​My Yakima Build Adventure
This narrative is to chronicle my experience before, during and after my FX3 build at CubCrafters headquarters. I plan to write as the week progresses. Disclaimer: I can’t guarantee yours will be the same or the information I provide is still accurate, only as my memory serves.

My avatar on the forum is RustyPilot. I’ve had no posts until now. I learned quite a bit from the forum, my salesman and new friend Mike Sasser (Red1) and lots of research. Lots and lots of research. I talked with several FX3 owners.

I’m fortunate to live within flying distance from Mike. I’ve had the opportunity to fly Red1 about 4 times before Yakima. It gets better each time.

Before arriving I learned if you take a helper they must return with you for the final assembly. Bummer. Against the advice from CC, I came with no helper. We’ll see how that goes.

My Day one Saturday
Hotel and crew car were as advertised. I decided to arrive on Saturday so I could rest and acclimate. Didn’t happen. Mike and Red1 arrived in KYKM from Alaska a couple of days earlier. He ‘asked’ if I’d help ferry some aircraft to Hood River. So much for rest.

My Day two Sunday
Mike offered Red1 for the day so back to Hood River for breakfast and a great visit with TacAero. I can’t say enough about these great folks. Mike left to deliver an aircraft to Minnesota which left me with Red1. Oh darn. More on Red1 later.

My Day three Monday
First day of work I arrived 0615 at HQ, should arrive at 0645 as instructed.
Meet several people today at the different stations, all great folks with interesting backgrounds.
My concierge for the week is Mitch Travis. Since 1999 he’s worn many hats at CC but currently in charge of the kit department. He occasionally does the builder assist. Your concierge may vary.
Work today started a short drive from HQ.
We’re off and running to the composite building. Using patterns, I cut carbon fiber, seat material, cowling material, padding and other stuff using electric scissors and roller knives. I was there about 2.5 hours. I missed the first break.
Next was to the fabric cutting. Follow the lines for the fuselage, wings and feathers. I spent about an hour there.
We went next door to the metal shop. Lots of different stations here. To summarize I ran C and C machines, saws and lathes to cut ribs, panels, bushings, airframe, pushrods and other stuff interrupted by a short lunch. I missed the afternoon break.
Then it was back to the first building to infuse resin in the carbon fiber molds which was maybe 45 minutes.
Back to the metal shop for a little finish up metal work.
If you can use patterns, tape measure, a hand drill, grinder, scissors, vise grips and follow instructions, you’ll do fine.

My Day Four Tuesday
0700 at a different station in the metal shop for lots of bending, grinding, cutting, drilling shaping and pressing. I’m using materials from Monday and starting to see familiar shapes. 4 trips over to the C and C to cut more material. Made 1 trip over to composites building to infuse more carbon fiber with resin. These parts were the cowling, seat, wing tips etc.
I laid out both fuse sides for welding using materials cut from day one.
Then there was Hippie. I (We) laid out parts for the rudder and vertical stab plus the elevators and horizontal stab. Enough said, you’ll have fun. You’ll see him again.

My Day Five Wednesday
All the buildings are blurring together. Did more carbon resin infusing. I finished the layout with Hippie. Most of today was using the 350 ton forming machine making main, leading and trailing wing ribs along with flap and aileron parts. Other stuff happened today but it’s just finishing touches of previous tasks.
BTW I ran into CC owner Jim Richmond after work. Nice guy.

My Day Six Thursday
Today is an easy day to explain but hard to accomplish. Flaps and ailerons. Ailerons and flaps. Did I mention flaps and ailerons? Lots of clecos, deburring, drilling, rivets, ribs and skins. Lots and lots of clecos, deburring, drilling, rivets, ribs and skins. Where is the helper I brought?

My Day Seven Friday
Today you can finish any needed flap and aileron work then off to the World HQ building (remember Monday?). Here the work involved wiring bundles, making control cables, packing wheel bearings, mounting tires and rough cut on the windshield.
Mitch and I met with Customer Service Manager Terisha Ray for a final review of options.

Fortunately, I was invited to attend an employee appreciation and recognition lunch which takes place a few times a year. I reminisced with many of the members of the CC team.
This group of folks are encouraged to bring family members to CC gatherings throughout the year. I’m beginning to understand the support that management provides for all members of the CC team. They take pride in their work and their company. I wish I was able to acknowledge each and every person I met throughout the week. Off to the hotel. I’m planning an 0400 Saturday departure.

My Day Eight
The owner of Red1, Mike Sasser, didn’t’ want to return to Yakima for Red1. He hadn’t been home for over a month. He asked If I’d bring her home.
Wheels up at 0410 for 3 legs and a 12 hour block time to an ABQ RON. About Moab my tired light illuminated. I’m considering removing Mike from my Christmas card list.
Day nine was only 3 legs and a 9 hour block time to Texas.
After 18 hours in Red1, I’m convinced buying an FX3 was the right choice.

In summary, would I do the builder assist again? No, but I wouldn’t miss the first time. When CC comes out with an FX5 I’ll send someone in my place so they too can enjoy the builder experience!

Best Regards,

RustyPilot