On 24 Sep 2006 21:30:31 -0700, wrote:

Gene, that's a fascinating question. There's no doubt that anyone
taking on a building project has some sense of what building an
airplane is like, and thinks they like building. Do we learn anything
in the building process that might be useful to others who are
contemplating starting their own project? Did it seem easy and then you
hit a wall? Was it technically easy but tedious? After it was done, did
you hate the thought of building another one? Was there a moment, as
Scott so eloquently described it, where all the hard work was worth it?

Unlike Richard I'm building because there isn't a commercially made
aircraft that can do what the one I'm building can. OTOH I also enjoy
building and creating.

I have about 1300 hours in the project so far and every once in a
while I have one of those feelings of elation...but there are
sometimes interspersed with "am I ever going to get this part
finished" which would aptly describe doing the engine mount attach
point reinforcements. For the 6 reinforcements there are a total of 96
lay-ups.

I know when I finish installing the horizontal stab it will be one of
those moments. Doubly so as I also know that will be the point where
I'll gain enough room to put the 4-Runner inside instead of it having
to set out in the weather:-))

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com