By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911
In the last article we talked about how to deal with expectations on the part of the builder, covering the goals of the Technical Counselor program itself, EAA resources available, planning, workshop setup, and the builders log setup. As we progress through the checklist, I’ll pick out some topics to explore in further detail with your builder.
An area that is critical to your builder’s success is planning and goal setting. Even the best skills and knowledge on the part of the builder cannot overcome poor planning. The enthusiasm and the excitement of a new project can cause us to charge ahead and shortchange the planning phase.
The first thing you should do is ask questions and then listen. Goal-setting depends on what the builder wants. Does he or she want to get into the air quickly? Do they have realistic expectations for how long the project will take? Will they have any help? Do they need skills training? Are they comfortable with their mechanical skills? In most cases, you will find that the dedicated builders have already thought these issues through and will have good answers.
Use this information to set up a schedule. Will the builder use a notebook or part of their log, and/or an app or online process to set up and follow a schedule? At the beginning, the schedule will be the most flexible, as the builder works to determine the pace and the scope of the project pieces. This time can be difficult for a new builder because it’s overwhelming. Keys to success in this setup phase include:
- It’s okay to not know everything that will go in the schedule.
- Flexibility is important at this stage.
- Early planning should include taking the “big chunks” and breaking them down into discrete smaller projects.
- Expect most everything to take longer than you think.
Help the builder start the big picture schedule on paper or in the app. Identify the big items. These include unpacking the kit and organizing the workspace. Take the manuals that are included in the kit and sit down with plenty of room so you can lay out what the builder has and identify the large project sections. Then, as an example, take one section and begin breaking it down into smaller pieces. Identify the time the builder thinks the tasks will take. Then make a list that the builder can use week to week. Once you’ve done this one time, the builder will see how to do it with the rest of the sections.
A helpful technique that I use is to bring a large monthly calendar, like a three-month at-a-glance wall calendar, and a five-year calendar to the meeting. I lay these out and ask the builder to consider long-range goals. Before we even dig into the project pieces, this seems to bring order and coherence to the discussion.
Reemphasize the importance of being realistic at this stage and allowing more time than you need for the steps. Once the builder gets moving and feels rewarded for completing a section, they’ll feel great about how they set it up and how much they accomplished. This planning and rewards cycle will keep things moving in spite of most setbacks.
Discuss setbacks with the builder. This is especially important if the builder is doing a plansbuilt aircraft. Plansbuilt projects are challenging and contain more variables than kits that have more information and parts. Perseverance and self-discipline on the schedule will aid the builder, but big setbacks can be discouraging. Each one should be met head on, and remind the builder that getting help and remaining flexible will lessen the trauma.
I remember my own second build project taking 10 years instead of two because I got laid off from work and encountered some family issues that took the project out of my schedule completely. These interruptions can happen without warning, but we can get back on track.
Finally, ask the builder if they are comfortable with the schedule and the planning process. Do they feel that the plan will get them where they want to go and in the timeframe they are hoping for? This sync-up with expectations will keep the project moving.
Every visit you make to the project should include a short discussion about schedule, goals, and planning. Remind the builder that things will change, especially at the beginning, and that this is normal and okay.