Tony,
In the UK all builders under the Popular Flying Authority
wing must have an inspector to keep an eye on their project and
sign off various stages of build. These inspectors are experienced
builders/aviation professionals and are usually the first point of
call for us 'first time' builders. They can usually clarify
instructions and details without you having to call the factory.
In fact, you usually work it out yourself after reading through
the manual a few times and doing a 'dry run' with the bits in your
hand.
I have no idea if there is a similar setup in NZ, but the
PFA Strut/EAA Chapter setup should be an invaluable first point of
reference for the first time builder if inspectors are not
mandatory.
You have to put a lot of effort and planning, as well as
money and time, into building ANY plane, and I would suggest that
someone who has not made contact with an inspector/experienced
builder before they start has not thought through the implications
of the project. Dont forget, we all have different abilities, and
will more than likely sail through a section that someone else will
have problems with, and then come to a stop later on, whilst others
had no problems there at all. Thats when you ask your inspector...
If you balls it up in the middle of a layup then ring the
factory. If they are open they will help you then and there.
Otherwise I have found it as easy to fax them and have always had
a reply later the same day or next morning, by fax. If you are 12
hours out of step with the factory then you NEED a guy in your
time zone, who has built something before, who you can call in the
middle of that flap layup thats going wrong.
Alternatively, if you want to some part of the
design, then give the factory some credit. They have more than
likely been there, done it, etc. If not, they probably decided they
didnt need to go there, do it, etc. Most of us are probably
deviating from the plans: Fitting a strobe, snazzy turned up
wingtips. The factory built and sold us a kit plane with their
plans. The responsibility for builders mods lies on the builders
themselves.
No, I'm not saying that its always your fault, but if youve
got things sorted out before you start, and made allowances for
isolation/time zones/experience, then apart from <some>
frustration you will build the plane of your dreams.
I have no intention of abandoning my europa. There is a
large box file 3/4 full of tips from this email list sat in my
workshop, to supplement the instructions and advice from others.
Yes, I would have liked a metal fuel tank, yes, I have been held
up by lack of parts, yes, I have found the manual ambiguous at
times, yes, I have told Andy and Ivan what I thought of the
instrument panel ! If you want something enough its worth the
hassle.
Enjoy
chus, dave
kit67
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