|
|
 |
|
|
| Working on the Front HS Spar |
Should I Really Be Doing This ?
This is the question I asked
myself several times before I got started. This is a big time commitment. I'm married with 2 children, a 13 year
old daughter and a 10 year old son (now 15 & 12), I was coaching soccer in the spring and fall (now just cheering
from the sidelines), and I was, and still am, building an online brokerage business (www.MyStockFund.com).
Beyond the time commitment
required to build an airplane, there is a significant financial commitment. We have every intention of sending our
two children to a good college. And although we're off to a good start with our college fund, we still have a long
way to go. I even checked to see if there was a
tree out back with dollar bills hanging from it, and I'm sorry to report that the answer is "No!"
Given these factors, and
the number of other smaller activities battling for my time and
money, I wondered if I should just wait until life was a less complicated. A rational disciplined person (i.e. my wife)
would tell me I should. However, after much thought I decided to go for it.
Here is my rational. One, I love to build things and it gives
me a great deal of pleasure. Two, building is a way for me to relax and take a break from life's everyday
stresses. Moreover, if I approach it from the point of view that I'll get started and I'll finish when I finish (no self
imposed deadlines). Then what the heck. I'll do as much as time and money will allow.
I can hear it now. Other builders are probably saying; "what
a fool, he'll never finish if he approaches it that way, he'll be building a coffee table out of the horizontal stabilizer."
Maybe I will, but this rational was sufficient enough to get me started. And from what I've read on other
builders sites, the key is don't wait. Just get started!
|
|
|
|
| Sea Plane Flying OSH 2004 |
My Flying Activity
I've been flying for 6 years now and have about 180 hours. I
fly less than I would like to. There are a number of reasons for this. One is "life." There are just
too many other things vying for my time and money. Two,
I fly a beautiful Cherokee 140 that is owned by a good friend of mine, John. A couple years ago John moved the
plane to his new home/hanger on a private airstrip. John's place is a hour and half drive from my home.
I enjoy driving down and spending the day visiting and flying with him, but my schedule doesn't often allow me to do
this (remember soccer in the spring and fall, now add basketball games on Saturday's in between). I could rent a plane
from the local flight school, but their planes are so beat up compared to the Cherokee. Renting a plane from the
local flight school also has another headache associated with it. It's called the ADIZ.
The federal government, in it's infinate wisdom believes (and
they are the only ones who believe this) that an ADIZ in the DC area adds to national security. As a pilot who
flies out of Northern Virginia, the ADIZ has turned into a real pain in the butt. It has taken the spontenaity
out of flying and has lead to an overall reduction in my flying activity. No more heading out to the airport for
a short local flight. Ironically, these factors have created
a situation that promotes building an airplane.
For me, a local flight typically requires a 4 to 6 hour
block of time (and I need to deal with the inconvenience and stupidity of the ADIZ). If I visit John it requires
the better portion of a Saturday. It is not easy to carve
out this much time on a regular basis without impacting another activity. But building an airplane in my basement
and garage provides me the flexibility to spend an hour or 2 here and there in between other activities.
Building an airplane also has another benefit. It gives me the
chance to get the kids involved in the airplane building process. I
am hoping that my daugther and son show an interest in getting involved in the project. I think this will be a
good way to spend "quality" time together and will be a good learning experience for them. I know that I can't think
of a better way to spend time together, however they might not see it that way. I have taken them flying with me and they
enjoy it. We'll see how much they like drilling, de-burrring, and riveting. My daughter worked on the
Van's practice kit with me and she seemed to think it was pretty cool!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
