Younger builders

[Esser]

Hello Mark, I am 24 and just ordered a kit. I actually jsut called up John and Debra to delay the delivery due to some stuff that's popping up with work. So I guess I am not actively building yet but should be soon. I got my license through Air Cadets for free when I was 17 so I never had to pay for that. I am very lucky that I amable to finance it as I have a very good job, I hold no debt with the exception being my mortgage, and I had a decent chunk saved up. My property that I own has a large shop so I don't have to worry about renting additional space to worry about that cost. Since buying the kit will take most of my savings I am waiting to buy the engine and avionics until I am at that stage so I can save my pennies a bit. My plan is to stay ahead of the game with the money and if I run out I have an empty line of credit that I can purchase some items on. But my wishful goal is to have everything paid for by the time its air worthy. I realize this isnt applicable to everyone but I say if you can figure out a way to scrape by and build it then do it. I talked myself over a period of a few months by telling myself that I am only young once. Don't forget when you are building to factor in the price of tools. If you are young like me your shop might not be complete. I hope you are able to do it.

Josh

[cap01]

good point josh , waiting on the avionics and engine . you dont need the clock ticking on the warantees while your stuff is waiting in the boxes to be installed . also , who knows , there may be a bunch of better stuff available by the time your ready to install it . good luck and have fun , it will be worth it when its completed .

[rogerh12]

You might wait on the landing gear order too. With it installed on my model-4, the tail would hit my garage celling (though it is a Tri-gear). I just made ups some short wood gear with heafty lawn mower wheels to move the fuse around during work, and it turned out to be a great idea. A space saver too as my wood gear was very narrow.

The spring gear is also expensive and maybe you could do the same, and put off buying the gear until later in the project?


Roger

[Dave S]

Mark,

I am not a younger builder; however, I WANTED to build back when I was 20, so I think I have a couple valid points that can help you along your way. Make your dream come true as soon as you can. When you are 150 years old on your deathbed I guarantee you will NEVER say "Gee I wish I hadn't built that plane and had all that fun".....guaranteed you will never say that.

Not everybody came from a family of aviators and builders - in my case, I am the first and only pilot and first and only builder in the family. First took flying lessons in college - got the bug to build at the same time. That was in the 1960's.......

I did get 20 hours in back when a Cessna 140 rented for $8 an hour and the instructor cost an additional $4 per hour. What stopped me from completing my certificate and from building at the time was money. (crap - I could have bought the 140 for $2000 at the time and it was barely 15 years old!) Aside from not coming from a family of aviators and builders, I didn't come from a family with much money either and had to pay my way 100% through college. Second issue with building was a place to build - didn't have one at the time that was guaranteed to stay available. Enough money became available for me to complete my pilot's certificate in 1990 and I started building our 'fox in 2005 in the garage and basement (yes, I measured the basement door first!) with a completion in 2008. Now we are flying and enjoying every minute of it even if I am about to retire early next year.

My lesson is you need to think about the two issues of cost and a place to build. You can mitigate cost in may ways and the 'fox is one of the best ways to do that to start with. Many folks on the list have suggested ways reduce the cost, you have a tremendous asset with your age - you have the luxury of time in your favor so it is entirely possible to fly soon by picking up a less expensive 'fox (kit sitting around or one of the early models completed but used) consider it your first plane and have lots of time till you become old enough to have enough money to jeopardize your children's inheritance by building the greatest 'fox ever.

Sincerely,

Dave S
KF7 Trigear
912ULS Warp

[Chewie]

Wow, this thread made it to 2 pages?! So many great responses... There's definitely a recurring theme here about starting with something that's not a factory fresh model 7 (or classic IV). I'm pretty thin but 6'2" and sat in a Model IV which felt a bit cramped. Maybe it was just his configuration. How do I know if I fit in some of the older models? And if buy a used kit and my portion is less than 51% of the completion (and therefore I don't have a repairman certificate), how much does that add to the cost of ownership?

Thanks so much for all your comments and stories. C5Engineer love the picture.

-Mark

[t j]

Chewie, there can be only one repairman certificate issed for the plane and many people confuse this rule to mean that person has to build 51%. There is no requirement for you to build 51% of the plane to get the repairman's certificate. You just have to be one of the builders of that plane.

As far as what would it cost if you don't get the repairman's certificate. The only thing you will have to pay for related to working on the plane is the annual condition inspection.

[Esser]

Roger, good idea about the gear. I already ordered it but the gear is the only thing that wont get through my doubel doors so it might be good to mock up some narrower gear for a temp solution til the end.

Mark, another way to save a few bucks is used/referbished equipment. Rotec(North American Rotax dealer) Sells factory rebuilt zero timed 912ULS for much cheaper than you can buy a brand new one. And it has all brand new specs to the engine. Check out barnstormers.com for used avionics and engines. A lot of people decide to upgrade there panels, engines, props etc. If you know the right questions to ask you can find good deals.