The Stars at Night, are Big and Bright...

That's right folks, I've officially relocated to North Texas. The move actually took place last September, and I've been trying to get settled in to my new environment ever since.

I drove the Mazda (RX-8) down to Texas over labor day and immediately started my new position. Did the usual hotel living as I nailed down more permanent housing, and moved into my beautiful two bed, two bath townhouse, with two car garage on October 1, 2010.

In late October I flew back up to Indy and U-Hauled the RV-7A project down to Texas. I didn't have much time to do anything with it at that time, as I had to almost immediately head back to the airport and hop a flight to Seattle for a couple of weeks.

When I got back I fiddled with setting up the shop in the garage a few times, and had it looking pretty spify. I added some additional lighting and got all of my tools, motorcycles, equipment and my car situated so that I could actually get around.

However, a serious lack of motivation has resulated in nothing actually getting accomplished on the airplane itself. Until today! It's a small victory, but I spent about two hours in the shop this afternoon continuing the deburring work on the right elevator skin.

According to the log, that's work that began over a year ago. I knew it had been a long time, but I had no idea it had been over a year. I thought maybe 7 or 8 months max.

Again, I know two hours isn't much, but every little bit counts, right? I'm also hoping this opens the flood gates, and gets me back in the shop on a more regular basis.

Quick Update

Spent two weeks back home in Indianapolis, but didn't spend any time in the workshop. The temps were high 80s and low 90s the whole time which made the garage pretty toasty. I've been thinking about buying an air conditioner for the garage, but with my uncertain employment and the potential to be moving soon, I didn't want to invest the time and money. I know many other builders are toughing it out in much worse conditions, but I guess I'm a bit of a wuss. My hats off to all you builders in Arizona, Texas, and other warm climates.

You may recall from my last post, that I was supposed to be unemployed by now. It only took the company a couple weeks to realize they still had too much work to do this year, and as a result all lay-off notices were cancelled. That doesn't mean my job search is over. I'm still seeking out a new, challenging opportunity.

Wherever my next adventure takes me, I plan on being there for at least a few years. Hopefully long enough to finish my plane. Once I get moved, I will be ordering my wing kit, and opening the flood gates on building.

Work Pace Slowing

The deteriorating economy of the last couple years has come home to roost. I received notice last week that my services with my current employer will no longer be required come August 20th. The news was surprising, but not upsetting, as I had been looking for a new opportunity during the past five months or more. My current assignment has been great in so many ways. I've met a great number of outstanding people whom I have come to call my friends. It has also allowed me to start my RV, and save a good deal towards the next few kits. I always knew it was a temporary deal, and now it's just time to move on.

So what's my plan, and the plan for the RV? I've decided to hold off on ordering any more kits until I've landed a new job and determined where that will be. Currently I have feelers in several different states including Indiana, South Carolina, Florida, California and Texas. It will be a lot easier to move a completed empennage kit, than that and a huge assortment of parts for wings and a fuselage. Of course, the entire shop will have to relocate as well.

I'm going to continue work on my empennage which is about 70% complete, just at a slightly slower pace. In September, if I haven't already found a full-time job, the job search itself will become the full-time job.

To all of those dealing with unemployment, hang in there! This too shall pass.

First Snow

Well it finally happened. I had hoped the snow would hold off till I headed home this weekend. Despite it being a balmy 35 F (2 C) today, it snowed quite hard this morning. I didn't go home and get my camera until around lunch time, so I missed the snow really coming down hard. You can see the aftermath below. About 3-4 inches overall, but it's melting quickly, creating a lot of water and slush. Ugh! Winter is finally upon us here in Alaska.

Welcome!

I had to think long and hard about starting this website, or blog as it's called. As a fellow builder put it, "The time you spend building a site could just as easily be spent building the plane." Thanks Brad! So with the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) attitude, I've settled on a home here at Blogspot, where I can keep you all abreast of what's taking place in the "factory".

To be completely honest, I never saw myself as a potential home builder. I knew that there were kits out there that allowed people to build their own planes, but I thought how cool can that be. The few examples I had seen were either overly simplistic and boring or so far "out there" that it didn't peak my interest. Enter my co-worker Tony.

Tony has built a couple of plans built aircraft, and is obviously a pilot. Tony looked over my shoulder one day and saw that I was cruising Trade-a-Plane and Controller looking for a used Cessna that would fit my budget. I've been dreaming about being an airplane owner for many years. I guess ever since my Uncle gave me flying lessons as a high school graduation gift. A few minutes later Tony sends me a simple, rather benign looking, one line email, "Check out this website." The website was Van's Aircraft Inc. Almost immediately I was taken with the sleek design of the RV line of aircraft. My interest deepened when I learned of the outstanding performance of these beautiful aircraft. The final nail in the coffin was the price. I could get started on my very own airplane for about $2000 (empennage kit). That sure beat the near quarter million price tag of the new G1000 equipped C172s. As an aside, I think the G1000, and G900X, are just about the coolest Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS) in General Aviation (GA). Big $$$!

Over the next week I read more and more about the Van's Aircraft and discovered the large community that exists around them. As of this writing, there are over 6200 Van's aircraft finished and flying all over the world. There are numerous builders out there with their own websites (another reason I had to question the need for this site) as well as forums with extensive, international memberships. Just before leaving for the National Homebrewer's Convention (another hobby of mine), I ordered the preview plans for the RV-7/7A.

So, now begins the process of setting up shop, and gathering the necessary tools and equipment to begin construction. It will probably take me 2-3 months just to save the money for all the tools and the first kit. I'm hoping to be shaping aluminum and pounding rivets in Late September.

Stay tuned...