Vans RV12 Build Log
Why an RV12
So I am sure just as many other builders have done, I've spent countless hours on the Vans webpage and researching VansAirforce and many other websites trying to decide on which plane to build. The decision was tough and I mean WHEW! I had the original intent of pursuing all of my ratings and eventually becoming a CFII, well that goal is still there but will have to wait. I was originally juggling between the RV7A and RV9A, I do not have any interest in flying tailwheel. I really liked how the RV7 was aerobatic and if I ever decided to accomplish that well I could. On the other hand I liked that I could put such an efficient motor in the RV9 and cruise around 160 kts and only burn 5-6 GPH fuel. Then I noticed the RV14A and fell in love, its really just a bigger updated version of the RV7A. I thought man, that thing looks comfy and cozy and cruises around 200 kts and its aerobatic but all that luxury comes with a price tag and after calculating everything out it would cost around 120k to build. My budget wasnt sitting very pretty with that as I would like to stay under 100k. So that eliminated the 7 and 14. It brought me back to the 9A for a moment but the complications of building your own wiring, panel, yadi yah and then the 12 crossed my eye. I really wanted a complete package, something the 12 offered that none of the other plans did. Basically I can order every single component from Vans and wont have to do much troubleshooting on the nit picky tasks such as wiring and building a panel from scratch, I wanted an assembly virtually ready to install that was already tested and fly ready. The cost of the 12 was compelling as well, for under 80k I would have a brand new, "0" time airplane which is why I do not want to just buy a factory built plane. Most factory build that fall into my budget are 40+ years old and have thousands of hours on the airframes in most cases. So building a RV12 is the final decision. My wife has no interest in flying with me so I figure most of the time it will be just me anyway so a 2 seater fits the bill just fine for now.
Probably one of the funniest feelings is when you initially tell someone in the non-flying community that you are building a plane in your garage. Then there is that ominous look and then they say, a model airplane? No a real plane that I will fly. There is that brief pause and you get that look like you just told someone you are building your own coffin with hopes of soon filling it. Vans aircraft is the largest kit plane supplier in the world with over 10k planes home built and flying today and despite common assumptions there has not been 1 crash due to a builder error when the plane was built to Vans specifications.
So to start following along visit the "Empennage" page which is the first sub kit which includes the entire tail end of the plane. I will try post regular updates of at least once per week depending upon actual build time put in for that week. The most recent posts will always appear at the top. I will also keep a time log of the time spent on each section which can be found on each page to the right of the latest blog post.
Probably one of the funniest feelings is when you initially tell someone in the non-flying community that you are building a plane in your garage. Then there is that ominous look and then they say, a model airplane? No a real plane that I will fly. There is that brief pause and you get that look like you just told someone you are building your own coffin with hopes of soon filling it. Vans aircraft is the largest kit plane supplier in the world with over 10k planes home built and flying today and despite common assumptions there has not been 1 crash due to a builder error when the plane was built to Vans specifications.
So to start following along visit the "Empennage" page which is the first sub kit which includes the entire tail end of the plane. I will try post regular updates of at least once per week depending upon actual build time put in for that week. The most recent posts will always appear at the top. I will also keep a time log of the time spent on each section which can be found on each page to the right of the latest blog post.