Purpose

This is a blog containing the build history of an experimental home built airplane. The RV-7A is a two place, piston powered, low wing, tractor configuration, tricycle gear, aluminum and composite aircraft. The original purpose of this blog was to document the construction of my experimental category aircraft in order to satisfy the build log requirement for the FAA. Now it's just for the amusement of friends and family as I document some of our aviation experiences. For more information on the RV series of aircraft see www.vansaircraft.com.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Step 0

First things first.  Back up to late summer of 2010.  I needed a place to build my airplane since I live in a small house with an even smaller garage.  I know that some have built within their living quarters, but starting a multi-year project with aluminum shavings on the living room carpet is probably not a recipe for domestic tranquility.  So I put my project on hold for a year while I constructed my playhouse.

Pad cut

Retaining wall underway
Building arrives



foundation
skeleton
Siding begins

Inside framing for drywall
Electrical 


Epoxy floor.  Golf shoes :)

Exterior complete
38' x 50' was the largest building I could fit given the plethora of county imposed restrictions and fees. Experienced builders won't be surprised that the in-officious bunch at the building department were personally offended by the very idea of it.

Anyway, the layout of the building was designed primarily around the idea of building an aircraft. For example, the center post between the front doors can be removed when the doors are up, giving an access of 28' x 12'.  It wasn't all sunshine and roses though, the weather tried as hard as the county did to slow my progress.  We had a lot of rain and some snow in the winter of 2011.  Fortunately, I had help and support along the way.  Let's meet the important players:

My wife Carolina, ready for the Arctic!
I'm not sure if we're even allowed to have coats like that in California.  And lastly, our dog Roxy.

Hapless squirrel hunter and unrequited sheep herder.
It's too cold!  "We'll supervise from the house."
Oh, and this is me:
Practicing for my debut as the newest Wallenda
I didn't do everything, I had a lot of help from contractors:  Grading the pad, pouring the concrete, and assembling the building.  I also hired out the hanging of drywall and laying a small amount of carpet.


Inside nearly finished, epoxy floor in, and most of the tools ready to go.