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Start Date: Feb-05-2008
1,165 days later....
First Flight of N961M: Apr-15-2011
by Mike Andresen
Life sucks.........but not when I'm in my airplane.
What I built:
I built a Van's Aircraft RV-10 from a kit. The kit can be assembled in its
entirety using just a pocket knife and roll of duct tape.
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How to build a RV-10 in 1,148 days:
Follow this time line and you will have a complete airplane in 1,148 days.
Day 0 |
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Day 1,165
First Flight!
See my Constuction Log(left nav bar)for all the gory details of the build.
See Flight Testing in the left nav bar for RV-10 performance. |
Where I fly:
My home airport is Mesa, AZ (KFFZ). Here are a couple of pictures
of my airplane and where I fly.
Map of my longer trips(click to enlarge)
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Zeke Flying
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Camping at Grapevine AZ
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Camping at Airventure WI
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Over Mazatzal Mtns
Photo by Curt E.
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Snow Covered Rim in Payson
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Sedona
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Sunrise at Superstition Mtn.
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Wow, I built my own airplane...and not like that one I built out of 2x4's when I was a kid. I'll never look
at an amateur built airplane the same again - or the builder. Having walked in those shoes, I know with genuine empathy what that
builder went through.
The previous airplane I owned was a Piper Dakota(PA28-236) and I thought the RV-10 would have similar gas guzzling
capability. But,
I was wrong about that. The airplanes are similar in that they both have Lycoming IO-540 engines and weight about the same, but the
aerodynamics are drastically different. The RV-10 has a better lift to drag ratio, less overall drag by 125 lbs, is more responsive
and is generally more
aerodynamic and fuel efficient. On the other hand, the Dakota is much more rugged, does not have doors that rip off if opened in
flight and is a super stable IFR platform.
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