| Author | Message | ||
     Michael Jastrzebski New member Username: Michal Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2004 |
This is hypothetical but please bear with me. First I wanted to ask if there are any 2000FT builders around who went through the whole 6 weeks of BA alone, with no helpers ?. Is it doable ? Next, I wonder if someone worked slower (being alone or for whatever reason) and could not complete all the tasks within the alotted 6-week period could then an additional BA session be purchased as needed ? Michael J. | ||
| Tom R. Hutchison New member Username: Tomhutch Post Number: 148 Registered: 01-2003 |
Michael, I went through the Builder's Assist alone. Of course I was the 3rd one (Gary M. may disagree with me being 3rd) and the program and the kit has improved a lot since then. I think its probably doable based upon my experience. You will have to ask Roy and Allyn whether you can purchase additional BA sessions. Tom Hutchison | ||
| Roy Davis New member Username: Royhdavis Post Number: 32 Registered: 01-2003 |
We can work with the builder to support them through the whole process. I'm sure we can provide additional weeks at the normal BA rate. I just don't want people to think of BA as renting a garage shop. The program does a lot more than the 51% required, so it is possible to let our finish services pick up the odds and ends that one person doesn't finish. I went through the 6 weeks last year. My wife was with me for the second session where we built the wings. I did the other two sessions alone, but I was pretty wiped out the second week each time. It really is better to have someone as a helper and spread the workload a bit. We now do the wings in the first session because there is a lot of small taping and that's the best place to learn your fiberglass skills. I had to lay in the ribs and Q-cell the joints. There was also a lot of trimming to fit. We now have the ribs in and Q-celled already for you and you can start taping the ribs on the first day. We have improved the templates for the ribs and there is very little trimming required now. We also started applying cabo to three sides of the ribs in the fuel bay before they are installed, which provides a better seal from the fuel and eliminates all the work on the mouse holes that I went through. That way it's possible for one person to close out two wings in the first two weeks and the fuel cells are much better sealed. I just ordered an industrial cloth cutting machine so we can cut the standard size tapes for you, saving you a lot of wear and tear on your carpal tunnels and time. You will still cut the odd-shaped cloth pieces so you know how to handle glass cloth. We have been working hard to provide the setup and eliminate the boring repetive jobs so you spend as much time as possible on the actual construction jobs required by the FAA. | ||
| Gary Markwardt New member Username: Gmark Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-1999 |
I think Tom H. and I were 3A. & 3B. thru the program; I'm not saying who was A. or B. but I'm flying  . I had a helper for all sessions and actually took about an extra week beyond the BA to stuff and fit wings. But, LOTS of improvements have occurred to speed the process and it is a lot better organized from what I saw on my last visit. So, I agree with Roy's comments above. Doable in 6 weeks, but tiring. Better with a helper if possible. |