Preparation for the RV-14A build consists first of all arriving at the „go“decision after numerous hours of internet research and encouring reports of our IEC club members, digesting the quite numerous and very informative builder logs and VAF, getting the kit order and import in place, organizing tools and workspace, communication with authorities to retrieve approval for the build, …
My previous building experience is based on 2 projects – both a Brändli BX2 (Cherry). The first was a „flying“ plane imported from the Netherlands (PH-RJL) which turned out – after careful and deep inspection – to become a large overhaul and partly rebuild before becoming airborne again. By luck another Cherry (OE-CTO) become available which had succesfully got an approval from the Austrian authorities which – after a couple of rework and optimization – turned out to become a very cost-effective, agile and performing (120kt en-route, taking into account the 80hp Rotax 912UL). The BX2 is not offered as a kit – building requires not only plenty of time but also advanced skills and tools – involving all sorts of wood, metal and composite material.
Nevertheless the idea of bulding a place totally by myself was still vivid and finally and motivated by some fellow RV builders in Austria, I decided to build a RV-14A. Having dealt intensively with issues arising from poor craftsmanship and individual designs („improvements“) my idea is to stay as close as possible with the plans and recommondation from VANS (especially the engine and some options already offered with the kit).
