F

Frog Hobson

Member
I am lucky to have three daughters who are all interested in aviation. I am a retired Air Force pilot, and recently got back into GA. The girls love flying, and when I mentioned building an airplane they couldn't wait to get started. So not wanting to disappoint, I convinced the wife that building an airplane with the girls would be great for their education. Much to my surprise the wife agreed and here we are. Day one, inventory 2 hours
 

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First work started, countersinking
 

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Vertical stab complete, just over 6 hours. The kids are still super interested, and get really upset if I work on anything without them being there. Overall really happy with how nice the instructions and kit are going together. This is my first time building/ assembling an airplane, so if anyone notices mistakes please point them out.
 

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Love to see this. My daughter was 10 when I started my -12 build and would join me in the shop from time to time to help out. By the time I was finishing up she was 14 and was climbing into the tight spots to help take care of SBs while I was doing other things.

Now she's 16, learning to fly in that same -12, and a little too busy being a teenager (and active CAP cadet/officer) to help much on the -15 but I can live with that.

I hope adding a couple pics of my own version is ok, in the spirit of the father/daughter build thread. I think you will find that while the jump-start to career ambitions and all that is true, it pales in comparison to how having this kind of experience together builds a bond that is invaluable as you go through those otherwise 'difficult years'.


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Frog Hobson said:
Vertical stab complete, just over 6 hours. The kids are still super interested, and get really upset if I work on anything without them being there. Overall really happy with how nice the instructions and kit are going together. This is my first time building/ assembling an airplane, so if anyone notices mistakes please point them out.
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Nice FJ!
 
I did, per directions. But I am absolutely not convinced that needs to be…especially on a land plane in the arid Southwest. There was some discussion about the merits of doing so (or not) on My Project - Tail page.
 
Jetmart said:
Did you do any special prep of these parts before priming?
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I scuffed them up lightly with a Scotchbrite pad so the paint would have something to adhere to. Cleaned and primed them. I also wondered about the benefits of priming these parts because I am planning to paint the aircraft and these parts are all on the exterior. Just following the plans.
 
I primed the parts on the side you can't get to, the outside will be painted with aircraft. Also I live in AZ, not to worried about corrosion. My 1946 Cessna had zero corrosion at 80 years old
 
Just finished up the rudder. I did a lot more prep on these parts, and used pro seal on the last two holes closest to the trailing edge.
 

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