About
What is this?
This site is dedicated to the (quite possibly very long) endeavor to build an airplane from scratch. The intent is to chronicle the entire build process, from start to finish, and show that it can be done by the average DIY-er. The hope is that once the build is complete and I have a flying airplane this site will become a record of all the cool travels that flying privately affords.
Who am I?
My name is Eric Cobb and I have set out to build an airplane. I’m not a mechanic, engineer, designer, or even a great DIY-er. As the saying goes, I’m a Jack of all trades, master of none. I’m just a regular guy who likes to fly airplanes and likes to challenge myself from time to time.
What am I building?
After much deliberation I have settled on the Van’s RV-14A kit plane as my build of choice. The RV-14 model, as do many Van’s models, comes in two configurations: the tail-dragger RV-14 and the tricycle gear RV-14A. I chose the RV-14A for a number of reasons:
- Room. I’m a big guy at 6’3″ and 250+ lbs. Throughout my private pilot training I flew a Cessna 172 and after joining a local flying club began flying a Piper Archer and Piper Arrow. Both planes were cramped and uncomfortable for any length of flying beyond a short local flight. The RV-14A is almost 5″ wider across the cockpit than the Archer; I’m hoping this leads to comfort for longer trips.
- Familiarity. I have zero time in a tail-dragger and, although they look cooler, I have no desire to learn to fly one.
- Speed. These planes are no speed demons, to be sure. But at nearly 180 mph at cruise on a modest 10 gallons per hour they’re far faster than any production airplanes in the same class and price tier.