From: RWolf99@aol.com
Message-ID: <ad.12c5b70e.291462b6@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 15:57:26 EST
Subject: Re:  Builder Assistance
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com

          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>
I agree 100% with what Larry Graves and Brian Barbata have said.  That should 
have been obvious by my original posting on the subject.  (Is it a 
coincidence that I met Brian while working on my airplane in Larry's shop?  
Probably not.)

Yes, knowledgeable assistance is a must-have when you build one of these 
airplanes.  In fact, probably any airplane.  The factory provides a lot 
(virtually always good info), fellow builders can provide some too (though 
you have to separate the wheat from the chaff), but the shops like Larry's 
and Jake's go one better, with hands-on expert help and 
looking-over-your-shoulder advice.  

My negative comments were not directed at people who avail themselves of paid 
builder support, and having them build it WITH you.  I think that's a good 
idea, for all the reasons that Larry and Brian have so eloquently stated.  
Mine were directed at paying someone to build it FOR you.  I'm not a big fan 
of that, even though the only shop I've been to which operates that way does 
work that makes mine look ever-so-slightly shabby (and I think I'm pretty 
good...).

So put me firmly in the camp of those who think builder assistance is A-OK.  
Anyone who wants my opinion of the shop which assisted me can have it for the 
cost of an e-mail.  Other shops I can't comment on, since I haven't worked 
with them.  If Marv wants to list builder support centers with a list of 
previous Lancair customers, maybe that's a good idea, though I think the 
shops could provide you with customer referrals themselves.  At least, you'll 
certainly get a list of happy customers!

Back to the moral dilemma.  What's the difference between someone building 
your airplane FOR you and another homebuilder who decied to sell his 
completed airplane?  I suppose the comments offered the other day were the 
best.  (Was this Ed de Chazal?) If the airplane was built by someone else, 
once it's finished it's 25 or 40 hours test period, it doesn't matter who 
paid for it's construction -- it's a proven homebuilt.

Well, sort of...

- Rob Wolf

[Don't forget, guys, there already IS a Builders' Assistance
Resource list
on the LML website.  

   <Marv>   ]


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LML website:   http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore
assist with the management of the LML.

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>