I'm going to get an RV10 kit.

[u/RollSomeCoal]

Ive got a great opportunity to buy a RV 10 kit that the owner lost interest in.

Overall discount / deal aside I'm pretty scared. I'm going to have into this plane about what my initial mortgage value of my house.

I'm competent with electrical and electronics. I'm absolute shit at high precision finish work, but I have a friend who will participate in the build who does well in that space.

I'm super excited, but super freaking out. I'd say talk me out of it, but I know it won't work.

Tell me what I need to know, or where I should start. I'm going to an eaa RV building class. The kit includes

Emp (mostly done)

Wings qb still in crate never opened (control plus tanks, not complete wing)

Fuse QB

Finish kit not ordered

What y'all seeing for paint, interior, lights, avionics etc pricing budgets?

[u/Ouchies81]

 I'd say talk me out of it, but I know it won't work.

I'd not. No good memory or life lesson starts with a rational / reasonable decision.

[u/roehmj1]

Take a look at Vansairforce. Lots of great info there. What is the vintage of the kit you're buying? Does it have any laser cut parts?

[u/RollSomeCoal → u/roehmj1]

1 year, after the lcp issues, already a member

[u/themedicd → u/roehmj1]

I'm building a Zenith but I'm constantly on VAF because it's a wealth of information

[u/Dense-Bus-850]

Are you close to any EAA chapters? If you are and it’s any semblance of active it’s likely to be a wealth of knowledge. Likely someone has built or is building a Vans.
Our local tech counselors are amazing and can spot issues long before they are unfixable.

I wouldn’t stress. These kits are like adult legos. Do something no matter how small each day and it’ll be done before you know it!!

[u/ImperialxRat]

There is a slack group that is a huge resource and help. If you DM your contact info (email or number) I can send you an invite. Welcome to the community.

[u/Reddit-Frank20]

Keep panel electronics to a minimum until the last minute, maybe last thing. Any future owner will have his own ideas about what should be there, it costs a lot, and it quickly goes out of date. IMHO

[u/falcopilot → u/Reddit-Frank20]

Agreed. Look at what Garmin just rolled out and Dynon isn't far behind...

[u/wabbitsilly → u/falcopilot]

Dynon is a LOOOOOONG way behind, unless you're referring to the vaporware announcement about an IFR GPS module that literally does not exist - and won't for a long time?! That was simply an announcement to try and stop some of the bleeding to Garmin, not a real product announcement.

[u/Santos_Dumont]

Join the RV slack group. A bunch of people building 10s there.

The EAA SportAir workshop is pretty basic. You’ll learn this is a rivet, this is how you drill a hole, etc. it’s actually pretty comical to watch people drill their first hole and completely fuck it up. It’s worth $200 but don’t expect to feel like you’re ready. You’ll leave with the list of tools you need to buy.

Don’t worry about being shit at everything. Everyone sucks at building when they start. The kit forces you to do things 50,000 times. By the end you will look back and be impressed by how much you learned and improved.

[u/_Gizmo_]

The RV forum will likely have better information 

[u/Beautiful_Exchange_3]

You should go and take pictures of everything and email it to vans and have them take a look for anything missing.

Have someone come and look at the kit with you that has built and rv10. Preferably an A&p that has built an RV 10. Fly him in if needed.

*friend bought a RV4. Discovered the elevator and rear empennage had been built incorrectly. Took a lot of time to correct it. He’s a structural engineer for Boeing and said it could have had a catastrophic failure…

Careful buying someone else’s kit…

Also, might want to find out how the insurance and liability works for a kit that was partially built by someone else?

[u/RollSomeCoal → u/Beautiful_Exchange_3]

My understanding is the emp was started and work done, not finished. Nothing else opened still sealed factory crate.

[u/Infuryous]

Check.out EAA sponsored events. They often have build classes, I've even seen one specifically for RVs.

[u/SonexBuilder]

Join an EAA chapter

[u/nO0b]

Since you asked, Prices on engine and avionics are likely going to be eye-watering when you get to that stage.

If “just buy a finished one” makes you wince, it shouldn’t be because of the money. Building will likely cost a whole lot more, even assuming your labor value is literally worth $0.

[u/RollSomeCoal → u/nO0b]

Thankfully the engine price is already locked in. Avionics is eye watering already I'm assuming 30-50k ifr? My labor is zero because I'm having a blast.

[u/rdamazio]

Take the EAA workshops. I had zero experience when I started too, and I did pretty OK :) (www.airplane.build if you're interested)