Chapter Index
Status
Soap Box
Chapters 1-3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Pictures
Soap Box

There have been a number of shots taken at people who get intensive on building their airplanes.  Things like 'nice plane but no family or friends', airplane induced divorces, etc.  When you get a group of builders together, it is almost like a badge of honor to be the slowest builder there.  "Hi, my name is Bob."  Hi Bob.  "I'm a homebuilt builder"  Applause.  "I have been building for 8 years and I am getting ready to start on the wings."  Applause.  Doesn't matter if it is a Cozy, RV, or something else.

The way I see it, there are a number of types of builders.

You have the talkers/ builders.  These are the guys who want to be known as airplane builders, and may never finish their projects.  They like to hang around the airport, help other builders, and go to the EAA meetings.

You have the builder/flyers.  These are the guys who stay after the project and create a flying airplane.

And then you have the showplane builders.  These are the guys who are building one airplane two or three times to get everything perfect.  And of course, combinations of all three.  And probably some other catagories as well, such as the inventor, the redesigner, the cheap artist, the scrounger, etc.

I don't have a problem with people who want to take 16 years to build their plane.  Or with people who abandon their project half way through.  Everybody needs a hobby, and I have my share of projects and hobbies that are difficult to explain.  Since I started this plane, I have climbed Devil's Tower with a group of college kids, took my family to a pyrotechnics convention, built a Battlebot and competed in Las Vegas with it (whole family event), gone hunting with my oldest son, numerous Scout campouts, and many other activities.  But to think that people must give up their life to complete an airplane quickly sounds like an excuse for themselves.  'Nuff said.

Addendum:

A number of Battlebots events, including a Giant Nut, another summit on Devils Tower, and many other activities have been logged.  The people who make money selling stuff get very quiet and scarce when you no longer look like a meal to them, and the news is dull and boring when it consists of sanding and sanding.  I'm starting to learn that certain advice that comes from the experts is bad advice, and that a lot of the expertise is more a matter of arrogance.  There is very little stuff in the plans that needs to be 'improved'.