Would you say that most ARF estimates of building times are accurate?
I know that this is pretty relative for the most part because so much depends on the skill and ability of the assembler.

I have also noticed that fewer companies are listing estimated times.

What that in mind, Any guesstimates for build times?

Top Flight/Hanger 9 60 size ARFs?

46 size arfs?


Thanks

Jeff E

I have built most of the Top Flight and Hangar 9 arfs for RCU Magazine and their time estimates are pretty much right on the money

40, 60, 90, 120, giant (this takes my a little longer due to the size of the parts only), makes little difference in my building times because I do most of the same things to all. I would say that 95% of the time, it takes me longer to complete an ARF than claimed. If I just slapped the thing together, maybe less than claimed, but I definitely don't build that way. Even with quality ARFs, I take extra time sealing covering down, gluing, strengthening in places like gear mounts, refitting, fuel proofing, sealing surface gaps, and in some cases, detailing. This stuff all lasts longer if done when new. I never really saw much point to "estimated" build / assembly times anyway. It is whatever the owner wants to make of it anyway.

Very true and good points..

Thank you both for you input..

Jeff E

I am with ram on this one. I am somewhat of a perfectionist so I reinforce where needed, address covering issues, use other type hinges than CA, make sure everything is square and if not, adjust as needed, etc. Overall, it takes me longer to assemble than indicated, but that's the way I build. If you just put it together as ram mentioned, I am sure you can do it pretty fast. The exception would be Nitroplanes ARFs, at least the one that I have experience with: they take a while!

The Great Planes Big Stik info estimates 12-15 hours. I think it might take longer for many of us. I am definitely not fast when putting things together. Mine took quite a bit longer because of making it a tail dragger.

Time estimates are educated guesses, based maybe on a small number of people building early models, or someties even pure guesses. My own experience, I have had some that took longer, some right on, and some a lot quicker. I once assembled a Royal 40L that took almost twice as long as the 10 - 12 hours specified. The GP Modern Stick called out the same time, and I got it done in about 9. I had read that the Goldberg Skylark required about 14 hours, and that's about what it took.

How much time the assembly takes will most likely depend on the situation of the individual building it.

I always take longer to finish a plane than the estimate. Heck, Sometimes it takes me longer hunting for my misplaced Xacto or pliers or glue than the
time they say will build the entire plane. I must be awfully slow (but I do assemble well), and since my 80th birthday is this month, maybe it is
old age. They are a lot of fun to assemble, though, so don't really mind the time spent. The quickest that I have built was the Escapade (In my opinion a superb
ARF) and the Kyosho low wing Calmato (also an excellent ARF). While the Revolver was a little more involved, the quality of this plane was also exceptional.
If they estimate, say, 12 hours, I usually can count on 24 to 30 hours, so doubling the hours works for me.

It always takes longer to build than the instructions say, that is if you take the time to CA every hole, and take the time to trim back the Monocote at the hinge area, and drill the hinge area, and reinforce the fire wall, and epoxy cote the fire wall, and iron out all the wrinkles, and reinforce the landing gear, and it goes on and on. However every little thing you do to improve your plane only extends the expiration date, and believe me they all have one.