Bradley Littleton’s RV-7 | Lancaster, CA RV-7 #74105

Cheers to Bradley on the completion of his RV-7! He writes:

I had my first flight today of my RV-7, serial number 74105. It was so worth getting transition training before the flight. Thanks to my wife for putting up with this crazy thing for so long.

Here’s my build by the numbers for anyone still thinking about it.

Total build time:
11 yrs, 2 mos, 14 days (total of 4089 days since first kit order)
2,764 man-hours (2,480 hrs for me, 110 for wife, 152 daughter 1, 20 daughter 2)
I averaged about 1.5 hours per build session usually 4-5 days per week.

Total project moves: I started while active duty, so I’ve had to move the project 5 times to 4 states during the build. I don’t recommend that technique.

Total money is about $100,800. All slow build kits, overhauled IO-360, new CS prop, new Dynon HDX, new interior. Still need to buy paint, second Dynon screen, and AP servos.