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Thread: Nebraska S7SS Build

  1. #1
    RJK_Omaha's Avatar
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    May 2020
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    Omaha, NE
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    Default Nebraska S7SS Build

    Hello everyone. Welcome to my Series 7 Super Sport builders log. I'm a first time builder residing in the Omaha, NE area who has been away from aviation for several decades and very excited to reengage. After consulting with several folks within this forum, I ordered my kit in August of 2020 and took delivery in July of this year. Along with the standard SS kit I included many of the most common options (including Quick Build wings, LLE, Speedster tail, etc.) The shop (basement) is ready and the kit has been inventoried so its time to begin. My goal is for first flight to occur no later than October 25, 2024.

    I've chosen to create a build log so that this community can help point out build shortcomings, provide much desired help and support, and to keep me accountable to my schedule. There are very few active Kitfox builders here in Nebraska so I know this group will be invaluable in helping me solve problems and work through the uncertainties and frustrations to come.

    Thank you for being part of my journey.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Richard Kolkman
    S7SS, 912iS
    First Flight: 10/25/24


  2. #2
    Senior Member rv9ralph's Avatar
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    Aug 2014
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    Greenleaf, ID
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    618

    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    Congratulations and enjoy the build. Remember it is the journey not just the destination that makes life fun.

    I am also just starting a build, SS7. Inventory complete construction to begin in days.

    Ralph
    KF3 Flying

  3. #3
    Senior Member Benbell4140's Avatar
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    Jun 2010
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    Broussard LA
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    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    Congratulations!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Ben Bell
    Building 7 super sport
    O200 powered

  4. #4
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Jun 2015
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    Yorba Linda, CA
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    2,817

    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    Welcome to the group Richard. Definetly one of the benchmark days when that truck shows up.
    I too had decades (2.5) of no flying before I got my Kitfox. Your finish date is about exactly the number of weeks that I finished mine. Delivered March 12 2017 and flew March 31 2019. Had I not had periods of weeks on end without working on it I could have finished earlier. Enjoy the build.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

  5. #5
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Oct 2008
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    St Paul, MN
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    1,833

    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    Richard,

    Congratulations on your project! There are likely more kitfoxers around than a person knows about in the beginning of their project. Once I moved my plane from the garage to the assigned airport for phase I, I discovered another builder and two flyers located at the airport - all S5s. One of the flyers, a long term Delta pilot with a lot of credentials, was kind enough to get me sufficient stick time in his S5 before my first flight to assure my insurance company would be exceedingly happy.

    By having your workshop at your home, that will greatly help with your ability to do something each day since there is no trip involved to get to your project. That is a big deal in making consistent progress. Promise yourself to do something every day, even if it only counting rivets or bolts.

    Had to chuckle about your basement comment because I had gone to great lengths to measure how the wings (not quick build) would fit coming out of the basement to ensure avoiding that classical home builder's conundrum concerning tearing the house apart to get the plane out! Yes - it did fit without dismantling the house leaving me to assume I didn't mess up too bad with my wing measurements in spite of the fact I had no completed wing at the time!

    I think your proposed build schedule is entirely realistic and doable. Took me three years to get our S7 completed in spite of the fact that the old skystar company filed bankrupcy in mid delivery which left me with trying to figure out how to get and pay for the other half of my order - John and Deb Mcbean came to the rescue after they acquired the assets and it is good to know the company continues to be operated under competent leadership .

    You will enjoy the journey and learn an incredible complement of what it takes to build, test and operate an airplane.
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  6. #6
    RJK_Omaha's Avatar
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    May 2020
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    Omaha, NE
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    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    Ralph/Eddie/Ben/Dave...Thank you for the welcoming words. Had to laugh at Dave's comments about 'dismantling the house' (see below).

    I've pulled my thoughts together on the basic principles I will employ during the build process. Based on everyone's experience...what am I missing?
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Richard Kolkman
    S7SS, 912iS
    First Flight: 10/25/24


  7. #7
    Senior Member Benbell4140's Avatar
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    Jun 2010
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    Broussard LA
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    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    Brings back memories. I built an RV-8 in my spare bedroom at our prior house and had to take a section of the wall down to roll the fuselage out. It made me wish I had neighbors like myself


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    Ben Bell
    Building 7 super sport
    O200 powered

  8. #8
    Senior Member Delta Whisky's Avatar
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    Dec 2017
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    Amissville, VA
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    637

    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    Congrats on getting the process going. Your "Basic Principles" are right on target!!

  9. #9
    motortommy's Avatar
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    Nov 2016
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    Germany
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    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    #16 have fun!
    Marc
    rebuilding IV-1200
    `Kitfox fifty`

  10. #10
    Senior Member
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    Nov 2019
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    Leavenworth WA
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    613

    Default Re: Nebraska S7SS Build

    Quote Originally Posted by motortommy View Post
    #16 have fun!
    Congrats on the build and welcome. Guess I would take this one and make it #2.

    G
    Gary (Geek) Phenning
    Leavenworth (Not the Prison), WA
    Kitfox STi in Building Stage

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