First flight ...DeltaVee47 RV-14

Good morning
We flew N557GB for the first time yesterday-twice actually.
The plane flies perfect straight and level hands off. A real testament to the Vans folks that a rank amateur can assemble a plane that flies great right off.
Two questions
1)The manifold pressure was reading about 30 inches on takeoff where I was expecting maybe 28.5 at sea level. I do not see that there is a calibration ability for this in my G3X touch system. I have dual p mags with a tee junction for the MAP tubing. Could a slight restriction somewhere cause this reading or should I look elsewhere?
2)I love the sensitive control inputs but pitch seems almost too sensitive and when I put the nose down and speed built up the control forces became very heavy. I reduced power to avoid pulling too hard. Normal for this bird? I actually hope so and I will learn to use the touch of a surgeon.
Otherwise perfect flight. We found nothing amiss under the cowl after so we buttoned up and flew again because why not?
Thanks everyone for this and all the support over the years
Greg Beckner

POH and G3X Checklists ...Justin RV-10

Wanted to share the 'POH' I put together for the plane. I basically copied the format of some production aircraft and put it in a smaller 'mini binder' format. The idea is that one, it tracks info for me to reference but I can also let another pilot (or passenger) read it and it will inform them of some of the different aspects of what I put together. I took it to Kinkos and got it color printed and spiraled for $16.

I also really like the checklist feature of the G3X. I not only use it for checklists but as a reference source for performance data and maneuvers. The tool to create it is a bit clunky but wanted to share what I had anyhow. Just open it with the Garmin tool.

Traffic from multiple sources - conflicting ...jeffsvan

Members,

My first install (before all the ADS-B equipment) was a GTN650 with GTX330 transponder. This could show a terminal area traffic on the display.
I believe that traffic is called TIS-A ?

Later I had the GTX330 transponder upgraded to a GTX330-ES.
This satisfied my ADS-B Out requirement.

I added a portable GDL39 antenna so I could see ADS-B IN on my I-pad.
I am assuming that equipment sees the new TIS-B traffic.

My avionics shop said I could keep the TIS-A active on my GTN650.
It would do no harm. Eventually TIS-A would be obsolete.

Everything was working fine for many months, however, the last few weeks I am getting continuous false alerts on the GTN650 (TIS-A) showing a target 0 miles and 100 ft lower in altitude. I believe this is my own aircraft.
Nothing shows up on the I-pad and I see no other traffic near me.
I assume now I will need to shut off the TIS-A on my GTN650?
I searched the GTN650 menus and could not figure out where/how to do that.

My airport is located under a class B .

Q: thoughts?

A: (g3xpert)
Hello Jeff,

You can disable TIS-A traffic in the GTX 330ES setup. Doing this should make the problem go away, but of course you lose all traffic on your GTN since it doesn't sound like it is connected to an ADS-B receiver. You may eventually need to also disable the RS-232 traffic interface between the GTX 330ES and the GTN.

Some of the newer 1090ES transponders like the GTX 345/345R/45R and GNX 375 don't even receive TIS-A traffic anymore.

Do you have more than one pressure altitude source supplying your GTX 330ES and/or GTN 650? It sounds like the ownship traffic identification is failing since it is seeing a traffic target 100 ft below the aircraft.

If this only happens when you are climbing or maneuvering, it could just be the normal delays which are present in TIS-A traffic. By the time your aircraft receives an update of "you" on the ground uplink, there is sufficient altitude and/or position split that the system treats it as another aircraft and alarms.

Your GDL 39 does not receive TIS-A traffic, so that is why this has not been an issue except on the GTN.

Thanks,
Steve

31. Salt of the Earth ...Scott Chastain 'Resurrection America'

Am I missing anything on this Garmin GNS-430W pinout? ...jcarne

Hello everyone, I am trying to finalize the pinout on my Garmin 430W tray and would really appreciate it if someone with more experience could review the items I crossed out in green to see if there are in fact some that shouldn't be corssed out. I think I have it down but I don't know what I don't know. I also am thinking to myself "dang, there is a lot of open spots in them connectors". I would really appreciate it, even if you could direct me with where to go for more info!

P.S. I read the manual, it doesn't give detailed descriptions for most of this stuff. Or descriptions that a noob like myself can understand sometimes Most of it was based off of looking at the drawings.

Also attached is my panel. All Dynon through an ARINC-429. Com is a GTR-200 and audio panel is a GMA-245.

Mega thanks in advance!

Classic Aero RV-14 Side Panels ...bkervaski

RV-14 Side Panels are here! The usual Classic Aero quality .. A new latch system, vent cover trim, and they even included tools and thick plastic drilling templates .. nice!

52F Runway FOD Check 10/2

...Rob Reece hand model.

What He's Using for Panel Pics ...Draker

Garmin supplies downloadable 3D models on their web site for all of their G3X equipment. Go to their manuals page, and click G3X 3D Models - .STEP

For the switches, buttons, lamps and knobs, many of the components have 3D models available on DigiKey for download.

For the items without downloadable models, I just mocked up something simple based on the hole cutouts and (if available) drawings. I ended up doing my own models for the ELT remote, pull cables, vents, USB charger, hobbs, circuit breaker, parking brake handle, and round steam gauges. If anyone needs any of these I could figure out how to export the models.

Miramar Airshow Write-up ...bruceh

Hudson SFRA ...Saville

The weather worked out and there were no TFR's so I took the opportunity last weekend to fly the Hudson SFRA corridor.

The pictures below are stills from the GoPro video I took. They don't do the view justice at all - not sure why the photos seem a trifle washed out - it was a nice clear day.  ...

Updated version of RV-12iS Maintenance Manual has been published ...mothership

Van's has published a new revision of the RV-12iS Maintenance Manual. The list of updated items is below, and the PDF document may be downloaded from the Service Information section of the Vans web site.

LINK

RV-12iS Maintenance Manual v3.1 - Change List
1-21,22: INSTALLED EQUIPMENT LIST, updated the Skyview Weight and Arm values
3-8: FIREWALL FORWARD, removed cotter pins as inspection item
3-9: FWALL FWD, added "Check exhaust sys. ball joints for proper anti-seize lube"
4-2: Moved "Cherry Max CR series rivet ..." note to Page 17-3
14-2: "EX-00030" in the Components table was "Muffler Assembly"
16-3: Added QR code link to how to video to access ROTAX 912iS fault info in EFIS
17-3: Revised "rivets" section
18-3: Added ELT Self-Test, Insp. bat. Life for RC Panel & Audio Alert Ind.
18-15: In the INSPECTION CHECKLIST add the "Self-Test"

RV-14a in Single Car Garage - build size? ...Poindexter

Planning on building an RV-14a in my single car garage (hey, it's what I have!).
The inner garage dimensions are 10'2" wide and 20'4" long. The good news is that doors open on both ends.

OT:  The Sound of Marsquakes

"...Out of more than 100 events detected to date, about 21 are strongly considered to be quakes."

New RV Stories Vid ...mothership

Brandon is from Denton, Texas and is building a RV-12iS. He's also had some experience on a RV-10 project.

The RV Weekend ...RV6_flyer

Short local flight. 0.3 Hobbs / 2.0 gallons on Sunday 29 September 2019

My GAD13 arrived from Steinair. The GAD13, CAN Bus termination, and connector weight 3.8 Oz. Started looking where I am going to mount it. GMU11 is in under the vertical stabilizer and I wanted to mount it there BUT Garmin has a recommended two-foot or more separation from the GMU11. That would put the GAD13 in the tailcone and I really do not want to work in that location.

There is room behind the panel in front of the G5s on the "sub-panel" or bulkhead in front of the panel. GAD13 mounted and should get wiring done tomorrow. Will find out if my 'homemade' OAT works after setting the G5s for the GAD13. IF my 'homemade' OAT does not work, then I will need to purchase one of the recommended $100 OAT probes. Two contacts, a little wire, some time, and $5 for brass tubing using parts I already had on hand is not a lot of wasted money or time if it does not work.

Mothership News

New ADAHRS/Magnetometer brackets for RV-7/9/10 builders
Van's has released and is now shipping a new mounting tray option for RV-7/9/10 builders who need a place to install common ADAHRS/magnetometer units from Dynon/AFS and Garmin.

These mounts provide the RV-7/9 or RV-10 builder a convenient, pre-fabricated option for installation of common AHARS/ADAHRS components from Dynon and Advanced Flight Systems (SV-ADAHRS-200/201) as well as the Garmin's GMU-11 magnetometer. When a builder is not using one of these common components, holes may be drilled in the flat support face of the bracket to accommodate other devices, if/where necessary. Determination of suitability for use with other components is the responsibility of the builder. When installed, these brackets are attached in the upper tail cone. Stacking of two Dynon/AFS ADAHRS units is supported.

Detailed information can be found in the OP-60 optional plans drawings, located on the Van's web site at HERE

The Van's part numbers for the kits are:
RV-7/9 ADAHRS bracket kit
RV-10 ADAHRS bracket kit

October Wallpaper Calendar ...courtesy Mr. Ed Hicks

Special ...VAF advertiser

Initial Contact ...Brett

New to Forum - Considering buying an RV-8/RV-7
I'm considering purchasing a used RV 7/8 as I really like the RV aircraft performance, community and quality product but have never flown in one. Wife and I were thinking about flying out to the RV factory for a tour and get a demo flight next week but their RV 7 will be gone to airshows and they no longer have an RV8 to demo. They suggested reaching out to the VAF forum.

I live in CHS SC, if anyone in the area or SC / GA would be willing to offer a ride or let me sit in your aircraft and discuss your experience it would be appreciated.

I have a friend who's building an RV-8 but he doesn't have it here in SC yet and likely a couple years before it's completed.

Thank you,

Brett

Weekend RV Fun ...rightrudder

Flew to Mojave Spaceport for breakfast. Always fun to peek inside the Scaled Composites hangar...I saw both ARES and Proteus.

So nice to have a smooth air flight. I got pummeled by turbulence last week flying up to Lake Powell, but the sunset flight over the lake was calm and serene.

If you use Garmin Pilot ...9.7.2 is out

Weekend RV Fun ...Flandy10

College Football anyone?  Three out of last four weekends, it's been college football trips. Have plane, will travel. First two were back to back trips to West Lafayette, IN.

Weekend RV Fun ...Jerry Esquenazi

I flew back home to Falcon Field (FFC), Peachtree City GA from the US National Aerobatic Championships In Salina (SLN), KS, 714 nm each way.

I had flown there earlier in the week to support the contest by volunteering in the various necessary positions and see some friends. I was able to deliver some parts I picked up at Spruce that a competitor needed. I did not fly in the competition. I've come to realize that I'm going to need to get the right tool for the job. I'm never giving up my RV-8, but I'm currently looking for both an Extra and a partner in the S. Atlanta metro area.

By the way, Ron Schreck was the CD (Contest Director) for the event and he did a masterful job of organizing and running the championships. The event is similar in scale to a small air show. We had nearly 100 contestants that flew 300+ flights and dozens of volunteers worked to pull off the class act event. Everything from site prep, to hangar space, fuel, the FAA, the city, banquet facilities, rental cars, hotels, etc all needed to be planned and coordinated. Ron's been working on this for many months and his efforts paid off as it was one of the most successful national championships in recent years.

However, we only had one RV compete this year. Oliver Spatscheck came all the way from NJ in his RV-8. I'm sure Ron will update the leader board when he recovers, but Oliver had a very respectable finish with a 76.29%, beating out a Pitts and an Extra. Way to go Oliver! Great to see you again.

On the way back, I filed IFR and climbed to 17,000' to get through a line of thunderstorms near Springfield MO. I had a nice smooth ride and a fantastic view of the storms. I love my UAvionix ADSB! At 17K, I was burning 7.4 gph and getting about 170 kts TAS. I am sure going to miss my IFR and night capability getting to and from contests if I ever do get the Extra. Most of the Extra's are restricted from Night and IFR use even if properly equipped. The flight manual on the certified craft requires Day, VFR use only. Many of the older ones are Experimental.

In any case, it was a super fun week! I hope every one else had a fun-filled and safe weekend.

Your RV Weekend ...Mark Dickens entry

Flew the -8 to see an old friend in Shreveport and help him get the gear on his RANS S-19 kit...

Alt Inop Light and G3X ...bjdecker UPDATE

Just to update this thread --

I removed the alternator put it with the "spare parts" and installed a brand new one, problem solved -- but not really.

A few weeks later, a buddy of mine was trouble-shooting his alternator and wanted to "borrow" the diode/regulator pack from my spare stock; I carefully removed the screws connecting and holding the diode/regulator pack in place and discovered that one of the 3 wires was broken and was just making a point-contact that was very susceptible to vibration...

So, key takeaways --
1. The ALT Light is probably a good thing to have wired into the G3X touch CAS.
2. It doesn't need a pull up resistor to make it work.
3. If it goes off (#assert) it means something is wrong - for real.

This Weekend ...Vlad

I am far away from my RV but my good Dagestan buddy just did first taxi runs. I am glad to be part of it

Engine stumble help ...Simon Hitchen

Hi guys, I've recently completed another annual inspection. FWF I checked everything, removed and cleaned the fuel injection nozzles, cleaned the spark plugs, checked the mag timing..all the usual things. Compression in all cylinders above 77.

I've flown 5 times in two days since the annual and on two occasions while turning crosswind at 500' after take off the engine has stumbled momentarily. Normal operation followed for the duration of both flights. Certainly took the enjoyment out of them tho...

I downloaded the data file and for the more pronounced of the two incidents there is a marked drop in number 1 EGT with an associated drop in Prop RPM (fixed pitch).

Any thoughts, maybe unseen debris in the injector?

The Durablack material is quite unique in the sense that it is not anodized aluminum in the traditional sense. When you laser engrave anodized aluminum you are left with bare aluminum underneath that doesn't contrast as good as some other colors. The Durablack once engraved actually turns a rather bright white that contrasts nicely. Here is a closeup of a couple labels. There was also the added bonus of engraving center marks for the center punch so you could drill em out!  continue

Survival Bag/Kit/First Aid Thoughts ...Paul Dye

"Google "Caving Supplies" - cave explorers use bags that need to keep things dry when completely submerged in muddy water, and they need to be able to find them in muddy caves, so they are often quite bright.

However, I subscribe to the maxim that :if you aren't wearing it, you don't have it" in a crash. Your first instinct in a crash is to get out of the airplane. If it then catches fire, your survival gear is gone. Of course, you can only wear so much, so a separate "supplemental bag" isn't a bad idea...just think about having the essentials (like a PLB and other signaling equipment) on your person when flying over wild country."

dr's survival vest.  more pics
Search 'SRU-21/P' and you can find
many options online...

Survival Situational Awareness Thoughts ...pvalovich

I have been doing solo 2+ week backpacking trips in the Sierra Wilderness for over 30 years. I've also attended survival training courses in Cold Lake Canada and Death Valley, CA.

Survival priorities are situationally dependent.

In extreme cold your first priority is warmth - first build a fire. You must keep your hands from freezing. After your fire is raging, relax and sort things out. If you have snow/water, you aren't going to die anytime soon.

In the summer desert, first find shelter from the sun (even elemental shelter) and collect a survivable water supply. If you don't have water, you have to decide on whether to set off in search of water, or stay put and bank on a timely rescue.

In most situations where you are uninjured, you can survive for weeks with no/limited food if you have water. Shelter can be built from just about anything (check out the shelters used by the desert Indians).

The ultimate long-term survival tool is your brain and your attitude - you have to want to survive and deal with the hardships of living in the wilderness until rescued.

Part 29...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

How the heck to pull this rivet? ...Terry Shortt RV-7

Hey guys,

I bought a used, mostly assembled wing and emp kit and have been slowly but surely inspecting it one piece at a time for build quality and conformity. Came across something today that I'm gonna have to ponder a little bit. I'm hoping somebody might have a technique that would help.

On one of the ailerons, the previous owner forgot to install the pop rivets on the back side of the counterbalance pipe common to the nose ribs. They match drilled the holes, but space is too tight to get a pop rivet tool in there, even if I remove the aileron hinge brackets. Likewise, I think that the angle is too great to pull it sideways with any confidence of getting it to set straight, especially on the inboard side.

Does anyone have a technique for pulling a pop rivet without a gun? I'm thinking about maybe experimenting with some sort of threaded mandrel, but haven't started experimenting yet and don't want to reinvent the wheel if somebody's already been there.

Baffle Seal Photos ...Walt's entry

My CHT's rarely reach 350 even with the new HC IO370 in Texas.  more

Pretty Cool Bead Break Tip

...seen on kitplanes.com (VAF advertiser)

RV4 alternator

Q: I have a 4 finished in 1992, I did not build. I'd like to replace the alternator.
The one on the plane has no markings and the builder's log makes no mention of it.
Did Van's supply them back then? Anyone have a suggestion for replacement?

Thanks
__________________
Aka YellaDawg

A: It may be the 35a externally regulated alternator that Vans sold for many years. It is from a 1978 Honda CVCC (no air conditioning). A common rebuild part number for this alternator is 14184. But unless your RV has relatively low hours the original alternator has probably been replaced.

A: I have the 14184, works fine.
Take a photo of the profile and harness jack with whatever plug it has removed and it'll get sluethed out. The 14184 is harder to find now- O'Reilly stopped carrying them. Still on available from other online searches, if that is what you have- but likely not true OEM New Densos.

A: I have two 14129 (they interchange with the 14184) alternators, one is a new rebuild in the box, one was removed from my Rv4 for an engine replacement. I also have the original case mounting brackets and a couple of regulators. would like to get ride of everything - cheap. PM me if you have an interest.

A: I also use 14184, but concur that 14129 is the same--except the fan is vaned to spin the opposite direction--and it is easier to source. Alternators don't care which way they spin and Van's originally supplied the alternators without fans to begin with making the direction of spin irrelevant. I took mine off to give better cowl clearance. A blast tube in their place is a good preventative measure though.

Part 28: The Wind ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Initial Contact ...Jeremy

Introduction: New RV-14 Builder
Hello everyone,

Wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jeremy, and I am a relatively new forum member, but have been dreaming of building an RV since the mid 90's. I am a private pilot, and got my license in 1995, although for a multitude of reasons I haven't flown much in the last 10-15 years. I'm now getting back into active flying, and am revisiting the dream of owning my own aircraft.

While I was in college in the mid 90's I poured over issues of Kitplanes and Sport Aviation magazines, and wanted to build an RV-6A. I even ordered a set of the preview plans and thought I could figure out a way to build an aircraft from an apartment, even though I was dreaming. I had no money, no tools, no skills, and no place to build. That dream would have to take a backseat until I was further along in life. Of course, life has it's own ways of getting in the way, so I really wasn't able to think about building seriously again until now, more than 20 years later.

I have now made the decision to finally make the dream a reality, and am in a place now where I think I can do this. I'm getting current with my piloting skills again, and have decided that I want to build an RV-14A. I just ordered the RV-14 tool kit from Cleaveland tool, along with a few other items (wow that was a lot of money for tools!), and also ordered two of the Van's practice kits. Can't wait for all of that to arrive. Once I have done the practice kits and gotten familiar with the tools, I will place the order for the RV-14A empennage kit...most likely in a few weeks.

I've studied builder logs and countless threads on this forum, and think I have a good handle on what needs to be done and how to do it, although I have no experience working with aluminum. I have a lot of existing tools, an air compressor, and have a lot of skill working on cars, and large household projects. I also have a three car garage to begin work in, along with a ton of general tools and a large work bench to work off of. I will spend the next few weeks plumbing air to different areas of the garage, and preparing the space for airplane building. Also have a drill press, bench grinder, band saw and bench sander on the way.

I will be starting a build thread, as well as an online kit build log with lots of pictures and commentary as I get started. I'm in the Denver area (Parker, CO) and would love to connect with other builders or enthusiasts in the area. I can't wait to get going on this project, I've been waiting decades to do this!

Jeremy

Mothership First Flights Added

FFI Donaueschingen ...pgroell (France)

The FFI formation clinic had begun a week earlier in Donaueschingen (Black Forrest south west of Germany).  I could only make it to that part of the clinic and it was a great experience flying with Christo and Shifty.

How long for rusty old pilot to transition in RV-9A? ...PaulvS

I've started transition training in a RV-9A and have completed 4.5 hours dual and I'm finding it quite challenging... actually it's much harder than I expected.

I last flew regularly 19 years ago and have about 110 hours total time in low wing Pipers (Tomahawk, Turbo Arrow), Grumman Tiger and Cessna 172. I never had any trouble with my initial training, or adapting to different aircraft, though I was a bit younger then!

I'm wondering how long it is going to take to get comfortable with the -9A and how long other people have taken to transition, in similar situations? According to other posts on VAF it should be easy to fly. I've also picked up some useful tips on:
- Nose wheel handling (similar to Grumman Tiger) takes getting used to.
- LOTS of right rudder for take off. This keeps catching me.
- Lifting nose wheel early and also to not over-rotate.
- Relatively flat climb out at 110 Knots. My instinct is to climb steeper.
- Sensitive controls e.g. elevator - easy to accidentally gain 200 ft turning downwind in pattern.
- Slowing down takes a LONG while with FP prop, even with throttle closed.
- Floats FOREVER when landing, so be patient and hold off, but cross-winds have me worried.
- Holding nose wheel off as long as possible - however it just drops down at the end when the elevator stops working.
- Adapting to Dynon D100. I am still referring to the steam gauges.

So I think my brain muscle still needs some more exercise but I don't know how much or how to get there more easily. If you can share your experience and how long it took you, that would be appreciated!

Thanks
Paul.

RV-12 with a GREAT paint job for sale ...$53K

2011 VANS RV-12 LSA-EAB, $53,000, FOR SALE, 207 TTAF, 39 TTSN engine & prop. Jabiru 80hp generation 4 engine. GRT dual EFIS Sport SX displays w/SV, 4000 EIS, 2 axis AP, SafeFly 2020 GPS. Garmin 327 xpndr, SL30 nav/com. PS Engineering PAR 100EX com/intercom. Uavionix echoUAT ADS B In/Out, Kannad 406 ELT, landing, strobes & nav lights. Both control sticks configured for PTT, com flip/flop, AP engage/disengage, aileron & elevator trim. All SBs including upgraded nose fork. Sun-n-Fun 2012 LSA Champion. Contact Tom Valenzia, Owner, Charleston, SC, Telephone 760-443-8747  more

(19) New 'Mr. X' Pics

...start at the link.  Hover over the picture for the description (lower left).  All over the country and some Cuba...

Help needed diagnosing high fuel pressure readings

Hi gang, I need a little help diagnosing a problem. The fuel pressure readings on my Dynon D-180 started fluctuating all over the place and I'm constantly getting a "high fuel pressure" alert. The engine is an IO-360 180/HP. equipped with both a mechanical and electric fuel pump along with a red-cube. The engine is running fine and all connections appear to be secure. There's no rhyme or reason as to when the high pressure alarm goes off. It does it LOP in a low power cruise configuration just as often as it does on takeoff with the electric fuel pump running with high power settings. When I'm looking at the fuel pressure gauge on the EMS page I'm getting constant fluctuations ranging from about 10 psi. all the way to about 40 psi. and it never settles down to any particular steady reading. Like I said above, all connections appear to be good, so where do I start? Fuel filters? Sender? Air trapped in the line? Thanks in advance.
__________________
Mark H.

 

Part 27: Scars ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

This Past Weekend's RV Usage ...SPX

Today, my wife and I finished up our "weekend" flight from the SF Bay Area, back home to San Diego.

We took off from Concord, CA (CCR) and headed south to Harris Ranch (3O8). After a nice lunch, we took off for Carlsbad, CA (CRQ). We climbed to 11,500' and enjoyed a nice 20-30 knot tailwind, giving us a groundspeed of 180-190 knots. Around LAX, we were passed by a Blue Angel support C130, with one of the Blue Angel Hornets flying formation with it 500' below us.

My wife commented about how FUN flying in the RV is, and how comfortable it is, and asked when we can go again?! All to say, it was a great weekend.

Hilltop Lakes Annual Fly-In ...Tim Kirk (RV-7)

September 28, 2019

FREE ADMISSION & PARKING -- Come out and see classic, vintage and experimental aircraft!!

-Come eat BBQ lunch with us, $10/plate - food serving starts @ 11am
-One free BBQ plate per aircraft
-Drawings for door prizes
-$1 raffle tickets available for a Radio Shack scanner
-Drawing at 1pm (need not be present to win)

Airport Info: 0TE4 (private, but all welcome), Leona VOR 251/13, lat. 31.08N, long. 96.21W, Rwy-17/35, 3000' x 40' paved, elev. 501', CTAF 122.9, right traffic Rwy 17

Let me know if you have any questions. Hope to see you there!

Over the Weekend: First Engine Run ...bwestfall RV-10

RV Interiors, Center Consoles and more ...VAF advertiser

Please check out our NEW Center Console for the RV-14. We now have two models of the E-Z out center console now. One model will fit the RV-6, 7, 9, and the other fits the RV-14. Also, please take a look at our latest stick grip covers, RV side panels and interior products.

Don't forget to purchase our "must have's", . . . No Weld Handles, Relay Boards, and Tire Valve Extensions for new or old aircraft projects!

For details on more of our GREAT PRODUCTS, please visit www.aircraftextras.com.

Initial Contact

Zee's RV7
New guy here! Just ordered my 7 empennage kit! Very excited to finally start the build. Will be a slow start but glad to have a place to document and ask for help! The next few weeks I'll be getting my garage ready and building my tool collection.

Thanks I'm advanced for any and all help!
__________________
Steve - Long Island, NY

 

Aileron and Wing tip alignment ...Zazoos

All my rigging is done and everything is within specs. YEAH!!!

My right wing tip is a bit high compared to the aileron.

I was thinking of two approaches to fix it.
First is to remove the rib at the tail end and then take my heat gun to it. If it moves enough to align then rivet the rib back in.

Second option is remove the rib at the tail end, cut along the dotted line in the picture below, shape it, and then glass it back together.

Which way would you go or have an alternate approach in mind?

Trip to Ashland, Oregon and more testing of FlightView ...ssokol

Amy and I took N101PR from San Jose (KRHV) up to Ashland, Oregon (S03) for a brief weekend get-away. The trip gave me a chance to test out some updates and fixes to FlightView.

RV-10 Paint Update ...lr172

No paint booth. I almost made one, but was concerned about the fan pulling in the plastic, as well as the static issues related to plastic, not to mention building a door. I just put tarps over the floor and tools in the 2 car section of my garage. Left the door open 2' with a fan Having other garage door open helps some.

I had very little dust issues. I learned some time ago that most of the dust comes from the painter and not the booth. I wear a tyvek suit and it works. I would sweat several gallons, but its the cost of DIY. A nice side benefit is not having crunchy hair for 2 days from the clear coat. Some parts needed a wet sand and some were passable without it. I have learned that cut and buff is just a cost of painting something in your garage. Unless you're good enough to lay slick clear consistently, you're probably going to do it anyways. Grounding any aluminum parts also helps, as the high pressure spray creates static electricity, which attracts dust. I also spray water on the ground before spraying, though in the summer temps it doesn't stay there long.

a 10 x 20 booth will be very limiting, especially if the plastic is getting sucked in by a fan. Don't forget that you will also need a ladder to spray the top of the cabin top, plus a creeper for underneath. I would not have enjoyed spraying the fuse while constrained within a 10' booth. That leaves only 3' per side (before accounting for the plastic being sucked inward) and nothing at the front or back. You also need a door and if that isn't sealed, what's the point. Without a constraining booth, I was able to shoot the entire lot of empennage parts in one session.

PM me if you want to discuss details.

Larry

This weekend's effort [ed. above]. Top sides are wet sanded and don't care about a bit of orange peel or a few dust nibs on the bottom side Don't know how you would do this with a 10' wide booth. I have decided to do the buffing once in Phase I. Will give me something to do on days I can't fly.

Part 26: Trails of Dust ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

This Weekend ...Planecrazy232

Flew 3 more Young Eagles on Saturday. I love it when you get them before they were ever on a plane at all.

Just need to re-hang engine and finish off baffling and some misc FF work. Should be flying by November.

Larry

In this pic, the plane has been wet sanded, but not buffed yet. Also, need to re-spray the doors at some point. Had a problem with color matching.

Building for maintenance and modernization ...Carl Froehlich

I key design element common on the three RVs I built is ease of maintenance and ability to upgrade as opportunity presents, without too much pain. Toward that end I make sure I never violate my rule of "never be on my back with my head under the panel". This translates to a panel that is fully removable for work/modification on the bench.

The RV-8 has been the most challenging for this as the towers tend to be a real PITA for wire runs. Even so, a full IFR, dual EFIS screen panel is achievable inside this design requirement.

In simple terms, wiring is divided into two elements:
- Wiring between components that stay on the panel, as example for the RV-8 this is the GTN-650 and the audio panel. Breakers for these components are also on the panel, power connected via a large pin Molex connector.
- Wiring (and all other breakers) are mounted off the removable panel. On the RV-8 the panel wings provide this space. On the RV-10 it is the lower panel skirt. The SkyView displays are all connected via D connectors, so all that wiring stays in the plane when the panel is removed.
- Connecting between the panel elements and the rest of the plane is done via two 25 pin D connectors - of which only half of the pins are used. The rest are available for future options. ...

Charity Flight  ...tcard 9A

There is a STAR program that arranges for US and European detectives to spend some time in each others' operations. While their weekdays are spent gaining knowledge that can be utilized to improve outcomes in their respective countries, the weekends are for some entertainment.

One of the detectives involved with the program in Austin is a pilot, and a few years ago he got a couple friends together and they flew a few of the participants to Fredericksburg (T82) for breakfast. Over the past few years, that has grown to take all of the participants along with their local hosts. I was invited to participate this year, and was able meet Stefan, and we had a great day.

I needed to get from my home airport, 40XS, to Georgetown (KGTU) just 10 miles away to meet the group. That part of the flight profile took me 20 minutes! When I left home for the hangar, KGTU was 1100 broken. As I picked up ATIS, it had fallen to 900 broken. Fortunately, visibility was great as I could see the airport but just couldn't get there. So, I called up Austin approach and asked for a special VFR clearance. It took them a while because there was other traffic on the IFR approach. I just maneuvered in my happy VFR neighborhood and waited patiently, OK, well, as patiently as I can wait.  ...

Horrible brake noise with new brakes/lines! ...WingnutWick

Hello!

So following my girlfriend's brake fire on her 6A I replaced the tire, tube, pads, and put on a braided nylon line from TS Flightlines instead of the previous rigid line. I cleaned the brake assembly as well and replaced the O-ring. The rotor was new just prior to the fire so I kept it. It had darkened from the fire which I though would clean off after a few uses of the brakes. I also used the opportunity to swap the bleeder valve from the top to the bottom.

After the repair all seemed normal vice a small pulsing in the right brake which I attributed to warping of the disk from the fire. Then after a couple flights a groaning sound began occurring during brake application which got progressively and rapidly worse.

I decided to replace the rotor altogether. I did this and initial taxi test seemed to solve the problem. The next time we went to fly, the noise was there with brake application and again, again getting progressively worse. I looked at the pads and there was some darkening that I figured was residue from the old, burned rotor. So then I replaced the pads today with new ones thinking that they had been contaminated by the old rotor.

Figuring I had the problem licked, my initial first brake attempts had no sound, then to my dismay, about 5 minuted into taxi test it came back again!
Now I am lost. I've re-done brakes a bunch of times on RV's with never an issue. I'm guessing the reason the sound doesn't start right off the bat after replacing thee items is due to the fact the pads were still new and not really gripping yet. But I still can't figure out what the heck is causing this horrible sound. The left has the old rigid brake line, the right brake (the repaired one making the sound) has the new flexible braided one.

My suspicions at the moment:
1. Due to event small amount of potential residue which remains from the original rotor? - Seems unlikely.
2. Due to swapping out the valve to the bottom?
3. Due to the new braided line somehow?
4. Some warping or compromise of the entire brake assembly due to the fire?

Here is a video so you can hear the sound which reverberates through the entire plane is quite unbearable. And photos of both brakes. As always, your help and insight is priceless!

video with brake noise

My New RV-4 Panel ...Camillo (Rome)

I just finished my panel(still have to mark breakers) on my new RV4 I-BILT. First flight is in short final. I am awaiting for the permit to fly. Panel is very simple. It hides a Dynon T22 transponder. ASI, altimeter, G-meter and magnetic compass are redundant (already in the EFIS).

Shop Porn  ...scard

"...When you think you have just about too much, double it.

At least one of your many grinders setup on an open stand with all covers removed and a schotchbrite wheel on both sides. One side stays meticulously dressed flat with square corners. The other side gets beat to death with grooves from sheet material so that you can pull a part through it at just the right angle and get the end and both edges all deburred in one pass...."  ...

2019 Mark Fullerton Memorial Fly In - 10/12/19 ...Amir

We would like to invite friends and fellow aviators to our annual Fly In to celebrate Mark's Life at the Calhoun Airport (KCZL) in Calhoun Ga. We lost Mark last year just after Oshkosh after he suffered a stroke. Mark was many things to many people. He was a brother to me, a mentor to many of his teammates in the US Advanced Aerobatic team, a teacher and loved by everyone that he met. Mark had an infectious love for aviation and always figured out a way to either share this passion with someone new to aviation or just give us a push in finding a new reason to love aviation. His relentless drive to be a better pilot drove those who were close to him to better themselves.

We've decided to honor and celebrate Mark's life by doing what he would want us to do . . . find an excuse to fly and share it with everyone. So, grab a family member, a friend or even someone that may be remotely interested in aviation and come join us on October 12th for a fun time.

We will be serving Pancake Breakfast in the morning for $6, but we want you to stick around to either take part in the competition or simply sit back and enjoy. We want to encourage Pilots to fly in so we're providing Free lunch to all Pilots. All you need to do is RSVP with your tail number. For all others, Lunch will be $6.

All Proceeds will go Children's Toy Drive Fund for the upcoming Holidays in Mark's name.


Look forward to seeing you @ KCZL on Oct 12th

New builders safety tip ...Foghorn

Aluminum parts and some tools can cause damage. Get a tetanus shot before starting your build. I had to get one today. Be careful out there!

Critique my panel design! ...Draker

After months of agonizing and tweaking, I'm starting to get serious on a panel layout. So exciting! I figured before I get the chainsaw out, why not let hundreds of years of combined VAF experience loose to roast/critique it... likely there's something I didn't think of, or a better way.  ...

ADS-B IN/OUT DONE! ...BVD

I finally found some free time at home to install my ADS-B (thanks Tim for the deal on the GDL 82 and 50R).

I made a shelf across the longerons just aft of the baggage area to mount the equipment. Mounted the L-Band antenna on the bottom skin adjacent to the next bulkhead aft, and the GPS antenna on the top of the fuselage just aft of the pax seat.

Everything powered up as expected and once the GDL 82 was configured everything was in the green. I recently removed the PSS AOA system that had an indicator mounted in the left side panel, so I made a little Switch/LED panel to put in place of the indicator. The LED is for GDL 82 faults, and the switch is a mini DPDT momentary down to test the LED, center off, and up on for anonymous mode. Worked out pretty good considering I'm working with existing holes. The next step in the upgrade process includes a GDU 460 and a new panel will be cut so I can finally clean everything up and make it all look pretty.

The GDL 50R is really nice. Hard wired to the Aera 600 for weather and traffic, and via Bluetooth to the iPad. The iPad is running ForeFlight and has BT connections to both the 660 for sending/receiving flight plans, and to the GDL50R for AHRS, weather and traffic. Works perfectly! I now have 3 PFDs, 2 with synthetic vision.

Now I have to go back to work and make money to pay for it

TruTrak + BendixKing Webinar ...TruTrakAndrew

All,

Please join me and Steven Pearce of BendixKing for a webinar to discuss the following topics:

TruTrak product updates
TruTrak STC AML updates
TruTrak website and social media
Support for existing TruTrak products
How to purchase TruTrak products
What the future integration of TruTrak will look like

This webinar will be September 24th @ 5pm MDT.

Use the link to register!

 

Part 25: Like a Thief ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

New RV-4 Owner ...Jake

So my wife and I decided to sell our ultimate tool (Piper Comanche 260) and buy the ultimate toy (RV-4). We ended up buying N213WT an RV-4 with 180 hp O360 and FP metal prop. you can tell she was definitely built right, but is showing some wear and outdated from when it was finished in 1993. I plan to fly it into winter and then take it offline for a major refurb and complete paint. since the original cowl has numerous cracks I decided this is definitely the time to replace it with a sleek Sam James cowl and plenum. I am on their waiting list but unfortunately they are saying it could be up to 6 months, obviously you guys really like their products. That'll push the paint back to spring but with what we have in mind it should really be worth it. This makes atleast 7 RV's in our local EAA chapter, several built and several bought, but the number is growing. Looking forward to meeting more of you in person

 

Back Seat Storage Pouch or something ...fl-mike

I call this the "Purse Box", but the wife is going to have to downsize... Sized to clear the rear stick and mount to the back of the standard front seatback.  ...

Springer-Gram

Flew local sending a message to my bride via Flight Aware:

RV-7 Status Report ...rmartingt

Small update... plans to acquire the rest of the engine parts are on temporary hold as my employer has announced layoffs... I think I'm going to be okay but just be sure, I'm holding off on making purchases.  In the meantime, I've decided it's a good time to fabricate my center fuel pump/fuel line/wiring cover:  ...

RV-8 Status Report ...Foghorn

Canopy Crack Update  ...TomVal

Today I stop drilled and applied two applications of Weld-On #3 to the crack.

For filling the ⅛" holes, I purchased a 4 oz tube of Weld-On #16. I don't particularly like the applicator tip that came with the adhesive. I practiced with a scrap piece of lexan. The tip can easily slip off the nozzle of the tube and make a mess.

The applicator needle that came with #3 was too thin of a needle for use with #16. What size applicator needle or syringe should be used with this grade of adhesive? Also, what technique did you use fill the drilled holes without using tape on the underside?

 

Another Round of Pictures.

Scott promised more pictures last night, but I needed to get some headsets ready for shipping, so here is another round before work today. I will have some more time this evening.

Uh Oh!? ...Strappe RV-12

I was working alone and frustrated that I couldn't find someone to help me readjust out RV-12 on the saw horses in order to get an inch or two more ground clearance on one side in order to re-install the wheel. So I had this brilliant idea that I could get closer to the aft sawhorse, raise it with my back against the bulkhead in that area, and shove another rug under the aircraft on top of the sawhorse.

It worked, but just as I began to lower it, I hear a loud pop followed by the tinkling sound that a small piece of metal makes against an aluminum panel. The link I have shared (I am not permitted to upload images as attachments) shows the rivet head. It also shows an area on the bulkhead closest to the sawhorse location where four rivets are missing. I have not yet found any portions of any rivets on the floor around that area or anywhere else.

I am very worried that my utter stupidity has led to a big problem, but I also wonder if during prior inspections, I just didn't notice the missing rivets.

The bulkhead is easily accessible for inserting new rivets, and it appears the holes are nearly all lined up (the upper one looks a bit out of line). I have contacted our local EAA RV-12 guru to come take a look and advise me. I also would value the thoughts of y'all on this forum.

 

Titan basic engines for Vans Aircraft ...advertiser press release

Titan has now made available equivalent parallel valve engine models to those that are offered by Vans. They are priced very competitively. Here is the link to the Continental Aerospace web site section where they can be found HERE

Fish Fry Fly-in KFRH ...Darren Kerns

I just wanted to post again that our annual Fish Fry Fly-in is this coming Saturday. It will be from 10:00-1:00.

We will be serving some of the best fried fish you can eat along with cole slaw, baked beans, chips, and a drink.

Please come and see beautiful Southern Indiana and enjoy some great food.

Thanks
Darren & Traci Kerns
RV7 N599DT
KFRH

 

24: Crossings ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Is this an Exhaust Leak?

O-320-A1A EXHAUST PICTURE

What say ye concerning the rust color on the head near the exhaust flange and around the plug well?

It looks to me like a exhaust leak but isn't the typical white color. The other thing I notice is the flange studs...doesn't look like those nuts have come off in awhile which means the exhaust hasn't been removed for inspection.

Status Update  ...David Paule 3B

Need opinions - insulation wrap in engine bay

I'd like to get thoughts on the pictures below. This is 2,000 degree insulation wrapped around exhaust and an oil cooler tube. My concern is that this will be a fire hazard as the insulation gets coated in oil over time.

Mothership Hangar Sign Project (looking for input)

"It's My Party" Update ...tcard 9A

Sunday finds us back home in Austin. We were thankful the stratux kept working as we ended up with a couple hundred miles of sketchy weather. The IFR ticket came in useful, although it was a surprising place this time over the high desert of New Mexico. After a couple hours in some light rain and lots of clouds, 22C had to de-water herself after we landed at E11. At first I thought we had a huge fuel leak, but I calmed down quickly when I realized it was just Mother Nature and physics playing a trick on me.

Once again, a machine that was designed by Vans Aircraft and painstakingly built in a garage by two people with no airplane construction knowledge, but who did possess the right amount of tenacity, took us half way across the country in a day in order to enjoy some of what our country has to offer and celebrate an important day with a great friend.

If you're still building, keep at it. Every rivet, bolt, wire, and frustration will yield a plane that doesn't just bring you places but builds a whole new family.

Ready for its Close-up ...photo album.

RV-10 N4KJ just out of GLO Custom at 52F.  iPhone pics because that's all I had (sorry).  Beautiful plane!!!!!

What did you do with your RV this weekend? (9/14/19)

Man did this thread ever take off. I'm guessing somebody will start one each week? Hope so <grin>. 

 

Remote Avionics Mounting  ...Kevin Lippert

Although I have Dynon and the Advance ECB, this will give you and idea of where I mounted the items:

Solution! Kind of? ...transit issue

Thanks for all the help! After testing on the ground and in the air, I determined that it definitely was not a directional issue. Bought a cheap SWR meter and a Multimeter and took the avionics panel off. The coax from the radio is connected via BNC to some kind of relay which is mounted to the instrument panel. Then a separate BNC connector takes the cable to the antenna. Hooked up the SWR meter and everything looked great. Ranged from 1.2 to 1.4 with 5 W of power.

Then I broke the multimeter out and started testing coax. Lo and behold, it appears the coax from the radio to the relay is shorted somewhere. Just bought some BNC connectors and crimping tools and will attempt to fix tomorrow.

Had another question though -

I know the short could be anywhere along the wire and not necessarily at the BNC connector I tested. The connection to the KY197 is a right angle one. Is there any weirdness to taking that one off and repairing a solder? Or should i go ahead and buy a new 90 deg connector? Going in game plan is to chop off the BNC connector I have easy access to and test the wire. If it turns out the wire is bad along it's length, then I'll splice. I'm just worried that I'll find out the 90 deg connector is bad and I honestly have no idea how to go about repairing it.

Thanks again for all the help!

23. Clouds and Thick Darkness ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Golden Ray Flyover ...pilotkms

Needed a place to fly. The cargo ship had turned on its side over near St Simon's island so gotta go see it. Met up with my fly buddy, Butch RV6A, over Dublin KDBN at 5500' and We headed East.  ...

Starter oil leak

Q: I have a TCM 655551 starter, it's a geared lightweight starter on a continental O-200 A82 It's leaking oil out of a weep hole on the bottom.  There are no parts diagrams, and TCM doesn't support it.  It looks like a knockoff of a B&C I'm pretty sure it's an oil seal at the front gear that needs to be replaced.  Any one have any experience with these starters and can suggest a place to obtain a seal?  I've called starter rebuilders, TCM, and B&C, no luck.  I know I can buy a new starter for $600, but it seems like a bad solution to a $10.00 seal. Any suggestions appreciated.
Dave

A: Carefully pull the seal to avoid damaging the number on the seal. Take it to your local bearing shop and they can find a replacement for you.

Part 22: Wisdom ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

AOPA Tullahoma Fly-In ...N402RH

Pictures of the AOPA Sweepstakes RV-10 front and center at the AOPA Tullahoma Fly-In. It is pretty awesome to see all the traditional certified aircraft pilots get so excited about a Van's RV-10 and our AdvancedPanel. I got the opportunity to fly it from Frederick, MD to Tullahoma, TN on Wednesday afternoon and somebody is going to win a really nice RV-10 late next year.  ...

Instrument panel bracket ...Av8torTom

Hello everyone, I've had to move my instrument panel support bracket to make room for my Garmin GDU-460. It now falls right in front of the canopy jettison reinforcement bracket. To rivet the relocated bracket in place I'd have to remove the reinforcement bracket, rivet the panel support bracket in place then replace the reinforcement bracket... Anyone see a reason why I can't use pull rivets here? There will be 6 of them. Thanks.

Reposition to Vegas...tcard 9A birthday trip

Thursday started with a run to a 24-hour Walmart store to pick up Stratux supplies. Investigation last night showed the micro USB connector to be less than stable. Just a little jiggling, and off went the device. Even holding the connector in wasn't a sure-fire way to keep it running. Wallyworld yielded a new cable, soldering iron, and some solder. We will try the easy solution first. Back to the hotel for breakfast, pack up the overnight bag, and off to the airport.

We said bye to Tony and loaded up, pointing the nose to Sedona per the several suggestions here. We wondered aloud just how much the altitude would kick our behinds on the hike at 5000 feet. We live around 900 msl.  ...

Status Report: RV-10 ...LCampbell

For what seems like simple objects the elevators sure do have plenty of steps to them. All done now and it went pretty well. The biggest speed bump was joining the club of the twisted elevator trim tab. I remade the left one when the first try produced a trim tab with a quarter inch of twist to it. I guess I got lucky, because the right one came out just fine. When remaking the left one, I did just about every step, with the tab weighted, clamped or taped to the glass table top trying to keep it straight. When it was done, it came out close enough to be happy with.  ...

Lean of Peak ... I smell fuel? ...bkervaski RV-14A

So getting my head around Lean of Peak, I got the basics.

I've gone LoP twice, once on the way to Airventure very briefly, thought I smelled fuel so I went back RoP. My passenger didn't smell anything.

Today, went LoP (7500 feet) and smelled fuel again, this time the same passenger did smell it.

I never smell fuel any other time.

I'm assuming that it's just the overflow from the engine driven pump making its way back into the airplane from suddenly going rich to lean?

My fuel pressure usually stabilizes around 28psi (without the boost pump).

At any rate, scared me off trying again until I figure it out.

Thoughts?

Plane built by Sutter County students has successful inaugural flight

Seven Sutter County students built an airplane through a program called LSA Teen Airplane Build created by the Northern California Aerospace Initiative. On Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, they had their inaugural flight. BY MACK ERVIN III

- Mickey Ferguson, Valarie's Flight Instructor
It is amazing to watch this impressive young lady growing in leaps and bounds in skill, knowledge, confidence, and character. The Eagle's Nest Program is an amazing opportunity for these aspiring engineers and aviators and both Valarie and I are learning so much through our association with this outstanding organization.

- Jim Senft, ENP Project Director
Valarie is a strong, soft-spoken, intelligent young person. She never lets anyone or anything get in her way of success. She faces every challenge with compassion, determination, drive, and thoughtful thinking. She is a beautiful flower that will grow in the crack of the sidewalk. Valarie is an outstanding young person that has a future in aviation.

Dealing with an RV-12 Heavy Wing ...John G

Before getting draconian with the aft edge of the flaperons first take a look at the cantilevered portion of the wing skins that extend aft of the wing's rear spar.

Use a straight edge and make sure the wing skin aft of the rear spar is on the same plane as the wing skin forward of the rear spar. Do this on both wings. I was shocked that evening out the skin in that area (seemingly small amounts) completely corrected my heavy left wing. Below is a link to my site with photos.

Birthday Flight PIREP ...tcard

.7 Miles
The trip is off to a great start. Scott and I worked half a day, and we were airborne by 2. Our normal MO would have been to start bright and early tomorrow morning, but we thought we'd try a different approach for this 1000nm trip and break it into two days. It only cost us half a day extra of vacation by leaving in the afternoon. Yes, a bit risky with summertime storms popping up over West Texas, but they are usually 'fly-around-able'.

As expected, we did run into some good sets of thunderstorms, but it was far from a solid line. ATC was constantly providing updates for other flyers out that direction of 50nm ahead, severe precipitation about 30nm in diameter, deviations left or right of course approved. ...

Initial Contact ...Bruce in Houston

Houston area RV-12? ...
To All,
Hello! This is my first post so I'll do a bit of introduction before I get down to it. I'm currently living in Houston working as an engineer in oil & gas and ever since I was a child my father and I have discussed building an airplane together; now we're finally at the point where it's something we CAN do. He currently flies a Cherokee 180 and I'm a student pilot with about 10 hours in my logbook. I had been thinking of a Kitfox but he wants to build an RV-12. Obviously airplanes for slightly different missions but with a lot of overlap in the "general fun" category... One of my big concerns is comfort since I'm about 6'1". I've never had the opportunity to get close to an RV-12 so I was wondering if there's anyone in the Houston area who'd be interested in at least letting me sit in their airplane to see how I fit? And, if you're up for it I'd happily split gas and buy the burgers if you're willing to take me for a ride :-)

-Bruce

Part 21: On High ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Glass Panel Thoughts  ...Martin

I got myself a run of the mill glass panel just to get flying. Bought myself a G3X legacy unit and GTX-327 second hand on Van's Airforce. The rest I bought new with full engine monitoring. The entire thing cost me $6250. I then installed an Ipad mini with Garmin pilot next to the GDU-370 for navigation. Works like a charm. Will try and load a pic here.
GDU-370 - $1300
GTX-327 - $450
GTR-200 - $1200
LRU kit - $3300

New to Me Kit ...Terry Shortt

After what seems like lifetime of flying other peoples airplanes, a couple of years ago I started getting serious about an RV.

I won't bore you with the details of all the analysis paralysis I went through, but I had pretty much finally settled on a 7 and even though I was hoping to find a deal on a used kit, I'd given up on ever finding one that was both a decent quality and close enough to go through the hassle of bringing it home.

I was planning to buy a new emp kit on Sept 5th because it's my birthday, but on the 4th a guy here in town reached out to me to see if I was still interested in buying his 7 wing and emp.

Timing was right, price was right, and the location couldn't be beaten. 2 days later I had it in the garage. How cool is that?

It needs some rework, but I couldn't have asked for an easier transaction and I'm really excited to dig in.

After the dust settled, I started a kit log with the new EAA program. Here's a link if anybody is interested. Feel free to comment, as I'm sure I'll have tons of questions and mistakes made along the way.

RV-10 Baggage Compt to Tail Cone Door ...Carl Froehlich

Here is a simple access door that allows visual inspection of the batteries, battery relays and tail cone. It comes in handy, but for any real work the lower bulkhead panel needs to come out.

Low Fuel Pressure II

I have also been experiencing low fuel pressure, somewhat similar to Larry DeCamp's post.

Hopefully, this can shed some light on his issues as well.

I experience low fuel pressures during climb out with the mechanical fuel pump when I shut off the boost pump. By low pressure, I mean my Dynon D10 EMS indicates "0" psig. The engine never misses a beat but it is very concerning. When I reach top of climb and push over, lean, accelerate, and throttle back, the fuel pressure comes back to normal (4-5 psig). If I engage the boost pump during climb out, pressure again comes back to normal. I replaced the fuel pressure sending unit but that didn't resolve the issue. I also bled the air out of the fuel pressure manifold that the pressure sending unit is plumbed to.

It all seemed to have started after I replaced the fuel pump because of the mandatory fuel pump service bulletin. I replaced the LW 15472 with a Tempest AF 15472. All documentation that I have found says that they are equivalent.

I have a Mattituck TMX 0-360 carbureted engine with fixed pitch prop on a RV-7, a Vans stock Facet pump, and Dynon D-10 EMS.
__________________
Bud K
N682TT RV-7

Loring AFB Maine Anniversary FlyIn - 2019

Join me flying up to Maine over two days in August to visit Loring AFB which was closed 25 years ago as part of a special flying event. I flew over 1000 miles over two days and came home with some new friends.

Triple Tree photos

Dolly and I spent the week at TTA. Photos are on our blog: bambas.com.  Select "flying" from the menu strip below the photo.
__________________
Karl Bambas
RV-7 "Dream Weaver" N50KB

Bahamas relief flights ...mattwood

The Valiant Air Command based near my old home town of Melbourne Florida is using their WWII C-47 Skytrain to deliver thousands of pounds of supplies to locations hardest hit. Their logistics team in Melbourne has put together a warehouse full of items and they've been making contacts with companies that can provide for the next phases of the relief and restoration efforts. The flight crews, mechanics, logistics folks are all 100% volunteer. The Valiant Air Command is a non profit, educational organization. The C-47 is a fully functional flying museum that flew two missions on D-Day and served extensively in the European theater during WWII, including the Berlin Airlift. It's capable of delivering 4000 to 5000 pounds of goods into smaller, unimproved airports at remote locations but each round trip sortie costs about $5000. They need gas money! All donations will go directly to the operation of the aircraft for supply runs. No overhead, in fact the VAC has already gone deep into their own reserves to make the relief flights happen because they believe this is a core mission of their aircraft. Any little bit will help. If you'd like to contribute to the Bahamas relief and make sure that it all goes directly to support and service for the victims please visit

Fuel Leak and Cracked Flare

...Vic Syracuse in Kitplanes

A major fuel leak was discovered on this airplane not long after the first flight. The majority of the fuel in the tank leaked out overnight. The culprit was a cracked flare at the tank pickup, as well as the use of an improper flaring tool. Standard AN fittings require a 37-degree flare, not the typical 45-degree flare used in the automotive industry.  ...

RATSU Intersection ...Paddy

The famous RATSU intersection on the North East corner of the Shanwick FIR. If you cross the atlantic in a little airplane (or even a big one), you'll be putting this one in your flightplan!

Mothership at Tullahoma Fly-In ...Sept 13-14

RV-10 to Ireland and Back Update  ...Paddy RV-10

N415JS arrived home to LL10 near Chicago on Saturday afternoon after a round trip of over 7,000nm. The airplane didn't have a single squawk the entire trip - what a wonderful machine. Thanks Vans!

The last couple of days were long ones, Reykjavic to Iqaluit on Friday and Iqaluit all the way home on Saturday. I learned to make the most of the weather while you have it on a trip like this.

Many thanks to those who have done this before me and been so generous in sharing their wisdom. In particular, I'd like to give a shout out to Herman Schiele who not only talked me through the details of his own crossing, but kept watch over me from the left seat of his 747 when our paths crossed.

Here are some pictures of a most excellent adventure... continue

Update on Crack in Windshield ...Capt

15 months now since I stop drilled my small crack, the very tiny one that started beyond the filled hole has not progressed any further, am glad it's not in my view!

Welcome to the club TomVal, it's something you accept and live with, hurts though at first! :^(

Question on Bellcrank/Autopilot ...RV-14

When installing my roll servo, I discovered a discrepancy between Van's instructions and Garmin's instructions. Drawings are below:

Van's has you put a nut plate in the bellcrank for the bolt that holds the autopilot pushrod. This means that the head of the bolt is on the bottom of the assembly and therefore has gravity as an enemy. In addition, I'm not sure about using a nutplate and threads to hold a bolt that is responsible for holding a moving/rotating part. However, I've found that Van's usually has a pretty good reason for nearly everything they design. Drawing below:

Part 20: A Blinding Flash ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Seen at 52F

Buddy Scott's RV-8A on a nice polished hangar floor.  Beautiful!!!!

So what is one to do when the birthday rolls around? We head west to join the bigger RV family birthday, of course! I'm sure it will be epic, as any adventure should be. It starts Wednesday around lunchtime as we make a couple of afternoon legs for an overnight in Deming, NM.

We are used to Tex-Mex in central Texas and are looking forward to starting the adventure with a New Mexico flavor. Any local dining insights out there from our VAF family? We could also use some suggestions for a brunch stop in Phoenix.

Maybe a new idea on Jacking points? ...DennisRhodes

Take a look at the URL and see what you think of the idea for a round tube split block jack point for the main gear. This tool would be handy for removing a wheel / tire or wheel bearing work. It is only a jack point and does require a floor or other style jack. This one is the Homebuilders "model" and it could be CNC router cut and still I believe, affordable.

Some of the issues are that MOST RVs have a different axle bend angle and as result the block would be unique to the Model. I think 6 s and 7 ( not A) have the same angle. the 9 as shown has a 48 deg angle and the 9A is ?? different. Don't know about 4 8 or 10s

Elevator Skin - Bad Day ...RV701775

I had a bad day today while priming my right elevator. After prep, I hung the right elevator up to dry and it fell off the hook about a foot onto the grass. It landed long side down and flexed a bit, but luckily I was working over my lawn. I did not see any bends or damage, but it did flex quite a bit. Any thoughts as to whether there could be hidden damage?

Also, after priming I noticed a dent in the skin. I think I may have tipped my cordless drill over and didn't notice. Any thoughts about how to fix this or if it could lead to a crack down the road?

I am going to take a break and get back to it in a day or two.

Thanks

Status Report ...jcarne 7A

Panel work is still going strong. Had to cut an opening in the sub panel. I used 0.063 angle to reinforce it, maybe a little overkill but hey it works and the weight increase is small.  ...

Part 19 ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Sep 9, 2019.  Issue #4,908
  Howdy.  I've updated the donation page as of 9/6.  Hopefully without sounding too panicked, only 961 people have sent in an honor system donation this year to date for a total of roughly $18,000 after taxes.  There are 27,459 registered forum users (and another 50,000 unregistered lurkers) using VAF on a pretty regular basis.  The year is now 2/3rds over and the fam is kinda hurting on the cash flow front.  If you are one of those chaps who waits until the end of the year to send in their honor system donation, I would ask that you consider sending it in earlier this year.  Ads plus donations usually make this 1-family business venture work, but this year we're way behind and college expenses have really taken a toll on our savings.
  Please donate yearly if you use this site, and if you think the RV community benefits having a product like this online.  I think it does, and that is why our family bet the whole farm on it.
  Thank you for helping us keep VAF online,
  Doug (and Susie, Audrey and Tate) Reeves. 
  Your VAF hosts.

First sunset ...bwestfall RV-10

I'm at the 98% done 98% to go stage. Moved my kit, #40579, to the airport a week and a half ago after 13+ years. I was working a long afternoon into the night at the hangar final assembling the tail and I looked up and this caught my eye. Can't wait to do this shot again soon accompanied with the smell of burnt avgas, heat waves rising off the cowl and the subtle ticking sound of the engine cooling after shutdown!

So, It's Burger Nite.........petehowell RV-9A

Andi and I both had kinda tough days at the office.....BUT.....It's 75, sunny and no wind. I get the text at work. Burger Nite. That means a burger and a nice 25 min flight up To Voyager Village in Wisco for me. For Andi, it means something entirely different......

Tall, ice cold, Spotted Cow!  ...

On the way home ...Paddy RV-10 Ireland Trip

N415JS left Dublin this morning and landed in Reykjavik this afternoon. This was a long one. Tomorrow is Greenland and a second leg to Iqaluit if the weather works out. I'll post pictures when I get home, lotsa pictures.

 

Part 17: Love ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

7A take off technique question

Q: I have been holding mild back pressure right from the start of the take off roll so as to unload the nose wheel before speed builds up.

I've been flying with a very knowledgeable CFI who keeps asking me why I'm using soft field technique for every take off. We are only using paved runways.

What are other 7A and 9A pilots using? I'm not asking about other A models because the nose wheel/leg problems have been mostly in these two models. But everyone is invited to advise me.

Thanks.

A: You are doing it right, treat every field as a soft field. Get the nose light asap, and hold it off on landing.

A: In my NSHO ALL take-offs with tricycle geared aircraft should use the "short-field" technique of minimizing weight on the nosewheel. The nose wheel is for taxiing, not take-offs and landings!

Assembly Helpers  ...ryanflys

Sep/Oct Issue of FAA Safety Briefing is Online

...free 36 page PDF document

Nov 2 Noon (KEET) ...1st Annual Chili Cookoff & Fly-In

...added to the VAF calendar

RIP Robert Faubion ...Ben Poff post

I don't know if anyone on here knew Robert Faubion from Las Cruses, NM. He passed on 16 AUG 2019. He left his wife Kathy with a beautiful RV-4 which I purchased from her only a couple of weeks ago. Robert must have really loved this plane; it's in great shape and well maintained. Robert, wherever you are now know this: 311SV is in good hands. I'll carry on the torch of love for this wonderful little machine.

BP

Baffle kit questions ...RV-10

Is the VA-187 4" oil cooler duct flange suppose to be in this kit? I cannot locate it among the pieces they shipped, nor on the packing list (possible I overlooked it on the list but not in the box). I've ordered one form Van's today but it's bugging me that maybe it should've been included.

When the plans say to dimple a certain rivet hole "inboard" or "outboard," is that referring to inside vs outside the box formed by the baffles, or to the orientation of the dimple relative to the aircraft centerline? There are places where a hole could be dimpled "outboard" of the enclosure but facing the center of the ship. The case I've already encountered (FF2-4, step 7) seemed to make no difference in regards to the fit of the CB 1005B oil cooler brace, but there are other similar callouts around cylinder 5.
__________________
Bill Boyd

A: (Kyle Boatright)
Bill, I have a narrow deck engine so I had to alter how the cylinder 5 baffle mounts to the case, so everything you see isn't stock. Also, I made a cutout/bypass for the aft fins on #5 - that's not stock either. Otherwise, I will tell you that all of the flush rivets near the cylinders are installed flush on the "inside" of the baffles so they have a smooth surface against the cylinder. Here's a picture if it helps:

Charity Cap Sighting ...scrollF4

"Off Orcas Island WA on SV Tranquility w/Capt. Sandy and Roy Thoma (Kelli Mayeux photo)

A: (Sam)
I think that is the skin stiffener that goes in the fwd fuselage down in the lower baggage area.
Dwg 67 at C7
In the construction manual it is on page 8-20

Many First Flights Reported on the Mothership

...go there

2200 Hour Report and Pics ...petehowell RV-9A

Just back from Big Sky, Teddy Roosevelt NP, and Iowa Trips. Hobbs flipped over 2,200, so I dropped the oil.

Filter and screen had some carbon chunks, and the filter had just a tiny amount of fuzz attracted to a neodymium magnet.

Compressions were 77-78-77-77. Valves looked pretty good!

We are going to continue to run and watch her carefully. Local A&P says many O-320s will go 2,600 hrs+ if they get flown.

O-320/Carb/EI/Mogas/Lots of LOP  ...

CHT questions again ...JDA_BTR RV-14A

So 50 hours into flights now. Cyl 3 and 4 seem good at 330 while 1 will run at 355 and 2 at 385. I have cylinder 2 baffling as clean and sealed as I know how to do and had it looked over by an rv10 builder.

I got the advice here to just wait it gets better. But at 50 hours it seems it should be better already.

The area I'm not real sure about is where the uppper canopy seals around the air inlets. Also not sure about the foam at the prop governor but it seems good with a dimple on half the width from the big nut on top of the governor.

I suppose I will leave the top on and remove the bottom cowling and investigate.

RV Series - RV/IAC Aerobatic Competition Standings ...ronschreck

We have a new competitor in the Sportsman category and this is her first contest. Welcome Hannelie Rosdal to the game. It looks like the contest was cut short for weather as Hannelie only got one flight in. I hope she had a good time and will come back again. This sort of thing is habit forming!

Call for 2020 Van's Calendar Photo Submissions! ...Mothership

It's that time of year, once again! Please submit your very best photos of RVs to be considered for inclusion in the 2020 Van's Aircraft calendar. If you already have great shots to send, cool. If you need to do some (very safely executed) photo sessions, well then start planning!

We typically look for extra-special photos of flying aircraft, but send us what you think is awesome and all will be considered. We get a lot of submissions and we're fairly picky about the quality of the photos we choose, no doubt! And don't send us any "faked" photos, please. Those won't get used. (And yes, that's happened before. Seriously.)

And, we can't publish photos we don't receive. Believe it or not, in some years we've received very few of some models. So send yours in!

Please be sure to tell us where the photo was taken, who took the photo, and about the plane(s)/pilot(s) in each photo. If your airplane (the one in the submitted photo) has been in one of our calendars before, please let us know that as well. Also, don't wait too long! We need to gather photos, design a calendar and get it printed all before the holidays, and that's a lot to get accomplished!

Submit your high-resolution images to media@vansaircraft.com We need your submissions as soon as you can, and let's set a deadline of Sunday, October 5th.

A panel of crack experts with strong opinions will choose which photos get published in the calendar. We also leverage some of the photo submissions on our web site, so there are multiple ways for your photos to show up. By submitting your photos, you ensure us you are the photographer and that it's okay For Van's Aircraft to use your photo for calendar and web purposes. If you are not the copyright owner, please tell us who is and ask the owner for permission. We can't publish photos without permission to do so. The photographer will receive credit when published, of course.

Recommendations for submissions:
In focus
Photos of one or more RVs (and not other brands of airplane)
Depicts safe and legal operation, where applicable
Exciting, flashy and cool-looking are all great
Needs to be of a printable resolution - No matter how cool the moment is, if the image quality won't meet the printing spec, we just can't use it
Please attach your photos to the emails, rather than embedding them in the body of the email, if at all possible.

So, get 'em submitted, and let's make a calendar!

Thanks!

greg

Garmin Avionics for Experimental Aircraft Webinar - Thursday, September 5th

Greetings VAF!

We will be hosting a Garmin Avionics for Experimental Aircraft webinar this Thursday, September 5th, 2019. This will be a high-level overview of G3X Touch system for those in the decision phase of your avionics planning. We will touch base on many of the units and interfaces that give the system it's amazing capabilities.

Garmin Avionics for Experimental Aircraft
Thursday, September 5th, 2019
10:00am Central Time

To register, please follow the link

2 Rooms Left Petit Jean ...BillSchlatterer

...as of 8pm Monday night.

Master stuck ON ...PandaCub

Had a very enjoyable flight from Colorado to Hood River, Oregon in my RV-14A (photo 1), but upon landing couldn't get the Master to shut off (photo 2, note ALT FIELD light still on with Master switch down - I promptly disconnected negative battery terminal to prevent drainage). .....  I wonder if anyone else has had this experience and am all ears for any tips/tricks about solving the problem and preventing future occurrences.

Made it to Iceland  ...Paddy RV-10

Hermann, I now know what you meant about Kulusuk after flying over it today. I will try to visit there on my way back. Nowhere like it on Earth!

Part XII: Open Doors  ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Photos of the RV-10 Window That Left  ...Kyle Boatright

Looks like Lord adhesive and a bond failure between the adhesive and the fiberglass. The question is what caused the bond failure? Poor preparation, unsuitable adhesive, cyclic fatigue due to thermal expansion, bigfoot...? 
more pics

High Indicated Temps & Instrument Error ...MMiller

These comments are specific to the RV-12 Rotax/D180 configuration.

There are two main components in the system, a sensor to generate the signal and a detector to measure that signal. A Thermistor is used for the sensor; this is a special type of resistor whose resistance is temperature dependent. A voltage signal is generated by placing a resistor in series with the Thermistor and connecting the assembly across a fixed 5 volt supply, we then measure the voltage drop across the sensor. This generates a sensor voltage from about 1 V at 120*F down to about 0.080V at 300*F. These voltages are measured by the Analog/Digital Converter (A/DC) inside the D180. These voltages are extremely low so even small losses will result in large errors and because the sensor is non-linear, these errors increase dramatically with temperature.

Design issues can prevent the D180's A/DC from seeing all the voltage from temperature sensor. When this happens the displayed temperature indicates higher then actual temperature. With a signal loss of 100mV, the display may indicate 234*F, well into the yellow arc, while the actual temperature is only 204*F. To understand what's going on we need to calculate the wiring voltage drops and load them into a big picture. In the drawing below (Vsensor) is the voltage provided by the sensor and (Vinput) in the voltage as seen at the input of the D180.  ...

2000.0 hour milestone ...guccidude1

Last Thursday, 22 Aug, after 12 years and 4 months, I clocked 2000.0 hours on my Rv-9A, N65XX. 3000 hours next. Dan from Reno

9A Status Report  ...Av8torTom

Finally getting around to cutting the panel. Going quite well with a jig saw and circle cutter

In flight window loss

A bit of excitement yesterday as my wife & I were returning from visiting family in Houston. We were cruising at 6500,75%,170kts,when my wife said "my window looks funny" no sooner than she finished speaking her door window blew out completely! Throttled back to about 110 kts and started assessing the situation. Very controllable with little yaw,I was on flight following so told them what occurred. ATC advised nearest airport but I told them I was considering continuing to my home base. Amazingly there was very little wind coming in,virtually none in front and not blowing on my hand very hard in back. Couldn't see any damage to horizontal stabilizer and as I said,handling normally. We continued the remaining way home (about an hour) and landed uneventfully.
I am not the builder but he had built a 7a before and I believe was the first customer completed 14a to fly (or nearly so) I have been trying to contact him with no luck to verify if he used Weld-on or Lord or whatever. I have the usual cracks in the paint around the windows that you see on a lot of the earlier builds
('07 first flight on mine) but it was not raised from the original flush fit to the cabin top. It came cleanly out of the joggle on all but the top and about half the aft towards the top. But I was able to cleanly pull some more out of the joggle after we landed. Makes me think I should replace all the side windows! The residue of the adhesive is sort of tan in color if that is a clue to what type it was.
I had always heard the cracking was cosmetic only so I had never been concerned but this changes everything! This window's cracking was at the forward lower edge going up a 3rd of the way and probably back a 3rd of the way. Obviously it pulled off in that area first (what my wife saw for a split second) and then when the slipstream got under it a bit it was game over.
Bummed about the thought of replacing all side windows but very thankful nothing was struck on the tail and that it handled so well through it all.
Crazy prop blast thumping while taxiing though. Just a heads up for anyone with cracks of more than an inch or two.
__________________
Keith
329DR RV10

Status Report ...jcarne 7A

Man it's been awhile since I posted an update. Probably due to the back to school grind. Gotta educate the people of tomorrow!

I have spent quite a lot of time over the last month working on getting my SolidWorks model situated as best I can and finishing up electrical planning. I recently also started some wiring. I just ordered my radio center stack so it should be getting fun real soon!

After finalizing my design with the helpful input of many on VAF I decided to go ahead and start cutting the panel. It's going great so far, only a few holes left. I am mainly doing this when I get burnt out on something else, no rush.

Milestone: Emp Delivered ...Rick Meyer

Though I have never even flown in an RV of any kind, my 14A empennage was delivered this week! I am very excited, and yet there is a part of me that wonders if this was a foolish decision. I suppose it is somewhat of a leap of faith, but life has taught me that I rarely regret taking the leap, and almost always regret not taking the leap. I believe that life should be an adventure, so here we go!!!

Tate Says Hey ...and thanks.

He's there somewhere in the picture below.  Sunday afternoon they walked through the Rotunda past the school crest to symbolize the start of their college education, that's him on the left in the tan pants and white shirt walking down the left side at the 41 second mark (video).  He'll be totally embarrassed that I posted this clip, but many of you helped make this happen, so he'll be OK.

He starts his first college class Monday at 10am DFW time (Calculus).

I received about a dozen texts and emails from VAF friends congratulating Tate and us on this milestone over the weekend.  Those were very much appreciated, and we are Blessed to have such wonderful friends.

We'll keep you in the loop!  v/r,

RV-10 to Ireland Update ...Paddy RV-10

The -10 is an unbelievable machine. Completed the leg from CYEY to CYFB, 967nm in 5 1/2 hrs on 58 gal of fuel. Good weather almost all the way and a visual to rwy 16 to round it out. A good day...

Stranded:  Problem Solved  ...Richard Bibb RV-4

Problem resolved. John was very helpful with hangar, tools, actual and moral support.

Stuck valve unstuck via rope trick. Will be teaming the guides at a later point. For now no low power and/ or rapid descents. CHT temps are my friend.

Kudos to the brotherhood (and sisterhood) that is VANs little corner of the universe. Nice to know one little post and the Calvary is on the March.

 

Part X: A Mansion  ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

FF 1201 cracked/Pitot tube lose

This is just a heads up guys to check for this.

My FF 1201 (plastic block holding pitot tube in place mounted on the back of the gearbox)) was full of cracks that look to be simple deterioration from 10 years and 1000 hours of use.

It would not hold the pitot tube in place any more. I just machined a new one from aluminum instead of plastic . I used the old one for a pattern and made it exactly the same.

I think this would only apply to the older higher time RV 12s

Brad Stiefvater
Salem SD
124bj first costumer built RV 12 to be airworthied and fly
maiden flight 9-20-2009

 

Portland Indiana - Antique Engine and Tractor Show ...Steve Melton

Portland Indiana - Antique Engine and Tractor Show. The largest show of it's type in the US. Maybe the link will work.

A couple of 9's in the grass. Gunther Zion had the red one.

The little girl had caught a small toad and had to show me.

EngineBridge Integrated into G3X

I bought the latest EngineBridge to monitor my two PMAGs. Wired it up (power/ground, one channel for each PMAG). In this config it was pretty easy to use the WIFI network broadcast by the EngineBridge to monitor and change PMAG settings.

Learned while troubleshooting intermittent right PMAG indications to the EngineBridge that my right PMAG has a slight tendency to fail the mag sensor check on startup and flash yellow on its LED. Turns out if it starts in this condition it will run just fine, but it won't send data on its serial line until it is powered down and restarted without the mag sensor check failure. At least I think that's true. If I spin the prop a little the flash yellow LED on the PMAG doesn't come up on power-up; so I work around it a bit. I never knew I had this going on until I installed the EngineBridge.

Subsequently brought two analog outputs from the EngineBridge to the GEA24. Each output is a 0-5V signal corresponding to 18-48 degrees of PMAG advance. I used the Pos6/7 ports on the GEA24 J243, making sure to ground the ground pins for each port in the process. I did this by solder shrinking a shield ground onto the GEA24 side of the wire, and then solder shrinking to that ground two leads for pins at the GEA24; so I had two signal and two ground wires to connect, with a shield ground I screwed to the back shell. At the EngineBridge side I only connected the two outputs to the two conductors of the shielded cable, leaving the shield to float on that end. I could probably have added two wires into the shield ground solder shrink to make the ground pins but I had already made up a cable with the shield ground done prior to realizing about the ground pins. The way I did it worked better for the fittings I had on hand too.

In G3X config mode, I selected Pos6 and Pos7 as "custom" analog inputs, and in the calibration put 0 for 18 deg and 5 for 48 deg. I have my advance limited to less than 29.4, so I made the gage range 18-29.4 and that is the band displayed in the gage. I used the slider in the EngineBridge app to calibrate 0 and 5, since a 0 on the EngineBridge was really 0.005 at the GEA24, and a 5 on the EngineBridge was approx 4.985 at the GEA 24. But these actual numbers for the 18 and 48 deg advance analog voltages will vary on ground quality, length of wire, wire quality, etc.

What I got for my work is a left and right gage that shows the R/L PMAG Advance from 18-29.4, and it seems to read pretty accurately. It will swing in practice because the PMAG seems to not stay fixed on one thing and moves between two settings a lot even when everything in the plane and engine is very stable.

One thing I noticed in flight with this is that when I'm cruising at low altitude the advance might be 21 or so. Then when I pull back power to slow for landing the advance goes up to 25 because it is sensing the lower MP. I don't think this is avoidable given the way it works. Not sure it is a desirable feature or if it doesn't matter; but it is definitely there and no way around it.
__________________
Ser 104142, RV-14A

 

Rocket Return to Flight

Just completed a proper test flight on the Rocket one week shy of 3 years since last flight. No major issues. Was most worried about keeping new cylinders cool enough for break in (August, So Cal desert), but it appears my cooling mods are effective. Highest CHT I saw was a relatively benign 377. This is after full throttle, 2600 RPM for an hour. Oil temps slowly kept creeping on me and I was going to "knock it off" at 235, but it topped at 229.

Still have a raw, unfinished induction scoop inlet, but even still I was able to match my (super clean, Reno race Rocket) chase airplanes MP (24.3). This is already better than I saw in the pre mod configuration, and I expect a noticable improvement when the inlet lip is finished.

The SDS EFI was flawless. I was running the manual mixture knob a bit richer than the base program wanted but other than that the system was essentially invisible to me. Throttle response on short final was crisp and instantaneous, and idle quality on taxi out and back was perfect. It's a cliche, but it "runs like a new car".

Landed without incident and pulled the cowl. A few drops of oil from a couple easy to fix spots but overall looks clean and dry.

Good test. Hope to add a few more hours this weekend on top of today's 1.0
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.

Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II

 

Status Report ...David Paule -3B

With the roll bar in place, I trimmed the turtledeck so they fit together. Haven't made the fill-in pieces at the front of the roll bar yet, though.

The clearance recesses weren't all that hard to make, but they were tedious.

Nosewheel Breakout Force

I was having to progressively tighten the nose wheel fork nut because the breakout force kept getting lost. The inflight symptom was a lot of left ball as the prop would push the nose fairing over causing unwanted yaw trim.

So I removed the nut and checked the two belleville washers; installed correctly but well greased. I guess when I greased the nose fork zirc I put in too much, so it ran down in the heat into the belleville washers. Cleaned, dried, reinstalled and on test flights since then have had no nosewheel-induced yaw..... Will see if it stays adjusted.
__________________
Ser 104142, RV-14A
N1463

 

Test of clamping system ...kentlik

I had a major failure of drilling the left skirt...sad. I won't get into it but suffice it to say built another left skirt.
Here is a test of light clamping to get good adhesion of the Sika.

Call for 2020 Van's Calendar Photo Submissions! ...Mothership

It's that time of year, once again! Please submit your very best photos of RVs to be considered for inclusion in the 2020 Van's Aircraft calendar. If you already have great shots to send, cool. If you need to do some (very safely executed) photo sessions, well then start planning!

We typically look for extra-special photos of flying aircraft, but send us what you think is awesome and all will be considered. We get a lot of submissions and we're fairly picky about the quality of the photos we choose, no doubt! And don't send us any "faked" photos, please. Those won't get used. (And yes, that's happened before. Seriously.)

And, we can't publish photos we don't receive. Believe it or not, in some years we've received very few of some models. So send yours in!

Please be sure to tell us where the photo was taken, who took the photo, and about the plane(s)/pilot(s) in each photo. If your airplane (the one in the submitted photo) has been in one of our calendars before, please let us know that as well. Also, don't wait too long! We need to gather photos, design a calendar and get it printed all before the holidays, and that's a lot to get accomplished!

Submit your high-resolution images to media@vansaircraft.com We need your submissions as soon as you can, and let's set a deadline of Sunday, October 5th.

A panel of crack experts with strong opinions will choose which photos get published in the calendar. We also leverage some of the photo submissions on our web site, so there are multiple ways for your photos to show up. By submitting your photos, you ensure us you are the photographer and that it's okay For Van's Aircraft to use your photo for calendar and web purposes. If you are not the copyright owner, please tell us who is and ask the owner for permission. We can't publish photos without permission to do so. The photographer will receive credit when published, of course.

Recommendations for submissions:
In focus
Photos of one or more RVs (and not other brands of airplane)
Depicts safe and legal operation, where applicable
Exciting, flashy and cool-looking are all great
Needs to be of a printable resolution - No matter how cool the moment is, if the image quality won't meet the printing spec, we just can't use it
Please attach your photos to the emails, rather than embedding them in the body of the email, if at all possible.

So, get 'em submitted, and let's make a calendar!

Thanks!

greg

Peninsula Daily News

Oshkosh'19 and the Cosmosphere trip report ...joe_rainbolt

Whether it be the smell of 'Jet A' hanging in the air, the rumbling sound of big radial engines thundering overhead, or simply the sweet chirp that signals an aircraft has just returned to earth, to me, these are the sounds of summer and that means it's airshow season. It's the time when pilots yearn to point their aircraft toward Wisconsin and make their annual pilgrimage to Oshkosh.  ...

And While We Are Sharing Screw Ups.... ...Joe Rainbolt

My right elevator fell to the concrete floor while I was painting. Here is part of what I wrote in my blog at the time. Some of the feelings you may find familiar:

"Did that just happen? I just stood there in stunned disbelief while my brain worked feverishly to assemble the appropriate profane response. Fortunately, I had the forethought to stockpile a great reserve of emergency profanity for just such an occasion. Logistically though, it's not such an easy thing to do. That is, to launch in an instant, the mother of all swear storms that common sense demands. In a second or two my paralysis fades and I spring into verbal action. At least that is what I thought would happen. But I find that I am unable to form intelligible words as I attempt to unload my entire arsenal at the same time. That ever so small portion of the profane artistry which finally makes it past my vocal cords intact is just one tiny, weeny, almost imperceptible, "@$%#." All the while, in in my mind, I keep seeing the Hindenburg going up. Over and over. Oh, the humanity!"

Anyway, I cut off and rebuilt just the dented tip and I haven't thought about it again in over 400 hours of flying.

Part IX: Trees to the East ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Placement 10 inch screens and radio/ap/audio panels RV 7 ...ConnyJ35 in Sweden

Hi! I am trying to sort out placement for the different instruments/panels for my RV-7. The idea is two Garmin 10.6 inch EFIS, one G5, radio, a/p and audio panels. All Garmin. Transponder will be a remote. No steam gauges. I am leaning on having one EFIS in front of each seat, the G5 and radio/audio/autopilot panels in between. One option might be to mount the G5 left of left EFIS, if there is rom for that.
But I read in a post somewhere that it is better to have the G3X's together if the airplane mostly is flown from the left seat. This is most likely to be the case, so this might be an option. But then the radio/audio panels will be rather far away. And where can I put the a/p panel?
The radio and a/p can as I understand it be set from the EFIS, so this might not be an issue for the radio op. But it seems easier to use the panel for inputs to the a/p. I have tried to search the forum for advise, but not with success. I will also try to fit a quadrant between the seats, are there any manufactures for those?

Image Test ...Plummit (one gorgeous airplane)

Petit Jean 2019 ... The Gathering on the Mountain is ON!

Part VIII  ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

RV Build Lifestyle PIREP ...Bill Cloughley RV-7

After spending five years building my RV-7, I have been flying it over 10 years now, and can say without hesitation building the RV changed my life. It has opened up new worlds to me, in so many ways. Building the RV is on the short list of best things I've ever done. Don't give up! Just take it one day at a time. Try to do something on the project every day, no matter how trivial. Make the time. It's just a matter of priorities. There are days when the last thing you want to do is work on the plane, but tell yourself I'll just edge-smooth a little piece. You'll get into it and five minutes will turn into two hours. You get momentum going and then you WANT to work on the plane every day. As you put in the hours, you'll make less and less mistakes until it will be rare that you make a mistake. The second set of flaps will take a third of the time the first set did. Don't give up!

RV-14 Panel v0.2 ...kiljoy

I replaced everything on the 'panel' and this time I have my G5, GSU 25 and a couple other can bus goodies hooked up. The only thing I didn't replace was the, 'Master' switch

Washing your RV & "water" afterwards ...donaziza

I'm neither a mechanic, nor a builder, thus why I ask this. I flew to Oshkosh this year. When I got home, I had some kind of Oshkosh silt all over my plane that didn't really wanna come off. You could write your name in it. So I finally got around to washing it with soap & water. Used one of those water wong thingies with a brush on the end, and attached to a hose. After I got done, now you start to think about places where maybe the water went, but you don't want it to stay there. SO------I fired it up, and taxied around a bit, dragging the brakes a bit to get water off them, and the prop doing as much as "it" could do. Short of flying it, what else can a guy do? Or am I worried pretty much for nothing??

Oh---and even tho my forward baggage compartment seemed perfectly dry, apparently water got in there, because my log books were all wet. And the were even in a zipped up bag.

Any reason not to do it this way? (Pitot connections)...Reflex

I've noticed that most builders are flaring the ends of the pitot/AOS assembly. I'm wondering if a push to connect is acceptable? I'm using a Garmin GAP-26 heated pitot. According to the installation manual, section 5.3, revision AJ, the minimum length for the tubes on the heated pitot is 8" to protect the non-metallic tubing from excessive heat.

If the tubing is greater than 8", do you see any reason not to use the fittings depicted below?

Milestone: Duel P-mag Install  ...bkervaski

Okay, good to go on the install! Ready to fire it up.

Everything passed the "prop pull-through" test outlined in the instructions.

Question: When I un-ground the p-lead (turn my key switch to the 1, 2, or both) the led lights on the P-Mags turn off. Doesn't seem to affect the spark. Is this normal?

Got a bit hot today, test run in the morning!

PIREP Phase 1: John Keen RV-7 (Australia)

...She's powered by an 0-360 A1AD, has fixed pitch Sensenich prop, basic classic steam gauge panel (I love vintage aircraft!) with a GTR200 comm and GTX330ES transponder. A couple of minor mods in the form of a centre console with the engine controls plus fuel selector and gauges; and I've omitted the fibreglass lip that usually goes over the windscreen to overlap the edge of the canopy. Instead there's a bulb seal to keep the drafts out.

Nigel reports that she flies straight and true, temps & pressures where they should be. Baffles are stock Van's with all the gaps carefully sealed and the washer trick employed on #3 - CHTs maxed at 400 in the climb settling to 350 in cruise, and that's on overhauled cylinders and pistons, so very pleased with that result. Possibly a bit under-propped with the standard pitch so may look at a cruise prop at some stage once I have more data.

Part VII: Works of Fire  ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

DID YOU KNOW having a builder policy doesn't guarantee full flight coverage later on?

...VAF advertiser (Gallagher)

You've spent the past several years building your aircraft and now you're finally done. Congratulations!! Now, don't let a surprise insurance requirement get in the path of you flying. One thing to keep in mind as you are building your RV or any other type of experimental aircraft, is that there are a limited number of companies that will quote an aircraft during the flyoff period. Of those companies, they all want you to have some time under your belt. Policies are rated off of the pilots total time and hours in the specific make and model. Having a low time pilot on a brand new aircraft is going to make for a difficult quoting process. We're not saying it can't be done, but it does limit our options. If you can't get some time in the same model you are building, getting time in a similar model may help. Keep in mind, insurance companies do not see tailwheel time and tricycle gear time the same. This means if you have a tricycle gear Vans model, build up some hours in another tricycle gear model. The same goes for tailwheel models. We hear people tell us a lot that tailwheel aircraft are more difficult to manage so their hours should count towards their tricycle gear time; however, the insurance companies don't see it the same way. If you're not sure what to do, your broker can always get a quote for flying coverage so you have an idea of what the insurance companies are going to require for transition training. Always remember that is just an estimate because insurance changes all the time and quotes are only valid for about 60 to 90 days.
__________________
Leah Ringeisen, Shanna Linton, Katie Escalante & Kim Schuler

Garmin RV Demonstrator's Updated Panel

...requested by Michael Burbidge

Here is a link to a photo of the RV-7A panel with a GMC 507, GPS 175, and GMA 245 in the center stack.

enlarge

Interference between prop governor oil line and PlanePower AL12 alternator

...'BillL' PIREP answering a post

I found the same issue.
I bent the line a little closer to the case (block of wood and a hammer YMMV) and the result was a small gap (1mm) between the alternator-line-case. 40 hrs with regular inspections indicate that it is working. Thankfully, the parts don't move that much.

The 15358 belt is a good idea too.
Edit 8-15-18 - I looked at mine again. Note (below) the adjustment slot has the bolt near the end. I used the standard belt, as the adjustment range might not accommodate much extra length.

Let us know how yours works out.

G3X Academy: CAN Bus Fundamentals Webinar - Friday, August 23rd

Greetings VAF!

The Aviation Training Team at Garmin has developed a series of modules dedicated to better understanding the installation fundamentals of the G3X Touch system in our aircraft. These have been popular presentations at EAA Airventure and we'd like to extend the training opportunity to those interested in learning more about the system architecture.

The CAN Bus data network (what it is and how it works), also known as the 'backbone' of the system, is one of the most frequent support questions we receive. We would like to invite those interested to the below webinar this Friday, August 23rd:

G3X Academy: CAN Bus Fundamentals Webinar
Date: Friday, August 23rd
Time: 3:00 PM CST
Registration Link: HERE

The webinar will be recorded and a link sent to those unable to attend the live presentation (registration still required).

Best Regards,

Brad + Katie

7A 'Rebirthing' Status Report  ...kentlik 7A

Starting on the right side. Partway there, forgot how long it takes to get it right. I set up a "block" of sorts out of tape to butt the skirts up to help keep them uniform.

Earl and Hal's RV-14

I ordered an RV-14 kit in Oshkosh, and I while nervously await the arrival, I began asking myself just how the heck I was going to build this thing, given my fairly limited experience building anything. I am a retired engineer, so bookwork wise, I get it, but putting it into practice, I doubted myself.

By a stroke of luck, I was introduced to a retired corporate jet director of maintenance who just purchased a home in my community. Well, Hal has always wanted to build an airplane, but couldn't outlay the money. Me? I can outlay the money but I am not sure I can build it. Haha. So we have formed a strategic partnership, in exchange for 25% equity in the kit, Hal will guide me through the build, using his 40+ years of airplane maintenance experience.

Our first kit should be shipping any day now, and we hope to have the airplane flying by Sept 1 2021. We each can devote at least 40 hours per week into this, so if we can stay on track and I don't louse up the project too badly, with a bit of luck in two years, I'll be posting our first flight info!

Stay tuned to follow along a hopeless builders adventure towards having something that flies within about two years! Oh, and wish us luck.
 

Should I Drill The Reference Engine Bracket Holes? ...PhatRV -8

Each of the engine mount brackets has a large #12 hole that corresponds to the hole on the stainless steel firewall. Should I drill these out while assemble the firewall or leave them alone until I install the engine mount. Van's manual doesn't mention anything about these holes in the instructions at this stage of the build.

Here is a picture of the hole

So who else has seen broken sniffle line bracket ...mturnerb -14

I did some FWF inspection today at 46 hours or so, cowling off. Found that the sniffle line bracket was broken, so I replaced it by fabricating a similar piece from stainless steel. I've seen a builders blog where the theory was the exhaust heat weakens the aluminum bracket.

About to Throw in the Towel ...asw20c -14

[ed. Motivation Alert!!!!  Chime in and help!!!!   dr]

I have been working on my slow-build wings for almost 2 1/2 years. About 8 months of that time I was making little to no progress because of two back to back problems I encountered (with my pitot system and bottom skins), but eventually I overcame both and had been very happy with the quality of my build. Today I finished building my flaps after about 2 months of effort (they're beautiful, by the way) only to realize that they are both junk. I misinterpreted the plans and ended up getting the rod-end subassemblies mirrored and installed backwards. In other words, the left subassembly was assembled in the right flap, and the right in the left flap. They fit fine. And it is completely irrecoverable. It kept nagging at me that the location of the nutplate didn't seem right, but I was sure I had followed the plans correctly.
There is no way to fix this problem except to buy all new parts and hardware and start over. I'm so frustrated and angry about losing this much time on the project after having just gotten past the difficulty of the bottom skins that I'm tempted to walk away from the project. It seems I'm doomed to keep working on these **** wings in perpetuity. It's that or admit defeat and lose all the time and expense of this project so far.
__________________
Empennage Complete Except for Tips
Wings Underway

 

Drip-less RV-10 IO-540 oil change - Best thing since sliced bread!

Alright so (5) oil changes down the road I finally found a way to change the oil without spilling it everywhere and spending an hour cleaning it off the engine, hoses, cowl, nosegear fairing, wheel pant, etc. You will need some safety wire, gallon ziploc, tape, and a diaper.

Full instructions and pictures on my build log.

Milestone ...FloMo14Builder

Delivery is scheduled
My Tuesday night plan is now an unboxing...

 

Part VI: Under the Sun  ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

The mystery of #4...

Greetings,

I have a bit of a mystery and would like to appeal to the brain-trust for assistance.

The configuration: RV-7, Lycoming YIO-360-A1B6, Hartzell F7497 CS Prop, Dual Lightspeed Plasma III - timed to 20*, Denso IK27 plugs, Avstar AVX-5VA1 fuel injection servo, Standard pistons (8.7:1 CR), Custom Plenum, SW 8406R oil cooler mounted on firewall fed by 3" SCEET duct from above #4 cylinder, Temperature risers are installed in front of #1 and #2 cylinders - #1 is 1/4" lower than "stock", #2 is 3/4" lower than "stock", #2 cylinder is the hottest - followed by #3, #1 and ultimately #4.

The symptom: during climb out, and in all subsequent phases of operation at or above 80 Kias, the #4 cylinder will run ~30* colder than the other 3 cylinders (#4 max is 336*F, others max ~365*F).

Additional data: all 4 cylinders "peak" within .1GPH (e.g. 9.3GPH at 6500msl), and all EGTs are within 75*F of each other for all phases of flight. Probes have been swapped, tested, and appear correct.

My objective is to get #4 up to the same temps as the rest. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Looking More Like an Airplane ...dbaflyer 9A

Lots of things getting done since the plane was moved to the airport last March, including those dreaded spar bolts which are surprisingly easy to get in, but much harder to torque down (the bottom ones). Pulled the plane out today to test the nav antenna that is in the right wing. The Eastern Iowa Airport has VOR/DME 3 miles west of the airport and I was able to tune in and hear the morse code. Many more things to do but still hoping to fly in a couple months.

Lower Cowl Louvers ...Steve's

Don't have any finished images with me right now. I you have already painted there are much better after market options. The kit from fans is only $8. Just the two aluminum vents and some rivets.

RV-8 N1986 Status Report  ...Roarks in Arizona

So I haven't done much since Phoenix went 100F+.  BUT! This was my RV8 mini project for this weekend. AC in the garage.

This has project has come to completion with the help of many generous people in many different ways including of course all of you who contribute your knowledge so generously to these forums; and I thank all of them for this wonderful little plane Now I'm looking forward to putting many enjoyable hours on her!

CHT Update ...scottmillhouse 7A

The VAF brain trust did it again. Left mag about 29 degrees with right at 25. Changed to 24. Hopefully that is the issue. I don't know if Lycoming set it wrong or if it drifted in last 10 hours. Next flight will see if it is fixed.

Part V ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

Charts / Maps

I have been a pilot for more than 37-years. Commercial / Instrument rated with more than 3,000 hours in RVs and have actual RV IFR solo flight time. Have learned to fly before EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) using paper. Have been using an EFB for 9-years.

Those that have Glass Panels, how important are the Charts / Maps that that are part of the system? Do you use your Tablet (ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, Wing-X, FlyQ, etc.) to plan a flight then use the EFIS MFD to show your charts, plates, and maps in the cockpit or do you use your Tablet?

I know Seattle Avionics has a $99/year service that provides georeferenced charts for Dynon. Garmin G3X also has FliteCharts for an unknown fee.

I am interested in how the MFD is actually used in your RV. Is the optional Map/Charts/Plates actually used in flight instead of your Tablet EFB?

My RV has a non-precision approach certified GPS navigator with an old 6-pack arrangement that has been updated with two G5s. I use the EFB to plan my flight, I program the panel mounted navigator for my direct to navigation waypoint and follow along on my Tablet EFB.

When I get a "Glass Panel", what will be the function of my Tablet EFB?

Will my Tablet EFB be a backup and the MFD be used as my map/chart/plate to follow flight progress?

Looking to get an education on Glass Panels. I have flown an RV with a glass panel and I only used it as I would a standard mechanical 6-pack. I know more features are in the different glass panels but trying to figure out if I will use them or if I should learn to use them.
__________________
Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6 Flying
3,400+ hours

Arlington Fly In 2019 Highlights ...video

In case anyone was wondering, the Arlington Fly In does continue, but it does seem to get smaller every year. They changed things up this year by moving it from July, just before Oshkosh, to the middle of August.

There was pretty light airplane attendance, though there were easily more RVs than any other single type. Part of that may have been due to the cloudy weather which probably prevented visitors from too far away. Today the ceiling was mostly about 3,100 overcast to broken until mid afternoon, with about a 1,000 feet lower on Friday. At least it wasn't hot, about 68 degrees on Friday and 75 on Saturday. It is at least a slight exaggeration to say that there were more campers than airplanes.

Noticeably absent this year was the guy with a New Standard bi-plane selling rides and an R-44 helicopter selling rides. New this year was a model airplane flying event featuring really big models an jets. They must have been really big because we could see them from my hangar probably close to a mile away.

There weren't many highlights, but here are my favorites.

Watch Video
__________________
Steve Rush
Arlington, WA

RV-4 Cowl Cracks

I have owned RV-4 N9547H (serial # 1654) for about 3 years. I did not build it but I love it. It has a carbureted O-320 engine. The upper engine cowl is repeatedly cracking (down to white fiber glass showing) at the front edge in the corner where the intake cheek turns up around the spinner hump. I have had it repaired 3 times over the past 3 years but each time the cracks come back quicker and worse than before. I am loathe to just keep spending money and down-time just repeating the previous repairs without getting to the root cause, (which might be as simple as: cowl old!) . The engine runs nice and smooth and I had a new Lonnie Prince fixed pitch prop installed (and dynamically balanced) 2 years ago. So I cant detect any unusual vibrations.

Would anyone say that the upper cowl is just plain worn out and needs replacing? The plane was completed in 2007. If so, do I have to replace the upper and lower cowls at the same time to ensure that they go together well? The bottom is in great shape. The existing upper cowl seems to fit very well at the moment: not too tight or too loose when you put it in place. I have shown the problem to Vic Syracuse at Falcon Field outside Atlanta and he could not see any reason to cause these cracks.

Any other theories on why this might be happening would be welcome. Also, how much fitting skill and time would be needed to install the upper cowl for a complete novice? Is this doable?

That's a lot of questions but as you can tell, I am a little worried about continuing to fly with this deteriorating cowl.

Thanks
Bruce.

See the pictures

There is a dent in one of the ailerons.  There is some rust on some of the steel parts.  One of the end ribs has a tear in it and will need to be patched.  I don't know if the tanks leak or not.  They were stored in New Mexico and there is some sand in the nooks and crannies.  Comes with the wing stand.

So, the mothership offers the standard kit for $11,450.  You can order a QB RV-10 wing for an additional $6,325.  There is a 10 week wait on RV-10 wing kits.  So, if you wanted this new we're talking somewhere in the area of $17K.  What's it worth?  I dunno.  Please vote what you think in the poll and what I'll probably do is look at the bell curve distribution in a week or so, then offer them for a price slightly left (cheaper) of the average.

Yours in thrift and helping friends,
dr

Milestone: 1st flight today in my RV3B ...redhawk

Having owned a -8 and a -4, there's one word to describe how the -3 flies: SNAPPY !
It's a blast to fly !

RV Series - RV/IAC Aerobatic Competition Standings

We have yet another RV pilot trying on IAC competition for size. Luke Schuitema took his RV-4 to a second place finish in Primary at the Spencer, Iowa contest recently. Nice work Luke! We hope you come back for more.

The competition season is far from over with 13 more contests on the 2019 calendar. Remember, you must compete in two contests to qualify for placement in the competition standings. I see lots of pilots who need to get back into the game!

(My apologies for the delay in posting this. I took the long way back to NC after AirVenture, visiting Canada to escape the heat for awhile.)

Volume of rain an O-320 RV can fly through?

On one of my flights back from OSH I flew through a brief light shower.

What is the volume of rain when you would get concerned?
Should I close the carb heat flapper valve?
I assume at some point water will go through the engine?

Overall I remain hesitant to fly through anything but a light shower when absolutely necessary and with ADSB showing the local severity on the screen.

RV-6A Brake Fire - What is salvageable?

Well,

The girlfriend's RV-6A continues to give me headaches as I slowly learn more about this plane. I recently just finished doing her annual following a new paint job. New brake rotors, pads, and O-rings. I also had to remove the piston from the pedal do get the valve open to allow the fluid to come up through the bottom. I finally finished this (along with a lot of other things) so her plane would be all good to go before I left for a couple months. Did a few flights uneventfully. Then on the last flight before I left, naturally, as we were pulling off the runway she said the right brake felt weird. Sure enough it seemed locked up. I tried pumping the pedal to see if I could free it, which it did but then subsequently seemed to start dragging again. Shortly after that smoke was coming up and we jumped out.

Sure enough the right brake had caught fire. Fire was going inside the wheel pant for about a minute before we could get an extinguisher on it. Newly painted pant - toast. Smoke had traveled up the leg fairing which blackened the leg and wing root with soot but I believe (hope) that it's limited to just that vice any real heat damage to the leg itself or wing root.

Brake line at the brake assembly burned through, and it looks like some burning of the fiberglass/carbon fiber around the wheel leg. See pics.

I am looking to get some guidance and opinions on what is salvageable from this fire and what to look for to make that determination. Also any ideas what caused the locking? When I put the pistons back on, I tightened them....can this cause binding?

What kind of temps can these wheel and brake parts withstand? Also, I am unfamiliar with the construction of the leg. Is this carbon fiber surrounding the metal leg? What is that for? Is the burn damage at the base ok? Also, unrelated, it looks like there is a crack at the top (red arrow in pic) that we noticed in the carbon fiber material. Is this an issue?

Finally, wheel pants, what's the process to make new ones after you order them from Vans? A royal pain or pretty easy? more pics

7A Skirt Status Report ...kentlik

Here is a skirt that fits and has a minimal flare at the lower rear area, <.125. Now comes the hard part...gluing

Miss Montana DC-3, RV Related ...Bryan Douglass RV-10

This topic is not obviously RV related, but more than you might think. Some of you know that I've been involved with the Miss Montana to Normandy project for the last year or more. We successfully returned a 1944 DC-3/C-47 to airworthiness - it had been sitting for 18 years - and flew her to England, Normandy and Germany for the 75th anniversary of DDay and the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. And back again over some pretty remote, inhospitable country in the north Atlantic. We've been in AOPA (see latest edition) and EAA magazines, on CBS Sunday Morning, the NY Times, Washington Post and every newspaper in Montana and many beyond. We flew the plane across the channel on June 5 and dropped paratroopers in original WWII garb and round chutes over Normandy, then flew in a presidential fly by at Omaha Beach Cemetery on June 6.

At first glance a DC-3 is nothing like an RV, but au contraire, look deeper. The DC-3 is all aluminum riveted monocoque construction and the power-to-weight ratio is almost precisely that of my RV-10. What struck me as I worked on the plane for much of a year was how many of my skills, tools, and resources were useful on the project. I was able to do a fair bit of metal work to patch holes, install antennas with doublers, and so forth. I was able to wire the largely reinvented instrument panel and associated antennae, headsets, ADAHRS, etc. The radial engines were a new beast but they still suck, squeeze, bang and blow like my Lycoming. In short, because I built an RV I was actually fairly useful on an incredible renovation (and operation) of an historic airplane, and got to fly right seat on a good portion of the entire trip.

I was even able to convince the chief mechanic (with no experimental experience) to install two Dynon D3s as backup attitude indicators instead of reinstalling the entire vacuum system just for two attitude indicators. Dynon graciously donated two of them to our project! SHAMELESS PLUG 1

In addition, I contacted Aeroleds and they gave us a 50% discount on the huge 8 inch LED landing lights that dramatically decrease load and increase life (as well as visibility).SHAMELESS PLUG #2

Because of the trip I was motivated to add commercial and multi-engine ratings, a tailwheel endorsement, and a DC3 SIC type rating in less than a year. Not much else would have prompted me to work so hard.

It keeps occurring to me that, when I started flying 11 years ago and then finished my RV-10 8 years ago I wouldn't have in my wildest dreams ever imagined that I would be able to participate in something like this. It never ceases to amaze me how this community as enriched our lives.

Keep driving those rivets.

Seen From the Air in the RV (Quirky) ...Vlad

R-5314D

Condition Inspection and Maintenance by Randy Richmond ...TJ RV-10

I just got my RV-10 back from Randy 'Monk' Richmond (located at my home field 52F) after an in-depth Condition Inspection/Maintenance. My RV-10 was built in 2006 and I purchased it in August 2011 so it was time to look at engine mounts, fuel lines, oil lines, etc.

The list of things done over and above the annual Condition Inspection included:
- Install new main tires and tubes. The Michelin Condor tires lasted 8 years and over 600 landings. I replaced them with Wilkerson retreads with Dresser Classic tubes (Wow! Tubes and tires have gone up a lot!!). Hope they last as long.
- The engine mounts were replaced with Barry Engine Mounts (Wow again! Almost $600 now!)
- The engine oil return lines were braded stainless flex hose and had become very hard from the heat and age and we were not sure if the rubber inside had swollen and reduced the diameter. All return lines were replaced with superior return lines.
- All the FWF fuel and oil hoses were replaced with custom made ones. The original hoses had some strange routings and fittings. Randy did a great job cleaning that up and simplifying the routing. It looks a lot better!
- The carb was sent out to be rebuilt by Aircraft Carburetor and Injection Services of Texas. They found a number of things wrong with the carb and did a fantastic job rebuilding it.
- The intake hoses and gaskets were also changed out.
- The original flap motor had stuck a couple of times so was replaced with the Usher Precision replacement. The original lasted over 631 hours - much longer than what most people got out of the Vans motor.
- And finally the trim switch on my Tosten stick failed so I sent it back to be rebuilt.
- Randy also found some other minor issues and fixed them including some nuisance oil seepage/leaks.

Thanks again to Randy for doing a great job on replacing the lines, motor mounts, etc. There is a reason he has such a good reputation!

So how does it all work? In a word - Great! The engine is much smoother and the Carb is soooo much better than before. It is much smoother at idle and seems to be more precise leaning. It seems it is doing a much better job atomizing the fuel and the spread in CHT and EGT has been reduced. I have only flown locally at lower altitudes with it but a data point is at 2,000 ft, 79F OAT, 2160 rpm and 21 in, 140 KIAS burning 9gph. In the past I would normally see 10+gph in the same conditions. I also love how much smoother the engine is due to the new motor mounts!

Also the new tires have eliminated a minor shimmy when passing through 20-25 knots ground speed when rolling out after landing.

It is almost like having a new airplane again. Thanks again Randy!

TJ

Part 4: Talitha Koum! ...Scott Chastain's 'Resurrection America'

It's the Journey ...KleensRV6

As I had tried to explain previously our trip to OSH this year had taken us not in the most direct route from KGIF to KSMB. We stayed in Plymouth because, it's the journey. ...

Houston area monthly lunch (August 2019)

The third weekend is upon us again, and Weiser is still open, so it's time to pay another visit to Carl's. 11:30 this Saturday (17th), Carl's BBQ at EYQ. See you all there!

As a bonus, anyone who shows up this weekend can have the rare joy of hearing me talk about building tasks in the present tense...

Ireland Trip ...Paddy RV-10

After a year's delay due to work/life commitments, my planned RV-10 trip to Ireland is back on. Planned departure from home base (LL10) is Sat Aug 24th.

Hidden hinge oil door ...Bill Boyd

Time for a project update. Here's my oil door going together, using ideas shamelessly gleaned right here in VAF.  ...

Part III: Michael (Resurrection America)  ...Scott Chastain

Mr. X ...NYC

The Final Panel Layout (he thinks) ...jcarne

Thanks for the comments so far guys. Many good ideas represented in this thread. I hope someone in the future also finds it as useful as I did.

Well here is where I am at now. I think I will go with one screen and an iPad and see how I like it. If I feel the need to add the second screen I have it planned so that the space is still there. I will probably go ahead and install any wiring needed ahead of time too so when I eventually sell the plane the buyer has the option to easily add it if they want.

I also caught the fact that the panel Van's has in their CAD model is NOT the same dimension as in real life; it doesn't have the bottom bend in it which takes about an inch off. Good thing I caught that because it definitely moved some things around.

Some Notes:
-I'm going to go with the Garmin COM as I simply couldn't get a layout I liked with the Dynon while ALSO not getting interference with the ribs.
-I decided on an Avidyne IFD-440 after reviewing their website and a few different comparisons to the Garmin 650. The more I read, it became easy to make that decision
-Many people might say move the HDX or the Avidyne up but I have the ribs in the CAD model as well and they are both as high as they can go without interfering with the ribs. Unfortunately, this is ultimately why I couldn't go with the IFD-540 but that's okay, I'll save 3k instead.
-I redid the switch labeling to something I'm more happy with.
-I swapped the a/p and knob module as it makes more sense to have the knob module closer to you since you use it more
-The audio panel is now down low

Anyways let me know what you all think but I'm pretty happy with it now.

Resurrection America: Part 2 (The Sending) ...Scott Chastain

....."And the America trip," said the son. "You know I am flying through the country again this year?" It took the mother a little by surprise.

"But where will you go?" she asked with disappointment. She did not expect it. The question was tinged with the same worry she expressed twice before in 2016 and 2017 when the son was sent airborne across America for month-long stretches.

"Wherever I am sent," he said. "I have no plan, but I am being called again to go." ....

Reversing stiffener orientation on tanks ...Girraf -7

I've looked at a lot of build logs and everyone seems to have installed the stiffeners according the drawings (with the vertical member toward the aft side). I match drilled mine to the skins in the reverse orientation after seeing this note and thinking it would be easier to backrivet them this way. Anyone else actually do this?

Recommended book - Engine Out Survival Tactics ...Eddie_P

I just finished a book by Nate Jaros titled, "Engine Out Survival Tactics". I'd recommend it to any RV aviator who is looking to sharpen up. It's somewhat of an easy read (I finished in a few days while taking notes and looking up relevant information that applies to my RV-8 during the read) It's a good primer for learning or potentially improving on multiple tactics required to effectively manage energy and make decisions to position our aircraft for a successful engine out landing. His approach uses informed decision making, judgment and some simple pilot math. We've all learned the basics and some have gone beyond that basic level. This book helps bridge that gap in a practical way (straight to a field engine outs, overhead arrivals, engine out in IMC arrivals, and more). This information is not a re-hash of the basics from GA instructional flight publications, nor is it exhaustive; but it is a bridge to the kind of information that is harnessed from multiple specialties within aviation and some practical post-event analysis.

One thing to note is while the book is written from the perspective of a V35 Bonanza used as a base line aircraft, he mentions and suggests RV8 and RV-7 glide ratios and these are generic and not necessarily completely accurate (They are good, but can be fine tuned to your configuration and he gives great advice on how to accurately and safety test while practicing engine out glides). There are also, of course, a few good threads here on VAF on "Glide Ratios" for our aircraft. Keep in mind a lot depends on the specific propeller system used and aircraft layout (ie: cowl used, aerodynamic improvements, or how effective the basic speed fairings are on each aircraft). Our VAF member Kevin Horton maintains a great web page resource based on his RV-8 with a lot of actual test data from his flight test program. Since he's a professional test pilot, there are accurate and well presented data points to reference and consider, while reading this book. I humbly suggest taking notes along the way and getting to know the numbers behind the numbers as you read. It will be interesting at the very least and powerful at the best when that knowledge is used properly *if* the need ever arises.
Glide Ratio 2015 test
Glide Ratio 2009 test
Background on tests and considerations

Some background on my perspective on the book. In 2008 I was flying 747's for a living and began to feel disconnected to the art of being a pilot. Flying 747's was a bit more like running cruise ships than flying. So I decided to jump into the art of flying sailplanes. It was an outstanding activity and made me a better pilot (and actually gave me some real stick time for a few years while I guided ocean liners across the globe). Flying many hours without the aid of an engine is actually great for the head work and gives a lot of visceral exposure to what is really going on when flying. A powerplant can mask these important and subtle details. Still, even being a sailplane guy, I have to say this book was a good read as it brought in a few "low glide-performance piston aircraft" concepts into light.

While I love my synthetic vision and fancy avionics devices to give essential SA on where to turn to survive when the engine goes silent, the real truth of the matter is it's not going to assist as much as assumed, unless the aircraft is flown specifically, correctly and efficiently - immediately after the engine goes silent. This book helps bring those essential aviator items into organization again. This book may not be a "game changer" for everyone but it was a good bang for the buck and worth the time as a primer to activate those visceral processes again.

Very impressed with Van's tonight ...iamtheari (RV-14)

I was going to wait for my friend, an experienced A&P, to come over and help mount my engine, but tonight after moving the oil temperature sensor to the correct location (see other thread--and note that this post is to brag about Van's, not about my own ongoing comedy of errors) I decided just to see how well my engine crane would line things up with the engine mount.

My plane is an RV-14 taildragger and it's sitting up very high on its landing gear. I've read a lot of stories about mounting engines on airplanes. I've never mounted an airplane engine before and have only even watched someone do it once, on a Mooney. I've pulled and reinstalled a Porsche 911 engine, twice because, again my ongoing comedy of errors led to having a clutch part in backwards the first time. I also helped my grandpa pull and reinstall a Honda Trail 70 engine when I was about 7 years old.

Most airplane engine mounting stories involve 3 or 4 people including an A&P, some special tools including a load leveler to match the engine angle to the airplane, the better part of a Saturday afternoon of work, and a few cases of good beer. I decided to take a stab at mounting it solo...

It took just over an hour from the time I rolled the engine crane with the engine hanging from it over to the airplane until the time I rolled it away, sans engine.

All credit to Van's for making that possible. If anyone asks for a recommendation for an airplane kit for a first-time builder, the answer is an RV-14 or nothing.

Caveat: If the RV-12 is anywhere near this well put together of a kit (and, as a 2018 One Week Wonder volunteer, my observation is that it is), then I would recommend it for its target audience: light sport pilots, people with a garage or shop instead of a hangar to store it in, people less brave about customizing their airplane, and people whose budget comes up short of a well-equipped RV-14.

 

Resurrection America ...Scott Chastain and his father.

Workshop screw-up ...Tom RV-8

I had a local service shop replace my left magneto early this week (Slick 4371 IC mag). On my first post-work flight I noticed the cyl # 1 EGT climb to possibly over 1450F with Cyl #1 CHT of 425F...other three cylinders were lower and comparable to each other...only the Cyl #1 temperatures spiked. During the left mag drop test the rpm dropped by about 120 rpm. The planes climb rate was definitely sluggish compared to normal climbout. I normally take off full rich as the plane has bags of power and it helps keep my CHT's below 400F.

Today the workshop checked the magneto timing which he found to be 30 deg BTC versus the Lycoming spec of 25 deg BTC. The discrepancy appears to have been caused by an internal mag timing error which the shop set while installing the mag, compounded by their not electronically confirming the advance....timing appears to have been set solely off the flywheel timing mark..which is wrong if the mag internal timing was wrong to begin with.

Static manifold pressure at my home airport is about 24.5"Hg. Takeoff RPM is 2650 rpm....this puts the takeoff power at somewhat over 75% (24/24).

My question for VAF is this: Could this 5 deg advance timing error have resulted in detonation during takeoff which may have caused the higher than expected EGT/CHT?

I'm hesitant to fly the plane until I better understand the potential for detonation damage...may have another shop borescope the cylinders Friday morning before flying it anywhere.

I would be grateful for any suggestions as to my next course of action. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Panel Review Request, IFR ...jcarne

Fuse Status Report ...PilotjohnS 9A

After a very fun summer, finally got back into it. Managed to get the main gear on. I am getting started on the plumbing installation. Got the parking brake valve installed using a custom bracket in the same place as the stock bracket.

Leok RV-10 ...build update

This is the first post of my project here. A little late since I am on the downhill side of the project.
I passed two milestones this week that prompted this post. The interior is finished, and I found the last issues in my avionics and got them corrected.

So here is the interior. I used a friend that has been doing custom cars for 30 years. He tells me Airplanes are a lot more work than cars!

About 30 days out

[ed. David sent me one of these shirts last year, and I'm wearing it as I type this.  Lovin me this shirt.  Something about that lobster in the RV-12 cockpit makes me laugh.  v/r,dr]

Skirt Status Report ...kentlik

Fitting is going well and I know I can get it tight. Had to order another tube of Sika to do it the way I want.

40 Years of the RV-4 at AirVenture 2019! ...Nived17

Oshkosh 2019 was the third Oshkosh for me and my RV-4 and hands down the most enjoyable. 2019 celebrated the 40th anniversary of the RV-4. I was fortunate enough to lead in organizing some meet up festivities along with assistance from Greg Hughes at Vans and Charlie Becker from the EAA. Hats off to both of these gentlemen for their help in making the event happen.  continue

Initial Contact ...Tom Betka

Hello all,

Newbie to the forum. I'm an A&P and an ex-CFII who'll soon be doing a CFII-reinstatement ride. Just got back into aviation after being more or less out of it for 10 years or so. I used to have an Aztec that I maintained myself, and occasionally I even got to fly it...between squawks.

I love the looks of the RV-10 and am strongly considering building one...or possibly the RV-14. My aerobatic-loving days may well be behind me at this point, but I still might like to do an occasional roll or two--hence the thought about the RV-14. However I really enjoy IFR flying, and I would like to take some trips with the wife in the aircraft. I've considered just buying a certificated aircraft but when you really dig into what's out there (and the typical hours on airframes), it's frightening! ADs, Service Bulletins, eddy current inspections. Ugh! That right there is reason enough to just build your own aircraft, I'd say.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello to everyone and introduce myself on the forum. I would love to find someone in Wisconsin with an RV-10 or RV-14 that I could at least look at. I wasn't able to get to the Van's booth at Oshkosh this year, so it may take a trip to Oregon state to make the final decision...

Tom Betka
Green Bay, WI

Airline pilot flies dad's remains home from Vietnam 52 years after seeing him off at same Dallas airport (article)

...not RV, but I'm glad I read it.  dr

From the obit:
"There will be a Visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 9, 2019 at White's Funeral Home, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford, TX 76086. Services and full military honors will begin at 10:00 a.m., August 10, 2019 at Holder's Chapel United Methodist Church, 501 Holders Chapel Road, Cool (Weatherford) TX 76088."

KGLE 18/36 closed for repair ...Rich Rudolph RV-6A

Gainesville (TX) RWY 18/36 will close tomorrow aug 8 for repair work. See NOTAM.  13/31 will be open so you can still get gas. Closure will be intermittent for the month.
__________________
Rich Rudolph

Avionics Advice ...Pilotjim77

Below is a pic of my current panel. I would like to install a used 430W where the 295 is. Then, I want to replace the DG with an electric EFIS such as a G5 or similar. I figure this will give me dual radios, IFR gps capability including an indicator through the G5, as well as VOR/LOC. Does this seem a sensible plan? Can I use the same indicator (G5) for both the GPS output and the VOR/LOC output from the 430?

Rough Idle after Shutdown ...Drippy

Guys,

I have a little over 200hrs on my IO540 and for the first time on shut down yesterday it continued to idle (very roughly) after I pulled the mixture to idle cut off. I let it go for a 10-20 seconds verifying the mixture was full back and ended up killing it with the ignition switch.

I have a light speed II ignition with back-up mech mag.

The only thing different from every other day was it was warm 85F+ but I have flown on other days like that with no issue.

I was thinking my mixture setting on the throttle may need a little adjusting but figured I should ask.

Thanks
__________________
Mike
N95VT
RV10

More 'Views From the Hangar'

Alex Peterson RV-6A

Pmaran

Garmin TeamX Job Openings, Aug. 2019 ...g3xpert

Are you looking to turn your passion for aviation into more than a hobby? Garmin's TeamX is looking to hire aviation enthusiasts who want to shape the future of aviation. Consider joining our team in one of the following roles!

Project Manager
TeamX is looking for a pilot with a passion for aviation. At its core, TeamX is dedicated to providing world-class avionics that improve the safety and joy of our customers' flights. This role has the opportunity to perform varied functions in support of TeamX's strategic mission ranging from formal project management to systems engineering to customer support liaison. Recent opportunities with certification into the low-end of Part 23 aviation have opened doors with numerous OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), yet the team remains committed to its primary market - serving E/AB (Experimental/Amateur Built) and LSA (Light-Sport Aircraft) - which means that the team is creating new processes that enable growth in both markets. This position will require a strong attention to detail as the team works intimately with customers, whether through G3Xpert, OEMs, or interfacing with internal Garmin teams. In the coming years, TeamX will continue to push the limits of avionics technology focusing on safety and advanced user features.

Software Engineer
TeamX is looking for a mid/high-level developer seeking a fast-paced, aviation centric position. At its core, TeamX is dedicated to providing world-class avionics that improve the safety and joy of our customers' flights. Recent opportunities with certification into the low-end of Part 23 aviation have opened doors with numerous OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), yet the team remains committed to its primary market - serving E/AB (Experimental/Amateur Built) and LSA (Light-Sport Aircraft) - which means that the team will need to build a sustainable foundation that provides robust software while allowing for dynamic, cutting-edge feature creation. This role will contribute to TeamX's endeavors to offer a flexible ecosystem with unparalleled customer interaction and safety.  more

I feel you, Luca! ...Bill Boyd

Here's an Alleghany mountain moonrise from the hangar door. "The RV-6A in repose." Impossible not to feel blessed to have such beauty close at hand.

And so it begins......

I have skin in the game now. Bought a second hand -9 empennage kit. It is a complete kit and came with a lot of tools, clecos, clamps etc. I have spent the weekend building tables, a work bench and storage. So far the only concern is one side rudder skin has some corrosion. I don't know enough to know if I can salvage it or if I'll have to get a new one. Also, any thoughts on taking the building fundamentals class? There is one next weekend at PDK.
__________________
Mike Smith
RV-Toolbox
RV-9 Empennage (Beginning)
N542TM (Reserved)

 

It's an Angry, High Stress World...

...so here's a video of a girl and her donkey to cleanse the mental palette for a bit.  I know it's not RV, but it's my site and it made me smile. ;^)  I watched it twice, and I think you'll be glad you did too.

After watching this, watch Steve's 13min RV video below.  You're day will now be off to a good start and you'll be ready for RV construction, flying, dreaming and/or MX. 

RV-8 and the Mt. Olympus Turn ...Steve Rush RV-8

Saturday 8/3/19 was much clearer than the past several weekends. While we went back to Forks again, the trip was different this time. There were very few clouds over the Olympics and everything was visible. There also was almost no wind at altitude and relatively light winds on the ground. The air was mostly smooth, with only a few bumps below the small clouds that marked the top of the thermal activity.

On the trip out I headed inland at Port Angeles and passed through the canyons around Lake Crescent. There were almost no bumps over the lake, even as I dropped below the tops of the hills. Once I got west of the lake over the land the bumps picked up, but remained pretty gentle.

It was a really busy day in the northwestern most corner of the continental US. As we approached Forks there was an airplane there already and as we approached there was another (besides us) approaching all at the same time, which is a lot for a place that is not even in the middle of nowhere, it is on the outskirts. You have to drive at least an hour to get to nowhere.

I managed to land and get out of the airplane in time to video Carl's landing, it seemed only right as he's recorded mine a number of times.

As we came out of the restaurant I saw a black SUV with Texas plates. I wondered why in the world anyone would drive from Texas to Forks Washington. Apparently, due to the Twilight movies, that I know nothing about, Forks has become a pretty big tourist attraction since those stories supposedly took place in Forks, though the filming was done in Oregon.

As we came back from lunch there was yet another airplane on the ramp. As I looked from the ramp to the Logging Museum across the street I saw a van that said "Twilight Tours" on the side. I never knew about any of this.

Just after we took off from Forks I heard someone taking off from Quillayute. Shortly after there was an amphib that took off from Quillayute as well. Also at the same time there was someone going into Sekiu.

On the way home I took a turn around Mt. Olympus and Hurricane Ridge. The clouds that did form were very inconsiderate and insisted on being at the very altitude I wanted to be at. I managed to make a few passes at 7,500' dodging the occasional cloud.

After that I headed directly for home. Before we left that morning Carl commented on how few airplanes there were around at Arlington. I told him that he just jinxed it. That came to pass when I got back. There were several airplanes approaching all at the same time. I had to slow down early and do a number of turns, a couple of 360s and one S turn (a 180 to the right followed by a 180 to left) in order to sequence myself into the conga line.

At least from all that I managed to pull off a good crosswind landing.

Enjoy

G3X GDU460 MFD - inflight reboots and freeze ...maus92 -8A

Today I was out testing a complex flight plan with ~60 waypoints for a project. The flight took place at 1,000' over a local river, and I had flown a similar pattern the day before. About midway through, I noticed that the GDL-39R traffic page on the PFD said "Traffic Coasting," then the MFD rebooted. The MFD ran for another minute or so, then I got a message that the VP-X had lost comm with the PFD. Then my radio X'ed out. Then some other EIS instruments X'ed out. Then the transponder X'ed out. However, the radio was still receiving the nearby tower comms, and the autopilot was following the flight plan perfectly. The radio freq box came back. Then the MFD rebooted again. I decided to call it quits for the day and head back home, and called the tower. Thankfully they heard, and confirmed the transponder was working. On the way back, the MFD rebooted again, then froze. I entered the pattern, and on final, the MFD rebooted again and seemed to be working for the short time between landing and getting back to the shed.

I called Garmin after I pushed back into the hangar, and spoke to one of the reps - not sure if he was an G3X guy, or a general support person even though I was calling the EXP line. Basically I explained the problem, then he asked if I had the latest software - which I thought I did - 8.3. Nope, new version 8.4 just came out to fix some issue they were having. He also suggested not having SD cards in the slots because that has been causing some rebooting apparently (I use SD cards to record flight data and screenshots, and load fpls.) If these steps don't fix the problem, I was told to send in the unit for an exchange for $350.

1. Obviously I will update the software.

2. I will only keep an SD card in the PFD (not both as I had today.)

3. I don't want to send in the MFD until more troubleshooting is performed.

I had a similar problem with this MFD two summers ago (although not particularly hot over the mountains at the time,) but it came back after rebooting. I'm wondering if this might be a temperature issue. It was pretty hot in the cockpit at 1000 ft and a bubble canopy, and the G3X screens get pretty hot all on their own. On the last go around, Garmin asked me to download a file from the unit and send it to them - no such request this time. Anybody have other suggestions?

Thanks,

Charley

Attaching a pic for your amusement

(reply from g3xpert) 
Please contact us via the email shown below. We are happy to work through this issue with you. We would definitely like to collect the diagnostic information.

There is no problem with using a SD card for flight data logging in both GDU units, but it is always best to only use those cards for flight data logging (no software or databases).

We have never seen a heat related issue in a GDU 4XX. The single cooling fan is almost not needed and hardly ever runs.

scaled to your device   (FULL SIZE - 3,840 pixels)

Total Electrical Failure on First Leg to Oshkosh - self induced ...Brice -9A

I was at altitude settled into cruise for the 4 hr leg from Auburn WA to Logan UT to pick up my son from school, and talking to Chinook Approach for flight following. About an hour into the flight, I take a drink of water, and put the bottle back into the gear leg weldment, and poof - all electrical power goes off. The Dynon alarm says "aircraft power lost". The radio and transponder are off. No power from the plane power alternator, and no voltage from the battery. I thought for sure I had lost the alternator, or the alternator belt, but the battery was offline too. I started a slow descent to Hermiston Oregon since I was 9500 ft above them and there are builders on the airport that could help.

Trouble shooting began. I switched on the ebus and power came back to the transponder. I looked at the Cessna type split master and that seemed correct. But a second glance conformed that both battery and alternator were both off. Being careful to turn on the battery first (thanks Vansairforce for that previous discussion!), and then the alternator, everything came back on center was calling my N number since I had disappeared from the the radar.

It turns out, the the location for my master alternator/battery switches are in the perfect alignment with the arc of the water bottle path when I finish drinking and go to place it in the the gear weldment. The glancing blow was perfect enough to flip both switches, but not enough to feel any impact through the bottle. I was able to continue and it make to Oshkosh the next day in time for the deluge.

A couple of takeways:

- my switches are on the left corner of the panel can readily be accidentally turned off by a water bottle or anything else I may be placing down to my lower left.

- I need to install a switch guard or relocate the switches (any one know of a good switch guard for this?)

- I have the switches labeled "battery" and "alternator", but not on or off. I am surprised how easily I mistook the position of the switches at the first glance. Labeling On/Off positions might have helped not missing this the first time.

- It was reassuring to know that when using VFR flight following, they are there to help if an actual emergency comes up.

RV-10 Aileron Trim Springs Rubbing....Dustyone PIREP

I have now found 3 x RV-10's that have had the Aileron Trim springs rubbing on the Aileron pushrod tubes. The plans were changed to require the builder to inspect and confirm that there is no contact in 2016, however prior to that I guess builders just kept building.

The fix is simply to bend the Aileron Trim Motor arm ,forward, away from the Aileron pushrod approx 3/16".

If you have any noise, please inspect, as the springs will eventually wear through the pushrod with possible dire control issues !!

Photos from a 1000hr + RV-10,

Oshkosh -- Lessons learned! ...bkervaski

This was our first Airventure and although we got off to a rough start it was a blast and we can't wait for next year!

1. Follow your gut -- not your neighbor

More than a few folks gave me the very sound advice to put boards under the wheels so if the ground was soft the plane wouldn't sink. We brought some boards with us and then noticed that nobody followed that advice. Sure enough, the plane sank and we had to rock it out a bit. Nice crack on the front wheel pant to show for not following my gut.

2. Tall standing tents won't survive a storm

We lost our tent the first night due to that first crazy squall line Friday. Somehow found a hotel until our new (and better suited to weather) tent arrived on Tuesday. The hotel was in full rape mode, $366/night for what amounts to a $89/night hotel. Ouch.

3. Rudder locks can break

Yea .. nice ding on my beautiful rudder that I get to fix and have repainted. The 2nd squall line on Saturday broke the gust lock. It's totally my fault too. I had no idea you had to "prime" pvc pipe before cementing. The rudder somehow bent past the rudder lock but somehow didn't have any other damage. I'm going to re-evaluate my rudder locking system.

4. Flight In -- Flight Out

We were fortunate to not have any issues getting in, went like clockwork, although I didn't impress anybody with my landing, glad the controller said "at or beyond the yellow dot" Same when we left, beautiful and uneventful flights both directions. This was our first long cross country, it was really confidence inspiring. (Thanks, Dan!) The Chicago shoreline was the highlight of my trip.

5. Overwhelming

The actual event was overwhelming, we stayed an extra day. On the very last day we realized we missed the entire vintage section and the seaplane base. So much to see. The museum was really well done, I was blown away.

2020 Oshkosh or bust!
__________________
RV-14A

7A Rebirthing Status Report ...kentlik

I spent way too much time on this left skirt but it is spot on.

First year fun and adventure ...PIREP

So, tomorrow is the first anniversary of my first flight. I surprised myself when I looked at the numbers, 137 hours hobbs, 112 hours air time, 95 flights with 170 landings at 36 airports. Apart from a bit of pilot and/or builder initiated misadventure, my 9A has been a great way to spend the last year. Sure, it could use a few extra knots of drag cleanup, my wheel pants will never be perfect and I won't be winning awards -- but I'm flying all over North America in something I built in my garage! That doesn't get old!

Year one visits (# airports landed at) -
Canada - Alberta(11), Saskatchewan(3), Manitoba(1), Ontario(2), New Brunswick(1), Prince Edward Island(1)
US - Montana(2), Wyoming, Colorado(1), Nebraska, South Dakota(1), North Dakota(3), Wisconsin(1), Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota(1), Illinois, Indiana(1), Ohio(2), Pennsylvania, New York(1), Vermont(1), New Hampshire, Maine(3)

What amazing machines these are.
__________________
Claude Pitre
RV-9A #91081, C-GCPT

From Dynon...

Built a courtesy light for the baggage area ...Draker

As a fun little side-project while I wait for my finishing kit to arrive, I went and implemented a courtesy light for my RV-7A. The point of this is to briefly provide some light after you turn the master switch off so you can see as you're getting out. Like how your car's internal lights work when you remove your key. I chose to put the light over the baggage area. Here are the steps I followed. This was a pretty easy project but I thought I'd post a write-up because I'm pretty proud of how it turned out. The usual "this is just what I did, your airplane is your airplane" disclaimer obviously applies!

Cut a cover plate to go over F-732A out of 0.025 sheet. Do a search here, many builders seem to be covering this channel up for cosmetic reasons.  ...

RV High Wing Super Cub STOL Feedback

A video you might enjoy...

RV-14A #140665 C-FZYQ ...it begins

So, long story: In the late 1980s I was a subscriber to Kitplanes magazine, and saw ads and articles about the RV-3 and -4. That was the plane I wanted to build. I was living at the time near the original location of ACS in Fullerton, so I went there and bought several books by Tony Bingelis, which I still have to this day.

But life and family, as they often do, took precedence. The thought of building took a seat in the "way back" as we used to call it, but I still held onto the books.

In late 2016 I got the itch to look back into building (a RV-7 this time) and set to work locating a partially completed kit. I bought an emp kit from the classifieds here on this site, brought it home and completed the horizontal stab. The vertical and the rudder were done by the previous owner.

December of 2017 my wife and I went to Portland for a long weekend, and my ulterior motive was to get a tour of the Vans mothership. During the tour, I sat with her in their -14 factory plane, and was impressed with the amount of room that it had compared to the -7. I tried at the time to convince my wife that we needed the larger version. But she said we should just continue on with what we already had.

Fast forward to last week at OSH, at the Vans display, I sat with her in the same -14 and in the silver and gray -14A. Without much prompting from me, she agreed that she liked the roomy cabin, and suggested that if I wanted to, we could put a deposit down on the emp kit

I didn't waste a minute going back inside and getting in line with my Visa card.

Got the email yesterday with the agreement to sign, and this evening I got my order acknowledgement and wire transfer instructions. I called Anne to give her my shipping information, and she said they have something like 39 tail kits on order from OSH, and that the crating guys are slammed right now. So in 3 to 6 weeks I should be picking it up in Michigan and bringing it through customs home.

I just keep reminding myself "one bite at a time"
__________________
Todd
Kingsville, Ontario
RV-14A #140665 ordered

RV-10 Empennage - Remove Vert and Horz ...ADub

I am driving out to purchase a completed empennage for RV-10. After inspecting I plan to load it up. The picture from the seller is from the bottom as it is hanging up so I cannot see if the Vertical Stabilizer is attached but the Horizontal Stabilizer is attached. I do not yet have a set of plans. Can anyone tell me tools needed to remove the Vertical and Horizontal Stabilizers from the tail for transport? thanks in advance!

[ed. Posted this pic because I thought it was a pretty dang creative way to store an -10 empcone.  v/r,dr]

Food for thought....know your emergency check!

I thought I would share this experience so that others may take something away from it.

Last evening I went for a quick flight in my 8 from my local airport to a BBQ about a 25 minute flight away. Nice enjoyable flight with no issues.

I have noticed that my right fuel tank drain has had a slight drip coming from it and my plan was to replace it this week with a new one.

So, I decided I would run my tank as low as I safely could instead of draining a large amount.

I have a D180 with capacitive plates that were calibrated about 74 hours ago. I have noticed that my left tank was far more accurate than my right tank and it was also time to do another recalibration.

On the way back home last evening, I was about 4.5 miles from the airport and decided to do some steep turns. I was showing about 5 gallons in my right tank and I had 16 gal in my left tank. I'm into about 270 degrees of a steep left turn and then it happened. My engine started to quit.

I was a 1000 ft AGL, and immediately rolled the wings level and picked a field and went to 90 kts. After realizing what happened, I immediately went into my FMS checks (fuel, mixture, switches) switched the fuel to the left tank, boost pump on, mixture rich, and checked mags on both. The engine sputtered and the came roaring back.

I immediately climbed and turned toward the airport came in and landed.

Number of lessons learned here...

I check my fuel levels before flight visually and do not rely on my EFIS, but I did push my luck with the level being at 5 gallons showing on the EFIS when I knew it wasn't as accurate as my left tank.

I should have flown back on the left tank instead of trying to maximize my fuel burn from the right tank and physically drain it instead of burning it.

I realized how important it is to know your emergency checks and to act quickly and calmly. I'm fortunate that I have the opportunity to practice emergencies during our checkouts every year with the flying outfit I'm with. I also do checkouts on our staff, which I think had prepared me a little more for what happened.

Over 30 years of flying, I have only ever lost a mag...this was the first time I ever had the "oh ****" moment.

If you ever get yourself in an unnecessary bind like I did, which can totally be prevented, always go FMS..Fuel, mixture, switches...and fly the plane.

I'm not sharing my stumble to get flamed. I just want others to hopefully learn from what mistake I made.

I changed the fuel drain...some fuel lube got into the o ring and trapped some debris. And after draining the tank, I had about 5 oz left.....not 5 gallons....

Cheers,

Don

Many First Flights

...reported on mothership in the last few weeks.

First Engine Start Attempt

Looking for some wisdom from the forum.
Attempted first run of my IO-320-B1A in my RV6a
Following the lycoming start sequence ,fuel pump on ,full throttle and full mixture , I got 35psi fuel presss but no indicated fuel flow .
Pump off , mixture idle cut off and throttle 1/4 .
After various attempts managed the odd cylinder to fire but could not get it to run , checked plugs a bit damp but ok . Replaced upper with new plugs .
Still occasional cylinder would fire .
Started investigating the fuel system and with fuel pump on we have good flow right up to the Bendix injector body but regardless of mixture or throttle position no fuel flow / out put.
Pulled the inlet screen filter and it clean so looks as if the injector body is not working .
The engine was stripped and rebuilt about 10 years ago but nothing was done to the injector .

Any advice or suggestions before I pull the injector for a service/ bench test

Thanks

Mark

Melted Firesleeve near Exhaust ...mike3715

I recently had to remove the exhaust from my RV-7 to pull cyllinders, and noticed some melted firesleeve around one of the control cables:

I removed the firesleeve and noted some charring on the metal sheath, but it appears OK otherwise.

Any recommendations as to how to proceed?

Nose Gear Issue (Long Gospel)

Late last year we developed what we thought was a nose gear shimmy on our RV-7A. The aircraft has 1000 flight hours. It started as a light amplitude shaking noticed on roll out when we were going slow prior to exiting the runway. We had a friend watch us land and roll out. He noted that the motion of the nose wheel was vertical (nose strut bending along the longitudinal axis) and not horizontal (shimmy). We then jacked the aircraft and inspected and found the nose landing gear attach bolt near the firewall had lost torque. We replaced the bolt and retorqued. The joint seemed tight.

We were planning a panel upgrade so we went down then for the next five months. While we were down we removed and repacked the nose wheel bearings and conducted the pull test. All was well.

Fast forward post panel up - Things got worse. If we did not consciously hold the nose off on landing roll out, we would get a violent motion that shook the entire plane on landing deceleration at slow speed. We then conducted taxi tests and determined that at 24 knots ground speed while decelerating we would get the vertical motion/shake. This vibration never happens on take-off most likely due to off-loading of the nose gear during acceleration.

Last night we tied the tail down (nose off the ground) and banged the nose strut both vertically and horizontally. Horizontally it is extremely well damped. Vertically it looks like a tuning fork that eventually damps but rings noticeably for a period of time. Obviously, we have looked for a cracked engine mount and cracked gear leg with no findings. Additionally, we have the AntiSplat nose job installed however, we operate from hard surface runways and only have about 10 grass field landings in 1000 hours.

Things we had done in an attempt to remedy the situation;

Replaced nose tire with new one - No change
Reduced nose tire pressure to 30 psi - No change
Rechecked the pull test on the fork - No change
Replaced main tires, rebuilt right brake caliper (it appeared to be sticking a little, repacked main wheel bearings, replaced brake pads - Have not flown this configuration yet.

Has anyone experienced this and more importantly what is the corrective action? The new nose gear damper appears promising but is a big job.

Thanks
__________________
Kevin Phelps

Fairing Interference with Grove foil gear ...cdeerinck

These are Grove airfoiled gear on an RV-8. Due to the bend, there is some interference between them and the U-807 fairing bracket.

Can I get any advice on how others have dealt with this?

Do I bend the bracket, or cut it back? Any tips on how to not dislocate the end?

Soft start failure - RV-12

Our RV-12 (engine SN 6775234) has an interesting failure.

The engine has the original ignition modules, with an added soft-start module that I'm 99% sure is the Bully Hawk soft-start module. There is no label on it, other than a QA/date code sticker. Per the original builder's instructions, we normally start on the A ignition only and switch on the B side as soon as the engine is running.

When cold, the first start of the day, it will not start on the A ignition. Crank all you want, it won't start. As soon as you turn on the B ignition, it starts right up. Run-up is normal, with both ignitions working fine. After the engine is warmed up, it will start on the A ignition only just fine. A couple weeks ago when it first happened, I started it 8 times in one day normally, after the first balky start.

We found the ground wire to the soft-start box broken off. Great!! That was an easy fix. Unfortunately, fixing it did not change anything at all. I made a test flight last night. The first time I had to turn on the B ignition to get it to start. I let the engine warm up, did a totally normal run-up, and flew a lap around the pattern. Shut down, and it would start on just the A side with no problem.

So, I think we have a bad soft-start module. It looks like this one is no longer made. The Rotax soft-start for this engine is around $1K, and would require a new flywheel and other parts -- I believe that means pulling the engine. Not really on our list of things we'd like to do, frankly.

Anyone have experience with this and/or have any suggestions? Or a Bully Hawk module for sale cheap?
__________________
Dale

OSH'19 Trip Report Pictures ...Bobby Hester

This Just Happened to a Friend ...Bill Boyd reply in 'brake fire' discussion

Conditioning his kit-standard brakes prior to airworthiness inspection. Said he was doing extended 30-40mph taxi with brakes applied. Wheel pants on. At end of second run the length of the taxiway he saw smoke rolling out both sides. RV-10, Conventional non-Royco brake fluid, standard nitrile O-rings. Extinguished the flaming side with a fire extinguisher. The other side was smoldering, both tires ruined. Both brake rotors said to be deeply scored - no idea how. He's understandably pretty bummed to come this close to first flight and almost lose the plane. I'd give him my Matco's and wheel pants off my one-year-to-go build and get back in line for more parts if I could.

This raises several questions/ issues. What is the recommended procedure for breaking in the brake linings?

Should there be a ground crewman with radio present for this procedure to watch for smoke?

Should the pants ever be on while this is done? His take about 2 hours to remove/reinstall for reasons unclear to me - mine come off and on in a jiffy. This inconvenience clearly played a role in his decision not to go pant-less for brake conditioning runs.

Do we need more airflow in the pants, especially if not upgrading to bigger brakes, more temp-tolerant fluids and parts? This seems to be a relatively rare event, but such a potential tragedy. A brake fire could cost one of us an airplane, or leave us stranded in the bush. Having happened to a fellow builder who has been such an encouragement to me, it hits really close to home.

Sad day.

See the pictures

There is a dent in one of the ailerons.  There is some rust on some of the steel parts.  One of the end ribs has a tear in it and will need to be patched.  I don't know if the tanks leak or not.  They were stored in New Mexico and there is some sand in the nooks and crannies.  Comes with the wing stand.

So, the mothership offers the standard kit for $11,450.  You can order a QB RV-10 wing for an additional $6,325.  There is a 10 week wait on RV-10 wing kits.  So, if you wanted this new we're talking somewhere in the area of $17K.  What's it worth?  I dunno.  Please vote what you think in the poll and what I'll probably do is look at the bell curve distribution in a week or so, then offer them for a price slightly left (cheaper) of the average.

Yours in thrift,
dr

August Calendar Wallpaper ...Scorch upwind.

RV-3B Status Report ...David Paule

After thinking about it some more, I decided to make a free-standing roll bar rather than tying it to the seat bulkhead like the RV-3B plans show. The new approach will emulate an RV-4 roll bar except adjusted to fit my RV-3B, and without the horizontal shoulder-harness attachment piece. Here’s what the RV-4 roll bar looks like.  ...

Nice Filtered Inlet ...DanH post

One of the best RV ideas I saw at OSH was this intake for an airbox with a large area K&N filter. The concept could probably be used with a modified Vans airbox for the vertical intake engines also.

The problem is how to put the lower cowl on the airplane while dealing with the connecting seals or ducts. Here the builder has fabricated an aluminum sleeve. It is inserted after the cowl is in place, slipping inside the orange duct leading to the airbox. It is then fixed into place in the cowl with two screws.

Am am deeply ashamed to say I can't remember whose airplane this was, despite talking with the builder for a few minutes. Claim it please, and kick me next time you see me

Great idea, and beautifully done.

7A Rebirthing Status Report ...kentlik

Finally worked out the math on the new flap actuator. Or at least it works on the bench but we will see how she performs in the plane...

Had to make a new rod tip to thread in the Heim joint

What am I missing? ...ShortSnorter -14

It's been a long day pounding rivets, so that's my excuse if this is obvious. What is the difference between:

Step 3 page 26-14 &
Step 3 page 26-21

It seems that all of the seat ribs have been riveted on page 26-14 with the exceptions of the "Do Not Rivet" which applies to the remainder of the section.

Tire Damage ...Dennis Enns RV-8

Pulled my wheel pants to check brakes and tire pressures before an extended cross country and found this gouge and crack in the right main. The tire is a Vans supplied Air Hawk 5.00x5 that came with the kit about 17 years ago. Its got 140 hours and approximately 360 landings on it. All on paved runways. I run them at 36 psi.

1. I'm inclined to replace it before the next flight. What say you?
2. Is it best to replace both tires at the same time?
3. I've had zero problems with leakage so would it work to reuse the tubes?

Pitch servo installation ...Casey -8

I'm installing my pitch servo and noticed that the AN470 rivets shown here interfere with the servo brackets:

I've done a lot of searching and haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere, so am I missing something? A simple solution could be to drill out the AN470s, countersink, and install AN426s. What have others done here?

OSH'19 Pics  ...FloMo14Builder

Creeping bottom cowling hinge pins ...Patrick RV-12iS

Q: Hi all,

On my newly completed RV-12iS with a Rotax 912iS engine, the bottom cowling hinge pins (the lower, longer ones) creep up out of their hinges after several hours of operation. I've tried cleaning off the lube on the pins twice, bending the pins, straightening the pins, tucking the top of the pin under the shop head of the rivet just aft of the hinge, but after a couple hours of fight, the pins will be 2 to 5 inches up out of their hinges.

A friend suggested safety wiring the pins through the cowling wall but I'd prefer not to do anything that can be seen from the outside.

Is anyone else having this problem and how have you dealt with it?

Thanks,
Patrick

A: (Scott) My suggestion is confirm prop blades are at exactly the same pitch angle (within .1 degree) and then have a dynamic prop balance done.

A: (Joe)  Cut a piece of hinge and cut away part of a hing barrel to make a hook for the hinge pin. See picture. This works best if the 90 degree "handle" of the hing pin is longer.

RV-10 Pics  ...togaflyer

4.5 years of building, three moves, and one hurricane passing through during the build. Jonathan at Evoke aviation worked with Lori on the design and the paint job. His crew did an awesome job with sooo much attention to detail. I did the windows the same way they are installed in the Glasair Sportsman 2+2 and very pleased with the results. Special thanks to Vic Babyak, who was always there to get me back on track, and of course everyone on this site who all had great advice

Downloadables Update on DIY Panel Project  ...Ebbe

I have started to add details on the EFIS, how the board and enclosures all are put together....I will populate the other sections when I have more time.

Aileron Rigging Help ...mulde35d -14

So I installed the Flaps, Ailerons, and all associated push pull tubes & bellcranks before rigging the Ailerons IAW the manual and Jigs. The left aileron rigged precisely with both the outer edge W-00026 Jig seen here, ...

(4) New Mr. X Pics

...Mt. Ranier, Boeing Field and two of Seattle.  Start HERE.

"I'm On My Way" is apparently home safe ...Mark Albery post

Maybe this should be in the "Arrived safe from Oshkosh" thread, but I see from the tracking that you are safely back home.
It was great to meet you in California and sorry that I missed you at Oshkosh.
The tracking just shows what you have achieved with your self-built RV-8 in only a short few weeks.
You'll have some great memories.

Status Report ...rmartingt RV-7

Guess it's time for another update...

Wings are back off. Empennage fitted and removed, flaps and ailerons rigged, rudder and elevators fitted and removed. With luck the wings won't need to go back on till I'm at the airport and a few weeks from flying.

Fuel line routing to the selector is complete. Somehow I managed it with pretty much no preload but those lines right at the selector can't come out unless I cut them out.

This setup does fit under the stock selector enclosure (though the lines out to the pump don't) and more importantly it avoids hard 90s on the suction side.  ...

New Build Log Video ...Karetaker -7

Hello Group. I finally have some RV material now on my You Tube channel and have posted a new Build Log Video. The video shows the the wrap up of my fuel tank build. I am building an RV7, but the material may be useful for others. I try to post a new video every weekend.

Mr. X Pic

...Grand Canyon

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'RV Social' Pics ...bruceh

A great time as always. Met up with several builders who liked my web log. My daughter was impressed that her Dad was "internet-famous", whatever that means! <g>

Panel Status ...Latintan

9 months worth of work but it's finally looking like an airplane!

Grass Strip PIREP ...Vlad

1NY3 Richland Airpark. My good buddy Wade was vacationing on Lake Ontario shoreline and I came to visit him. The closest airstrip to his retreat was Richland Airpark 1NY3. Decent runway but trees on approach to the north were overgrown. I landed 18 and took off 36 worked good with winds 320/6kts. We went for a ride over the shoreline

OSH'19 Award Winners ...Bruce

Annual arrived home safe from Osh thread ...Brantel starts it

Shantel and I arrived back at our home drone today at 16:30 Eastern.

The winds were not beneficial to or from Osh this year so no amazing times to post this year.

Good weather on the flight home.

I need a real shower!

Milestone ...Jeff Parker RV-8

Tail feathers are mounted!

Initial Contact  ...Brian C.

After a couple years of planning and research, we ordered our Empennage kit Monday at Oshkosh. This forum has been a key tool during that process and will be throughout our build. Thanks to everyone who made VAF what is has become. Workspace is ready and tools are purchased/fabricated. Our saga now begins.

Bacon Saved - Airplane Mechanics Rock! ...Chris Pratt RV-8

I'll admit right up front that the problem was my fault. But the reason for my posting is to thank Orin Baudette for saving my bacon and helping me get back in the air when I was away from home base.  ...

Left OSH PIREP and Data on DIY Panel ...Ebbe

As I left Oshkosh this morning, I had the following NEXRAD image on the MFD. I never saw rain -- in the air or hitting the ground. 

As per the recommendations, I don't paint level 0 and 1 (no precip), level 2=dark green, level 3=light green, level 4=yellow. It was definitely darker at my 2-o-clock, where the yellow cell was, but I could not see any rain due to the haze. I remember one airport reported virga though (ORD or possibly MSN).

What's your experience from your "real screens" and Foreflight showing NEXRAD data and flying through the lightest level of echos?

Left OSH PIREP Numbers ...DanH

Left OSH late morning Wednesday. Dropped into NW Chicago (Lake In The Woods) for some deep dish pizza (see the recent Pete Howell thread), then non-stop back to Alabama.

Good opportunity to better quantify cruise speed loss. Turns out it's not bad, perhaps 3 knots max. Here it's slightly LOP, where it would typically clock about 183 true. The 16 lb package does make that wing heavy, but not enough to bother the autopilot. Ball is in the center without changing the normal bungee trim.

Cowl door shut, about 30 sq inches exit area.

"I'm On the Way..." Update ...SuperCubDriver

I actually left Thursday morning and took off at 7 am. The two Sault Ste Maries were my custom airports and on the Canadian side I picked up my stored emergency equipment. Thanks again Terry. Two student pilots were awaiting me to help with the hangar and upcoming issues. A short talk in the airport coffee and I was on my way again, La Grande Riviere CYGL. Enroute I thought why stay there overnight when Iqualit is reporting fog the next morning. So I just refueled and flew to Iqualit - another 4 hours. Man - this was a long day, three landings with customs, refueling, flightplan filing and long flights of course. Tomorrow I will be at the airport early and as soon as the weather looks good I will head towards Greenland.

RV-4 Celebrates 40th as 'Grandfather of Fleet'
By Barbara A. Schmitz

July 23, 2019 - The RV-4 is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and Van's Aircraft Founder Dick VanGrunsven said the anniversary has made him realize just how important the plane was in his life and in the life of his company.

"It really established our company...and a lot of what it demonstrated is included on everything we've done since," Dick said at a Monday forum at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019. "The RV-4 is really the grandfather of the whole fleet and a very significant airplane."  ...

Designing and Testing the RV-12iS: Seminar

...Randy Lervold PIREP

I attended, it was a very worthwhile presentation. Lot's of info on how the 912iS is improved over the 912ULS, how they made significant improvements in the entire installation package as well as the fuselage portion of the airframe, and how it effected the performance of the aircraft. I was aware of most of it in less detail so it served to reinforce my decision to build the iS.

Though they've tried to communicate most of this via their web site it is difficult to capture the level of detail that you can in a presentation such as this. Should they produce a video version of this presentation with all the of the detail for those interested? Yes, but that is a large undertaking. 

One things that Rian also touched on that wasn't in the presentation is that they are making continual improvements, and he cited examples, many of which are never announced. That's one of the things that continues to impress me about Van's Aircraft, continuous improvement is the sign of a healthy and functional organization!

Mr. X Pic

...Corpus Christi from 17K.  Flying north.

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Status Report ...kentlik 7A Rebirthing

Followed Bullock on the co-pilot stick idea. I hope I can get wires by it safely.  I had this ball hone left over from another life and it came in handy.

RV Social PIREP ...DanH

Well, that was fun.

Given the weather Friday night and Saturday (and the subsequent lack of Sunday arrivals), for a while I was thinking there would be a lot of beer to split between the 50 or so Friday arrival crews. However, the sky cleared, the sun came out, and free beer is a reliable magnet. In the end we used more than 500 name tags, and a lot of the crowd doesn't bother with them, as they are already wearing ID. I'd guess we had 600 guests through the evening, more or less. The evening weather was perfect for the ninth year in a row. Sure hope that statement isn't a jinx.

Next year we'll re-arrange the trailers and open more taps, just to ease the crush during peak time. First tap got pulled about 4:30. We ran out of beer (eleven kegs), soft drinks (six cases), and water (three cases), all about 9:30, which is perfect. Thanks to Scott and Tanya for helping with clean-up.

Many of you refer to the Social as "Dan's party", but it is not. I just arrange a few things and change out the taps when the kegs run dry. The Social happens because a group of loyal sponsors make it so. Some have been sponsoring for decades, Stein being a good example. Most of the current sponsors have been in since the first at the Waukau location; 2019 makes seven times. Thank 'em when you can.

Ok, so who has pictures? My phone was dead, but I can host a few of yours.

Milestone: Pulled the Trigger!!!  ...FloMo14Builder

After decades of planning and deliberations. I finally pulled the trigger yesterday in the Vans tent. I have ordered my tail kit...

I am tremendously excited to get started. I have met many wonderful RV people the last couple of days. It has been great getting to meet many of you in person. I am looking forward to being even more involved in this great community!

New Mothership Motor Mount Pics at Show ...johnbright

...John Bright pics

Status Report: 7A ...jcarne

Ok I'm a little behind on posting more on the rear skirt. She is pretty much done this time and it came out beautiful on the second try!  Putting the micro on. This one didn't require much filling at all. ...

HBC Corn Roast in Progress Wednesday! ...Scott Card photos

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At OSH: PIREP ...airguy

I had a last-minute window open up to make the trip, and we saddled up and were airborne out of 73XS just before 6am. A biological stop at KHIG and on to Monroe WI KEFT to top off the main tanks and arrive at KOSH with full tanks and empty bladder, plan worked well. We got to Ripon about 1 pm and only got spun out of the conga line twice, both times for a cub that couldn't do more than about 75 knots in front of us. Landed 27 and taxied to HBC, and spent the next couple hours sweating in 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity setting up camp. ...

Honeywell To Acquire TruTrak Flight Systems

-- Enables Honeywell access to experimental, light-sport market, which has grown by double digits over the past five years

-- Expands Honeywell's autopilot software offerings through its BendixKing business, providing affordable and reliable flight control systems

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) has acquired privately held TruTrak Flight Systems, a leader in autopilots for experimental, light-sport and certified aircraft. The acquisition will become part of Honeywell's BendixKing business, helping to deliver affordable technologies to the experimental and general aviation markets. This market has grown by double digits over the past five years.

"TruTrak is a natural fit with BendixKing, and this acquisition opens up an exciting new market to us," said Carl Esposito, president, Electronic Systems at Honeywell Aerospace. "It provides great technology at affordable prices, which is central to BendixKing's business. Furthermore, adding TruTrak to the BendixKing family will attract new talent, foster collaboration and help us identify new ways to bring value to our customers."

 

"I'm On My Way" PIREP ...SuperCubDriver

Now the weather cleared up and the temperatures came down for the show. I met many friends and made new ones. But I didn't have much time to walk around. Yesterday evening Tobias from Germany showed up and said we will fly a formation in the morning for breakfast to some place nearby. I was hesitant because I'm not proficient in formation flying and was afraid loosing my parking spot. Anyhow we met at 6 am in the morning and briefed the flight and I got an expert in the back seat and was good with it. The flight was great, the breakfast in Madison was good and I learned something again. But believe me, during the flight I only saw this plane beside me and two runways just prior landing - Madison and Oshkosh. I need more training and will then probably see a little more around me.
In the evening I was invited to the Vans banquet and met many builders and the Vans crew I already met three weeks ago. We all agreed that we are building and flying the greatest kitplanes!
And now unfortunately I have to think about my return flight and just checked the weather forecast for Canada and Greenland and believe that leaving on Thursday morning is best, will make a final decision tomorrow and keep you updated.

Oil Filler / Cowl Flap Update ...crabandy

I did some flying today and got some intial numbers. I used stabilized cruise with realitively smooth air and utilizing the autopilot, I recorded 5 minute averages for speed, temps and pressures twice open and twice closed. Lower cowling pressures were obtained with a single picollo tube place vertically at the bottom of the lower cowling attached to the lower engine mount with the manometer plumber to the static system and CHT's and TAS from the EFIS.

Opening the oil door drops the lower cowling pressure approximately 60%, .65 in H2O @110 KIAS and .85 in H2O at 146 KIAS.
LOP cruise was 161 KTAS with the door open and 164 KTAS with it closed.
Very little change in CHT's, avgerage was 3-5 degrees cooler with the door open. Oil temp was about 1-2 degrees cooler.

I'll need a lot more flights to try and filter any cooler climb out data. I need to check the pressure directly underneath the cylinders to see if it changes as much as the rest of the lower cowling does.
I did do 2 hot quick turns giving rides today without a single hiccup during ground ops, it was only 88* though.

Want a Free VansAirForce.net Sticker for your Vehicle?

The cool kids are doing it.  Mail a SASE to the address below. 

Delta Romeo, LLC
PO Box 270321
Flower Mound, TX 75027-0321

"Influential' RVs ...sjhurlbut starts the convo

I'm starting a project that I'd like to keep under wraps for a bit.

But my question to the group is which RV was influential in your decision to build an RV?

For me it was:
Sam Buchanan RV6 really one of the first websites
Vans original RV3
Doug Reeves RV6

And many more 

But I'm curious for you old timers who was there before you and motivated you? I'm not really looking for resent builds but more the originals and that paved the way for us.

Post pics maybe and I'll try compile a list.

 

Status Report: 7A Rebirthing ...kentlik

Working on hinges today.  ...

Meanwhile at the HBC pavilion on Sunday night: ...Paul from Flyleds

We thought we'd do some product testing. That's one Seven Stars light held at arms length above my head.  Our apologies to anyone down near the trees that we might have woken up!   We did assist a few campers returning from the loos by turning night into day for them ...and then ungraciously plunging them back into darkness!

Six Cylinder pMag in hand ...Carl Froehlich

Brad handed over a six cylinder pMag and install kit at Oshkosh today. This is a trail unit for what will be the main production run.

It looks like the long road to a six cylinder pMag is finally behind us.

Osh Laundry Pirep ...Brantel

FYI, the laundromat behind the Super 8 at the North gate is awesome as far as laundromats go! Very easy to get to.

Might help those that endured the storms and mud!

Dealing with Top Wing Sking Nutplates ...common mistakes solved

On my wing kit (circa 2007) the #8 holes are countersunk not dimpled. Unless that has changed you have the wrong nutplate in hand. There is probably enough room to drill the correct hole to #19 and rivet the nutplate on with only one rivet. After drilling and countersinking the correct hole I think the holes will be close but you will be fine. The single rivet only has to hold it in place long enough to start tightening the countersunk screw for the wing root fairing. The wing root fairing is pre punched so you need the #19 hole to line up correctly. In the picture below I'm holding a #19 bit next to the hole you accidentally drilled.

(flion) Common error. I would go with a backup strip. Make sure it goes under the entire nutplate and maybe to the next rivet hole (I seem to recall you can only do that in one direction because ot the spar). Drill the rivet locations and the correct screw locations. Then clamp it in place and fill the incorrectly drilled hole with structural epoxy. Smooth the epoxy and re-drill the rivet hole when it is cured. The epoxy will be more than strong enough, with the backup strip and a rivet, to hold the nutplate in place (the main job of that rivet) and the repair will be invisible once painted (or when the wing root fairing is in place).

(YankeeBravo) Thanks a lot Ben and Patrick for the solution, I drilled the correct hole to #19, countersunk and tried with the correct nutplate this time ! It works fine as per your picture. I will think about the doubler now...

RV-8A in the News

CREWRV8 2019 Video ...lucaperazzolli

Hi !

First of all let me say that it's very hard not to be in Oshkosh this year, I'm seeing all you guys having fun but VAF threads and other social stuff give me the opportunity to live the days...with the feet dry

My buddy and wingman Franz is riding around Wittman Field and he'll be very happy to meet as much friends as possible, you'll find him at all the VAF events.

I put together a mix of our recent videos with different camera positions and I (we) hope you'll enjoy it.

If you are at the show say HI to all the family in my name !

Cleanup of 83282 hydraulic fluid?

Q: This stuff seems impervious to petroleum based solvents - what to use to clean from firewall and floors?

A: Non-chlorinated brake cleaner. Used to use Trichlorethelyne as a solvent for hydraulic analysis testing. But, that stuff is muy mal!

Non-chlorinated brake cleaner is about the closest off the shelf product that is the least harmful to humans, pets and aircraft. Just be careful with it on your paint job, it can dull the paint.

Panel Porn ...kentlik

A big thank you to Bruce Swayze for supplying me with an 819 AN-6D sleeve!  I was stuck and gave him a call and he had one! Looked to be from his test parts, all perfect and in a safe place. I will have to get him a replacement when Van's opens in a half hour.

His plane is almost done and it looks fantastic!

HBC Sunday Beer Tasting PIREP ...scard

It happened, and was epic as usual! There were more than enough of us to have a quorum. I didn’t notice that anything was amiss . Yeah, there are a lot of us here

Beer has been consumed from about 4 full tubs and last I looked it had not all been drunk.

Raise your hand if you tarnished perfectly good ice with coors light! The local DOT has some roadway repair materials for you to roll in. . Good times

Mistake top wing skins nutplates holes 16-2 ...YankeeBravo -10

I managed to drill #19 the wrong hole (center one) for the only special nutplate at the wing root just behind the stiffener... What could be the best fix ? I thought of using a standard nutplate but the rivet holes do not match exactly up...

Thanks in advance !

RV-8 and the WAAAM ...Steve Rush vid

Saturday 7/20/19 was one of the first cloudless days we have had in weeks. It was nice to have the clouds gone, but we paid the price via higher temperatures (though nothing like what the eastern 2/3 of the country are enduring).

We decided to head down to Hood River Oregon to visit the Western Antique Airplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM). It is a large collection of old cars, airplanes, motorcycles and other stuff. There are dozens of airplanes and just as many cars. Most all of the airplanes are flyable and they do fly them from time to time. Many of the items on display do not actually belong to the museum and are just on loan for display.  ...

Garmin Aviation Job Fair at Oshkosh 2019 ...g3xpert

Hello,

We are always looking for talented people to join Garmin and the Aviation division is particularly interested in those with a passion for aviation.

What better place to look for those people than EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2019!

We will be attending the Aviation Job Fair on Wednesday, July 24th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at the EAA Forums Pavilion #8 building.

Below is a list of positions for which we are seeking applicants.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks,
Steve

-Embedded Software Engineers
-Web Developer
-Mobile Developer
-Mechanical Engineers
-Design/Electrical Engineers
-Electrical Engineering Technicians
-EMC Engineers/Technicians
-Systems/Systems Test Engineers
-Program Managers
-Certification Engineers
-Avionics Installation Technicians
-Aviation Sales
-Aviation Marketing
-Aviation Product Support
-Aviation Technical Writers
-Contracts Managers
-Flight Test Engineer

Initial Contact ...Tony

I am planning on a quick build RV-8A. I want to build in my basement. The basement is large but trying to figure out if I can get the large quick build sections into and out of the basement. Does anyone know the dimensions of the fuselage and wings so that I can experiment on manoeuvring in and out.

I do have a double garage but the climate is better in the basement.

Any advice to help me get started is appreciated

 

Ebbe's DIY One Of A Kind DIY Panel Project ...update

[ed. You're going to want to get a napkin for the drool before you click on this.  v/r,dr]

"I'm On My Way" Update ...SuperCubDriver

  From Kalamazoo I flew to Michigan City KMGC for some patterns. So easy here, no landing fees and not showing up to show the documents, just leave and head for the next destination, Naper LL10. Here I was invited by Paddy (see post #6). Jim let me use his hangar and tools for a 100h inspection. I did not expect to fly that much but now I'm ready for my final destination Oshkosh - and home! He also invited me to stay in his house and he and his wife provided everything for me to keep going these days - thanks Jim. He is planning a trip over the Atlantic very soon so I could tell some of my experience I made so far. Thursday evening we flew together around Chicago city in his RV-10 and I was very impressed how this thing flies. Very quiet and of course a little heavier on the controls than my RV-8, but so also a better IFR plattform.
  Then on Friday morning I made "My Flight to Oshkosh". What a great feeling to come this long way and land the plane I built in Oshkosh. I was immediately greeted by my neighbors and felt just right.
  Late in the evening storms were active northwest of Oshkosh and moving in. Fortunately they throw most of the bad things out before reaching the field so nothing bad happened.

No.4 Cylinder Shuts Down at Idle

Hi all. I have an IO 360 (350 hrs) that started backfiring at idle when warm. I went through those threads. i saw a little fuel/oil on the inlet manifold of number 2 cylinder so took it for an engine run to see if i could see anything about that cylinder.

Once warm at idle it began back firing again. But after about 30 seconds the backfiring stopped and the EGT and CHT of number 4 cylinder dropped away and the backfire stopped. So at least i think i can isolate the backfiring to number 4 cylinder because it stopped when the cylinder stopped.

Any thoughts on the most likely problem? Blocked injector? Stuck valves?

Help appreciated.

 

7A Rebirthing PIREP ...kentlik

I am done with the darn fuel lines...almost. Missing one 819-6D fuel line sleeve! Can't believe it...all the same I am moving on to repair of large cut-outs in the first bulkhead behind the avionics panel then adding the hinges to the lower portions of the firewall etc...

No OSH This Year: Found Metal in the Filter ...lr172 (6A)

Did an oil change yesterday and after cutting open the filter, found a good bit of metal. All thin, long slivers. When held on the side of the jar by the magnet, the slivers form a circle the size of a quarter.

Pretty sure it's the cam, but can't be certain. Stuck a borescope in the mag hole and idler gear and crank gear look good. Because I can't rule out the oil pump gears, I have decided not to do the Osh flight tomorrow. Looks like I will be pulling the engine and tearing down instead.

Charity Cap Sighting ...Anthony

All the cool sharks are doing it...

It Can Be Done (Building In Your Basement)

...many new pics

MGL releases MX1 EFIS at Oshkosh

Proof of RV Enjoyment

...Vlad installment.  "That's what happens to the shiny rod ends after 7 years of being under the elements."

OSH Webcams are HOT

Quirky Stuff Seen From The Air ...Bayou Bert

...LIGO (trust me.....it's cool).

Rebirthing Update ...kentlik -7A

I just got back on it after an extended run of film jobs. I need to get a few fuel lines sorted and I can get back to stuff that I want to do.

Milestones ...Chris Pratt -8

Maybe I'm just sentimental, but as I just passed 800 hours on the airplane I built, it gave me pause to think about some of the great memories this airplane has helped create. Of course my first thought was, "why has it taken so long to put 800 hours on this machine?" But I know why, life gets in the way. Yet when I think of all the places I've visited, people I've given first rides, new friends I've made, and just plain fun I've had (no pun intended), it makes me realize how lucky I've been and what a unique experience it is to build and fly your own airplane. God bless all the builders out there, you're a very special group.

See all the pics

Eagle's Nest Projects - Mallory Rhodes landing at OSH2019

Eagle's Nest Projects - Montgomery HS (TX)
July 17, 2019

Mallory Rhodes, Eagle's Nest RV-12iS builder and EAA Ray Scholarship Winner (Conroe Chapter 302) will be flying into Oshkosh 2019 in the airplane that she and her classmates recently built at Montgomery High School (RV-12iS). Mallory will be arriving Sunday morning in a Montgomery 2-ship RV-12 flight. Joe Waltz, President of EAA 302 and ENP Project Director, will be in her right seat providing all the nuances she'll need for a first time arrival into OSH. Listen for N924EN.

You're Invited - Over the week of OSH, Eagle's Nest projects will have 6-7 aircraft on display in the area adjacent to the Homebuilder's Hangar. Build-Students will be on hand to answer questions about their personal experience, their build, and likely a bit of mixed-in entertainment to make your day. Look forward to seeing ya OSH.

Motivation 101 ...ackselle

Great sun in the evening for some A2A pics...

RV-6A brake rotors part number and normal thickness. ...WingnutWick

Hello,

Was told that these were worn too thin by a local mechanic. Anyone know the part number for these rotors and the normal thickness of them? I don't know if it matters but attached is the brake assembly part number.

Thank you!

Status Report: FLIGHT!!!! ...RV7ForMe

Well, I did say "a lot has happened" 

After my excitement with the Cessna we were actually getting ready for first flight of my buddies RV-7A that I spend almost a year working on. New tail feathers, Canopy, complete FWF with new engine, new paint and a lot of cable replacement to get those shiny G3X touch displays to work properly. I had a lot of fun. I know it will help me when I get to that stage with my own RV. Second time is always easier!

As you can image the past event only added to the pressure that come with first flight of a home build airplane. We actually cancelled the first flight 3 times before it finally happened on 9th of June. Flight was uneventful with only minor squawks. We have about 18h and counting by now. Oil consumption is much lower than anticipated. She only used 1qt in the first 15 hours. We will change to regular oil after 25h.

This is a mostly stock RV7-A with VAN's IO360 with CS with a full Garmin G3X panel.  ...

Status Update

...jcarne -7A

SE-XTO RV-14 First Flight ...control (Sweden)

After a little more than five years of building it was finally time

will report to Vans tomorrow

Mothership News

TECH SUPPORT UNAVAILABLE DURING AIRVENTURE/OSHKOSH SHOW

As is the case each year at this time, our technical support crew is traveling to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for AirVenture 2019. They'll be on-hand with other Van's staff members to talk with attendees in person at our tent, Booth 604 in the North Aircraft Display area.

As a result, Van's builder technical support service will be closed starting Friday, July 19th and will remain closed until we reopen on Tuesday, July 30th, after we return from Oshkosh.

Please come see us at the booth, and keep on building!

Initial Contact ...Karl in Switzerland

...RV-12iS builder

"I'm On My Way" Update ...SuperCubDriver

On Saturday I flew around New York and my first landing was at Brookhaven HWV on Long Island where I visited the airport cafe. Then did some more flying without a real destination. Looked up the accomodations in Foreflight at several airports and decided to fly to Reading KDRG for the next layover. The FBO there provided the hotel transfer and a good discount at a suggested hotel. I spent myself one day off there as I run out of destinations, Oshkosh being very close. I remembered Miles here on VAF offered a place to stay and so I gave him a call. He was good with me flying over the next day and when I arrived at his hangar home he had organized a barbeque at his hangar and around 20 or 30 people, most of them pilots, came together to greet me and for some airplane talk. Miles has a beautifully restored C-170 and is building a RV-7 (see pic). And Goatflieg, if you have some more pictures I would like to see them here.
When I taxied in a guy in a neighbor hangar realized my German registration, came over and invited me to see his shop. They are restoring a B-25 there, didn't expect this there.
This morning Miles suggested to fly to Kalamazoo KAZO which I did. Another museum with some nice warbirds and restoration work going on. I parked right in front of the museum and was greeted by the museum staff.

Van's Aircraft Annual AirVenture Banquet

Nature Center Pavilion
Tuesday July 23rd at 6:00 PM
SPEAKERS: Air Show Announcer and RV pilot Rob Reider, and Redline's Ken Reider
GIVEAWAYS: We will draw names from all the attendees to give away some great gifts from Garmin, Dynon and others
Tickets: www.vansaircraft.com/oshkoshbanquet

Camping Checklist ...suggested things to throw in your RV

...Paul Gray entry.

quart size ziplock bag of ant poison granules
I too have a checklist of items made up over time. When preparing to head out, I go over the list and take the things I'll need/use on that trip. One thing that hasen't been mentioned is a quart bag of ant poison granules. I set up my tent once and was apparently over an ant super hwy. They were everywhere and I had to shakedown everything and move the tent. REAL PITA! Now I take the poison and spread it around where I'll be pitching the tent. So far no more ants.

FOD Walk

...Mashy at 52F.  Found on the runway 7/16.  Good stuff.

FS: Scott Hersha's RV8

Quick Build (QB) or Standard Build (SB): QB
Slider or Tip Up: Slider
S/N: 83095
Location: KHAO
Asking Price: $125,000.00
IFR/VFR: IFR

Corrosion or CORROSION?

I am in the process of purchasing a 2008 RV10 QB kit that has been stored in an unheated hangar. Here in the Midwest, unheated buildings can generate a fair amount of condensation during our annual freeze/thaw cycles.

As a newbie, I have no criteria for normal weathering versus corrosion. So I'm looking for some educated opinions from those of you with some practical experience.

Some of the skins have areas of very slight pitting. Most are roughly the diameter of grains of salt. A few are small rashes, the diameter of dimes or quarters, that don't feel like they have any depth. Is this normal for unpainted aluminum? Will this get removed with the typical prep before paint?

Similarly, some of the white powder-coated metal fittings have slight rust stains on them. Again, is that normal, or will I end up replacing anything that shows any sign of rust?

Here is a link to photos of some of the areas.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

RV Social Update ...DanH

Less than a week to go! The long term weather report for Monday evening is marvelous...70's, 50% humidity, low rain chance. Hopefully I won't jinx it with that report, but just in case, the old lady asked me to remind everyone the RV Social is a rain-or-shine event. So, worst case, pull on your wet weather gear and come on over. We'll cozy up under the big Gallagher tent, maybe even drag a beer trailer in with us.

Quick note; there are eleven kegs to enjoy. With four taps on two trailers, it means I need to change each tap to a fresh keg at least once, and most twice. Last year someone started the rumor we were out of beer after a tap or two failed to deliver. Darned shame, as there were (I think) two kegs remaining, and drinking them would have been a whole lot cheaper than going to SOS. So, when a tap runs dry, find me! Or recruit a few buddies, chant "Beer, beer, BEER!" and I'll find you.

Get a name tag when you arrive. Look for the picnic table. It's about putting names with faces.

Speaking of which, most of our sponsors will be right there in the crowd. Don't miss the opportunity to meet the folks who support your passion (and your party). Obtaining help and ordering products is always better when you know the person on the other end of the line.

Gallagher Insurance (Jenny and the Agents of Vroom )
Barrett Precision Engines (Rhonda and Monty Barrett)
Continental/Titan (James Ball, aka JB)
Delta Pop Aviation (Don Pansier)
Flightlines (Tom Swearengen)
Flyboy/Team Rocket (Vince and Blake Frazier)
JD Air (Darwin Barrie)
Kitplanes Magazine (Paul Dye and Marc Cook)
Lycoming/Thunderbolt (Jeff Schans)
SteinAir (Stein and the Gang)
TruTrak (Andrew Barker)

Panel Progress PIREP

...cofford

My favorite pic from the log is below.  Wings, fuse, engine, fuse jig, lawnmower and a little shelf hanging from the garage ceiling (made from the fuse crate) with the motor mount and canopy.  Susie's '89 Volvo 240DL still fit.  Final fit/finish at Jay's RV Central.  I miss that car.  Our first new one - the payments were $309.77.

Correction....my favorite pics are those with Audrey and Tate in them. ;^)

12/19/2000 entry:  "Audrey bucks first rivet (fuselage skins)."

My .02 regarding the whole build log thing (using Stein's words) is to not sweat the build log too much.  Quick and dirty with the least amount of effort satisfies the DAR. 

I leave the notebook in the baggage area.  I look at it about once every three years <g>.

Mr. X New Pics ...Philly and NYC from FL41

enlarge

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AOPA 2020 Sweeps Airplane Is An RV-10

RV/IAC Aerobatic Competition Standings

Galen Killam took a fourth place at the Michigan Open this past weekend. That has secured him a second place in the overall standings. Well done Galen!

Quirky Things Seen From The Air in Your RV

Lost Lake Montana
So there we were, cruising across the plains of Montana just south of the Missouri Breaks, admiring the jaw dropping beauty of a landscape spattered with both rain and sun, when we came upon this:

My jaw dropped even further. I know just enough geology to know a waterfall when I see it, and this is a big one......250 feet tall and a half mile wide. The obvious problem....where is the river? The Missouri River is more than 20 miles away. It turns out that this is yet another of the glacial artifacts that fill our northern landscape, as the Missouri was once dammed by ice and cut through these plains, carving these magnificent but dry falls.

Joined "RV-12 500 Club" earlier today! ...PilotBrent

5 years and six months. She is flying better today than on her maiden flight. Returning to OSH next week to visit her friends. Hopefully will see many of you there too.

Garmin G3X Wiring Fundamentals Series...Garmin videos

This was linked in a separate thread, but I wanted to post the link to the entire Garmin G3X Wiring Fundamentals playlist available from our Aviation Training team on YouTube.

This series provides some great how-to videos on basic wiring fundamentals that are sure to be helpful in your avionics wiring harness build process.

Going for the worst builder award ...Flying Canuck

This 2 week adventure that I'm on with son has been one problem after another. My current roster of problems contains:
Lost all brake fluid right side - broken flare
Lost right brake - leaking o-ring
Flat right tire - under inflated
Lost both brakes - misassembly right and leaking o-ring left
Flaky Skyview network - cause unknown
Stranded at no service airport- can't start, melted/ broken starter cable

The last one happened late this afternoon at International Peace Garden airport after we cleared back into Canada. Up in Brandon now will source a new cable tomorrow with the assistance of the local flying club. This was only a 55 minute flight from our planned stop and the day had gone so well.

I know these are not all my fault but enough of them are that I'm feeling like I am a shoe in for worst builder of the year.

Oh well, it's only time, money and pride, don't have much left of any of them. The hair isn't far behind. I put the amateur in amateur built.

The rest of the big trip experience has been awesome. It's a great way to travel.
__________________
Claude Pitre
RV-9A

Build Status Report ...N804RV

I figured its time to update this thread. Family medical and career issues got in the way of my building. But, I've been back at it for awhile now. Q/B wings were acquired from an abandoned kit. and some progress has been made.

I got my slow build fuselage in November. And, have been trying to do something on it every day, at least the 4 days a week that I'm not shlepping back and forth to Seattle to do 12 hour shifts.

The Q/B wings still don't have bottom outboard skins riveted on, or the wing tip fiberglass work complete. But, I took delivery of the slow-build fuselage in November. And, I'm focusing all my build time in making progress on that. Wings and fiberglass work I'll finish later.

Since I bought SmokeyRay's "Ultimate 1835 Sonerai IIL" I've also been getting more flight time. Which is a great morale booster for those days when the rivet-gun is kicking my arse, or the RV plans and drawings have ignited an uncontrolled helmet fire.

Joining the forward and center sections of the cockpit for the first time was a big thrill. Can't wait to see that aluminum canoe take shape!

OSH'19 Demo Panel ssokol (VAF advertiser)

Alaska:; The Rest of the Story and Costs ...texdog

After two nights in Grande Prairie at Judies favorite FBO, Happy Gas, we had a window to depart at 2 PM. Grande Praire was good VFR but a lot of showers around Calgary. We couldn't get past the rain and had to return to Edson, 50 extra miles, refuel and try again. The weather lifted west of Calgary and we made it to Lethbridge. We got one of the last motel rooms because of a soccer tournament. The motel owner said, "don't expect much and you won't be disappointed". He was right but it was a bed not a hangar floor.

Early departure the next morning for Cutbank, Mt., good old USA. Customs had been very easy and accomadating. I filed an e-APIS three days before and never had to file again because of weather delays. I did call every day. 1.5 hrs. to clear customs because they were training someone. We helped a couple that were ferrying a C-172 to Alaska and told them the weather was good enough to get to Lethbridge, 700 overcast and 10 miles. Departed Cutbank with hopes of Billings, Mt. or Buffalo, Wy. didn't happen, snow and 2 miles visibility on June 7. We did make it to Miles City, Mt. for fuel and off again, couldn't go direct anywhere low ceilings with rain. I had a FBO in Wyoming for 10 years and knew the country well so we headed for Crazy Woman VOR, my favorite place. We made it around Pumpkin Buttes and headed for Torrington, Wy. good fuel stop and a dog named Fred, who I've know for 10 years. Holiday Inn has a shuttle and it's next to a truck stop with a restaurant and a bar. Left Trrington early Sunday stopped in Denver to visit a sick friend over night. Front Range is the place in Denver, $5.00 overnight and rent car right away and I never talked to approach.

Left early Monday to get home. Stopped in Borger, Tx. for fuel and lunch. Free crew car and a great hamburger. Taxi out and start runup and Judie says smoke in the cockpit, she was right there was smoke in the cockpit. Taxi back, take the cowling off, 90 degrees outside, can't see anything. I do a test flight and can't replicate the problem, so I land pickup Judie and we are on our last 2 hour leg home to Fredericksburg, Tx. I make a great landing, but the airplane won't roll, flat tire on right main. I see a friends hangar open and call him, they bring a dolly and tow bar and 15 minutes later we are in the hangar. No damage and the smoke probably came from me checking the oil and dribbling a little oil on the exhaust stack.

The bottom line how much did it cost? We stayed with friends in Anchorage, no hotel cost, however we ate out a lot so the food cost were higher. We didn't camp at all. The hotel at Kennicott was expense, $300.00 a night, but worth it for two nights. Here is the breakdown, Judie kept very good receipts and records. All numbers have been calculated for good ole American dollars.

Fuel $1,762,00
Oil 8.00
Fees Nav Canada 17.64
Hangar and tie downs 267.00
Lodging 1,276.00
Rent cars and taxi 749.00
Food 1,773.00

Grand total $5,852.64

We didn't include our survival vest or contents, they can be reused. Would we do it again, absolutely !

Quirky Things Seen From The Air Entry ...Vlad

Zuni Salt Lake.

"I'm On My Way" ...PIREP

Finally Bill and I made it to Whitted KSPG on Wednesday morning for breakfast, wheather at this time is not really perfect and Florida seems to be influenced by the depression over the Gulf of Mexico. I got a nice shot in the air over the Skyway Bridge just south of Whitted.
Then today in the morning I left Brooksville, flew south around Orlando and did a low approach over Rwy 33 at the Nasa Shuttle Landing Facility, then headed towards Barnwell KBNL in South Carolina, refueled and flew on to Dare Co Rgnl KMQI for an overnight stop.
Bill - if you read this, thanks again for taking care and your hangar.
Tomorrow I intend to hop over to First Flight and be on this memorable place where the Wright brothers did their very first flights. From there I will head north and probably will set down in the New York area for another night stop.

"I'm On My Way" ...and another!

Another Highlights
As planned, I hopped over to First Flight KFFA. During the night it was raining but it cleared up in the morning and so walking this memorable place was possible. It was only 116 years ago and now we are building our own airplanes again!
As I am not 100 percent fit on Foreflight and the Stadium TFR on the Hudson River showed red I was unsure what to do. I called Flight Service but they only said the TFR will be active from one hour before the event and this might change. So I flew towards New York with flight following and when descending towards the Hudson SFRA I made sure the corridor is open. It was so great that I flew the corridor three times and circled the Statue of Liberty - very impressive. No way in Europe to fly in such a congested airspace without a clearance!
Finally landed in Danbury KDXR where I met a classmate of my wife and was invited for dinner, my first meal of the day!

RV-5 Restoration Project - Final Stretch

The RV-5 was an engineering design exercise, one with specific purposes in mind. The RV-5 was never intended to be a commercially available model, and several things Van learned from this design influenced subsequent model designs. A team of volunteers has been restoring the RV-5, which has not flown in many years, to airworthy status. It's a unique and true piece of RV history.