The Builder
    My Background
     The Beginning
         Lost Log

 Custom Building
    Chronology

This site documents the building of RV-8A N884P

After losing my builders log to a dual simultaneous hard drive failure, I decided to store the log on a server as a web site.  That lessens the likelihood of losing everything again.  Plus it provides an information source to other builders who are scratching their craniums over how to proceed.  I don't have all the answers and this site is the work of an amateur, but if you can look past those restrictions, you may find some information of value.

I built a Van's Aircraft Quickbuild RV-8A.  It is quick build in name only.

I bought the kit from the original owner.  Fortunately, the previous builder had done very little work because I've had to redo most of his work.  For example, he had assembled some parts with the plastic still on the aluminum.  Needless to say, if moisture had found its way under the plastic, the plastic would have held in the moisture causing corrosion.  Additionally, it would allow the rivets to loosen as the plastic aged.  Other errors have included wrong size bolts and nuts, unprimed parts, and improperly constructed parts.  I've removed the little amount of work completed (seat backs, elevator bellcrank, rudder pedals) and corrected the mistakes for reinstallation.  I've been working on it since March 03 and, while the building process has been slow, it has been a pleasure - even more so since my brother began wintering in FL and has helped me with the project.  We've really enjoyed working together.  Initially, I assumed I was building to fly, but I found the building process to be fun, therefore, I had to caution myself to not build just for the fun of building.  I had to set interim goals with deadlines.

I incorporated a number of minor changes to the plane, none of which affect the structural integrity and all of which made the end product closer to what I want.  You can see some of the changes in the Ideas Section.