Instrument Panel Rear Access Door

Cut door and added hinges for instrument panel rear access door.

Cockpt Pilot Armrests & Throttle Quadrant

Created template for the cockpit armrests, throttle quadrant, and switch panel.  Templates were cut from scrap cardboard and fitted into the cockpit prior to disassembling and matching for sheet metal cuts.

Once each side's armrest was carefully fitted, the sheet metal was cut, bent, drilled, and riveted for plate nuts.  After hours of fitting, cutting, fitting, filing, and fitting again, we finally had a semi-finished product ready for paint and wiring.

Unpack, Ready, Set, Go!

Mike Regen, Rick Rowe, Davin and I drove up to Carol County Airport (KDMW) this snowy morning to pick up the RV-8 kit.  Everything, including the empennage, fuselage, and wings, etc. fit into the back of a U-Haul truck.  Once back at GAI, we unpacked everything with no damage noted from the move.  Its really hard to believe that all these parts will one day fly.  No doubt, there are months of work in store as this aircraft comes together. 

There's a tremendous amount to learn as I progress through the build.  Fortunately, there's a whole community of fellow RV builders and pilots out there who have been where I am and are more than willing to lend a helping hand.

I'm looking forward to the build process and believe I'll enjoy building the plane as much as flying it.

RV-8 unpacked and ready for build

Since childhood, I've had a goal to one day build my own aircraft.  

This is a dream come true!