Hi Little Rock,
Let me share my story..
I went ahead and ordered almost everything except the FWF kit and certain accessories, in one shot towards the end of April 2021. QB kit was also added on top of Std. kit (no advance to pay unless agreed up on Vans delivery schedule later on) to get in line in case of any delay in delivery, transport, customs as well as building it myself takes more time and effort than I anticipated. Just went ahead with the RV14A orders as if there is no tomorrow ... haha.
Next I will be shopping for the workshop local tools and Special tools bundle from Isham Inc.
It looks like, I will start receiving the Empennage kit in Sept, MT Props in Oct, Wings and Fuselage kit, IFR Avionics and the Lycoming Engine in Nov / Dec. By the end of October, I might know more about building timeline for my plane using standard kit and then I may be able to switch to QB or cancel it and continue with the Std. Kit.
At least a few of my Expert RV builder friends in this group must be raising their eyebrows looking at my approach and thinking what is this guy going to do with FILO (First in Last out) all the high cost last items in hand in the beginning of the project for over a year or so ?
My plan is to have my crazy looking Red crank case and Black engine Thunderbolt YIO 390 EXP 119 engine, 3 Blade 74" MT Prop and the IFR Avionics with Aera 760 all set up inside my house as display following all preservation norms until I complete the plane build for motivation and sharing the details with my friends as well as the Aeroclub students in the Engineering college, in India from where I graduated in 1981 as a token of giving back initiative probably using zoom on line. I am sure there are a few wonderful pilots, excellent aircraft designers and dedicated ground engineers in the making for this beautiful world that we live in...
Once all kits and parts are scheduled for assembly, depending on the timeline, the balance items such as the FWF kit, seats, side panels and carpets, AC (ASAC 5300), Turtle-pac, ELT, Battery, paint and so on and so forth.
A lot of work to be done within a year with all the help I can get from this knowledgeable group of RV experts. Already I am learning a lot following the discussions.
The year 2022 is going to be hectic for me.
Cheers
Sreekumar V Nair