An Introduction as a new member.

Karl_Acht wrote:

In some countries you can find building communities of two builders, one of them usually has the money, the other one usually has the skills.

So I “just” need to find one guy with the money (and one to show me the skills) Thanks for the idea !!

@Glob
Sorry for being a bit late.
I have a friend who has imported from the states. He has built one previously, and personally looked at the imported one in the states, so, it can be done
First, I presume you have read the UK LAA info on importing

Be very thorough about inspecting both the aircraft and the build & log books. You need to establish that it has been amateur built and that it’s been built in accordance with the Van’s build manual. Also check that the maintenance records are complete. The LAA have refused permits for Vans aircraft that haven’t, and the cost and complexity of repairs necessary for compliance can be high and very time consuming.

One of the biggest hassles can be modifications, that is anything not in the Van’s Build Manual. In the states you can just about build anything you want in the experimental class and many do add/change things, often for the better, but each item will probably have to go through the LAA MOD (Modification) process, this can slow things down, sometimes considerably. There are different types of MODs that carry a process. Info local copy

I’m not sure a visit to the US is advisable at the moment, but in terms of putting the aircraft into a container, you can either go over there and do it yourself, or use the services of a professional company. Don’t cut corners – it can be a rough journey across the Atlantic!

Some costs: Professional Company in San Francisco to de-rig and pack $2,800. The cost of shipping a 20’ container $2,800, plus $700 US transportation & dockside fees, £560 UK delivery and £275 UK dockside/import fees. Then you have UK import duty and VAT to add.

You have to work with a LAA Inspector (a very important cog in the ownership experience), the aim is to get to know them, and, they to get to know you, and they will guide you through the process and the yearly Permit process. The LAA have a about 350 Inspectors who they have approved, some deal with just one item i.e. Fabric, while others have multiple tickets, for IFR clearance there are two Assessors. It’s a mixture of enthusiasts, ex Professionals and professionals. All of this can be handled by a professional, and you just pay the bills. LAA info local copy

Join the RV Squadron https://groups.io/g/RVSqn this is a group of RV owners and probably most have built. It is a very good source of UK RV info.
I know of a genuine RV6 in the UK that hasn’t been advertised yet.
Best of luck.

You can’t keep a PH-reg Annex 1 (or any non G reg Annex 1) in UK or France for more than 28 days; see links posted further back.

Glob wrote:

No rush to purchase but ready with cash if the right aircraft presents itself. Vans RV-7, 180HP+ CS and a reasonable panel, must have been loved.

Forgot to add: If you’re ever near Rotterdam, let me know and we can take our RV-7 out. She would fulfill your requirements, and a share would even be for sale, but being based in Rotterdam is non-negotiable ;)

Glob wrote:

I had been looking at an RV-7 that could be put on the PH Register in the Netherlands and I wonder if that might smooth the transition onto the LAA?

Unfortunately, with the updated Dutch regulations for amateur-built airplanes since beginning of this month, no import of foreign-built amateur-built airplanes is possible anymore. I don’t know if other EU countries still allow that route, it seems to me that the very favourable former Dutch rules were exceptional.

Maybe you can find a Dutch registered one that’s for sale? You can keep her on the PH register as long as you can nominate a responsible recipient/point of contact with Dutch residence; judging from what I read about the gold-plating the LAA does and the still comparatively easy Dutch rules, I would not move it from the PH register if not needed.

Karl_Acht wrote:

Delivery times are around one year (kit, engine, prop) and if everything goes well, she will fly half a year later.

I was lucky to buy into a group that has spent with four builders – two of them doing most of the metal work – three years from start to finish (RV-7 from a quickbuild kit). I would wager that half a year might be achievable if you are not building a plane for the first time, and can actually spend most of your working day in the hangar :)

But I agree, building any of the later RV kits (-7, -8) is probably the most achievable way to arrive within finite time at a flying airplane. Also, the LAA has nominally still the N-VFR and IFR projects for homebuilts
TL_2_27_Night_IFR_procedure_pdf
TL_2_28_Night_IFR_assessment_pdf
running, which might actually be an interesting thing if you’re based in the UK.

one of them usually has the money, the other one usually has the skills

I think that’s true for most marriages

In case you need a plan B: In some countries you can find building communities of two builders, one of them usually has the money, the other one usually has the skills. Maybe you can find something like that in the UK, too. Delivery times are around one year (kit, engine, prop) and if everything goes well, she will fly half a year later. The biggest advantage is you can build in what you like and “watch” the building process (no pre-buy necessary). In my eyes a secure and fast way to become owner of the well-known RV grin.

Hi and welcome Glob!

UK has the biggest RV community in Europe. A used one will appear on the market from time to time.
Don’t forget to look for somebody knowledgeable for a prebuy. Better to set up your « environment » (instructor, mechanic, hangarage) before you have a plane in your hands !