Well said Jim, You got to enjoy the process it's really fun and it shouldn't be a race. For some of us it's one of the most important work we will do.
Ron From: "Jim Faughn" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; "'KRnet'" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 8:22 PM Subject: RE: KR>How long > I built my KR in a little over 1100 hours. With that said, it could have > been much less and much more. The reality is that the time to build a KR > is dependent upon three major factors. First, your experience level. > Mine was zero and I had to learn how to size an AN bolt, which took time > beyond the building hours. It also meant that I was slower than an > experienced builder and I estimate took an extra 20+ percent over what I > could build one today. I also made mistakes which I had to correct which > were included in the building hours. Second, how do you count hours. In > my case, I only counted hours that I actually built the plane. This > meant time reading books, buying parts and reading the plans many times > did not count. Third, and probably the most significant, how many > modifications do you want to make. In my case, I recognized I was > ignorant in the area of plane building and really needed to stick to > someone else's engineering. So, I built a primarily plans built with a > VW and used other peoples mistakes and successes to create my plane as > fast as I could. As I thought about your question, I came up with an > example that illustrates some of the time added to my plane. One of the > things that I consider critical is my rear windows. I believe they > contribute to the safety of the plane and they also look pretty good. > However, I estimate they took at least 30-40 hours extra to build. This > is creating a template for the windows, cutting the windows, forming the > windows, cutting the turtle deck, creating a holder within the turtle > deck, gluing in the windows, fairing in the windows, masking off (many > times) for prep, primer, color coat, clear coat, etc, etc. Bottom line > is each change requires a lot of time. I want to emphasize that for MANY > people the enjoyment of building a plane is to make those changes. I > admire these people. In my case it was to fly. > > So, how many hours does it take? Don't have a clue, it depends on what > you are looking for in enjoyment within the process. I truly believe you > must enjoy the process because if you don't you will never finish. I > only can tell you that building the KR is the most rewarding thing that > you will do. Start and have a great time. > > See you at the KR Gathering at Mt. Vernon. > > Jim > N891JF > > Jim Faughn > 4323D Laclede Ave. > St. Louis, MO 63108 > (314)652-7659 > Email - sub @ for "at" jfaughn "at" socket.net > Web Site http://jfaughn.com >
