaircraft.com

[@abdaleali1438]

retiredman2 I thinks flaps is not necessary for small aircraft it's so

[@craigcook1030]

Love it! Thanks for sharing! 👍🏻

[@journeyon1983]

What a wonderful story and such a sad ending because of the costs.

[@gabrielolav8531]

Hello I loved the very beautiful story ... I want to build one, I have the time and money and many of the materials but I can not find the plans where they tell me the measurements and the thickness of each sheet of aluminum and what is made of it. structure can you help me? I need to know that and sorry for my English, I'm from Latin America and I speak Spanish

[@retiredman2]

Look here: www.vansaircraft.com

[@jpmorgan3265]

I enjoyed your video and it was great I think that it would make a great story for any young boy if you can dream it and build it you can fly it at 76 I really enjoyed thank you very much.

[@jhnblkbrn8259]

A good story, well told.

[@goatflieg]

Excellent work; thanks for sharing. I live in Michigan now... but I learned to fly at PAO, worked at SJC, and have often been in & out of many of the Bay Area airports. I've been planning to build my own RV-8 for over a decade now, but have yet to drive that first rivet. Life keeps throwing me curve balls, but I keep the dream alive by studying videos like this, attending EAA Chapter 113 meetings, and going to AirVenture every year I am able. I will make it happen; it's the biggest goal I've set for myself in my life, and I intend to see it through to completion. I want to dance in the sky on my own wings... and someday I will.

[@retiredman2]

Sometimes we don't fully realize our dreams ... but we keep dreaming. It sounds like you are well informed and know that taking on something this BIG and time consuming will involve a major life commitment of your time and some serious cash. Keep dreaming and good luck. If I were single I's build a kit car next.

[@goatflieg]

Funny... that's my plan too! Fortunately I have a very understanding wife...

[@retiredman2]

It may be hard to hear this if you have ambitions to build a plane of your own, but, yes, every part was pray painted ) primed) with Sherman Williams, two part primer. Every rib, every bulkhead, every small aluminum part. The skin, outer surface (maybe both surfaces) has a thin coating of pure aluminum that oxidizes and forms a resistant surface. I forget the official term. However, most builders, sooner or later, have the plan painted. Airplane paint is very toxic. Good luck.

[@Progneto]

Beautiful plane!

[@jaytech7514]

WORTH THE THUMBS UP!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Beautiful airplane friend

[@sentindodavida]

thanks for the video! just loved-it

[@friedchicken1]

sounds like such a journey *.*

[@Silvesterkanal]

such a great story!

[@andredc9583]

Great story :)

[@loriley347]

good job!!!

[@gmcjetpilot]

Thanks for the video...

[@yahatinda]

AARRRRGGGGGGGG Id want to be buried in it before Id sell. Beautifully crafted.

[@Andaluxsystems]

brilliant video... so sorry you had to sell her.

[@paulosilva-dm1qb]

I almost cried too and look I´m not of the crying type...Great Job....Who knows, maybe she will belong too u again...

[@c4pilot29902]

Wow!

[@retiredman2]

Thx, last human garage

[@quartfeira]

So sad man... Why?

[@drrmagneto4176]

if it was me i will never sold her man