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Thread: Compilation of Esitmated Average Build Times?

  1. #1
    Auburntsts's Avatar
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    Compilation of Esitmated Average Build Times?

    Is there a one-stop resource out there where one could compare factory/designer estimated average build times for various makes and models? Still trying to pick my next project and this particular attribute might well be the deciding factor.
    Todd “I drink and know things” Stovall
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    WAR DAMN EAGLE!

  2. #2

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    Not a 1-stop resource, but I 'think' most kit companies list 'average build times' on their website?
    "Don't believe everything you see or read on the internet" - Abraham Lincoln

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    Kitplanes annual edition that lists all of the kits/designs?

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    Auburntsts's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CHICAGORANDY View Post
    Not a 1-stop resource, but I 'think' most kit companies list 'average build times' on their website?
    Exactly what I’m trying to avoid as this info, if listed at all, is sometimes buried and not readily accessible. I’d rather spend my time in other ways. Plus in my experience kit websites are hit and miss in posting build times. and plans built are even worse. Having spent 9 years on a build I can understand the reluctance to publish a number, even an estimate, due to the number of variables involved. However, I can still hope....

    Quote Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright View Post
    Kitplanes annual edition that lists all of the kits/designs?
    I’ll check it out to see if build times are listed.
    Todd “I drink and know things” Stovall
    PP ASEL - IA
    RV-10 N728TT - Flying
    EAA Lifetime Member
    WAR DAMN EAGLE!

  5. #5
    planecrazzzy's Avatar
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    It's not a race

    Hmmmm, here's a loaded question answered... Don't believe their numbers.

    Can you give enough room that your wings can be ON THE PLANE during the build ?
    I don't have that space.
    So sometimes my building involves pushing it outside...Set-up , work on it... put it away...Repeat
    .
    Gotta TRAVEL at all to build ?..... Oh , your screwed...
    .
    I just pushed my Buttercup project out to the pole barn...
    Pushed my Kolb Firestar II into the shop...
    Going over it to fly this year...and adding to the full enclosure .
    .
    And there's other chores around the house...

    My Airplanes are my hobby....
    I have NEVER been able to estimate the length of the project.
    It all depends on how DETAILED any area is.
    .
    I build by myself...
    .
    I hunt down my own parts on my plansbuilt...That'll slow things down sometimes
    .
    If your looking for a Faster Process to getting a Flying Aircraft...

    Buy a Flying Aircraft that needs to be re-fabric'd and gone over , strip it down
    .
    After my Buttercup project...That will be my plan.

    .
    My Kolb Firestar II said about 400 hours to build ???

    Took me 4 yrs.... ( 3 yrs building , 1 yr sitting during move )

    One thing is for sure... Life goes on during a build...

    You CAN'T predict what will happen , or how it will delay or just stop the project for a while.

    The true builders get back to it when they can.

    Myself , It occupies my mind...and keeps me out of trouble.

    .
    Gotta Fly...
    .
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  6. #6
    Auburntsts's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by planecrazzzy View Post
    Hmmmm, here's a loaded question answered... Don't believe their numbers.

    Can you give enough room that your wings can be ON THE PLANE during the build ?
    I don't have that space.
    So sometimes my building involves pushing it outside...Set-up , work on it... put it away...Repeat
    .
    Gotta TRAVEL at all to build ?..... Oh , your screwed...
    .
    I just pushed my Buttercup project out to the pole barn...
    Pushed my Kolb Firestar II into the shop...
    Going over it to fly this year...and adding to the full enclosure .
    .
    And there's other chores around the house...

    My Airplanes are my hobby....
    I have NEVER been able to estimate the length of the project.
    It all depends on how DETAILED any area is.
    .
    I build by myself...
    .
    I hunt down my own parts on my plansbuilt...That'll slow things down sometimes
    .
    If your looking for a Faster Process to getting a Flying Aircraft...

    Buy a Flying Aircraft that needs to be re-fabric'd and gone over , strip it down
    .
    After my Buttercup project...That will be my plan.

    .
    My Kolb Firestar II said about 400 hours to build ???

    Took me 4 yrs.... ( 3 yrs building , 1 yr sitting during move )

    One thing is for sure... Life goes on during a build...

    You CAN'T predict what will happen , or how it will delay or just stop the project for a while.

    The true builders get back to it when they can.

    Myself , It occupies my mind...and keeps me out of trouble.

    .
    Gotta Fly...
    .
    Thanks for your input but this won’t be my first rodeo. I don’t have to believe manufacturers claims, but it can be a data point in the decision process. IOW I'm not trying to figure out how long it will actually take to build, but rather to gauge the complexity of given project (ie 1200 hrs vs 3500 tells me a lot) Traveling to build doesn’t necessarily mean I’m screwed— I know because I've been there, done that. I did about a third of my RV-10 build at my hangar 30 min from house. I also understand what’s involved in building— my project took 8 years 8 months from the day I ordered the first kit in Sep 2006 until first flight in May 2015. During that time I deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, had kids in Boy and Girl Scouts, both kids did sports, I coached my sons little league team, took family vacations, retired from the Air Force and started a new job, and even managed to get my Instrument rating among all the other myriad of things that constitute day-to-day life. So yeah, I guess it ain’t a race

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    Oh and before anyone asks the date on the first pic is Oct 6th, 2006 not June 10th. The camera default was dd/mm/YYYY.
    Last edited by Auburntsts; 05-19-2020 at 06:55 AM.
    Todd “I drink and know things” Stovall
    PP ASEL - IA
    RV-10 N728TT - Flying
    EAA Lifetime Member
    WAR DAMN EAGLE!

  7. #7
    planecrazzzy's Avatar
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    After seeing your plane.... I see you need a little fun plane.... One you can land on little local strips.
    .
    I don't like the BIG fly-ins.... The small ones are where I've had the most fun.

    Especially when a group of us used to head out to one....
    .
    I'm still building my Buttercup (0-235) , But I don't think I will ever get rid of my Kolb.... Too much seat of the pants FUN .
    .
    Handy thing I like about the Kolb , I can fold it up and put it in my back pocket.

    Well.... Tuck it out of the way pretty easy.

    .
    You could Build a Tailwind (0-320) and Blow away any RV ?... Rag and Tubing at it's best...( Red - W-10 , 245 mph AVERAGE , Copperstate )

    Which reminds me... A good building Forum is ALWAYS good.... Tailwind has a few.
    .
    Gotta Fly...
    .
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  8. #8
    Auburntsts's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by planecrazzzy View Post
    After seeing your plane.... I see you need a little fun plane.... One you can land on little local
    .
    Exactly!!! I have narrowed my choices to the Pietenpol and Fisher Celebrity. Only doing research right now as we’re in the process of building a new house so starting a new project isn’t in the cards for the foreseeable future.
    Todd “I drink and know things” Stovall
    PP ASEL - IA
    RV-10 N728TT - Flying
    EAA Lifetime Member
    WAR DAMN EAGLE!

  9. #9
    planecrazzzy's Avatar
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    I would suggest to start monitoring a forum now...
    and also reading up on it...

    Good Luck !

  10. #10
    Auburntsts's Avatar
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    Way ahead of you by almost a year now— started researching last Osh and have been all over the internet/forums since then
    Last edited by Auburntsts; 05-23-2020 at 10:01 AM.
    Todd “I drink and know things” Stovall
    PP ASEL - IA
    RV-10 N728TT - Flying
    EAA Lifetime Member
    WAR DAMN EAGLE!

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