Sadly it's not my Corsair, but a friend of mine flies it for a local museum and I got to sit in it and make airplane noises. A really good day!
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
Hi, I'm Robert Allen. Welcome to my Hummel Bird construction website. This is where I plan to share information about what is probably the biggest project I've ever undertaken. I'm building an airplane - from plans! The whole idea is still pretty mind boggling to me. I've always admired the skill and dedication of aircraft builders and restorers. I knew I could probably learn most of the skills, but what kept me from starting such a project was that I was afraid I would spend a fortune and years on it and then not finish it. What I didn't know is that building an airplane becomes an obsession. When I'm not actually working on the plane, I'm thinking about it. I started this project in November of 2008 (it's now June 2009) and I'm still just as excited about it as when I started. Maybe even more now that it's starting to look like an airplane!
If you have ever considered building a plane, I do have a few words of advice:
1) Build the airplane because you think you'll enjoy the building process. If you're just looking for a cheap way to get a plane, you're going to be disappointed. Let's face it, there really is no cheap way to own an airplane. If you don't invest money, you invest time.
2) Don't bite off more than you can chew. Don't attempt to build something that's too complex as your first project. A replica of a Corsair might be your idea of the perfect airplane, but it's certainly not the perfect first project.
3) Try to find something that you can invest in gradually. One of the nice things about building from plans is that you can get started with very little up-front costs. Spend a couple of hundred dollars on materials and you can start making parts right away.
4) Make sure your family is excited about the project and that you have friends who will encourage you along the way. You don't need to hear that it can't be done. Join your local EAA chapter. It's good to have a support group of others who have the same disease!
5) Try not to focus on the finished product. It's just such a long way off. Concentrate on building parts and be proud of yourself each time you finish one. Remember, "one bite at a time"!
If you have ever considered building a plane, I do have a few words of advice:
1) Build the airplane because you think you'll enjoy the building process. If you're just looking for a cheap way to get a plane, you're going to be disappointed. Let's face it, there really is no cheap way to own an airplane. If you don't invest money, you invest time.
2) Don't bite off more than you can chew. Don't attempt to build something that's too complex as your first project. A replica of a Corsair might be your idea of the perfect airplane, but it's certainly not the perfect first project.
3) Try to find something that you can invest in gradually. One of the nice things about building from plans is that you can get started with very little up-front costs. Spend a couple of hundred dollars on materials and you can start making parts right away.
4) Make sure your family is excited about the project and that you have friends who will encourage you along the way. You don't need to hear that it can't be done. Join your local EAA chapter. It's good to have a support group of others who have the same disease!
5) Try not to focus on the finished product. It's just such a long way off. Concentrate on building parts and be proud of yourself each time you finish one. Remember, "one bite at a time"!