April 19, 2018.   Issue #4,547.
   Please excuse the early push of the Thursday edition (5pm Wed DFW).  Thank you dinner for the volunteers at the nearby hospital (Susie volunteers there).  Corny dog city for the Tater ;^).  
 

Ground Shot...Nigel's 9A

Tributes to Mr. Tom Irlbeck

(Doug Weiler)
I’d like to add my comments to the passing of Tom Irlbeck. He was one of the mainstays of the Twin Cities RV Builders group. I had known Tom for over 25 years. I gave him his BFRs for the last 10 years or so. A great friend and a great aviator. Here my thoughts on our club website.
 

(Pete Howell)
As others have said, Tom was quite a guy, friendly, approachable, yet larger than life in the best possible way.

Tom gave my wife her first ride in his Blue RV-8 "Bear" where she had such a good time in his plane, but more so with him, that she was grins all weekend! I sent his name in to Van's as the person who referred me so he could get as he called it, "Beer Money"

My favorite Tom story was from a breakfast trip the Twin Cities group took up to Superior, WI for breakfast. One of us would give a position report over a little town on the way up, and no matter what the town, with perfect timing, Tom would chime in with, "I used to know a girl in that town". We'd all laugh, and just knew, Tom was always a true Naval Aviator.

He was the best, and we will all miss him.
 

(Neal Trombley)
Tom was a huge part of our EAA66 at page in ft Myers
He was more than a mentor.
In my two short years knowing Mr Irlbeck he was always available and made time for who needed his advice. The young eagles he flew always had that RV Grin always.

The RV world lost an all star.

My prayers are to his family

For those in Wisconsin

...TODAY (Thursday) 7pm Founder's Wing at EAA Aviation Museum

Culprit ...RV-4

Big milestone today. I finished installing wings, plumbing, wiring and checked all of my aileron up and down movements. The stick movement seemed a little heavy left and right but ok forward and aft. I probably wouldn’t have ever second guessed the heaviness had there not been another RV4 in the hanger next to me. It’s movements were effortless, but I did have the servos connected from an auto pilot installed. I thought maybe this added the extra drag in the controls. Not satisfied I disconnected the aileron servo and still had the heavy stick both left and right. I start with left and right aileron bushings/washers, any possible rubbing of close parts. Moved on to the aileron push rods checking all rod end bearings and washers. Next the bell crank and then the large push rod tubes all moving freely I install them back and still heavy left /right movement on stick. I examine the stick control for binding or interference, and then finally removed the heim bearings for inspection. I’m down 2 days so far, but finally found the culprit. The rear heim bearing has been damaged ever so slightly. The small crease on the brass has also creased the interior of the housing race causing the bearing to bind. I just wished I’d started looking from that point first. Lesson learned.

Van's at Mojave Experimental Fly-in 4/21

They have announced that Rian Johnson from Van's will be at Mojave for the fly-in this weekend. It's not clear if this will be an 'official' Van's presence.

Well, I thought my 223kts GS yesterday was fast

....then Bill Peyton hands me my head with this <grin>

Too much slack in tailwheel chains? ...sorta a primer war

There's another post about using or not using flaps in cross wind landings. Let me throw a new wrinkle in this discussion. I "think" I've got too much slack in my tailwheel chains, making it take longer when I hit the rudder pedals for the rudder/tailwheel to react in strong crosswinds. What say the rest of you guys? Do you have your chains really tight, ie, no slack? Slightly loose? Or really loose?

I think I need to take a link or 2 out of my tailwheel chains---but I'd like to get some input first.

  vs 

April 18, 2018.   Issue #4,546.

256.62mph Groundspeed in Level Flight ...RV-6.

Tuesday just north of 52F.  50kt tailwind (bottom left) at 3,250'.  TAS 174kt.  I took a picture....I thought I might need proof.  Note autopilot scoreboard - ON in HDG mode (and flight path marker on horizon).  I think 2-3 degrees more to the right might have given me another knot.

You might have guessed Tuesday was sort of windy around DFW. ;^)

enlarge

I think I've reached a solution!

(from Nihon_Ni's 'Please critique my electrical design' thread)
I wanted to post an update to my design. I really appreciate all the help folks have given me with my design, and all the time they have spent to review my architecture and offer input. Special thanks to Joe and Carl, who sent me tons of info in email and helped me figure all this out.

I contacted EMag and got an answer to my dilemma about where to put the P-mags:

Interesting day today, lots of smoke in the cockpit! ...Walt

So while doing a small panel upgrade for a customer I had a bit a meltdown on his aircraft. The panel mounted Lightspeed CB, with open and bare terminals was connected directly to the battery, and was located right under the xpdr rack I was replacing (within about 1/8"). Well as soon as the rack came loose it came into contact the uninsulated terminals. (of course I was unaware at the time that this situation existed with a hot bus right below the rack).

I can tell you this, there was a ton of smoke accompanied by some small flames as the wiring began to burn, disintigrate and melt. All the switches and master were off so there was no killing this thing and it just continued to burn until the wiring finally burnt thru. I was scrambling to get the cowl off so I could disconnect the battery, but by the time I got if off the wires has already burnt thru and opened up.

So whats the moral to this story, do not run 'HOT' unprotected (no fuse, CB, contactor controlled) wires into the cockpit. This situation could have easily presented itself from any number of causes (loose hardware, wires, breaker, switches getting loose etc.) If this would have happened in flight there was no way to kill power to the burning wires, and trust me with a closed canopy you would be in serious trouble fast. I was really pretty amazed at how much smoke there was, in the air this likely would have ended badly.

For your Hot battery busses (this includes battery charger pig tails) there should ALWAYS be a fuse (or some type of circuit protection) located at the battery to prevent this kind of thing from happening.

MILESTONE - today

John Bender RV-12......1,200 hours.

Panel Porn ...Flying EMT

Here are the before - after shots of my panel after a complete redo. Took one week just to mark and take out the old stuff, I basically removed every wire except the wing runs. Panel cut by UpNorth aviation who was fantastic to work with. Flying with a borrowed 470 until Dynon ships my 472. Dynon has been great to deal with. Ben

Article w/RVs ...

April 17, 2018.   Issue #4,545.
  A little .3 Monday a.m. after an oil change over the weekend.  SMOOTH, calm air between DFW wind storms presented the opportunity to do an overhead break to constant radius, downwind-to-final turn at idle power.  AOA on the donut.  Radius measured later on GoogleMaps at 2,290' from low key.  Groundtrack below from the Apple watch workout app (it thinks I'm on a bicycle). ;^).  No drips post flight.  All good.
  What amazing aircraft, these RVs.  

Baseline Tuft Testing (W/O Sub Cowl)

I removed our SubCowl, tufted the belly and recorded the results. The exit flow from the Sam James cowl was pretty good. Better than we expected. Looking closely at the sub cowl we can see where the radius at the rear lip is too steep, or sharp. We may cut this area out and reglass with a larger radius.   Yep, Experimental aviation is fun.

Related: Coanda Effect...courtesy Mr. Mike Starkey

SnF Grand Champion - Kit Homebuilt ...Pat Hatch post

Congratulations to our friend and hangar neighbor here in Vero Beach, Tom Savrda, who's newly painted (he painted it himself) RV-7 won grand champion at Sun 'n Fun.

I must say this was richly deserved--I have never seen a nicer RV-7 in terms of the quality of the build, fit & finish, and attention to detail.

Here are a few pix:

Top Skin and Canopy Decks ...Tdeman RV-7 pics

In order to finalize the position of the ribs and sub panel, I made a bunch of small angles that spanned the notches/had the cutouts required for the sub panel and stiffener.  ...

Measuring Lycoming Pushrod Length

Consider the "Approximate Length" listed in SI-1060S.

Is the given dimension based on the theoretical tip of the hemisphere (top), or is it measured from flat to flat (bottom)? Or is it something else entirely?

April 16, 2018.   Issue #4,544.

Denali 4-14-2018 ...mbauer trip write-up (multiple parts!)

Denali is the tallest land-based mountain on Earth—with a vertical rise of about 18,000 feet (5,500 m), as well as the highest mountain peak in North America—with a summit of 20,310 feet (6,190 m) above MSL.

With a topographic prominence of 20,156 feet (6,144 m) and a topographic isolation of 4,629 miles (7,450 km), Denali is the third most prominent and third most isolated peak, after Mount Everest and Aconcagua. Located in the Alaska Range in the interior of the of Alaska, Denali is the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve.  ...

Getting PPL While Building ...Andrew Atalla timeline

Is it hard work? yes!  Will you want to quit?  Probably!

I started My PPL training in May of 2014.  Bought my tail kit second hand in September 2015.  PPL Completed in December 2017 - 14 000$ CAD.

76 HRS.  Rudder and Horz and Vert Stab complete Still working on elevators...

Since I started:
Met a girl August 2014
Got Married 2017
Bought a house 2017
Baby Boy 04/07/2018

I'm still moving forward!....Slowly.  Life gets busy and hobby/family balance is more important than anything.  The important thing you need to take from this is Small Progress is still Progress

Baby steps add up to Big dreams.  One day I'll be flying an aircraft I built with my own two hands rivet by rivet!

Cant wait!

Panel Upgrade ...tfriendshuh 8A

"...recently got my IFR rating, so I needed to upgrade my panel :-)"

Ground Pic ...mbauer

Topping off my RV-6 for a local flight. 4-14-2018. Pulled up to the pump and guess what was also fueling for a flight?  Actually it was taking on a load of Jet-A to fly out to Western Alaska.  ...

Milestone ...NorthernRV4

Reached a milestone in my project, got the top wing skins riveted on the port wing. Starting to look like an airplane.

Milestone: Wings ORDERED! ...Lynn Dixon RV-7

"Here is a spreadsheet I came up with to help me on my order..."  ...

Tablet/iPad Tray ...Aerosport1

Status Report ...control -14

Hope it stays this good when the hinges are in place

April 13, 2018.   Issue #4,543.
  Quick reminder that tech support at the factory is out at various fly-ins.  From the site, "It’s a busy time here at Vans Aircraft, several air shows happening around the world and our support team is out there. So, now, is a great time to get out and meet them in person at the shows. They are looking forward to meeting you too."
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.
 

The Texas Loop ...Capt Sandy

Hello VAF'ers!
This past week our magic carpet has taken us from Lake Havasu, Arizona to Fredricksburg, Texas. Of course we did not take the straight route. Here are some highlights - Working Backwards:

Today we’re headed to T31, Areo Country, in McKinney, Texas.

Fredricksburg, T82, Yesterday we arrived at The Hangar Hotel for a bit of R&R, resting from our travels as it were. The officers club is a nice place to relax, have a drink and play billiards. We sort of needed the drink after the 30 knot cross wind landing. Hangar Hotel is plush, but no easily available ground transport. We found a couple of restaurants within walking distance. Hilda’s Tortilla House was our choice. Great Food. Reasonable price, and the tortillas really are handmade.  ...

Canopy Latch Retro Fit ...Tony T RV-12

Installed the new canopy latch and can confirm that it does work a bit smoother and easier than the old set-up plus the safety catch is a more robust design; the old safety catch seems trivial in comparison. The canopy handle rests on UHMW plastic when in the taxi position instead of on the metal rollbar.

Newbie here... Planning on building a RV10 ...Dubai / Houston

Hi Everyone

My name is Huzi, and I am in the planning stages of my RV10 build... I must admit I do not know a ton about these kits/planes, and will be studying up as much as I can through the forums...

I hope you guys can help me with some initial questions:

1) What are the recommended tools (in addition to the list on Vans website) that will help with the RV10 build?

2) What are the recommended mods builders have to the factory kit?

My goal is to have a 4 seater plane that I can fly cross country/neighboring countries with relative ease...

Thank you in advance!

RV-7A Rebirthing Status Report ...kentlik

My slider frame is not moving where I need it to. Aggressive action needed.  Goodish side (below).  Left side pin low and hits receiver block center low...  suggestions?

RV-6 For Sale at 52F ...Monkey Approved.

$64K.  phone: (817) 4 zero 1 - -8 zero nine 6.  (details)

April 12, 2018.   Issue #4,542.
  Gusting a billion in N.TX today so what time was spent out at the hangar was spent fiddling with stuff and working on the laptop.  Sorta spooling up for an oil change, took a picture (below) and did other things between interwebs.  Windy again tomorrow so I'll probably spent some time in dirty oil.  Or not.  Absolutely on the laptop.

enlarge

RV-14 Internal Cockpit Covers ...bmarvel

"...My wife got the material at a Jo Ann's fabric shop but we don't know what it is called. It is much thicker than bed sheets and has sort of a smooth waxy texture to it. We used acrilan for the RV-8A cover but it wasn't available here. Anything white will do. The only drawback is that since it is inside, if you have any leaks in the forward edge of the canopy where it mates to the fuselage, you will have to make up some sort of temporary overnight cover if rain is expected. I still need to test this further but my plan is to use some white electric tape wherever I find any leaks."

RV-8 O-360 Temps and Fuel Flow issues

Hello all,

Just wanted to push out to all of you to see what you guys think about some of the engine issues I have. O-360, fixed pitch, dual P-Mags, Dynon D10 EMS. CYL #3 runs VERY hot even on cold days, even in cruise with CYL 2, 4 not too far behind. CYL 1 runs much cooler than the others. You can see some temps I see on climb and cruise taken on a winter day at altitude. Anything slower than a 100 KT climb will have my #3 CHT shoot to above 430 rapidly.

Also on climb out and WOT I will see my fuel pressure typically drop quickly from a nominal 3-4 PSI to .5 and 0 PSI which sets off the alarm. I've noticed this is often accompanied by an increase in fuel flow. Turning on the electric pump will push these up to 4. Securing the electric pump, the PSI will gradually decrease again to .5-0. Once throttling back to cruise settings the fuel pressure will climb back to nominal.

I am wondering if any of you have any ideas on the fuel flow and the over heating. What's a good way to check the baffles? Are there any good plenums out there for my configuration that has shown good success in cooling so I can do away with worrying about baffles? Searching through the threads it seems adding a washer helps with cooling but I'm not quite sure where that washer is being added....any photos to show this?

Otherwise the motor runs nicely and no noticeable performance issues associated with the drop in fuel PSI.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

RV-Lancair Brotherhood Day ...4/11 entry

It's been a long winter, but the weather is finally getting better. Owen, Steve, and I flew down to Spartanburg [KSPA] for lunch at Jason's Deli again. Darwin's RV-4 was down for maintenance, and Bill R. had to work (poor devil). One crew van was out, and the other was grounded for a mechanical problem, so the FBO loaned us their airport truck to drive to Jason's. I bought 18 gals. of 100LL, but the RVs both used Mogas.

The glare from Owen's freshly-polished RV-12 gave me a headache. He also finished his rear spar mod per the SB:

"Washer Trick" Alternative ...Bill

Here is one way, but the baffle would have to be removed for this. It provides air to an additional 15 in^2 of fins. The flashing should be removed and head polished at the same time. Why have the fins and allow them to be blocked off? This provides a .2 X 2" slot for air flow, at 5-15 in-h2o pressure that is a lot of air directly applied to cooling.

Panel Porn ...titanhank

Not the latest and greatest, but alot better than it was and did not break the bank. About $8000 to upgrade by buying all the dynon stuff used.

D180
Ap74
D10a
Ifly 740
Garmin gtr 200
Garmin gtx 335
Ray allen g407 grips
Converted to electric trims and flaps

April 11, 2018.   Issue #4,541.

Tuft Testing RV-8 Sub-Cowl ...JP White video

My partner and I felt we were overcooling our O-360 XP so he designed and built a sub-cowl to reduce the exit opening and reduce cooling drag. We expect the reduction in exit opening will increase the CHT and oil temp. Testing has been limited due to weather and schedule but we have noticed a very modest increase in CHT and oil temp. I tufted the belly around the exit and recorded the flight to get an idea of how the sub-cowl disturbed the airflow. The test was at 3000' and 160 - 170 mph. A link to a short video is attached.  RV-8 with custom plenum and Sam James Cowl. Carbureted 360XP with Mags. FP Cato 3 bladed prop

(Steve Smith input)
"The ramp surface of your sub cowl is separated because the angle is too steep, so there is too much adverse pressure gradient.

I trust that the leading edge of your sub cowl blends smoothly into the round lip at the front of the stock cooling channel? If not, then the flow is separating off of a sharp corner. If yes, then it is an adverse gradient problem as stated above.

This is just one of the reasons why it is far better to throttle the exit by making the actual cowl fair into to a smaller opening rather than add a bulge to the belly. The other reason of course is that the frontal area is reduced at the same time."
__________________
Steve Smith
Aeronautical Engineer
RV-8 N825RV

New guy checks in

Hello all, new member here. Been doing a lot of reading, dreaming and perusing my preview plans set and have decided its time to pull the trigger in search of the RV Grin with an RV-8. Getting my shop set up, working on tooling up and work bench(s). Ready to order my empennage kit. As a new builder any recommendations on getting going with my empennage order? Looks like there are few options for the empennage with the exception of electric elevator trim which I will opt for. Would appreciate any advice, recommendations to get things started off on the right track.

Don Johnson
Fort Collins, CO

Rudder pedal Bearing Block ...14

I’ve been working on the installation of my rudder pedals and the top portion of the bearing block appears to be too thick to fit between support angle and the rudder bar. It looks I’m going to have remove about .075” of material to fit without binding. Has anyone else bumped into this? To date everything has fit perfectly so I’m wondering if I’m missing something. Both ends of the rudder pedal blocks went into their respective holes with no issues or binding.

Status Report ...JCarne 7A

Well another major milestone took place this weekend. After coming back from Seattle and Bellingham for almost a week I finally removed the left wing from the jig. Let me just say, it is nice to have some of my garage back for a bit!!!

My dad and I also riveted the right wing top skins. This side only took us about 4 hours, noticeably faster than the left! ...

Mothership SnF Special

Mothership via FB

April 10, 2018.   Issue #4,540.
  It's the 100th day of the year....and I have no idea why I'm writing this.  Just seemed like a nice round number for the useless trivia crowd (like me). 

Between layers the other day.
Pic makes it look scarier than it was...dr

Eagle's Nest Projects - TI Mentors Help Mckinney Aviation Academy Students (TX)

Eagle's Nest Projects - McKinney Aviation Academy (TX)
March-2018

McKinney Aviation Academy recently received a $25,000 grant from American Airlines. After careful thought and consideration about how to best use the funds, it was agreed that the purchase of Red Bird flight simulators for the aviation classroom-airplane build lab located at TKI airport would best serve the needs of the program and the students. The tutorials provided by Red Bird were well written and the students quickly became familiar with the basic functionality of the machines. In a very short time however, it was apparent that the students needed professionally trained instructors if they were to realize the full potential of the simulators.

Mothership SnF News

Snowbird Classic IAC contest PIREP

The 2018 contest season has gotten off to a good start!

We started off in March with a successful judge's school. I got recurrent and now it was time to start judging. I was hoping to start by judging either Primary or Intermediate. The problem was Primary was combined with Sportsman for this contest as it often is. So I wasn't permitted or able to judge the category since I am a Sportsman competitor. The Intermediate category was being flown just prior to my category so I wasn't able to judge it. So for my first judging experience as a qualified Regional Judge I got to judge the Advanced category! I was bit apprehensive about this since the competitors at this level are very serious and I didn't want to screw it up for anyone. Plus, the maneuvers happen very very fast, making it easy to miss important elements. You know what... the training worked! I was able to successfully judge in a fair objective manner consistent with the more experienced judges. I was as pleased with this as I was with my flying.  ...

The Zippy-Dripless Zip-Loc oil filter change!

This is the technique I’ve been using to change oil filters for 25years. Aplogies to anyone else who has come up with this idea and posted in the past- easier to describe with pictures, all you need is a 1-gallon Zip-Loc bag, preferably the sturdier freezer version. The link below should take you to a set of photos with explanatory captions that you can scroll through- just be sure it stays in “roll view”- Otis

Our Flying Buddy Sid Mayeux Explained in One Picture

...one of the more organized fellows I've ever met.  The condition inspection begins. dr

Volunteer for the Airventure 2018 One Week Wonder build team! ...mothership

If you haven’t heard, the RV-12iS kit has been chosen by EAA for the One Week Wonder project at Airventure 2018. Are you interested in being part of the team that will build an RV-12iS in 6.5 days during Airventure 2018?

As can be imagined, it will require many hands to complete the aircraft build in 6.5 days so a team of volunteers is being sought. Anyone with an interest in being part of the build team, fill out the online application form, accessible from the front page of Van's Aircraft's web site or via THIS LINK.

We don't guarantee participating will make you famous, but you never know (and you get an exclusive/collectible t shirt)......

Teens involved with teen build groups are encouraged to register. (Please mention you’re a teen builder in the comments section)

Our Friend Tommy Meyer's New Project

...based at our field surrounded by RVs (but pretty dang awesome).

April 9, 2018.   Issue #4,539.

Sunrise at E80, Belen NM ...Roy Thoma pic

14A flying feedback after 237 hours ...bmarvel

Hi all:
I rarely post but thought some of you in the early RV-14 flying stages or nearing completion may be interested in some real-world feedback. I first flew our -14A on September 8, 2016 and now have 237 hours on it. Prior to that I put our RV-8A through some 1700 hours so I know the pros and cons of each. Our -14A was a standard full build kit (SN 140134) with an IO-390 from Van's and the recommended Hartzell CS prop. It is IFR with two Skyview displays, GTN-650 navigator and a back up Grand Rapids Mini-B EFIS. It has an impulse coupled mag on one side and P-Mag on the other. I followed the plans closely and only made minor modifications to them.

In no particular order, here are some thoughts, characteristics, performance data and features that may be of interest to you:

1. Both the wife and I find the -14 to be more difficult to get into and out of compared to the -8. One hand on the side rail and the other in the center of the cross bar behind the seats is required to support your body weight, especially getting out. It takes some stretching to do. Don’t let pax grab the instrument panel or canopy, as they are inclined to do. Holding onto the roll bar while facing inboard and standing on the seat, then turning forward while crouched down like a baseball catcher leaning against the seat back is a technique that works. You may end up developing your own method that differs but that’s what I do.  ...

Big Plane, No Runway Lights ...Capt Sandy

"What were you thinking?" my friend Maria said when I told her this story. She'd asked why we didn't get a photo of what we saw at the airport that evening.
"Because it was dark," I replied.
"No, you mean dusk."
"No, I mean it was dark," I insisted. "It was dark."
"What? You were walking on the taxi-way in the dark? Sheesshh.." Maria slapped her forehead with her hand...

Inflight spark plug wire failure (Lightspeed/automotive style) ...Paul Eastham

Thought others might be interested in this recent maintenance issue, didn't see anything like it in the archives.

Was on a short fuel run a few days back when I noticed something painted yellow on my Dynon. Cylinder #4 EGT was hot, 1500 degrees versus the usual 1200. Everything else seemed normal. Was almost home so didn't debug further, despite Mike Busch's admonitions...

On the ground, a mag check showed rough running on the right (Lightspeed ignition) and cylinder #4 going cold. Easy diagnosis, no spark, right?

On disassembly, spark plug tested good and wire tested good. Upstream of that is the coil, but the other cylinder that's fed from the same coil was firing normally, so the coil seems good...gotta be connectors I figured. After a bit of wiggling the wire around at different angles I saw the resistance spike and eventually cut out entirely.  ...

RV Clinic held at Shannon Airport

This Saturday a condition inspection and safety clinic was held at KEZF.

Background: New airport Manager- Phil McLanahan and recent purchaser of a RV-6A suggested instead of a one-off inspection of my plane, that we could gather many RV folks to offer tips, and safety inspection items.

This of course was in addition to the routine cylinder compression checks and other items common to all planes.

Turn out: Despite temps in the low 40's, 8 aircraft owners/builders/ and my son Evan who is just learning about aircraft wrench swinging.

What happened: the most amazing inspection I'd ever seen. This because each person noted something unique. Either a potential safety issue like a wire probe that was rubbing within the engine compartment, to how to detect the need for exhaust cylinder gaskets.

The most skilled in the hangar included (Phil A & P/IA, and Lee Ragsdale also A& P and 9 time RV builder, Bobby Bouchier AP and RV builder) Tom "Smokey" Doran- RV-8A driver and Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, Rich Aquino RV-6 driver, and a couple just finishing their SonexJet.

Each took time to teach, share tools and provide helpful tips.

I'm confident my RV-4 is now safer, more efficient, and perhaps a smidgeon faster.

This could not have happened without fostering a vibrant flying community on the airfield.

I remain thankful and amazed about the RV community here.

Most left with good feelings and perhaps a tip or two.

It was a thing to behold.

Dave "Daddyman" Clinthorne
N262DF The Dream Flyer"

Milestone: Engine Hung ...Pete Miller (Plano, TX)

7A Rebirthing Status Report ...kentlik

I have a slight twist still. After cutting the front bow tubes to length, the front left and right rear corners are airborne...about .200-250". These are the times working with a recovered airplane make me go deep into what is really bent. I have a decent size granite inspection table from my other business off passed so I checked the frame on it to see that it is the frame, not the plane. Also, not sure yet if I cut the front tubes too short, might have by about 60-80 thousand (Turns out after re-reading the manual again I should be good. The side rails are exactly 2.45" across their length front to back).

April 6, 2018.   Issue #4,538.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.
 

Monument Valley ...Vlad the Travelled (9A)

Based on advice from senior VAFers I took a tour of Monument Valley recently. It never gets old. ...

Eagle's Nest Projects - SWA rolls out the Red-Carpet for Montgomery HS (TX) students  ...Ernie

Wednesday - March 28, 2018
Southwest Airlines rolls out the Red-Carpet for Montgomery High School (TX) ENP Students

Montgomery high school PLTW Aerospace Engineering students are building a real airplane at their school, a 2-place Van’s Aircraft RV-12, under a program developed and sponsored by Eagle’s Nest Projects. ABC Channel 13 News recently visited the school’s airplane build project (video) and in a surprise ending to their interview, announced they contacted Southwest Airlines and that SWA agreed to provide the ENP/Montgomery build-students a Red-Carpet tour of their facilities at Hobby airport together with intern opportunities.  ...

Stu 'Falcon' McCurdy's Gathering...this Friday

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to provide you with an update for Falcon's local "open hangar" gathering Friday April 6, 2018 from 1300 to 1500 at the Georgetown, Texas airport.

We are hopeful the weather will hold up and that we can accomplish all that we can on such short notice. We will plan on starting the posting of the colors at 13:45 followed by an eulogy and stories about Falcon. We will perform a missing man in his honor. Any one that has served or flown with him don't forget to bring your nickel. Please think of a short story or quote you would like to share with those in attendance. Remember that this is as much for his family as it is for him. I believe it is important for his grandkids to get to hear these stories they otherwise would not hear. Please think of a brief story if you want to share one. Try to keep them PG as most of us coming from fighter squadrons tend to have some flowery language at times, along with some of our sayings. That said Falcon loved the camaraderie and shenanigans as much as he loved formation flying. He would want it that way.

Please let me know if you need anything further. I hope to see you at the "Falcon Gathering".

Please forward this to anyone you may know that would like to know about this gathering as I am sure I have missed someone, unintentionally.

Blue skies,

Bobby "Luke" Lucroy

Bahamas Update ...Tommy Lewis 7A/10

"It still amazes me 11 years after Mel inspected and finalized the license of our RV7a, that it would be a magic carpet to take us on all these wonderful trips."

New windsock...52F

My home field has a new windsock at the north end courtesy the POA (to go along with the new runway).  And the grass is dark green all around it.

Enjoy the view on short final if you visit <g>.

related: Cheapest Fuel List.

Old and New...
 

pic courtesy Carey Sharp

April 5, 2018.   Issue #4,537.

VFR Wx arrived back in N. TX Wednesday and that brought out the RV locals.  Below two coming up initial 0845 with a third warming up on the ramp.

Later I went up for .3 and got the image below of wind-blown waves on Lake Lewisville.  In the full size you can see where a gust bends the waves in an interesting way.

Every RV flight you seem get something interesting you didn't plan on.

RV-9A Status Report....Andy C. Kalamazoo, Mi

Engine is done!! 

Today's Bahamas Report ...Tommy rubbing it in (7A/10)

Seat Porn ...Luke

"Here is another beautiful RV-7A from Australia that was built by Peter Harkness. This is a good example of very eye catching paint scheme with a tastefully subtle interior. Nice job Peter, and thanks for sharing pictures!"

check out the armrest

RV-8 Heat Diverter- Solution to a Nonexistent Problem?...goatflieg

When I installed Van's cabin heat selector box on my RV-8 firewall I saw two potential problems. The first was routing the push-pull cable; with ground adjustable rudder pedals set full-forward I saw the potential for getting the top of a pedal caught behind the cable during brake actuation with rudder deflection; definitely NOT a good scenario. I decided to modify the flapper lever and route the cable directly from the left gear tower to the lever. This would reverse the operation to push-to-open/pull-to-close, but that's no big deal to me. The other issue was that it looked like the hot air would be blowing directly into the left corner in front of the gear tower; less than ideal, with wiring, cables, fuel pump, fuel lines and brake lines there. I thought a heat diverter would help reduce those issues and redirect the hot air straight aft. So I made this up out of scrap aluminum. It was eyeball-engineered and took some fiddling, but I believe it will help. Having to route the cable through the diverter was a pain, but it works without any interference. Just wondering if any other RV-8 builders had similar thoughts. Did I solve a nonexistent problem?

Georgetown, TX Tango Flight Youth Build

(dan)
"We are having our banquet this weekend down in Georgetown. Would you mind posting this on VAF for a day or two to try and get interest from some of the local folks?  I’m extremely excited that we have Mike Coates, retired shuttle astronaut, and director of NASA as our guest speaker!

Also, Mark King, with GLO Custom is making us a really nice offer. He has donated a number of certificates good for $1000 off of a paint job"

April 4, 2018.   Issue #4,536.
  Anniversary:  VAF has been my full time job as of 4/4/07.  Thanks again for visiting.
 

Geoff Combs' Insane Panel Update

So after flying my RV-10 N829GW for 8 years 2 months, and 1 minor panel upgrade I decided to do a major Panel/systems update.

RV-4 First Flight ...Skip

Runway finally dried out, winds were calm so no excuse not to fly it this morning, so I did!
Temps all good (on the cool side) just a slight heavy right wing easily trimmed out. Flew like I hoped it would. Hardest part was getting it slowed down enough to land...
This is going to be fun
I'm grinning

Skip
RV-4 #1904 (its a airplane now)

Tommy Lewis RV Spring Trip to Bahamas ...pics

Taking advantage of a TDY ...majuro15

I’ve been TDY (temporary duty) at Sheppard AFB, located in lovely Wichita Falls, Texas, for about two months. While this place chalks up to the armpit of the Midwest, I was determined to get out and enjoy myself during the three months that I’m here. Luckily, another class mate, Justin, in my Aircraft Maintenance Officer training is a private pilot and we quickly found a few great places to airport bum meeting some great folks and getting a few flights under our belts. John Hooker, located at Wichita Valley Airport (F14), built a very nice RV-10 several years ago and was happy to show me around and give me some tips. Ironically, a unique feature spurred my memory and after digging through Oshkosh photos from four years ago, I realized I had seen his airplane in person. When we couldn’t find any good reason not to fly, he offered to take me for a quick hop along the Red River and gave me plenty of stick time. I’ve been attending the weekly Sunday evening social at F14 whenever my schedule permits.  ...

Getting Close: Paul Lips

Been lurking a long time on this site. I'm getting closer to flying.  Here is first Picture RV-4 N698PK. O-320 Powered.

Bragging on the Kid

...Audrey was awarded a fellowship from the NSF.  She got the word around midnight last night.

Many of you had a part in this kid's education.  Thank you for that - she's doing us all proud.

fmi: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/AwardeeList.do?method=loadAwardeeList

April 3, 2018.   Issue #4,535.

Stu McCurdy: Rest in Peace

It is with heavy hearts that Falcon Flight announces the passing of our leader and founder Stuart (Stu) "Falcon" McCurdy (Col USAF Ret). After battling for almost a year, Stu succumbed to esophageal cancer this past Saturday (3/31/18) at his home in Round Rock TX, surrounded by his entire family.

It's no exaggeration to say that formation flying in the GA world, especially the EAB side, would not be the thriving, tight-knit, community that it is today without the efforts put forth by Falcon. His creation of FFI back in the late 90's set the gold standard to which we are all held. It allows dozens of flight teams, consisting of hundreds of pilots, to fly together in safety and grace. It seamlessly brought together pilots from all over the country to set world records, whether over EAA AirVenture, NFL games or the occasional NASCAR race.

An informal “open hangar” gathering is planned for Friday 4/6/18 from 13:00 to 15:00 at Stu's home base of KGTU. Feel free to drop by and pay respects, if so inclined.

Falcon *will* be missed, but his legacy continues each time we “strap on” our aircraft.

Blue skies, good friend.

Falcon Flight Formation Team
[ed. Ron Walker was kind enough to send me this. dr]

Harding Icefield Kenai Peninsula Alaska ...mbauer trip writeup

The Harding Icefield is an expansive icefield located in the Kenai Mountains of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. It is also partially located in Kenai Fjords National Park. It is named for United States President Warren G. Harding.

On March the 24th 2018 took a little local flight. Wasn't planning on anything special, just decided to cruise around. One thing I wanted to do was time a climb from PAEN (Kenai Airport) to 10,000 feet MSL.  ...

Fishing Guide RV Offer (NE. OK) ...friend of mine Clayton (RV-8)

(Clayton M).
Adam Mason is a friend of mine here in North East Oklahoma. He was born and raised in Adair and has been fishing Hudson Lake since he was a kid. He has started up a fishing guide service, and I was hoping to get the word out to the RV community since this would be a great use of an RV. Adam is a Veteran, having served in the Army between 2004 and 2012 - with a tour in Iraq (2006/2007) as a .50 Cal. Infantry Gunner. Not exactly sure what he was up to, but I'm damn glad he was doing it.

Here is what Melissa and I would like to do to help out. We would like to offer accommodations for two different 2 person parties who wish to book fishing trips with Adam. They can come into our grass strip (OK18) on the lake the night before and either stay in the one bedroom apartment we have at the hangar, or if they prefer, they are welcome to pitch a tent and camp. OK18 is a private strip with a "Land at your own Risk" policy, but if they have some time operating off of turf, coming in and out of OK18 should be no problem.

Pics and Contact Info

I would encourage interested parties to first contact Adam about time and schedule. I know he has been having some great results on Crappie and that the Sand bass are really turning it on right now. Melissa and I spent all day Saturday putting them in the boat. Early in the season the Spoonbills are really stacking up and the Catfish will be biting here soon. Adam offers a full services guided trip, all equipment, bait, lures, boat, and fish cleaned for you to take back home. The fishermen/women will be responsible for the appropriate fishing license and their meals. His 1/2 day trips are $300 for either 1 or 2 guests in the boat. I can guarantee you that anyone who goes with him will have a good time and Adam will do all he can to put fish in the boat (remember - he can operate a .50 caliber rapid fire weapon).

Once the party has booked with Adam, I will be happy to brief them on OK18, alternates, fuel, transportation, and how to handle meals.

OK18 (grass) from an RV-8

Adam is a great guy, who I would very much like to see succeed with his guide service - hope some of our pilot friends will help make it happen.

All the Best,

Clayton

April 2, 2018.   Issue #4,534.
  Horrible news over the weekend as word arrived of a 6A crash in Santa Paula, CA with two fatalities (names haven’t been released as of this writing).  Prayers offered up to all those affected.  More when I know it, and if I receive funeral information this week I’ll pass it on. 

AX-O photo.

New RV-10 Guy Says Hey ...David Selden

Figured I should say hello since I will probably be on here asking questions at some point. Took delivery of my RV-10 empennage kit yesterday afternoon. Got everything inventoried except the skins. No damage to anything, so not a bad way to start.

Video: Aerobatic Practice ...Gash

Here's a video of my aerobatic practice today. This is the Intermediate Free sequence that I'll fly in IAC contests this year. It's not flown in an RV, but I guess it's RV-related since I used my RV-8 to get started with aerobatic contests last year. Thanks to Ron Schreck's presentation at Oshkosh in 2016, I learned how to get involved in IAC. Thanks Ron!

Status Report ...jcarne

Well with the tanks and leading edges attached it was time for some top skins. I got them all prepped and even got the left wing riveted. My dad came over to help, we found that the back riveting method did not work for us. No matter how I held the rivet set the rivets wanted to tilt ever so slightly toward the rib web. We switched to bucking with the good ol' tungsten and it worked awesome! Really good results in my opinion. Let me know what you think.

Flywheel to hub alignment ...SgtZim

Hi, basic question here. Does the 0 on the flywheel match to the (smeared) 0 on the hub?

Mobile Dynon Data ...akarmy

Ok, I can't be the only one that has had this happen to. Too many times I arrive at the airport ready to go flying, and upon startup I get the dreaded, your chart data is out of date on my Skyview system. Now what I really want is a wifi cellular mobile download accessory to install into my plane so it's always current. Since I can't have that... I came up with this.  ...

7A Rebirthing Update ...kentlik

So, I finally got the aft deck sorted. The most trouble I have had to date with rivets in NEW holes no combination old and new.  ...

Van Says Thanks

Panel Porn ...Flywad4 RV-14

Welcome SuperbirdClean.com

...ad in the Previous Day's News section.  Jim will chime in with a classified listing shortly.

March 30, 2018.   Issue #4,533.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled Easter weekend. 
 

Ed D'Arcy photo (Turbo)

Crack in Windshield ...dangit

I went to the hangar yesterday to take the RV-6A out after a cold winter's rest. After an extensive preflight, I pulled it out of the hangar and climbed in and started it up. As I was getting everything set up and slowly continuing through the checklist, I glanced up and notice a small crack in the windshield that I hadn't noticed before. I almost had a breakdown right then and there. The crack is about two (2) inches and it runs from the top left-center down and it is not noticeable while seated unless you intentionally search for it.  ...

Apple Watch as a Backup Flight Tracker

(using a Series 3 with GPS)
Select 'Workout' and choose 'Cycle' (the GPS doesn't come on when you select 'Treadmill'.  Go fly.  When you get back on the ground you have a nice map of where you flew....and a measurement of your heart rate throughout the flight.  You can see the elevated portions where I pushed the plane out and back in.

I flew a quick .2 over to the school parking lot to see where Tate's truck was parked (half day classes let out at noon).  The 4-year old battery had given up the ghost and I had to meet him there with tools, then run up to O'Reily's for a replacement.

PS:  The app thinks you're a GREAT cyclist.  It gives you a 'Way to Go!' message every five miles.  Happens pretty quick when your bicycle is averaging around 150mph. ;^)

Air Force Academy bound--AviationNation builder

We are very proud of Eli Edwards, one of the RV-12 builders from Columbus, Indiana. Eli has been accepted to the Air Force Academy. This isn't his first honor; he has been two-time NRA Junior National Champion in high power rifle (shoots one of those evil AR-15s.) That says a bunch about his work ethic and attention to detail. This is my second student to attend a military academy. About five years ago we had one who went on to West Point. These build programs attract the best and brightest, and we try to encourage them to excel in all that they do.

Bob

April Wallpaper Calendar

David Paule Status Report ...3B

The left-hand belly skin under the seat is now glued on. Here it is with the glue curing, the exoskeleton in place, and the tape freshly off. Removing the tape is one of the first things to do after the clecos are in (the first ones are wiping off the cleco tips and filleting any joints).  ...

March 29, 2018.   Issue #4,532.
  It got close to a thousand feet AGL, but the OVC clouds never flinched and we stayed IFR all day at my home field Wednesday.  Treadmill, Whataburger and Mt. Email. 
  Been on the surface too many days for my tastes - more respect gained for those who live in rainy climates.  Texas seems to have spoiled me in regards to sunny flying weather.  Two days of rain is about all I can seem to stand. ;^) 
 

RV-6 and reflected hangar door in OVC conditions.

Richard VanGrunsven Receives AOPA General Aviation Safety Award

25 years of bits and pieces ...Tom Martin

Although I would not call myself a hoarder when it comes to little bits of aluminum I am definitely guilty.

In 1993, when I started, you kept all the scraps. If you wanted to build something extra, or had a repair, little pieces came in handy. When building if you were going to modify a part you needed little pieces. The really expensive piece of small aluminum is the one you do not have! I kept everything, different sizes, different thicknesses etc.

As kits have evolved there is less and less need for extra metal. The kits are pretty complete and there are not as many modifications to make. The baffle kit alone has saved hours and hours of work scrounging for just that right bit of metal.

After completing the RV14 I noticed that I did not go to the scrap yard (under my bench) at all. It was time to clean house.

It took a couple of hours to sort through 5 boxes of odds and ends. I narrowed it down to two boxes of high end scraps!
The rest went to the scrap metal yard

I got a total of $31.55 for my bits and pieces, a memory every one. The interesting thing was that I had a few pop cans as well. They had to be separated as they were worth $0.10 more per pound then aircraft metal!!!

Flying spinnerless

I had some trouble with the screws that hold my spinner dome digging through the dome.

The spinner is on it's way back to the manufacturer where they'll be building me a new dome, but now I'm spinnerless! The manufacturer told me I could fly without the spinner and obviously, I see all kinds of planes without spinners. The propeller is a constant speed.

My question is specifically, is there anything to be concerned about with the RV-8?

Will it effect the cooling? Will too much air enter without the spinner on?

Don't want to do anything stupid. Opinions clearly being sought! Thanks!

 

RV-7 Status ...CubedRoot

After completing the horizontal stabilizer in a previous work session, I decided to continue on and finish the vertical stabilizer. *The Tech Counselor came out this morning and approved all my work so far, and that means its safe to close these guys up and mark them as done! *I started out by clecoing the rear spar back on to the vertical stabilizer skin, we had removed it this morning so the inspector could take a good look at the riveting done inside.  ...

RV-8 Fastback Panel Pic ...Chris Engler for Steve

I don't have dimensions handy but this pic gives you a general sense of the canopy frame "overlap" on the panel. When closed, the bottom of the frame just covers the 8/32 pan head screws around the top perimeter of the panel....the dimension widens from the top to the sides (guessing 3/4 inch at the top to 1 1/2 inches at the sides.

For reference, the two screens are 10.4 inch HXrs and the radio is a GTN650. Note that the panel itself is a single piece of 1/8 inch thick aluminum rather than the standard 3-section panel from Vans.

Status Report: RV-14A Engine ON ...MED

March 28, 2018.   Issue #4,531.
  A bit of a milestone today....it's been exactly one year since I've had a soda.  Growing up in Waco, TX where Dr. Pepper was created (and given to the mascot at Baylor) and having a father who spent his entire working life at a glass plant making bottles to contain it makes for a sort of system shock when you go cold turkey.  And it was.
  Rained all day Tuesday here.  No RV fun to be had.  Maybe I'll go get a soda... ;^)
 

Just waiting for the permit to test on my 7 ...Ian Coates

Hi all

I thought that I should show the group my completed 7, I am awaiting the paperwork for the permit to test. Hopefully not long. I am greatful to all on the forum for invaluable information over the four and a half years of tears and joy.

Panel Porn ...Dany King's project

Danny is helping hangarmate Ned put in newer avionics and harnesses in his RV-8.  I got some large pics of the work in progress.  Click on any pic for a larger version (and choose 'iPhone 6+' after clicking on the little symbol that looks like three cards stacked on top of each other for full size).

Mars Research Station ...from the RV-9A (Vlad)

There is a fascinating place in a Utah desert. It's Mars Desert Research Lab where teams of scientists from different countries simulate living and working in martian like conditions.  ...

From Sonex to RV-8

Hello,

Years ago when I first decided building an airplane was something I wanted to do, I was quickly drawn to the RV-8. As I started researching what it would take to build one, I started realizing that cost to build and the complexity was probably more than I could chew. I found myself migrating over to the Sonex, and after a Sonex builder took me for a quick hop around the patch, I was sold. It had great performance for the price and I was able to see past the somewhat odd look and overall lack of fit and finish.

Fast forward a few years and I am part way through a Sonex tail kit but have started to have a lot of apprehension about finishing. This is mostly due to my lack (and others in the Sonex community) of confidence in the AeroVee VW conversion. With the Sonex B models, the factory will now support several other more proven engine installations (Rotax, UL power, etc.) but that takes an airplane I was looking to spend 30-35k to get airborne to more like 50-60k. While I still feel the Sonex is a great little airframe, I can't see paying that kind of price for it.

So, I've come full circle back to the RV-8, which has always been the plane I wanted to build in the first place. I am going to order a set of preview plans and the practice projects and figure out what extra tools I'll need now that I can't just pull a bunch of pop rivets. Any other building advice/suggestions for a soon to be former Sonex builder would be appreciated.

Looking forward to the journey!

__________________
Josh Grant
Dreaming of an RV-8a build

From MGL...

From AeroLEDs.com (advertiser)

March 27, 2018.   Issue #4,530.

How'd you do that- F-01479 page 10-18 ...-14

After spending two hours last night trying to get this assembly into place, I thought I'd better get some help before bending something. I've checked multiple builder's web sites and seems nobody is having much of an issue with it. Trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. F-01479 goes between the F-01478 (skin) and the F-01411 bulkhead. I'm not having much trouble there, it's getting the skin to fit aft of this point. By the way, the plans are vague, I'm assuming that the F-01479 skin goes BETWEEN the stringers and the fuse skin.

How'd you do it?

Practice holds in a 30kt wind are fun!

The first outbound leg we *only* flew for 50 seconds. Had to reduce that to 30 seconds!

fmi: About APRS Tracking

Access Panels

I put three access panels in the front skin of my 9 tip up. It’s time consuming to do it. I asked a friend that put them in his 7 if he would do it again and he said yes. So I went for it. They made it very easy for riveting the skin. I’m assuming you have not installed the skin. Important. When laying out the holes, the two that are on the sides run parallel to the longeron. They are trapezoids not rectangles.

Layout the locations on the skin and carefully cut them out, file and clean the edges. Layout and drill #40 holes around the perimeter using proper edge distance. I used a rivet fan to space the holes. Cleco on the skin to the airframe to fit the backer plate. Rough cut the plate oversize as it will change as it curves. Match drill the backer plate and cleco all around. Trace with a sharpie around the hole onto the backer plate. Remove the backer plate and create an outside line 5/8” from traced line, then do the same 5/8” inside the traced line. Cut both inside and outside line, clean and polish edges. You now have your backer plate.

Next make the cover plates. These must be made with the skin cleco’d to the fuse. Rough cut larger than needed. Match drill and cleco. You will need a helper to climb in and push the plate to conform while you match drill. Trace and cut 1/8” outside the line. The plate now needs to be finely tuned to fit the hole. Cut and file to fit. Cleco on the backer plate for support while fitting. When your happy with the fit, if not make another one, layout #40 holes, match drill cover plate into backer plate.

The rest is straight forward. Dimples for rivets and #6 screws in cover plate. Install nut plates in backer plate. Last is to rivet the backer plate if your satisfied with the fit and finish. Otherwise do it all again. It’s only a small amount of 032 sheet skin.

March 26, 2018.   Issue #4,529.
  OVC, BR and gusting to 30+ around N. Texas over the weekend kept the RV flying limited to those braver than me.  My Baylor Girls were knocked out of the tournament Friday, but the Formula 1 2018 season was nice enough to start up the next day (how nice). Spent Saturday cleaning stuff at the hangar and Sunday working on sprinklers and watching Elite Eight games with a laptop (working on VAF stuff).
  Hope the flying Wx is better where you are, and that you had a nice weekend.
 

RV-10 First Flight :-) ...BlackhawkSP

I completed the maiden flight yesterday in my RV-10 !! I wanted to get it done before the spring snow storm we have going on today !! These aircraft are the ultimate in delayed gratification. She fly’s great. All the engine CHT's and EGT's were very reasonable. I closed the cowl flaps right after take off. The engine oil temp leveled off at 206 degrees, and i was running WOT at 5500 Ft. I saw at one point 178 knots TAS straight and level. Now on to the flight test program and teaching myself how to work all the whiz-bang goodies and features in the Garmin avionics and autopilot. I've flown a Super 8 for years, but I am rapidly getting to love this 10 !

Here are a bunch of pictures from the event:

Change of pace (and project)

While browsing the VAF classifieds in January (for one last time before pulling the trigger on a factory QB 7 Fuse), an RV-6 project popped up at a near-quick build stage. A few phone conversations and a week later, a good friend of mine and I made a morning of flying out to Orcas Island to check it out. After looking it over, I decided it was a project I wanted to take on and ideally, be the one to finish.

Please critique my electrical design

I've been working on the electrical architecture for my RV-8 and I'm getting close to a solution, but before I start buying and installing components, I'd like to get some feedback on my deign.

I'm planning an IFR-capable RV-8 with a Titan IO-370 and G3X system with G-5, GTN-650, GTR20, et al. I'm planning to use the Earth-X ETX680 battery as the main, and a TCW 3 Ah backup battery. The main alternator will be a belt-driven B&C BC-460H (60 Amps) with a gear-driven SD-8 backup (<8 Amps).  ...

Status ...jcarney 7A

Things are really starting to chug along now! After riveting the ribs to the spar it was time to finalize riveting the leading edge by finishing the flange rivets. Tomorrow I will prime the left top skins and those will be ready to go on. Things are really moving now.

You can see in this pic I used the Van's approved LP4-3s and 4s to rivet the ribs except for the outboard one. I tried to put all the factory heads on the rib side but there were two ribs I had to put the factory head on the spar. Reaching inside to rivet what you can is an absolute bear if you have big hands!

Greetings from a newbie and another 9A underway

Howdy, I took delivery of my tail section on Wednesday. Inventory revealed two damaged rudder skins, new skins coming. Also my plans had RV8 HS and rudder plans (no 9 plans). So I started the VS first. I’m at 9 hrs on build time and will prime tomorrow.
Been a long time lurker and have come out. Great info here, hopefully I won’t burden with too many questions. Posting pics on pbell1733.wordpress.com

__________________
PBell - 92293
9A Empennage building,

Ivanpha Array from Vlad's -9A

Last fuse skin going on ...kentlik

I have finally gotten back to work on the plane...

March 23, 2018.   Issue #4,528.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.

Very Special RV-6 For Sale ...our friend Joe Blank's RV-6

Being Offered for sale By Tricia Blank.
Van's Aircraft RV-6
S/N:60363
Built from a Quick Build (QB) Kit
Sliding Canopy
IFR

Location: Molalla Oregon
Asking Price: $95,000

(Scott McDaniels)
"This airplane was built, maintained, and flown by Joe Blank.  Up until losing a courageous battle with cancer in Nov. 2016, Joe was a Factory Demo Pilot / Technical Support guy at Van's Aircraft.  The airplane is well know by many within the RV community because of Joe's employment at Van's, his participation as an FFI Flight Lead team member in the West Coast Ravens, and his participation in many other formation events including numerous world record formation flights.

I have been the caretaker, pilot, and maintainer of this airplane since Joe's passing, and will be the contact person for inquiries for additional info., etc.
Please contact me via PM or e-mail and I will get back to you ASAP.  [ed. If you don't have a VAF forum account you can email me and I'll get your contact info to Scott.  v/r,dr].

The attached list of configuration and equipment has been made to the best of my ability; having not personally built or owned the airplane. It is the full responsibility of any interested party to confirm any specific details of interest.

Respectfully,
Scott McDaniels" 

more info on this plane
 

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VImNBuJW3sQ

more videos

[ed. I miss my friend very much, and I hope somebody
takes very good care of his plane. ]

Some Teaser Shots

Monk and Plaster asked if I would take some pics of a -6 coming up for sale soon.  Absolutely....my usual rate (one lunch up to and including $10).  And I get to use the pics on the site if I don't screw 'em up.

enlarge

Thursday a.m. we went up for a quick .2 and got some.  That's Plaster above holding station from the right seat - I know he's cussing me at the time as I was pretty close to being directly between his pupil and the center of the sun.  There for about five seconds the paint on the plane seemed to fluoresce.  The pic here is  untouched in Photoshop.  I shot a burst of about 20 pictures in that five seconds and knew we could go home right then.

enlarge

Once Monk and I landed I stood on the taxiway and got some touch and go passes.  What a beautiful RV.  Some more pics.

Of note is the tiny landing light just above the airbox intake.

More info when I have it...

New RV-6 owner in Northern Illinois ...Jonathan Gruber

Just wanted to test out my ability to post and also introduce myself. Picked up a "finished" (are we ever REALLY finished) rv-6. Very excited to become a part of thus group and I'll see everyone in the sky. Aircraft is based out of KDPA.

Why you do a 360* on the ramp before taking off...

...to see if you're leaking oil during mag check, etc.  Seen on the run-up ramp at 52F 3/22/18.  dr.

enlarge

RV-14 Milestone ...control

Engine mounted

Not torqued yet, I did not really plan to mount it today but when all fittings were in place I just could not help myself from trying. Even without help, I was able to get all the bolts in, in around 30 minutes.

Prototyping Technician Needed

Well Rested Pilots Fly Better (maybe)

I downloaded a free app called Sleep Cycle for my iPhone the other day.  Used it Wednesday night for the first time (graph below).

"An intelligent alarm clock that analyzes your sleep and wakes you in the lightest sleep phase – the natural way to wake up feeling rested and relaxed. No need to place your device in bed - Sleep Cycles uses sound analysis sleep tracking."

Note the snoring blips around 0400.  It recorded (7) snoring events spread out over (19) minutes, and no I won't pay $30/yr to hear them - the free, non-premium version serves my needs.

I asked it to wake me sometime between 0615 - 0630.  It chose 0626 based on the sounds I was making. 

It ties into the health app already on my phone.  Screen grab of the steps page below (guess what day back spasms paid a visit?). 

My Vans RV Conundrum ...new guy Dave chimes in

I have been thinking seriously about trading my Mooney for a Vans RV-9/A. It better fits my mission which is mostly me flying around by myself in good weather with no particular place I need to go. I think it would save me a bit of money in fuel burn, replacement parts and upgrades and it would be newer with not so much history, mechanics, repairs, annuals and the like on it.

My ideal Vans would be the 9/A with an IO-320, CS prop and either a tip up, or slider, I haven't decided. It would also have to have a nice, standard layout panel with at least two axis auto pilot, dual coms, WAAS GPS, engine monitoring and a good audio panel. ADS-B in and out and a 406 ELT would be great too. Unfortunately there are four serious things preventing me from pursuing this plan. In order of seriousness-
 

1. Safety. I like the 9 because it has the lowest stall speed and that means the slowest touch down in an off field landing scenario, but it seems that if you land a Vans on anything that isn't hard and prepared, you end up upside down, hanging from your harness and most times trapped by a stuck canopy. Ditching a Vans in water sounds like suicide, or at least very, very slim chances of a good outcome. I feel much more confident in the Mooney's ability to land off field and in water. I also feel very confident of the Mooney's strength in the airframe. I'm not so sure about the Vans.
2. The wife. I mentioned in passing that I was thinking of trading the Mooney and she was ho-hum about that... until I told her I was thinking of an experimental! She was pretty strongly against that idea! It will take a lot of convincing that it is just as safe and I first have to convince myself.
3. The wife. The cabin in the Mooney is tight, but I think the Vans cabin is even tighter. It feels very narrow to me. As we get older, neither of us is getting any skinnier. There is also poor baggage area access, or capacity. While it has only occurred three or four times in the last seven years, it would be nice to keep the ability to take the wife along for a weekend. I'm not so sure how well the Vans can handle this job.
4. Money. I don't think I can get anywhere near enough money for my Mooney to get a nice clean, well built RV-9 configured the way I want it and then do all the things that will need to be done to make it mine. I will have to sell my Mooney and then likely pony up even more money. While I have the money and could do this, right now is not a financially great time for me to do it.

What do you guys think?

March 22, 2018.   Issue #4,527.

Airshow display ...lucaperazzolli RV-8

In September 2017 we did our first public appearance as Aerobatic Formation Team, here's the final (homebuilt) video editing.

Microsoft Research proposes using existing commercial aircraft to provide worldwide WIFI coverage ...might be using RV-10 as test platform

"Scientists from Microsoft Research have proposed using existing commercial aircraft flights and air routes to provide worldwide internet coverage at much lower cost than proposed solutions such as Google’s Project Loon (which uses balloons) and Facebook’s Aquila efforts (which uses solar-powered aircraft).

...Microsoft tested the system in real life and reports good performance. They note that connectivity would be intermittent and would be more suitable for latency-tolerant communication such as instant messages and email, but that connectivity can be improved by recruiting more flights (there are more than 10,000 in the air at one time) and by potentially rerouting flights slightly for better coverage." ...

fmi: Full Paper

SB 18-03-06 (more info)

"The new spring was conceived at Van's, and then designed under corroboration with the engineering dept of a local spring manufacturer so this should be the end to throttle spring breakage.

As the fleet begins using the new spring, be sure to notify Van's using one of the standard procedures detailed in the maintenance manual, if you have any type of service difficulty with them."

More Pics of Larry Anderson's Newly Painted RV-10

Panel Upgrade and Hangar Cleanout

Hi There
Upgrading the panel on my RV-7 and that means I have several items to sell. All are used of course and all are in good working order. Send me a PM if you wish and we can hopefully come to terms on whichever item(s) you would like. Here's the list:..

1:..Dynon D-100 EFIS module with Wiring Harness, Magnetometer and uncut cable for Magnetometer. Asking $1400
2:..Dynon D-120 EMS module. Asking $1200
3:..Dynon AP74 autopilot control module with mounting tray and harness, asking $325
4:..Garmin SL-40 Transciever with mounting tray, asking $1,000
5:..Garmin GTX 327 Transponder with mounting tray, and Ameri-King Encoder with cable, asking $650
6:..Garmin 496 GPS with remote antennae, aircraft power cord, manual, and various mounts, asking $550
7:..ICOM IC A200 transceiver, with mounting tray, asking $750
8:..Van's C/S fiberglass spinner kit, never used, with unused mounting and front plates. asking $175
9:..2 Van's 4 point seat belts used in my RV-7, good shape, no tears or fraying..$175 for both sets
10:.Falcon electric Turn Co-ordinator. New in box with electrical connector, still in original, sealed plastic wrap, asking $375

If you are at all interested in any of this, drop me a PM with your contact info and we can see if we can make a deal.

Thanks
Dave

Head hitting canopy fix

The sometime sharp-edged turbulence around the local foothills has caused my head to hit the (RV-14A) canopy fairly hard several times, even with the 5-point harness snugged up tight. The problem seems to be the location of the lap belt anchors well behind the seat. While doing a good job of restraining in the forward direction, vertical motion can easily be 4-5 inches. The solution seemed to be an extra lap belt anchored further forward.

I got some seat belt anchors from Van's and located them about 9 inches forward of the stock ones (see first pic). The mounting would have been simple during the build, but out on the tie-down, not so much. The floor beam material is quite thin, so added an .060 angle and stiffener on the side opposite the anchors using plenty of pro-seal and two AN-3 bolts (see pics 2 & 3). Pic 4 shows the installation with the ratcheting lap belt (wrong color, but hey...). This has been very effective, you can ratchet the belt down till your bones bend and you definitely become one with the airplane. My head hasn't hit the canopy since and I also really like the feeling of being glued in place even with the simple acro I do.  ...

Chris Johnson's Beautiful RV-9A ...'YellowJacket RV9' in the forums

March 21, 2018.   Issue #4,526.

Short Field Practice ...vid.

...and (11) more minutes to get the logbook entry to .2hrs.

Tuesday a.m. was one of those cold, windy mornings in N. Texas that allows for a very short landing roll on 35 at my home field.  Since I have manual flaps I like to occasionally (when the conditions are right) dump the flaps right as the wheels touch to shorten the roll.  The landing roll measured on GoogleMaps later was 698'.  It'll do shorter with less gas and smoother air.

My 'fun rolls' are a cross between barrel and axial.  Maybe 1/3rd barrel - just enough to keep all the junk on the floor.  The G-meter showed 2.5 in the loop.

The wind was gusting 21kts about 20* left of the centerline.  The burbles off the hangars make the 35 landing 'dynamic', and the slightly-rising runway there at the end calls for a non-standard flare.  You can see the bumps down low.   Game face on and always something to screw up (which I usually do).

I hooked up the Garmin VIRB that's on loan and played with the edit software a bit.  Maybe an excuse to goof off at work for 2min 40sec if you have the bandwidth and monitor acreage.

Hard to believe how much fun you can have in 12 minutes with an RV.

SB 18-03-06 ...mothership

RV-12 (Powered with Rotax 912ULS) ALSO SEE Revisions and Changes.  Replace the throttle return springs

Rest in Peace: Mr. Robbie Attaway

(George P)
Sadly Robbie Attaway passed away in early Feb. While not active in the RV community the last few years he was in the past very active in the PHX area. He designed and built several nice modifications to RV’s. I own his second RV built and it’s a great aircraft. He was always willing to help anyone with a RV.

9A Status Report ...Av8torTom

The day finally arrived for me to get down to Superior Air Parts and build my O-320. Pretty impressive facility. I'm also VERY impressed with the improvements Superior as made to their engine cases and cylinders.

Started around 9am this morning and by 5pm we had all 4 cylinders in place.

Here are a couple of pictures:

Rv-10 TDI 1st Condition Complete

Well, it took about 2.5 months, but its back in the air- sort of.

The condition inspection went very well. RV guru Vic Syracuse gave the airframe a thorough inspection. He left the engine to me.

Punch list items--
1. Aileron SB inspection- completed- no cracks.
2. One brake master cylinder fitting weeping- resealed all 8.
3. Two small cracks in the inlet ramp baffles- stop drilled.


Modification list--
1. Upgraded rudder stop installed-recommended by Vic.
2. Reduced my aux battery system by half- saved about 8 lbs.
3. Installed an access door in aft bulkhead- Now just 10 screws instead of 35 to check the battery and aft equipment bay.

Another RV-4

RV-4 sr.# 1904 got her airworthiness certificate today, 30 yrs. and 26 days after the order was placed for the tail kit! Talk about a slow build....

Thanks to all who helped me so much to complete this project, especially Bill E. and Jim W. Most of all to Mr. Don Harris who was the original builder before he passed away.

Now for some decent weather!!

Skip
NC
RV-4 #1904

March 20, 2018.   Issue #4,525.
  No flying in N. Texas Monday due to this a few grand above the area.  Hope less windy where you were.

Fun with ramp chalk!
Kyle Lewis photo (RV-12)

Crystal River / Cedar Key ...Don Schwartz 9A

Melissa and I flew our RV 9A down to Florida from Wisconsin.  We landed at Crystal River and rented a car. We also flew to Other airports for fun seeing the area. Including Cedar Key.  We stayed in Cedar Key for a week, wonderful place to relax.  Was a wonderful trip. Seems that the Cedar Key Airport has several accidents. If going please be Careful. Didn’t seem to be a problem but there was a accident.  While we were there.

Difficult situation - need help ...jonweisw

All -

A dear friend of mine needs to sell his RV relatively quickly due to a tragic loss of his medical related to a very significant, incapacitating, health issue.

He completed his 7A in 2005 and it has around 600h on it. IO360-M1B with a Hartzell. Beautifully built (seriously - he is a former Navy test pilot and the attention to detail was nuclear-grade) and impeccably maintained. Always hangared and NDH.

Unsure as to the extent of his recovery and whether or not he would be airworthy again, he and his wife have held onto the airplane but have now decided to sell it. It is out of annual and based at Punta Gorda, FL (KPGD).

I have advised her that getting the airplane an annual and therefore airworthy should be a top priority (it is not safe or feasible for him to do the condition inspection subsequent to his event).

Do any of you know of an A&P in the Ft. Myers area who would be willing to do an annual on an RV? The airplane will be on the market soon, so this may be a good all-around project for a potential buyer as well.

More pictures to follow - or PM me.

Restaurant at Hilltop Lakes Has Reopened ...central Texas.

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Hilltop Lakes (0TE4) restaurant has finally reopened! Just FYI....the local flying club (T-38 club) is planning to meet for coffee/breakfast every Saturday morning around 8:30am, so all are welcome! In addition, lunch or dinner will be available 7 days a week.   The name of the restaurant is Overlook.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Hope to see you soon!

Thanks!
__________________
Tim Kirk
N94TD
RV7

Cold (not dead) cylinder at high MP except WOT ...Rick 9A

I’m observing some behavior that I would like the group’s opinion on.

Setup: O-320-H2AD, 33H Hobbs/19.5H Tach since OH with new cam, lifters, new Lyc cylinders. Ellison, standard dual mag (D3000) also OH. Sensenich fixed, RV-9A. Compressions are 76/80 or better cold.

At full throttle/WOT – 28.5in HG for the most recent flight - at low altitudes (takeoff), CHT and EGT’s line up well. EGT’s are in the 1250F average range for what it’s worth, all rich of peak. At MP’s slightly below WOT to medium throttle – 27in HG to 20 in HG– cylinder #4 EGT falls by 100F-150F and CHT for #4 falls by about 30F-40F versus the average of the other three. The EGT falls fast and settles out with thirty seconds, CHT takes a couple minutes. Below 20in HG, all four cylinders come back together again in EGT and CHT quickly. It is repeatable, centering around 20in HG MP.

There really isn’t any perceived roughness, and even in this 27in - 20in HG cold-cylinder range, #4 EGT and CHT responds normally and consistently with the other cylinders to leaning, they are just doing so from a significantly different place. Since I lean to basically 100F-150F ROP at anything less than WOT, I can’t say if ranging from full rich to lean changes the behavior at the transition points. I believe it’s been occurring since hour 1.5 based on the data (no high power data exists prior to this time, <1.5H is all run-in), and there is no significant metal in the first two oil changes, suggesting I’m not wiping a lobe.

My first suspect is ignition, looking for one side of the ignition falling off on #4. I have not done any disassembly inspection yet, only gross inspection of the ignition harness - no obvious ignition leakage or damage to plug wires, and timing is on target. I did check the intake tube clamps (thanks Ralph, I should have mentioned it).

My plan: Run the Savvy ignition test in flight, in various levels of richness/leanness and MP’s. If it’s ignition, I expect it will show up pretty clearly, and the diagnostic work from there is (hopefully) logical: plugs, harness and magneto get the focus. I’ll probably look at the plugs anyway – a cylinder running that cold may be generating deposits that may point at something (one plug not firing being scuzzy?).

If that doesn’t give any hints, I will confirm my secondary elements: valve lift, boroscope, pushrods.

Any hints or past experience would be welcome. Thanks.

Paint Booth PIREP ...Shawn Jordan

I’m in the middle of painting my RV-4 in my homemade paint booth and boy was I suprised. I have A 7000cfm fan pumping air through 16sq/ft of inlet filter and I can still fully fog up the booth with the SPI high solid clear. I cant imagine trying to close loop this air. If you look in the second picture you can see how dirty the inlet filters already are after just shooting base coat on the fiberglass pieces. Love the scientific approach to this though, don’t see this level of approach on the good old car forums.

March 19, 2018.   Issue #4,524.
  It's hard to believe, but it has been ELEVEN YEARS since three of us flew our RVs over Tate's kindergarten class as part of a lesson plan.  That's Tate in the black shirt and pants - he's now taller than me.  I still have all the thank you cards they made (Tate's is in the bottom center).  Love that kid...
  It goes fast, and I still think it's the best hobby on Earth.

Another RV-10 was "born" today !!!

Folks: After just under 4 years of mostly solo work and 2700 hours of labor, I got my RV-10 inspected today and the Airworthiness certificate issued !!! Needless to say I'm a happy camper. Mr Chris House from the Indianapolis FSDO did the inspection and it was a pleasant experience. This guy knows his stuff ! At the beginning of the build I asked a good friend John Hubble what he would do different if he was doing another 10 (he has a beautiful RV-10). I did everything on his list. It was extra hours, but I'm very pleased. I did the Rod Bower inlet, all Garmin G3X, touch and many other after market items. I bought so many goodies from Aerosport Products, that they sent me a Christmas card last year !!! I'm planning on a week or so for the first flight.  ...

We lost a giant: Jim Winings, gone west 3-15-18

Friends, fellow RVers, Rocketeers, and aviation enthusiasts,

It is with great sadness that I report that we lost a true giant from among us yesterday. Jim Winings passed suddenly after visiting another fellow pilot at a nursing home. Jim was found collapsed in the parking lot by another pilot friend.

Jim had a huge impact on the RV community. He was one of the earliest RVers, owning or building 5 RVs,including one F1 Rocket. He started early and never let up. I talked to Jim about a week ago, and his excitement about flying was unchanged from the first time I met him in the late 1980's. Positively contagious is the only way to describe him regarding aviation. ...

New Builder and Trailing Edge Question

Hello All,
I'm a new RV-14 builder - yes, no 'A' and little wheel in back . I am working on the rudder and have a question for the community. Sorry if this was answered, but I couldn't find any information from searching.

On page 07-09 - steps 1 and 2, the instructions say to use adhesive to bond the trailing edge. However, on page 07-10 - step 2, the instructions say "The trailing edge will have to peeled slightly ...". I was planning to use the 3M F9460PC VHB tape as specified in section 5. Looks like the 3M tape is a permanent bond, so why would we bond the trailing edge, then attempt to peel it apart again? Won't peeling the edge apart potentially damage the skins? Has anyone used the 3M tape for the trailing edge? Looks like Van's used to recommend using fuel tank sealant.
Thanks!

Guess this makes it official...

15Mar18

RV-7A JCarne Build PIREP

Time for some riveting of the leading edges. I started out will all the nutplates for the joint plate as well as the stall warning access plate. Then it was off to setting rivets on the leading edge ribs. My dad came over to help me out with this. We had all the ribs riveted in about 2 hours. It sure was nice to be riveting again and not deal with gorilla snot the whole way. Let me know what you all think of the riveting.  ...

First Flight ...7A

First flight of RV-7A S/N 74594 temporary tail number N859DF from Mallard's Landing (GA04) this afternoon.

Flew about 45 minutes, ran engine hard, then performed clean and dirty 1G stalls and back for a landing.

CHT's with Bill Lane's excellent plenum were better than expected with a new engine. Oil temp rock steady at 180.

A few minor squawks but overall very satisfied with the performance of the airplane. Now on to the rest of Phase I...

__________________
Krea Ellis

Locust Grove, GA

 

Closed-loop spray booth

I set out to make a spray booth inside the garage, so I bought one of these MiCS5524 VOC sensor breakout boards and hooked it up to an oscilloscope to try out as air quality monitor. It turns out these cheap MEMS devices are ridiculously sensitive to a wide variety of organic solvents used in paints and primers.

Next I bought some carbon air filter media through eBay, rolled up some 1/2" chicken wire into a 4"x2' tube as a sort of intake manifold for the Harbor Freight blower #31810 (sans bag), wrapped the entire filter media roll around the chicken wire tube and plugged the other end of the tube with a piece of cardboard. I let this contraption run inside the closed garage, recirculating the air through the carbon filter.  ...

A New RV-10 Builder Here

Thought I would let everyone know that I am now a proud owner of a partially completed RV-10 kit. It has QB wings and fuse, so it's pretty far along.

I have really enjoyed my 6A and have decided that the 4 seats or additional cargo capacity better suits my current flying. I will sell the 6A once the 10 is done and worry about missing the shear fun of tossing the little 6 around for fun. I don't think I can justify keeping both though.

I look forward to sharing ideas and more specifically leveraging the experience of those who traveled the road before me.

Larry

 

Deep Dish Dash ...petehowell

50 and sunny in the upper Midwest today, so ya gotta fly, right? Bernie and I decided that it was time for some real Deep. Dish. Pie. A quick web search turned up a Lou Malnati's in the NW burbs of the Windy City, just a few miles from Lake in the Hills Airport(Tree-Chuck-Kilo) A call to the nice lady at the City FBO confirmed the old Crown Vic would be waiting.  ...

Weigh-In Day ...Scott Balmos

(In boxing match announcer voice) Aaaaaaaand in the silver corner, coming in fully loaded with full Classic Aero interior, every conceivable Garmin G3X Touch gizmo, an IO-320 with EFII injection/ignition, and a 3-blade Catto prop... Weighing a stout 1088.4 lbs, RV-9A 112SB...

Right about where I thought it'd be, all said and done. The interior isn't actually installed, same with the wheel pants and fairings. But everything was tossed in where it would end up being. I freaked out for a moment when the right wheel was about 15 lbs heavier than the left wheel. Then I remembered that's the wing that has the roll servo, my NAV antenna in the tip, the Bus Manager and VPX under the panel, and the ELT, transponder, and ADSB behind the baggage bulkhead.

Yes, I know the math doesn't /exactly/ add up, off by <1 lb depending on whether you breathed on the scales or not.  ...

https://youtu.be/lsQT5RKkrtw

March 16, 2018.   Issue #4,523.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.

Mashy after takeoff.  RV-7.
So cool he requires two pairs of sunglasses. ;^)
scaled / original

A variation on the Dynon Network Hub ...az_gila

For my -6A I used a single Skyview and had less Dynon add-ons. The Dynon network cables make hook-up easy, but splitting power and putting splices in the servo cables bugged me.

So, for my -10 build I came up with a simple alternative idea to Dynon's network hub. I designed a 5 port hub, but added two custom connectors dedicated to servo hook-ups only, all on a single 2.5" x 3.8" ExpressPCB mini card. It's a much cleaner solution to the servo power wiring issue. I can now connect all of my planned network items easily behind the panel and only use one box as a daisy chain. ...

Welcome www.RVPlasticParts.com

Amanda Melton proprietor (Steve's daughter).  The ad is in the Previous Day's News section.

(from Amanda)
"My name is Amanda and I created the website www.rvplasticparts.com. I chose the name because we print plastic parts for RV aircraft. The website was created using Wix and I manage it. I receive orders and send a confirmation email; print the parts, inspect, and box and ship. I use USPS for shipping and send a confirmation email and tracking number. I assembled my own PC and manage the website with it. I add parts to the website when we have a new idea or get an idea from someone on VansAirForce.net. I keep fish and I recently resealed a 55 gallon fish tank that I got off of craigslist. I fly with my Dad to my Grandparents and one time we stopped at Cairo Illinois and saw where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi River.

RV-8 Shot ...Neal Trombley

Houston RV Bunch This Weekend

March 15, 2018.   Issue #4,522.

Breakfast via RV ...

...a breakfast fly-out told in pics and txt via cloud-based photo album (and voice dictation software). 

Literally phoned it in...

Here goes nothing

Well it’s official.
Van’s Builder Number 140477. Empennage kit ordered.
So it begins.

Due in a large part of the all the support from my Family, the EAA SportAir Workshop, Webinars, Homebuilt Help tips, Chapter 643, the Mothership, and of course VAF - I feel (barely) able to take on a project like this. There is SO much to learn and decide, but it’s a blast diving in the past few years and preparing.

I’m humbled by all those, including many of you here, who have come before and blazed the path. It’s inspiring.

One day I hope to know what a roller tapppet is and what’s so special about them

Warm regards,
Rich Kulesa

Static Port Conundrum ...mfleming

Installing the static ports (Dynon) was next on my list.

All was well, I had the port locations marked on both sides of the fuselage, researched wether I was going to use the Dynon ports or order the Van's rivets (Dynon) and was ready to drill the holes.

Annnnnd.... then I came across Van's Static Port Kit instructions.  ...

#3 Running cool

Just noticed our #3 running cool. CHT down 25f, EGT down 100f in the cruise at 23/23. IO-360, 350 hours from new, no other issues.

Pulled through 4 great compressions after the flight with no differences.

EGT probes are old on 1, 2 and 4 - planning on changing soon.

Ran comprehensive ignition check in the cruise, no difference so can't see it is a plug or lead issue.

Suggestions welcomed, may get the shufty scope down the plug hole next weekend.

Aresti Made Simple

For those that may have an interest in aerobatic competition, I realize that one of the things that may seem complicated is the Aresti System. The Aresti System is a system of depicting and scoring the many aerobatic figures and their multitude of variations. It’s called a system because there is method to the madness. It was designed by a Spanish Air Force Colonel, José Luis Aresti, many decades ago and it is used universally for aerobatic competitions. The files below are written for the r/c (radio-controlled aircraft) community and it is presented in a simplified method. Caution, there may be some differences from the actual Aresti catalog.  ...

Yuma PIREP ...Roy Thoma

March 14, 2018.   Issue #4,521.
 

Charles Wickware photo.
 

RV-8 and the Clear Day

Saturday, 3/10/18, was a rare clear day in both Western and Eastern Washington allowing for easy travel over the big pile of rocks separating the two. Awesome visibility and only a little bumpiness down low in the vicinity of Richland. The route took us from Arlington to Richland, to Moses Lake, to Stehekin, and back to Arlington. About 365 NM in 2.7 hrs (my flyin' buddy made it in a little less [his -8 is faster]).

The video is a little long, so you may want to make some popcorn.
__________________
Steve Rush
Arlington, WA

Finally, it’s alive (again) ...Scott 1993 RV-6

I’ll post more soon in the engine section, but I’m just pleased right now to announce that my airplane is alive again, rocking a freshly repaired and upgraded engine.

My original intent was to simply upgrade from 7:1 to 8.5:1 pistons, but after finding a cam issue, it’s now got a new cam, crank bearings, freshly inspected, ground, and sb’d crank, 9:1 pistons, dual pmags instead of one...

After the engine shop ran me through several check / heat and cool cycles, I got to get it in the air again for the first time in two months!

I definitely need to repitch my GA200 prop, and I’m excited to see what kind of gains I’ve actually received!

Can’t say enough good stuff about my home field engine shop. These guys were GREAT!

Skyview Software Update 15.3.3

Comedy 101

Kyle Boatright posts this pic.

Steve Ashby replies, "...your prop looks awful. For cryin out loud, junk that experimental thing and just get a Hartzel."

March 13, 2018.   Issue #4,520.
  The popcorn balls arrive in N.TX!  The Bradford Pears are currently blooming - iPhone picture below from the RV-6 Monday morning.  Really pretty.
  Segue to a milestone of sorts....as of a couple days ago we have 25,000 registered forum accounts.  Thanks again for goofing off at work and helping make the magic happen.

Leo Wipplinger (1945 - 2018) ...RV-7A

It is with great sadness and broken hearts, we share that Leo Wipplinger (my father) — beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away. Although we mourn losing him, we are filled with great joy because he now is enjoying the presence of the Lord, his Savior. We will always remember how hard he worked for our family, his passion for the outdoors (flying, fishing, and hunting), and his love for his family. Leo had a heart to help those in need. If you would like to honor him, please make a donation in his name to Neighborhood Ministries: http://www.nmphx.com/get-involved/donate/ in lieu of sending flowers.

We will be having his celebration of life ceremony on April 7, 2018, at Desert View Bible Church 105 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, Arizona, 85086, (Time TBD).

RV-10 Doors and Tinnermans

How do you determine..and fuel levels

How do you determine if you have resistive float senders, or capacitive senders in your tanks?

I am beginning to calibrate the fuel levels in my RV9A for a GRT EIS system, which I didnt build, with a bit of difficulty.
On my attempt yesterday, I filled the right tank one gallon at a time, noting the reading on the EIS after each. The empty reading was 4.2 It began to change on the 4th gallon.
Then, it stopped changing at the 7th gallon, and read 5.7 each gallon there after. this isnt going to work..
Don

A: Resistive usually are just a flat thin metal plate on the outside of the tank and capacitive are usually 1/2" thick and plastic with epoxy filled center. The gauges normally do not read right to the top and if the sensor was not installed all the way to the bottom it might not read down to one gallon.

A: Restive senders have only one wire, airframe is used as ground to complete the circuit.

Capacitive units that I have seen will have two wires, sometimes coax, and use a converter box.

A: OK, As far as I know, I have but one wire.
But..I didnt trace it to the tank.
The craft had the standard Vans 2 1/4 round fuel gauges in it. they seemed to work ok in the 75 hours I flew it before I started the GRT upgrade..
IF I understand this GRT EIS fuel level calibration correctly, They recommend using the reading for full tanks as the level where the float sender stops changing..and the empty reading as the level it stops when going empty..in my case, it seems that I will have an empty reading at 3 gallons, and a full reading at 7. hmm..as I said, thats not going to work for a 16 gallon tank.
I went thru the math several times on the GRT worksheet.
Im scratching my head. If the sender output stopped increasing after the 7th gallon added...I guess it could be faulty..hard to believe it would only have a 3 to 7 gallon range of motion. (if its a float)
aircraft was level sitting in the hanger.

A: First, check the wiring. You should have a wire from the regulated power (4.7 volts, I think) going to a resistor (470 ohms). The other side of the resistor is connected to both the EIS input for fuel level, and the center terminal on the float gauge. The other side of the gauge should be grounded locally.
Turn off the aircraft master switch (power off).
Disconnect the wire from the float gauge center terminal. Put an ohmmeter on the center terminal, and measure resistance to ground. It should be somewhere between 30 and 250 ohms.
If all this works, there are several ways to trouble shoot. My guess is on the wiring.
With the wire still disconnected, but not shorted to ground, turn the power on. Put the voltmeter on the disconnected wire and measure the voltage (other probe on a good ground). It should be 4.7 volts. If not, there's a wiring problem. With the same setup, carefully hold a 470 ohm resistor between the probes (while still in contact with the wire). You should see the voltage drop in half, to, 2.3 volts or so. If grossly off, you don't have a 470 ohm resistor on the other end. You'll need to find it and replace it.
Finally, if you suspect the sender:
Drain the fuel, then start adding it back into the tank. Measure the resistance each time you add fuel. You should see it smoothly go from about 250 ohms to about 30 ohms (probably stop changing as you get with 3 or 4 gallons of full). (I might have it backwards, 30 to 250? I forget.)

Hole in the Rock ...Vlad seen from the air

Article

Like many high schools, Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lock, Wisconsin, struggled to make science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies relevant and exciting.

“Unfortunately, a lot of programs misuse the term STEM,” said James Senft, a pilot for the last 30 years who taught high school physics and is now a college administrator. “Kids are losing that connection to applied STEM knowledge because many schools have eliminated hands-on courses like shop and auto mechanics.”   ...

Falcon RV Squadron ...reaching out.

With over 43 flying RV’s at KFFC (Falcon Field, Peachtree City, GA), opportunities for RV fellowship abound. Formation flights, leaf tours, cookouts, and of course , our every Tuesday Mellow Mushroom Pizza luncheon. It is preceded at the local gun range with some shooting and a little friendly marksmanship competition. Here are some of our Squadron mates enjoying pizza.

If you are in the south Atlanta area come join us! 11:30 every Tuesday! Fly in, call me, and someone will pick you up and throw in a trip to AIrcraft Spruce east as a bonus!

Vern Darley

Reminder...

SB 18-02-02 PIREP ... scottmillhouse RV-12

Just finished this up today and it probably took closer to 16 hours than 6. I prepped, primed and painted all parts before disassembly of the tail. No real pitfalls until reassembly.

Then spent hours getting the pivot bolts and spacing washers in. The newly boxed in structure makes access much more challenging and only from underneath. Connecting the stabilator cable tensioner solo is extremely challenging but I eventually worked out a way to do it solo. Connect the top, pull the lower cable as far forward as possible, wrap tape around the clevis body and clamp lightly with vice grips from the bottom. Insert a piece of cardboard at rear bulkhead to protect it from the vice grips. (the vice grips will push against the bulkhead and lock the lower cable position) With your right hand use the tail leverage to match holes by pulling down on the rear of the stabilator. When aligned insert a short #3 bolt in from the trim motor side. Then slowly from the right work in the correct bolt to the right clevis side to put in the spacer washer and then to the left to install washer followed by outside washer and castle nut/counter pin. Probably is impossible solo to pull the cable tension directly from the clevis and put in the bolt.

Also plan on a lot of trimming to the top rear fuselage cap faring if built per plans. The exposed plates are notched but the notch ends probably 3/8" farther to the front than the clearance previously required for the box spar. Bottom is easy, just the plate thickness.

March 12, 2018.   Issue #4,519.

BillL's Double Offset Rivet Mod ...from this thread.

For the longest time I could not drive a good rivet with a double offset. Tape did not work for me. A couple of clamps and piece of baffle material did the job, cheap to try it out. Good luck, use lots of tape on the set and practice.

HS Inspar rib to front spar-spacing ...Eztroller

I am not happy with the spacing on this particular part. Trying to figure out what is causing it and am having a hard time.... looking through several books and have not been able to find the answer. Can someone point me in the correct direction.

Thanks

Mild Panic Setting in on Antennas ...Michael Fleming RV-7

So first off, I have searched about this topic but have come up dry.

When do I have to make decisions on when and where to install antennas?

I'm building a -7 and only a couple months in on working on a QB fuselage.

Looking around the forum I see QB's that are not much further along than mine with all manner of brackets and holes for electronics and antennas.

The mantra I keep hearing is wait to the last possible moment to buy avionics due to the increasing capability and decreasing cost.

So I guess the other big question is when is the last moment??

I've been hedging my bets on going Garmin or Dynon... and if I can swing it going at least basic IFR.

Build Update ...Bullseye RV-7

Mag Replacement PIREP ...Vlad

"John,

Thank you very much again. Your magneto works like a swiss watch, clocked first 15 hours on it. They made good stuff in last century. You have to speed up and finish that RV9A of yours and we go two ships to Russia. Not in flip flops though...

After buzzing your country side for couple days I came back home to this."

APRS Shoutout to Paul ...Vlad

Amazon Ranch Update ...Vlad

10,000 Year Clock Six Years Later ...Vlad

More Hangar Time ...bobmarkert

How to get more hangar time AND extra points at home.....

Step 1 Install washer and dryer in hangar

Me: "Honey I'm going to the hangar to do some laundry"

Honey: "OK, have a great day, I'll have supper waiting when you get home"

..... You're welcome guys

March 9, 2018.   Issue #4,518.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.
 

Big Bend - Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa ...tcard RV-9A Trip Write-up

I have a friend, 'crazy Marti' according to Scott, that is an amateur photographer and bluebonnet fanatic. We've been talking for a few years about trying to fly down to the Big Bend area in Texas that has a different variety of bluebonnet than what we have in Central Texas.

Ours grow low to the ground in dense fields, but in the desert they are sparse with flower stalks that get several feet tall. The stars finally aligned in 2018 for a 3-day girl's get-away weekend. The lodge in the park was already fully booked, and as it turns our that was good luck for our bluebonnet hunting crew. The option of flying into Alpine or Marfa and renting a car didn't sound very entertaining. The winning selection was to stay at the Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa and land at its 6000' x 100' private airport. Luck was shining down upon us, and I think we got the cheapest room in the joint at $210 a night. ...

Getting Ready to Main Rivet Wing Skins ...NorthernRV4

Well, a little later than I thought I'd be but I'm ready to rivet the top main wing skins on the port wing. Leading edge is fully riveted, and all all ribs are pop riveted and bolts torqued except the inboard 3 ribs which I'll leave until the wing is completely closed. In Canada we have to have an inspection before I can rivet the bottom wing skins in place.

I'm looking for advice to make this process easier and avoid potential pitfalls. Here's what I have so far.  ...

First oil change - ran into an issue...JackinMichigan

Gents,

Attempted to do the first oil change on my Lycoming IO-540 today after 5 hours of engine time (break-in oil) and ran into a problem. When I got the old oil filter off, the one that came with the engine (and it was a BEAR to get off), the threaded brass nipple that I'm pretty sure is supposed to stay in the engine came off with the old filter. It's solidly affixed to the old filter, and there's nothing to grab onto to try to spin it off. I'm leery of cutting apart the filter for fear of damaging the threads (oil and fuel systems are things I try not to get too creative with), so before I continue I want to throw this out to the group:

- How do I get this brass nipple out of the old filter? If that's not advisable, where can I get another one?
- Would off-the-shelf Locktite prevent this from happening again or is there something better?

Thanks in advance. You guys never disappoint.

Hoses with integrated fire sleeves from TS Flightlines ...ronschreck

Check out the hoses that my friend Tom Swearengen of TS Flightlines sent me. I am busy installing my overhauled IO-360 engine after 2150 hours of trouble free service. Tom offers these hoses with "integrated fire sleeves" which give the hoses a great look with a surface that is smooth and easy to keep clean. I sent Tom all of my old hoses and he matched them for a perfect fit. Thanks, Tom for great service and a super product! (I have no connection to TS Flightlines other than knowing Tom personally and appreciating the fine work that he does.)  ...

RV TRANSITION TRAINING SURVEY ...Dick VanGrunsven

(from the mothership FB page)
It is becoming increasingly evident that the fatal accident rate for RVs is considerably lower than that of E-AB aircraft in general. While it is difficult to calculate exact rates, most accident analyses show it to be approximately 2-4 times less than the average. I think that insurance underwriters would agree in that they more readily provide coverage for RVs than for many other E-AB designs. These same insurance providers indirectly contribute to this elevated safety by requiring a prescribed level of specific aircraft type flight experience prior to providing coverage. This is usually in the form of Type Transition training. Fortunately, there are a number of highly qualified TT instructors who offer quality training in various RV models. This training undoubtedly contributes directly to lower accidents rates.

Many years ago this was not the case. Builders of E-AB airplanes either simply became overnight “test pilots”, or at best could garner a familiarization flight with some willing RV pilot. “Take the controls for a while to get the feel of it” and maybe “shoot a landing or two” if conditions permitted was a common indoctrination into the realm of flight test. The thousands of you who have had the good fortune and sense to receive quality TT training can most assuredly see the shortcomings of this methodology. Throughout homebuilt history, accident rates for “first flights” and operations during the “first 10 hours” have been appallingly high. Sadly, for many models of E-AB aircraft, this reality continues. It is demonstrably better for RVs. This is due to a variety of reasons, but superior pilot preparation/training is arguably a prime factor.

I am inclined to believe that in addition to the obvious benefit of exposing the trainee to the unique qualities of a specific aircraft, the requirement that trainees meet a stringent “stick & rudder” standard set by exacting TT instructors yields an elevated level of competence and refinement. This may be a slight overstatement; however it is my belief that our TT instructors impose a higher criterion for pilot performance than is expected by examiners of newly minted private pilots, or by instructors providing biannual flight reviews. If my observation is correct, we may have re-discovered a safety secret; better pilots. Not just better prepared to fly their new RV, but better regardless of the aircraft they choose to fly.

On this basis, wouldn’t most GA pilots develop into becoming safer if they were to receive similar “upgrade/refresher/recurrent” training? You undertook this type-training because of insurance requirements, your fellow RV builders encouraged it, and you possess good sense. Enticing other GA pilots to take “self-improvement” training perhaps may be difficult without the specific goals and motivation you had.
My purpose in writing this is to solicit your input. If you had TT prior to test flying your RV, I’d like to hear your comments on the training specifics you considered most important and reaped the greatest benefit. To name yourself or instructor is not a requirement. Obviously, to validate my observations and opinions as stated above would be gratifying in light of our overall goal of increasing safety but I also welcome differing experiences and conclusions, regardless if being contradictory to mine. We learn from sharing. If you have suggestions for ways of encouraging all GA pilots to take upgrade training, please include them.

I’d appreciate your prompt response so that I may use this as a basis in advocating for more widespread TT within the homebuilt community and beyond. If better pilot training improves RV safety, we need to spread the good news to all in GA.

Thank you.
Dick VanGrunsven
Please respond to Support 'at' vansaircraft 'dot' com. Type” Transition Training” on the subject line.

March/April 2018 FAA Safety Briefing Now Online

March 8, 2018.   Issue #4,517.

0' - 10,000' in 1min 58sec

...world record in turbo rotary HRII (I think).  RV-4 DNA.

Vlad's Mag Fixed

(from Vlad)
An RV builder in Phoenix is removing a magneto from his project as we speak and will be driving to Deming in an hour or two. I couldn’t thanks enough to VAF camaraderie. You guys rock!  track

(from YellerDaisy)
Last I saw Vlad - about 45 minutes ago - he was preparing to depart Deming. Replacement mag installed and working as expected.

John R. (sorry, can't recall your full last name) is a SAINT! He pulled a mag from his project engine, drove it to Deming from Phoenix (350 miles), helped Vlad install it, and now get's to drive all the way back! Well done John!!

[ed. I moved the thread from 'Temp' to 'RV Maintenance' because it just read so dang awesome!  Feel good story of the week! v/r,dr]

AviationNation--first national award!

I was unaware we were even nominated, but received news that we have been selected for the Frank G. Brewer award this year. It is for youth aviation education achievement. The trophy resides in the National Air and Space Museum. Thanks go to Jim Brewer, Chief Mentor of our Omaha project, and I am sure many others. For info on this award (and a pic of the trophy,) see https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-t.../brewer-trophy

After all these years of hard work, this certainly does bring a nice, warm feeling.
__________________
Bob Kelly, Scipio, Indiana

Panel Porn ...msaltzman14 RV-9A

Millionaire Camels in Yuma ...Capt Sandy Trip Write-up

Today Roy and I were finally back to exploring in the SMC (Silver Magic Carpet) after a month or more of being grounded due to human systems malfunctions. Felt GREAT to be flying again. We flew from Lake Havasu (KHII) to Yuma, Arizona (KNYL). The folks at Millionaire Aviation were oh so kind and helpful. We expected an expensive ramp fee, expensive fuel, and not sure what the courtesy car situation might be. Self-serve fuel turned out to be some of the least expensive around, ramp fee waved with fuel purchase, the facility fee was $5 and included coupons to purchase food at the Millionaire café for $1 each! (We’re not cheap, we’re FRUGAL) And the food was good.

RV-8 Build Status Report ...sapeloson

Just about ready to start buttoning her up for good.......

March 7, 2018.   Issue #4,516.
  The back is still a little twitchy but on the mend.  Turbo, I read that whole book on it you sent years back - thanks again!  So in the mean time I worked on camera technique as some of the usual suspects went out for their RV flights on a nice Tuesday at 52F.
  The 2001-era Canon EOS-1D Mark IIn I'm using takes 8.5 pictures per second at 3,504 X 2,336 pixels (L) with a max burst rate of (48) pictures at that resolution.  I shot (162) pictures, and still mostly suck at it.  I read the camera was a favorite of sports photographers when it came out, but I could argue that maybe these RVs are just as challenging in some regards...if not more.
  There is that fifth of a second where the plane is between hangars with blue sky behind it, not too high or low.  1/200th blurs the prop and about every other picture if you're not smooth as it goes by.  And you're panning out as it goes by, and swiveling.  And let's face it....these planes are FAST.
  I'm trying to get better, and am grateful I'm not using film ;^).  Some highlights for your amusement...click to enlarge.

The rest for this plane

The rest for this plane

The rest for this plane

The rest for this plane

Note: If you cycle through the pics taken of this 8A you can see the pilot take a quick glance at me just after takeoff ;^).
 

 
The rest for this plane

fmi: Understanding and Comparing Canon Burst Rates

Community Wide Ping:

Stuck in Deming, NM with dead Slick 4370 ...Vlad RV-9A

Milestone: 9A Wings Done! ...PilotjohnS

Wings are done. Took me 13 months, but I am happy with the results. A big thank you to all those who helped. Now I need to remove the plastic and build a roadie box for long term storage. Yeah!

I found it easy to do all the work with the wing on the stand. I cant imagine how much harder it would have been if the bottom skins were riveted on while the wing was flopping on a table.

I will add the tips and avionics during the finishing stages; its too early to buy the avionics.

Here is a picture of the pitot and AoA tubes. I just heated them up and slide them on. The metal tube was prepared by plugging the tubing to keep the crud out, rounding the end and abrading the last 1/2" so the plastic tube would stick better. Also visible is the bracket to hold the conduit away from the access cover screws.

March 6, 2018.   Issue #4,515.

scaled / 2,877 x 1,860 pixel full size

It OMGs me sometime at the amounts of money some folks spend on airplanes, cars, houses, boats, TVs and phones, while not spending a couple of bucks a month to store a copy of their digital content in a second location.  IMHO, for me it's the smartest four bucks a month I currently spend - being able to put unlimited pictures on the web in their full, pillowcase-sized glory (also where I backup around 15,000+ of my personal digital pictures...and my phone data in private folders). 

Sometimes I even use a folder to tell a RV travel story.

On to today's picture.  Above is a pic from a month or so ago in its 2,877 x 1,860 pixel awesomeness showing Scorch turning off (just landed to the north) and Scroll back-taxiing down to his Delta turnoff.  I like how Scorch is slightly out of focus and the slight elevation change at the north end is exaggerated.  The 200mm lens was maxed out. 

PS: I keep another copy of all my digital content at a 2nd spot for insurance.  It's what the kids do these days.

RV-8 and the Alternate Plan ...ArlingtonRV (Steve Rush)

Saturday (3/3/18) was a slightly better day on the wet side of the mountains in Washington State. We had planned a trip to the dry side, but lots of clouds over the mountains made that seem unwise. Anyway, it looked a lot like this.  [ed. 11min video!  v/r,dr]

Lycoming Carbureted O-290-D2 EGT out of Family ...snopercod update

The saga continues

I watched the carb temperature all winter and never once saw the temperature get down into the icing zone, even during an idle power descent on a cold day. Enough heat is transferred from the oil sump to keep the carb warm. So I'm confident that my particular engine just doesn't need carb heat on descent. (Of course it's there if I ever need it.) I'm still debating the wisdom of removing the temp sensor that sticks out into the throat of the carb. Several commenters have recommended that and they're probably right. What I have found over the last six months is that the rearmost cylinders 3 & 4 run lean at WOT on takeoff with the mixture full rich. That's probably not a good thing, but to compensate, I pull back on the throttle a little when reaching 500' and the EGTs even out. You can see that in the graph below. It's curious because I would have expected that with the throttle fly vertical, more fuel would reach the rear cylinders than when the fly was aimed more toward the front. I think my next step will be to drill out the "peppermill" holes I drilled in the nozzle years ago to provide more fuel to the rear cylinders. IIRC, they're only #57 now, and in the photos of the Marvel nozzles, they look much bigger. "It's Experimental"

Full Throttle Throttle back Leaned out for Cruise:

N314KC gets new clothes ...KeithB

N314KC was the 24th RV-14 completed. Her first flight was March 8,2017 and she now has 190 hours. Last Friday, I picked her up from the paint shop.

New Paint Curing Oven ...mfleming

Sooooo...first thing I'll say is that my wife is out of town or I might not have tried this new idea.

I painted my brake pedals in my slightly chilly (sub 60°F garage). After drying all night I wasn't happy with far along the curing process was. Our clothes dryer has this insert for things you want to dry but don't want tumbling around.

One hour on high (about 145°F) really hardens up the paint <g>

I don't think I would have put these in the dryer if the paint wasn't pretty far along on curing...not sure what kind of explosive fume paint gives off in the early stages

-7 Elevator Bellcrank Install Issue

I'm installing the F-635 elevator bellcrank assembly on my -7 QB fuselage.

The quick builders drilled the ¼" bolt hole in the F-729A bellcrank rib and angle. They also drilled the hole in the F-728A bellcrank channel BUT did not drill the F-728B angle.

This seems like a critical hole to drill so the bolt is square with the structure.

My problem is how to drill through the angle and not get off center??

Here's the drawing.
 

Mothership Stats

From Audrey Reeves ...the 'AR' in N617AR

(email to Dad)
Thought you might be interested in this article that summarizes some of the work I was doing last semester. That lab is partnered with the pharmaceutical company Novartis, and we met with their research head Jay Bradner while I was there (which is mentioned in the article).

March 5, 2018.   Issue #4,514.
  Nice Wx Fri and Sat in N. TX, but it turned OVC and BR/RA all of Sun.  Got to do a little flying Friday with locals out to the Red Barn Cafe in Sulphur Springs (33.156859, -95.619019) 80 miles east of Dallas.  Pano below suitable for 2-monitor setup.  Some chores on Saturday and spent most of Sunday nursing back spasms (dumb old body) - occurs from time to time.  Much better Sunday night.
  Hope you had a nice weekend and got to do some RV stuff.

scaled / full

Pink Slip! ...Krea Ellis RV-7A

I just wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation to Vern Darley, who came to my hangar at Mallard's Landing in Locust Grove for the inspection of our RV-7A.

Vern was exceptionally thorough, knowledgeable and very pleasant to work with. He found a few minor discrepancies and although I was a little embarrassed that he found anything, he did not make me feel foolish for my oversight. I was most impressed with his attention to detail and professionalism.

Once the RV-7A is flying, I intend to get back to the RV-10 project and I look forward to working with Vern again. I highly recommend him as an EAA Tech Counselor, for DAR services, pre-buys and any other needs you might have.

Thanks again, Vern!

Bendix Still Kicking Out ...Jim Rice

So far, I’ve tried about everything and still having problems. New battery, new cables, new master and starter solenoids and took starter to local armature shop and they say nothing is wrong with starter, yet I am still experiencing same problem. I’ve cleaned and reconnected all connections. After 2-3 blades, the bendix kicks out. Motor continues turning normally, but Bendix disengages. Occasionally, I’ll get 6-8 blades before it kicks out.

Today, after changing cable from starter solenoid to starter with #2AWG welding cable and new heavy terminals voltage drop during cranking was 0.4 volts from 12.5 to 12.1V . Voltage drop on ground side was only 0.15V.

Despite what armature shop says, I think I have an internal starter issue. I guess next step is a new starter. My starter is a Delco-Remy Prestolite. I don’t really want SkyTech or B&C lightweight starter because I need the weight up front the old starter provides. I already have the Landoll balancer ring. ...

Low fuel Pressure Root Cause maybe

I have a fuel inject Superior 320. Over the last few months I have been experiencing intermittent low fuel pressure until now where it is consistently low (5 - 10lb) The backup pump must be run for the engine to stay running. Knowing that the engine driven fuel pumps are very reliable I started looking else where. What I found is what appears to be a failure with the fuel plunger and the cam(see the pic)

So I have two questions; any ideas how this could happen, could this be a defect in the plunger or cam?

Second - To fix this will obviously require pulling the engine and accessory case. What I was thinking was just adding a second electric fuel pump forgoing the mechanical pump. I have dual electronic ign, so I'm already electrically dependent. My bigger concern is hot starts. The mechanical pump vs. the full pressure of the electrical pump on startup.

any help would be greatly appreciated!

Stripped?

Haven't quite figured out the quirks of nutplates yet i guess.

This is the tie-down AEX attached to the wing spar. The bolts here attach a powder coated bracket which I think is part of the aileron actuation bits and pieces.

Did I strip it? If so, do I need to drill out all the rivets to replace this nutplate? Or just change the bolt? I think this happened because my socket was too deep to help push those first few threads in. I have been using a dab of wax on the bolt.

Extending My RV-9A Fuel Tanks: Documented ...9GT

Build PIREP ...jcarne 7A

The airplane factory is back in action!!! After waiting a painful couple of months for the weather to get warm it is time to get back into the garage for perhaps my most productive year yet!

Back in January my fueselage kit arrived, btw, when FedEx shows up later than expected and you think you can move the fuselage kit with just your wife, start making calls to avoid an argument! I underestimated what a pain that box was going to be to get into the house but we got it done.

Like Christmas two weeks later!  ...

Chris Cooper's RV-14 Build Blog

March 2, 2018.   Issue #4,513.
  As promised yesterday, the wallpaper calendar for March is now live (February 30th...some know it as March 2nd).  Drop dead gorgeous photo by Ed Hicks.  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.

RV-3B Construction PIREP ...David Paule

I finally reread the manual for the areas I've been working on. Should have done that earlier, as it would have told me the correct way to assemble that spar bulkhead strip that I had to unrivet. The manual says "The rivet holes through the skins and the bottom flanges of bulkhead F-303 should not be drilled until both skins are in place."

I agree with this with one exception: if you drill through the bulkhead flanges first, then when the skins are in place, you can back-drill through the skins using a 12" bit, and there will be no difficulty locating the holes on the skins. Just watch out for edge distance when you're locating the holes on the flanges and when you set up the skins for drilling.

Also, note that some of the rivets are -4. When you're doing the drilling, if you don't go bigger than #40 at this time, you'll save yourself some time. You can drill those holes to #30 before dimpling. Just don't forget.

I glued the strip on to the flanges. That'll let me remove those clecos during the fitting of the forward belly skin.

A machinist friend made the button at the end of the manual flap handle and cut the slot. The bearing blocks for this are ready now, too. The plans don't show it but the manual correctly says to install nutplates under the bearing block mounting angle to facilitate easier maintenance. Since my seat rib flanges were running low on edge distance (the extruded angle is ample) I made a small plate to rivet the nutplates to, and then riveted the plate to the frame. The other side is complete too.

New (March 2018) Garmin GDL 50/50R ADS-B Receivers ...g3xpert (Garmin)

We are pleased to announce the Garmin GDL 50 portable and GDL 50R remote mount ADS-B receivers that are capable of receiving Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) traffic and weather. Both units also provide built-in attitude sensors and a GPS receiver. The GDL 50 includes a built-in rechargeable battery which provides battery operation for up to 8 hours. While battery and "3D" attitude was optional on the GDL 39, these features are standard on the GDL 50.

Exclusive traffic features such as TargetTrend™ and TerminalTraffic™ further enhance the ADS-B traffic picture and are unique to Garmin products.

Wireless and hardwired compatibility is provided for G3X™ Touch, the aera® 660 and aera 795/796 aviation portables, as well as wireless connectivity with the Garmin Pilot app, giving customers access to a full-featured suite of weather products, ADS-B traffic and more using a single device.

Each of these receivers supports 2 wired (RS-232) display connections and 2 wireless (Bluetooth) display connections for a total of 4 display devices.

One of our most popular G3X Touch installations is one with dual displays, and with the GDL 50R/51R/52R we can now hardwire the RS-232 interfaces to both displays, and leave the 2 wireless interfaces available for portable units.

If you already have a GDL 39 interface mount/cable for your Aera 660/795/796, you can plug it directly into the GDL 50/51/52 since these units use the same connector/wiring as the GDL 39 for power and data.

The GDL 50/50R are the latest additions to the GDL 50/51/52 line of ADS-B and SXM traffic/weather/music receivers.

GDL 50/50R with ADS-B Traffic/Weather, attitude, and GPS (Availalble now for $849) continue

Trying to wrap my head around this .. p45-05 fig 1 ...bkervaski RV-14A

On page 45-05, fig 1, the exploded view shows an inside corner line that calls for an angle that doesn't make sense to me.

I'm looking for some clarity, as this cut would seem to result in a triangle opening in the cowl and omitting it will have both cowls mate evenly.  Confused.  Edit: I found this pic (not mine, it's on E's site). This is correct? Is there an obvious reason for the triangle cut-out I'm missing? Stress relief perhaps?

Fiberglass Painting Tip ...Carl Froehlich

Don’t forget fiberglass and ultraviolet light do not mix well. Put something on it.

This is what I do for flying before final paint:
- Prep all fiberglass to fill pinholes per the Van’s instruction.
- White two part epoxy primer on the inside of the cowl (e.g. PPG DP48LF). Two coats. Do this before first engine start.
- Van’s stick on aluminum heat shield on the inside of the cowl in the obvious places (check for discolor after the first few flights and add as needed).
- One coat of PPG epoxy primer on outside of the cowl and all fiberglass.
- One coat PPG single stage paint in your choice of color on top of the primer. I find a medium blue goes well with the rest of the plane in bare aluminum.

Reasons:
- Anything you can do to prep the glass will be appreciated by your painter (especially if that painter is you). He might even drop the price a little as he’ll see the PITA fiberglass prep is well started. The primer and top coat paint will also give the paint guy material to block sand - that will only improve the final product.
- Even though you plan on painting right after the flight test program, odds are you will be flying like this for some time. The simple extra step of adding a coat of color on the fiberglass will make it look worlds better.

March 1, 2018.   0007Z.  Issue #4,512.
  We've had some damp Wx lately here around the 'ol Van Cave, but by dumb luck there was a gap between rain bands when I pulled into the airport Wednesday morning.  My planned 45 minutes on the treadmill went out the window.  As it should.
  (15) TnGs later I felt much better.  Didn't have the ceilings or clear skies to venture beyond the pattern, but it was plenty fun to just work on technique.
  Then the rain started...and it didn't stop for the rest of the day...and I was OK with it.
  So much OK I forgot to do the March wallpaper calendar.  Tomorrow I promise, he says sheepishly.
 

RV-14 Milestone ...control

Standing on wheels...

Who knew

I received a text from my 25 year old daughter this morning asking if I would have the 40 hours for my phase 1 flown off by July. I told her I have about 25 more to go before I would be out of phase 1. Circumstances, weather, wind and the distance to the airport have hindered the progress of getting those hours flown off. She said she was asking because she was wanting to take the time off from work so she and I could fly up to Oshkosh for Airventure together. She and her husband moved away from us this last year and its an 7-8 hour car ride each way from Kentucky to her home in Springfield MO. I figured its about 3.5 in the RV one way. I know her mother is wanting those hours flown off as well. I don't think she (my wife) was a big fan when I started the project.

__________________
Mike
RV-9A Based K6I2

RV-Lancair Brotherhood Day...2/27 entry

Grand Strand Today

Expanding our range, Darwin and I flew 1+30 From AVL to CRE (Grand Strand AKA North Myrtle Beach) today for some fresh seafood. Darwin left first and I never could catch him in my Lancair. I had him 10 miles in front on my ADS-B screen the entire trip. Those RV-4s are fast! Our ground speeds were roughly 170 Kts. After landing, we both bought gas and then took the courtesy car to Rockefellers Raw Bar for lunch. I burned 20 gallons out and back so this truly was a $100 lunch.

Full serve $5.25 per gallon at Grand Strand, but hey, we're rich playboys, right?

Rv12is Pre Fabricated Rigid Fuel Lines ...Aircraft Specialty update

Thanks to everyone that has emailed us about this project. We have a great group of beta testers lined up.  Here is a sneak peak of the first few of the initial pre production prototype tubes.

N248RV New Panel...LuckyDuck

New

Old

Replacing the Windscreen ...Dustyone

Router with dust extraction is your friend.  I did this last year for a customer.  A router with dust extraction made this a straight forward job.

A Huge Thank You

A very nice secret Santa sent me a new coffee table book by Piers Bizony called 'Moonshots'.  No note...no card...it just arrived at the door.  Thank you very much, and you hit it out of the park.  Cameras and spaceflight...two huge non-RV interests of mine.  Starting the read took up most of my evening last night, and I suspect many more to come. 

Tips hat in direction of anonymous secret santa... 

February 28, 2018.   Issue #4,511.

Charlie Kearns RV-8 Takeoff 52F.

enlarge

Interior Sound Reduction ...BSwayze entry and discussion

My RV-7A isn't quite flying yet, so I can't give a report on effectiveness, but I installed some soundproofing from Aircraft Spruce. I will also install carpet, so I hope to get a double benefit. I found this on someone else's website, and it really impressed me. This guy was installing some soundproofing in his RV. The benefits not only go toward reducing some of the noise inside an airplane, but provide some insulation and vibration reduction, too. more pics

Winter Ops PIREP/Question ...martinair

yesterday was probably the coldest day for my 1998 RV4, which was buildt in California. OAT was -15°C (5F) in FL85, and the oil temperature never exceeded 63°C (145F). Usually I am keeping that around 90°C (194F). during descent, even though I kept the revs up, cyl 2 cooled down to 85°C CHT (185F).

question: for the next flight, my idea is I just use some duct tape, maybe strenghtened with a small sheet of aluminium, for example on the lower half of both inlets, to reduce the amount of cool air coming in?

what do you guys think, how is your experience in winter flying, what do you do?

A Special Request

If any VAF readers have access to a large format printer I would like to hear from you if at all possible.  I'm on the board at 52F and we are in need of a large printout from the Denton CAD Webmap site of our airport (https://www.dentoncad.com/gis/) to hang on the wall of our airport office.

In a perfect world, we need to be able to see the property ID number clearly - with or without sat layer.  We have a wall that is 7.5 feet tall by 12 feet wide.  Covering most of that wall with an airport map would be the plan - something suitable for stick pins and such.

I can offer 5 billion Dougy Bucks* for your kind help.  And, "This map made possible by the most awesome Your Name" will appear on a label under the map.  And we can pay for the printout...

*Dougy Bucks are made up of unicorn flatulence.

RV-7 Panel/Cabin Photos ...RV7AJeremy's entry

...and about a billion other photos! <g>

New Guy Chimes In

(Harry Maroney)
I joined the force a few months ago and figured it was time to introduce myself to the membership. My name is Harry Maroney and I am a retired commercial pilot, ex-military (C-141), and have experience as a first officer in several business jets. I am an aviation enthusiast and have owned several certified aircraft, most recently, a BE76 (Duchess).

I met Vlad, perhaps the most prolific flier at N51 where he keeps his RV 9A.
He is a great Van's enthusiast, flier, and goodwill ambassador and introduced me to the Van's experimental world. I no longer have my Duchess and have been reading up on all of the Van's models to learn of their different attributes. I like them all!

I have never built an aircraft but enjoy and appreciate the cooperative spirit and dedication displayed by the members. I've learned a lot in the short time I've been a member and plan to purchase an RV in the near future.

So, I broke a Tungsten bucking bar, in half. ...CubedRoot

Well, this is the first time I have ever seen this. While working on my flaps the other night, I was happily riveting the top skin to the spar, and I noticed that my bucking bar felt....weird.

I keep it wrapped in athletic tape to make it easier to handle, and to keep it from scratching my surfaces on the non-bucking ends. But after about 20 rivets or so, I noticed it felt "floppy". After un-wraveling the tape, my heart sank just a tiny bit. One of my favorite tools had given up the ghost...

Jaybird Has Some Stuff For Sale

West Coast Formation Clinic Application Process Closes Wednesday

So says AX-O...

February 27, 2018.   Issue #4,510.

RV'ing for a gone west EAA'er  ...crabandy

Thank goodness for the low ceilings/temps on Saturday, I could make the re-scheduled due to weather memorial fly-over for Ralph Bond (Gone West EAA'er) on Sunday afternoon. It's been months since I've gotten to fly with McDoogle and my little boy's been bugging me daily to go flying. Mid day temps around 50 degrees as we saddle up and get ready to light the fires.  ...

Looking for web pages and photos of RV-7/7A panel & cabin forward ...iluke entry

I'm at a similar point an here's what I'm doing. You might find it useful. I'm planning to buy all Dynon stuff so I got the unit dimensions from their website and made up cardboard replicas so I could play around with positions. Turns out that I will be able to fit everything on the aft face of that panel just forward of the instrument panel. What this means (I think) is that I can reasonably expect to be able to install it all after riveting on the forward top skin, but just removing the instrument panel for access.

Show us the status of your 8/8A project! ...Don Patrick

Another quick update.

Here is the rudder masked, blue shot, then the clear.

Horizontal stab this week, elevators next week, and the wings are getting done after March break. The fuse will hopefully be done mid April.

RV-9A, C-GCPT, Flying Canuck (starts a build log thread)

Hit a couple of milestones on my RV-9A project this past weekend, so time to post a few pictures.

I logged my first time on this build 3 years ago today. This past Friday afternoon, C-GCPT climbed out of my garage/workshop and onto a trailer to make the cold 18 km journey to its new airport home, meeting up with the wings that made the trip 7 months ago.

Cowl Misalignment With Inlet Ramp ...Bootscooter RV-14

Hi All,

I was pleasantly surprised that all you had to do to fit the lower cowl was to trim to the scribe line, some fine tuning with block sanding and it fit perfectly.

Except for one area and that is at the cylinder #2 inlet ramp, the cowl is about 3/16" blow the ramp. The top cowl and the prop spinner are aligned where they should be.

The fix for this would be to trim the cowl further back and fibreglass/flox/and make up a new rubbber ramp.

Just wondering if anyone had any pics of this process and how it turned out?
Rgs Chad

New Guy Chimes In...Dallas TX

February 26, 2018.   0005Z.  Issue #4,509.
   Saturday morning it rained, so Suz and I treated ourselves to a game date in the afternoon to see our Baylor Lady Bears play TCU 45 minutes from our house.  $10 walk up general admission tickets and free parking.  Found some seats 20' from the court and enjoyed a nice, affordable game.  Fun to finally see Kristy Wallace and 'The Trees' Lauren and Kaloni play in person.  Much better than TV.
  Hope you had a nice weekend.  Go Bears.

15min to tipoff

Mo's Fly-in - Ottawa River - 29th Edition ...terry.mortimore

Hi Mark, that RV-6A would have been me! Sorry I missed you, we had to wait for the weather to lift around Sudbury. I think you were just leaving when we arrived.

That was fun, thank you to Mo and all the volunteers that put it on. Hope to see you next year.

(PIREP from Terry.mortimore)
So, you learn something every flight. Here’s what I learned yesterday.

I use Fore Flight to file my flight plans, yesterday on the way down we had a 4 knot tailwind. We were 2 hour 25 minutes going down. When I filed to come back Fore Flight used the mornings winds aloft to calculate the time enroute.

So there I was fat, dumb and happy at 10,500, but only seeing a 140 mph ground speed. As a result we we’re 3 hours coming home. When I called London Radio to cancel my flight plan I got a stern lecture on being overdue.

Now, this was the same guy I talked to twice for weather. Once south of North Bay and once North of Gore Bay. I was on 126.7 which is also the frequency for London radio for the last portion of the trip. I had it in mind to update my ETA when I called for weather at Gore Bay, but I let it slip. My Bad!

So the take away is that I have to update fore flights weather, before flying a return trip on the same day. Normally I’m within WIFI when l’m planning a flight, darn no WIFI at Mo’s.

If I had thought about it I could have used the hot spot on my phone to update the weather, or I’m thinking I’m going to try one of those Scout ADS-B in receivers. That way I will have on board weather when I’m close to the US border.

California Custom Purple Metal Polish...BHunt

I decided to try polishing as long as I could stand it. I don’t need a show quality finish so thought I’d give CA Customs Purple Polish a try.

3D flap bracket fairing RV-9 ...Steve M

...finally getting around to removing the tape and securing these aft fairings (grey to white) with a dab of goop. upon inspection, all fairings look good. no signs of wear or distress on anything.

Arizona Family History Trip ...crabandy Trip Write-up

[ed. I featured this Friday, but over the weekend Andy added some more pictures and words.  Absolutely worth visiting again!  v/r,dr]

3D Printed Ignition Wire Guides ...KJBSouth

Our 3D printer is a Wanhao Duplicator 6 purchased at a 3D printer store north of Tampa. After the magnetic oil door latch, I turned my attention to other 3D printable parts. As Experimental Aviation Association members we have access to no-charge personal use copies of SolidWorks Design Software.

Tip When Posting in the Classifieds

If you don't want there to be any discussion going back and forth on your entry, simply click the 'Close This Thread After You Submit Your Message' box.  Couldn't be easier!  v/r,dr

On the Ramp at Graham, TX Sunday

Sid M. photo.  Sid Mayeux ‘s KELLI GIRL RV-7A.  Jay Pratt’s BORROWED HORSE RV-8. Blake and Monica Graham’s RV-7.  Sid said there were also RV-10, 7, 6A and 4 models represented.

February 23, 2018.   Issue #4,508.
  Somehow Oregon's rain ended up in N.Texas for the past few days (and the next few).  I don't know how you folks up in the rainy NW stay sane.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, rain-free, safe and RV-filled weekend.  
 

Scorch in the Flare ...RV-6 @ 52F. dr

scaled / full

Looking for web pages and photos of panel & cabin forward  ...Bill Bencze replies

Hi Larry ... here's how my bird is coming together. I elected to build a avionics tray that mounts to the bottom of the ribs from the firewall to the subpanel. It's secured by piano hinges; the pins come out the front side of the subpanel and it simply drops down and can be removed for maintenance I'm going Garmin, so this panel holds the remote comm radio, transponder, EIS box, battery backup and CO detector. All wiring from the aft comes through four connectors in the tray near the firewall: continue

Mothership Stats

Wing Incidence Problem ...efitzgerald RV-7

I temporarily mounted the wings.

After making relief notches to clear a rivet at the top of the rear spar stubs, the sweep and triangulation is less than 1/16" off.

But when I check the incidence with the rear spars lined up to the bottom of the flange:

The left wing is 0.2 degrees high on the trailing end at the tip.
The left wing is 0.1 degrees high on the trailing end at the root.
The right wing is 0.0 degrees at the root
The right wing is 0.1 degrees low on the trailing end at the tip.

The best I could do was to lower the stub of the the left wing spar approximately 3/32""

The left wing is 0.1 degrees high on the trailing end at the tip.
The left wing is 0.0 degrees at the root
The right wing is 0.0 degrees at the root
The right wing is 0.1 degrees low on the trailing end at the tip.

So it appears that there is some twist to the wings. Also the flap / fuselage interface is not going to the same on both side as the left is slightly lower. Edge distance is not a problem, there is lots of room. This is a quickbuild kit, the quality seems to be good other than a lot of scuffs and scratches.

Q: What are you recommendations?

A: One tenth of one degree is pretty good IMHO. You would not even see that with an old fashioned bubble level used by builders pre digital age.

A: One of my wings had about .2 degrees of twist. I set the incedence in the center of the wing and guess what, it flies straight and level with the ball centered. A tenth of a degree is nothing. One of my flap skins also has about a 1/8-3/16 joggle to meet the bottom of the fuselage.

A: I seem to remember this in a search. Basically the consensus was make them both the same at the measurement point in the plans. I did ask about sweep and was told make them the same. A call to Vans would be prudent before drilling the rear spar holes.

A: To quote an old saying, "BUILD ON!" Your errors are WELL within build tolerance.

200kt GS Club ...jbell2355 RV-7A entry

Skyview Problem

In the process of installing dual Dkyview HDX. I am getting a message 'Skyview Network Connection Fault - Data 2 Pair (Pins 4 & 8)'. At the same time, Skyview is not detecting my two AP servos nor the Adahrs. Any ideas would help.

A: You'll want to ring out your serial/network cables for proper continuity and make sure you don't have recessed pins in any connectors. If both screens are showing the same error, look for a common connection to start troubleshooting.

A: I have seen this problem with a bad auto pilot servo, but usually it is a network cable that is not working correctly. Go into the settings and then to network status and see what devices are showing the fault. This should help you figure out where the problem is.

A: Start here. Check the pin locations in the AHARs. I had them wrong. Once put in the correct locations all three will be detected if the rest of the wiring is correct. Can’t for the life of me figure out why I had them in the wrong locations, but I did.

Closure: "I would like to thank the persons who replied to my post. It did turn out that the adahrs was wired incorrectly. It is now up and looking very happy Now on to the ap servos that have not been detected either.
Thanks again."

52F's New Windsock in the Works

...sock models Pokey and Dixie (aka Barky and Bitey).

enlarge ...Rob Reece photo.

And there is actually some specifics in doing this right.  See this 11 page PDF doc.

SB 18-02-02 PIREP ...found crack (John Clark RV-12)

90512 290 hours on the Hobbs. I had not applied dye penetrant before but had watched the application on larger part.

Facing forward, it was at the right outboard hinge bracket, upper bolt nutplate, inboard rivet. It was about 1/8 inch and went into or came out from under the rivet. The good news is I need only one stop drill whereas it appears to me the SB example would need two.

I needed the dye to see it. In fact, I missed it the first time with the dye but was not satisfied with the developer cover, too thick I thought. Since it was a tight area, the spray dye was too much and is probably still wicking down the spar toward the tip. I did spray it lightly.

The next 3 or 4 times I wiped the dye on with a rag. Wiping on seemed effective as long as I kept the surface wet. Cleanup was much easier.

Once I knew where the crack was, I could see it with a 10x loop or use the macro setting on the camera. I could not have found it without the dye.

I tried it four times instead of three because when I wiped the third test, I could see the crack but could not see the end. On the fourth test, I center punched the spot with the dye and developer still showing the end, I hope.

The servo tabs did not present a dye indication.

February 22, 2018.   0003Z.  Issue #4,507.
  Question:  Does anybody reading this use one of the HP ENVY Curved All-in-One - 34-b025xt computers at home?  Pic right.   My 9-yr old Gateway DX4840 desktop (3.2GHz and 6GB ram running Windows 7), the PC I currently use to build this daily edition for you, is finally starting to make noises from its power supply.  I've been turning it off for the past month or so when I'm not using it to maybe keep it alive for a tad longer.  I bought it an hour after the last one went kaput.
  It might be time to finally break down and get a new computer.  I've been looking at the HP all-in-one as it would turn my 2-monitor system into one monitor - there are 8 software packages I need open simultaneously to do my work.  I need the desk space. ;^)  
 

Arizona Family History Trip ...crabandy RV-7

On a previous trip to AZ, we left our contact info at an Old cabin/homestead in the Arizona Mountains. Long story short my Great Uncle Ivy's side of the family whom we've never met contacted us and we set up a family reunion. My dad tends to worry about a lot of things, I was planning on picking him up in Wichita at 6:30 am for our flight to AZ. After a 4 am txt about it being "awfully windy," I headed to the airport for an early start. There were strong gusty winds from the north down low which beat the 40 knt headwinds at altitude. There were also some narrow bands of OVC that we went on top of. Watching the sunrise behind us flying over an overcast.  ...

In Regards to Sideslipping RVs ...Steve Arnold

No one has really explained why slipping may become a problem and why you probably got the advice.

First of all they slip well. However, depending on how the fuel tank was built and how much fuel is in the down wing could lead to an engine stoppage. This happened in our RV-9. If your down wing tank has flop tubes this is unlikely to happen as it will still be able to pick up fuel

If the down wing tank has a standard pick up tube and it is low on fuel the fuel flows away from the pick up in the down wing. Of course it will take a few minutes for the carb to empty but FI may be affected by it pretty quickly.

So if you are going to slip, make sure either you are on the raised wing fuel supply, have plenty of fuel in the down wing is still taking fuel from that tank, or there is a flop tube in the down wing.

In our case the engine restarted soon after the wings had been leveled but the pilot got a nasty surprise when it stopped initially and then again when it started making power again.

Upcoming IAC (International Aerobatic Club) Events

Hello Everyone,

2017 was my first full year of aerobatic competition and what a year it was! Last year started off with the IAC judges school in March and then the following contests:

Snowbird Classic March 2017, Dunnellon FL
Sebring Aerobatic Championship May 2017 Sebring FL
Bear Creek Bash June 2017, Rome GA
East Coast Championship, November 2017 Sebring FL  continue

200kt GS Club Entry ...Janekom

Need help w/Fuel tank sender possible weeping screw

Doing the first annual since putting this rv6a back online. There were no apparent leaks before this, but this year’s annual revealed some blue staining around the sender after I took the wing root fairing off. It appears to me that the leak is just a weeping screw based on the pattern of the stain and the gummyness of the pro seal around that screw. Then again, the pro seal that has been touched by the fuel is also soft enough that I can scratch it off with my finger in places.

If it is the screw, can I just drain the tanks, wait for it to dry, and apply some new sealer after scraping the old stuff off? Is there anything else that might work better for this application than proseal? Wicking loctite?
Or does it look like I’m going to have to pull the tank and remove the sender and do the whole thing?

Please Welcome Our Newest Van Cave Team Members

...Moppy II and Squeegy I.  We look fwd to their many years of service.  And yes the locals can borrow them. ;^)

February 21, 2018.   Issue #4,506.
  Moppy 1 experienced a multi-year corrosion induced hardware failure at the Van Cave on 2/20.  She was a really good hangar mop.
  Farewell, Moppy 1, and we thank you.*

The Ladies at Van's Aircraft ...getting some much deserved recognition.

RV-7 Panel/Cabin Forward Pic Submit ...Raymo

A pic of my slider sub-panel. The hole left of the EMS module goes fwd through the firewall. The hold left of the transponder goes fwd and down between the pilot/copilot for things like AP, trim, flaps, lights, etc. I also have some circuit breakers on the panel for things I want direct control or visibility over

How He Moved It ...9GT

You can not beat a rollback deck flatbed. Make sure the deck is wide enough for the -10. The first truck he came out with had rails on the side that were about 6" high for tie-offs. Not wide enough! He had to go back and get the true flat deck. You can see the tires are just barely fully on the deck. Did it on a low traffic Sunday morning. Under $100.

How He Moved It ...upperdeck

I used a flatbed tow truck for my 7. They were pretty excited to help, charged me $100.

Engine Dehumidifier Musings ...Michael Henning

I assembled a dehumidifier today. It is a fish tank air pump that feeds into the bottom of a 12”long (vertically oriented)x 3” diameter pvc pipe. I screwed one end cap to a board, then glued the pipe to that, with a threaded end cap for the top. On the base, I tapped in a brass fitting for the air from the pump, and filled tube with blue desiccant that turns orange when saturated. Off of the top cap, I tapped in a air tool filter/dehumidifier as a final filter, and tell tale for the desiccant inside the tube (the filter from harbor freight also has the blue desiccant visible). From that filter I put a barbed adapter to connect the plastic airline to my engine oil breather tube. It continuously pumps dry air through engine.
Comments??? Concerns??? And, no, I don’t have my breather tube notched.

New RV Flap Actuator - New Product Intro ...VAF advertiser

We are pleased to announce the introduction of our new RV Flap Actuator. We have been testing 3 prototypes in our RV-6 aircraft for the past 6 months with excellent results.  ...

February 20, 2018.   Issue #4,505.
  Tuesday morning at 0800 the winds were 50 kts at 3000 feet, and two hours later it was 50 kts at 6000 feet.  Overcast, warming and humid enough to turn the hangar floor into a slip and slide.  Obviously it was a maintenance day. :-)
  Please excuse the early push on the Tue edition - board mgt tonight at 52F.
 

John Goodloe RV-8 Rotating.

scaled / full

Weekend with the Grandson ...MarkW

Found out last week that my son will be moving further away. This makes seeing the grandson more difficult. I have in the past been able to fly from Orlando to Charleston SC on a Friday afternoon, pick up the grandson and return him Sunday evening. A move to Virginia will make this a little more difficult.
So I decided to take advantage of the good weather and RV speeds and pick him up this weekend for another visit before the move.  ...

Due North to Minneapolis ...Pete Howell

Andi and I have been helping to care for her mom down in Ames over the last few months and Little Kate is a sophomore at Iowa State - so the RV kinda knows the way all by herself.....

The heartland terrain is not exactly exciting, but add a bit of sunset and some settings on the camera phone, and it looks almost sexy!

From the flight home Saturday - complete with JJ Abrams lens flare!

RV-12iS forward lower fuse mating problem ...B.Collins

I wonder if there are supposed to be two more slots on the forward end of the mid fuselage skin.

Here's why.

When you make the lower forward fuselage, there are two large -- for want of a better word -- ribs that rivet to the bottom skin and the firewall; these also hold a engine mount bracket/gusset.

You don't rivet the most aft hole on each, though, because those are common to the mid-fuselage skin too. ...

Damage to foot box? RV4 ...337 Driver

This is some damage from a previous accident 25+ years ago that is left on an RV4 I'm looking at. The owner claims this area is non structural and it passes air worthiness. What say you RV experts? The wings were replaced at the time of the accident so I have to question why this was not repaired even IF its non structural and deemed air worthy.

Thanks!

Nose wheel pant bracket

Q: A couple of the brackets that secure the nose wheel pant are broken on my -7A and Im trying to figure out the correct part numbers to order. Vans is closed today, but searching here I found a reference to V-1013C-L and -R. However, I need both front back brackets and I dont think they are identical, so I have missed something. Can anyone help me out?

A: Old style.  I believe your looking for; U-813D Left & Right.  U-813C Left & Right

Build Status Report ...Andrew Z RV-7

Some Interior Shots ...Luke

...spotlighting James Jula RV-7A

February 19, 2018.   Issue #4,504.

Jim Turner's RV-14A (pics)

  Weekend went quick.  Got a short flight Saturday after the showers, but Sunday was OVC and BR.  Mass, some grocery shopping, watching LivePD off the DVR, lotsa computer time and the weekend was in the books.  Hope yours went well too.
  A few of us saw Jim Turner's recently painted RV-14A the other day (picked it up from GLO).  Stunning!  Jim visited with us for a few minutes (really like that callsign) and he was kind enough to let me take some pictures.  The blue REALLY stands out when you see it in the pattern.  Just a beautiful plane up close and from a distance.  Pictures HERE.  Thank you Jim!
  New topic:  Might anybody have an idea how to tie my Byonics MT-AIO APRS tracker (right) into ship's power?  It goes through (8) AA batteries like nobody's business, and I haven't been using the tracker for the last couple months because of that.  The user manual says, "The Micro-Trak AIO was designed primarily for battery powered operation using the internal battery pack. The Micro-Trak can be operated off any clean external source of DC that does not exceed 13.6 Volts."  It uses a little battery holder that is 4 wide by 2 deep (picture right).  A standard 9-volt battery connector plugs into it.  Tips appreciated.
  Last:  Congrats to the Tate Man, son extraordinaire, on his 1yr anniversary at Freddy's Steakburgers (his part time job).  First job.  He got a pin for his work cap (below).
  (KG5PRB)

related: About APRS tracking

Alton Bay Feb 2018 ...Dvalcik

Cold crisp day in Maine and conditions were most likey the best they would be before Alton Bay closes, so off we went. Short hour flight with Temps -15c at 3000 feet and plenty of sun shine we arrived at Alton Bay, NH (B18). They were closed on Friday due to warm weather and standing water on the ice. Got down to -2 last night and refroze on the surface. Good news no water, smooth and level conditions, on the other side of the equation smooth, slippery, glazed Ice. It was just like the Zamboni had been working overtime last night. No braking and virtually no steering with the castering nose wheel. Actually I had to have a little help on the way out taxing, you can see in the video below.  ...

First RV-Grin From Inside the Future N904KM ...longranger

I needed to remove the control column to adjust the stick angles, and couldn't reach it from inside the airplane, so I took the opportunity to document the first time sitting in the airplane.

RV-8 to Lunch ...Steve Rush

Last Monday (2/12/18) was also a nice day in the top left corner. A friend and I headed to Bremerton for lunch, then on out to the coast for some sight seeing. Bremerton is a nice lunch place, but I really wish there was still a restaurant at Hoquiam.

Builder inflicted spar damage

Hopefully damage overstates the severity of the issue! Looking for some advice as to how I should prep the ding made by an errant bucking bar.

Thanks in advance!

RV8Squaz Wood Tail Lift

Here’s my version of the wooden Tail-Mate. I’ve got inverted oil on my airplane and the quick drain is on forward part of the sump. Consequently, I like to raise the tail high enough during oil changes to ensure I drain all the oil. I super-sized my Tail-Mate!

Bob Meyers RV-14A Ready for Its Closeup

While I finished and first flew my 14 last June, I just finished getting it painted last month.  Here are the beauty shots.

3D Printing Design Tweaks ...Steve M.

the more I looked at this it is apparent the off angle of the cable to the rudder bar will wear the components. the upper clevis aft outer hole edge and the forward upper alum bar hole edge and aft lower bar hole edge. I added a lube hole to the fwd upper to fairing to be able to add lubricant easily with a spray tube like LPS or one a drop or two of heavier lube with a syringe. the lubricant will pass under the bolt head to the shank. still working the cotter pin attachment method and need to adjust the clearance of the fairings to the bar but some progress. I'm really trying to stop dragging my nuts thru the air stream.

RV-Lancair Brotherhood Day ...2/18 PIREP

Sorry about your cold. Darwin had to cancel today, too, due to having a cold so don't feel bad. In fact, Owen was the only RV guy that made it today. By pure luck, though, another Lancair happened to fly in from the Atlanta area and park next to me. We invited Andrew and his passenger Taylor to eat with Owen and I and we swapped lies about our true airspeeds for about an hour. Andrew is a corporate jet pilot and flies his Lancair for fun. Owen was commiserating over the SB as well, but the food at the Runway Cafe was good as always. They were really busy today since the weather was absolutely beautiful and everybody has been socked in for two weeks.

Transition Training with Mike Seager

Just got back from 3 days of transition training with Mike Seager. I'm in Alabama, he's in Oregon, wasn't sure it would work but SouthWest had $330 flights so I booked it.

I highly recommend his transition training. We spent 6 hours flying and as you can imagine it was mostly pattern work.

At the very end he turned off the EFIS and had me rep the pattern without any avionics which was a lot of fun and some of my best approaches and landings.

We did a simulated engine outs, etc.

His field is a grass strip and my first takeoffs and landings off a paved runway (rental companies won't let you land on grass strips). Most of our work was done at a nearby paved airport.

Mike is a wonderful person and a patient instructor, wish I had an excuse to go back for more. Loved the work and the visit!

Highly recommended, 5/5 stars.

February 16, 2018.   Issue #4,503.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend. v/r,
 

SB 18-02-02 (RV-12) ...8 page PDF.

related: VAF Forum thread on SB 18-02-02
related: SBs All Models

Backyard Method ...Scott C

"This works, too, if you don't mind putting local vegetation to the test with ratchet straps."

Possible New Mold for old style lenses needing replaced ...donagin volunteers

(from Don)
"Vacuum Forming Lenses?  If anyone has a set of old lenses that are crazed or hazy, they could be used as a mold to vacuum form several sets.  I'd be interested in trying - but someone has to have originals for me to get the dimensions right."

Lenses from old kit no longer made.  120* angle.

Status Report ...rvanstory RV-10

Today is the day! I finished section 29! Posting here to celebrate! Seems like a milestone day.

I now know why it's referred to as the "infamous section 29". Bending longerons, trial fitting gear legs (and then pulling those #@$%& bolts back out), and a few more trials and tribulations.

But, now that it's done, I have an RV grin without even flying.

One Cylinder Suddenly Runs Cool?

IO-360 (200HP - Bendix) in the RV-8. Engine was misbehaving with a little intermittent misfire on a recent cross country, so I installed new plugs (gapped and Ohm checked) and removed the Pmags for a visual inspection and it is timed correctly. (jumper in, slightly retarded). Did a compression test and all are strong, as usual.

Test flight saw an improvement to its normal, turbine like smoothness.

Last cross country saw #4 cylinder a little cooler than usual - both EGT and CHT. Going to my normal LOP cruise, #4 continued its trend of acting too cool by being the last to peak by a LONG way. My first to peak was 100 LOP before #4 finally peaked. The "GAMI Spread" was probably .8 GPH. LOP ignition stress test was normal and smooth. Resetting all to ROP then LOP shows the issue is consistent and repeatable. Fuel flow is within the bounds of normal.

I have not accomplished a fuel flow test (the bottle method) yet, but that's my next course of action.

If the cylinder was acting lean, it would be easy to suspect a partly clogged injector, but #4 is strongly indicating a rich condition, isolated to this one cylinder. It's possible that the other 3 have junk in them and are all slightly lean, but this seems very unlikely.

Any thoughts before I dive into the bottle test?

BBQ PIREP #47 ...RV8Squaz

Actually just kidding about the #47, but those of you who know me, know that I have flown to a fair number of BBQ spots. Here's my latest. I flew to Walker County Airport (JFX) in Jasper AL and went to Son's Smokehouse.  ...

Wood Tail Lift Movement Continues ...M McGraw

I “borrowed” this idea. The second picture is a slight modification I needed to eliminate binding while returning the tail to the floor.

Thanks to Sam for the idea.

Houston RV Gang Lunch This Weekend

Steve Sokol Thanking Luke and Classic

The last traces of 1970s decor have finally been eliminated from N101PR. A huge thanks to the good folks at Classic Aero Designs for these beauties.  They arrived yesterday - a month ahead of schedule! So much more comfortable.

February 15, 2018.   Issue #4,502.
  Lent begins...and lots to pray for.  I'm giving up music in the car while driving to/from the airport daily (an hour total).  Listening to the Holy Rosary instead on a free app via bluetooth.
  RV-related next...can anybody identify this wing tip plexi lens company?  Looking for a fellow RVator. v/r,
 

Proof of RV Enjoyment…glove edition

The Nomex flying gloves on the right were used exclusively until about two years ago. You can see the tear on the right index finger which corresponds nicely to the friction lock on the throttle of our family’s RV-6. I've actually spent so many years adjusting the knurled friction knob with my right index finger, putting side loads on it, that I have accelerated what I believe to be arthritis in the knuckle of that finger. I've had to adopt a different technique for the last year or so of holding the second and first fingers side-by-side and using them in concert to lock down the throttle. Adapt…

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The pair of gloves on the left (the replacements) had their first thread blowout about three weeks ago, and the hole has been getting bigger with each flight. The 3rd set of gloves arrived yesterday and things are looking up from a hand modeling perspective...for a couple of years. ;^),

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Vlad's Snow Pics

I was visiting friends in Great White North the other day. I didn't care about OAT because I was wearing a fur coat and mukluks. It was windy. As soon as I left the shadows of the hangars it took me 15 minutes to taxi 300 feet. I stopped three times and had to turn the airplane by hand. Couldn't fight the winds. Made it to the runway and took off from the middle. My hat is off to tenants at this airport.

A New RV Grin in MI ...Dale DeWeese

Hello,
I have been lurking and learning from this group for the past year or so, as I searched for a flying RV-9A. You have already answered more questions than you will ever realize.

On Jan. 12th, I became an RV owner for the first time. I flew my new-to-me RV-9A (N94KJ) from Oregon to its new home in Michigan in the best and worst of Winter weather.

I have been flying certified planes for 14 years, but nothing has come close to the performance I have experienced in the RV-7A I flew for transition training, and now the RV-9A. My wife is enjoying the plane, too.

We already have many new destinations on our bucket list.
I'm sure I will have questions as time goes on. I'm learning something new about these planes every day.
I just wanted to say hello and say thanks for the help along the way.

Tool OCD (a good thing) ...Andrew Z

This was taken almost ten years ago, and was before my drill bits were added, but it works great:

And more ...azrv6

I've been working on a project with parts at my home shop and parts at the hangar and routinely move this back and forth as needed. I always use a digital caliper to confirm drill size before drilling. Drill size and tap chart on my phone for easy access when needed. Looks messy, but over the last several years this has worked out great.

West Coast Formation Clinic, WCFC 2018

(two weeks out)
2 weeks out from our deadline. We have 55 people thus far signed up. If you have not submitted your application, you may want to do so.

RV-8 and the Mountains ...Steve Rush

Sunday was another nice flying day in the Northwet, though windier and bumpier than I would have cared for. I flew around the mountains East and North of Arlington and this was the result.

Petit Jean - The Best Parts

Catching up here...Roy and I have not let any moss grow under our feet, or rather, under the wings, since November. I can't believe this was three months ago! This was our second trip to Petit Jean, and I'd looked forward to it since our 2016 trip. We had a great time again this year. Here are the Very Best Parts:

First flight video (1/18)......VH-EAB

Hot day 100degF plus and Lucerne on the farm getting long.

Bragging on the Tate Man

STRAIGHT A's as a junior in HS!  Please excuse this proud parent bragging on his son.  Of note is a Pre AP Calc grade that went up!

February 14, 2018.   0002Z.  Issue #4,501.

Game Face On

Sid in the flare at 52F in his 7A. A couple weeks back I had the 200mm lens on and shot a few dozen images of usual suspects doing TnGs.  I like this one - he's holding a little left rudder and right aileron for what must be a right to left crosswind.  You can just see the elevator counterweight peeking under the right aileron.  Full size is just under 3,000 pixels wide if you have the monitor acreage... 

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First Flight ...Gary Simatos RV-7

Holy Cow--did the deed this morning. 5am at the field. Canopy would not close.  Could not find the flash light. Got it sorted out, spilled my coffee on the wing which immediately froze. Cleaned that taxied out and took off.  Engine hot in Climb CHT 420's cooled a bit in level flight but then got manifold press drop to 4!!

WTHeck........I didn't know it could go to 4. Back to field. Trimmed baffles off the front of the forward cylinders, fixed the interference with the seat. Off again Temps better, squelchy radio and the manifold pressure gremlin seems to have disappeared. I'm exhausted but ecstatic........Perfect day really Yahoo Thanks to all you guys for your encouragement and help over the years........Cheers Gary

You can’t soar like an eagle...

So surround yourself with eagles, or Mustangs.  HulaGirl is staying warm and swapping stories with her new friends. (BruceEicher RV-8)

Drill Bit Organization - I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours ...R.E. Burtcher

The photo below was semi-staged, but it's not far from what I often find on my workbench.

Seeing that our community is in constant pursuit of a 'better mouse trap', the custom wood tail lift, Randy Richmond's tool box, and Steve Melton's 3D designs immediately come to mind, I'd like to see what other have done to solve the problem of keeping various bits, cages, and the like organized.

Thanks in advance from a height and organizationally challenged builder.

Fuse Floor Pans ...Randy V. RV-10

In process of putting in front floor pans on RV10. All is going well EXCEPT, the holes that are to be riveted to the lower fuse channels are WAY off! Match drilling all went well, but now, they aren't even close. I can't force it over enough to even get close.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions?

Seen Out In the Field

Build PIREP ...David Paule

Glued the RH Tailcone Side

I gathered together the same crew as last time, experience counts, and we glued on the right-hand tailcone side today. Like before, we used thickened (this version comes prethickened) G/Flex epoxy along with an exoskeleton framework that will come off when the glue sets far enough.

But that's in the near future.

Today, we spread the glue, put the skin in place, and clecoed on the exoskeleton and filleted the glue along the inside edges of the bulkheads and the longerons against the skins. In fact, that's what Dave is doing in this photo.  ...

3D Printing Speed Mods ...Steve M.

"... these have speed written all over them !  needs some tweaking, then bam, time to fly!"

Cold PIREP ...longranger

Severe CAVU with about minus 2200 ft DA here in SE Michigan. Still plenty cold for good braking action on our snow-packed runway.

RV-6 and RV-7 Over San Juan Islands

Fly along on a beautiful scenic flight from Friday Harbor, Washington​ and around the beautiful San Juan Islands! James Polivka is flying the Cessna 172 photoship with Bernardo Malfitano flying his Van's Aircraft Inc.​ RV-6 and Shawn Li flying his RV-7.

RV-12 OLD (ULS) vs NEW(iS)

I wanted to show the difference between the old fuselage and the new iS Fuselage. Thought it might be interesting for some to see that are going to build the new iS, or those who have built the old kit and have not seen the new kit. This view is from the rear. You can see some of the structural changes just from this view. Will post some more at some point.

February 13, 2018.   Issue #4,500.

Friends aimlessly fly the west coast ...Norcalrv7

Armed with my RV-7A, My best friend and I headed up the West coast on a 1000NM weekend trip to see what we could find! What a blast!

Status Report ...Jason Hess RV-7

Big milestone for our build this last weekend.  Both wings can now come out of the stands and into the cradle.  Got a new riveting partner in the form of my second son. He can no longer claim he's not done it now.

Status Report ...Crabandy

The bendable retention flange wasn't so bendable, I ended up using a couple small angles on the side of the box and little tabs as hold downs. After lots of holes it weighed 6.9 oz , I'm curious if the one EarthX sells is .032 material.

Video: Short Final into Shelter Cove, CA (RV-10) ...Chad

Flying > Warm ...fl-mike

Saw all those posts with white stuff on the ground, so I decided to post a couple photos from our formation hop Saturday. 82F on the ground and looking quite summer'ish.

Alton Bay PIREP ...Vlad

I was the only airplane on Friday noon. A welcome from airport crews. ;^)

RV-9 Elevator Leading Edge Spar to Skin Riveting

Q: Just started the right elevator and keep scratching my head as to how to rivet the spar to the skin. There is an option for blind rivets on the bottom on the skin/spar but who is to say not the top? I can not for the life of me figure out how to get my hand in there to rivet that top section of skin to spar on the elevator. I really hope I explained this well...

A: (Bruce Hill) You can bend back the skin quite a way (well over 90 degrees) to get in there with a small bucking bar.

Ready For My Closeup ...engineerorange

Open Flight Solutions Looking for VAF Input

Steve Sokol of Open Flight Solutions is an RV owner and VAF sponsor. He makes the FlightBox line of ADS-B receivers and has been the ADS-B guy in his EAA chapter for the past couple of years. Last week's VAF Forum discussion on Economical Panels prompted him to reach out. He put together a blog post covering a new product line using iPads and other off-the-shelf gear to create a complete VFR EFIS - PFD, MFD, EMS, etc. He would appreciate any constructive criticism or other useful feedback the VAF community cares to share.

Fuel Pump Autopsy Photos ...jonweisw

I cant say I found anything outwardly wrong with it and given the intermittent nature of the problem, I am not surprised. Nor would I ever profess to have ANY idea of what I was looking for other than something obvious.  More hours on the new pump with the same observation; the pressure is a steady 10psi above where it was before the swap without any wavering.  Here are pictures of the inside of the fuel pump.

February 12, 2018.  0001Z.  Issue #4,499.

RV-8 and the First Second Flight ...Steve Rush

"...bought a new (to me) RV-8 back in December and the weather has been so lousy this year today was only the second time I have flown it since. It was a nice day and fun was had by all.

It went something like this..."

Movie Test

...and some gag reviews :^)

"I thought the casting was excellently done, but the writing was a little derivative." ;^)

Rob B's Double Tall Creeper

I'm sure I'm not the only short pilot on this forum. For working under my RV I find the standard mechanic's creeper puts me too far from the under side of the aircraft. I thought about purchasing an adjustable creeper but after seeing the price tag I gave that up (for the amount of time I would need it).
I purchased a new creeper as my old one is getting run down and I got looking at it then realized that I could mount the frame upside down. Now the bed is up higher than the castors rather than hanging down inside the castors. The holes in the frame have square holes to keep the head of the bolt from turning and by putting the frame upside down you have to hold the head with vise grips but so what. Been using this set up for quite a while and makes working under the engine or fuselage much easier. I can even see what I'm doing now.
Good luck

Flying > Cold ...Pete Howell pictures.

It's cold, but clear, and takeoff is a blast-off. Might be a Minnesota thing............

Practice Routine for Keeping Skills Sharp?

...many chiming in.

"...want to go practice today and I was thinking about what skills to work on. I was wondering if someone had worked out an efficient practice routine?

I'm imagining something that would kind of flow together to make the most efficient use of time in the air. Kind of like the type of process that an aerobatic pilot uses for a routine.

It may start with a particular type of takeoff, then some various types of practice during a long climb-out, then at altitude a series of practice routines, then a multi-step descent with various maneuvers during a step down, etc, until landing.

I could put something together myself but sometimes it's nice not to have to figure stuff out when someone already has a plan."

My RV-6 one piece wheel fairings (2 piece if you include the intersection fairing)

Made another video...this one is of my one piece wheel fairings...enjoy

Mike Seager FP pattern diagram in KNOTS

Just to add to previous postings of Mike Seagers neat handout on pattern speeds/power settings for Fixed Pitch RVs.  I took the previously posted diagram and turned mph to kts to match my RV-6A instrumentation.

Maybe Two Pieces? ...Steve M.

this may be worth a look. not much clamp on the clevis, if any. I suppose some adhesive could be used. plan to bend these downwards to fit the bar angle and add some fairing taper.

Status Report RV-7 ...Bullseye

Don't undo that because.......!

Throttle cable came apart......

Don't undo that nut I said...

Shortly after that, my mate found a partially disassembled RV12 Mcfarlane throttle cable on the bench.

So...

Does anyone have a quick fix to reassemble the friction part with the 6 teeny, tiny rollers in and stuff it all back down the tube please ?

He should be out of ER by Wednesday

A:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RcjEd7lR4Q

Q: Anyone got good RV4 videos?

A: Yes

February 9, 2018.  Issue #4,498.

Data Integrity Check....RV style

The N.Texas RV gang can confirm with gusto that as of this writing the line in the VAF Courtesy Cars & Food List describing Decatur, TX is accurate.  Some of the usual suspects formationed over to nearby Decatur (KLUD) Thursday for proficiency, gas and food.  RV-8A, 7 and 6 models were represented.  The courtesy car had an empty 5-pack of Bud Light in the back seat with the caps screwed back on, and a Norman Lear style cap on the dash.  Plenty of warning lights on the dash kept us entertained on the 2-mile drive to the Whistle Stop Cafe, and its homemade pies.  Mashy shown below modeling the ambience between guffaws.  A born showman...

Mashy Reece: Male Model

The specials were meat loaf and roast, and the pie slices come out as appetizers.  I didn't finish my roast, but I did finish the chocolate pie.  Back to the airport and some of the clearest blue skies we've had around these parts in a good while.  Lots of airplanes out this day, as the winds pick back up and the clouds lower over the weekend.  Get it in while you can...

More formation practice back to 52F with full tanks and stomachs.

Low calorie appetizers

If there are two better splash images for a weekend edition I haven't found them.  Friends, flying and food made for RV greatness.  It always does.

Dilly Dilly!

PS:  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.

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February 8, 2018.  Issue #4,497.
   28.9*F and windy said the APRS Wx station three miles north of 52F Tuesday morning, but I went RVating anyway. Long johns, Red Wing boots, two coats and winter motorcycle gloves. Actually wasn’t that cold in the cockpit.  Big bumps at all levels.  Did I mention the 48kt wind at 2700’?
   So I did what anybody in that situation would do…..I flew north a few miles and turned around so I could use that massive tailwind to get a picture, in level flight, of my 201kt groundspeed.  Then I landed, found a heater....and took an aspirin.

   PS: NOTAM at 52F (crane….ends 2/9) !FTW 02/107 52F OBST CRANE (ASN UNKNOWN) (275FT E 500FT S APCH END RWY 17) 640FT (30FT AGL) NOT LGTD 1802071742-1802092300.

From the photo vault.  dr

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THANKS! ...Rich Gurr RV-10

Well after four years and four months, two house moves, two Grand kids, a bunch of everything else in life, and toss in a hurricane, I still pulled it off.
N924RL is a gas burning machine with a wopping 7 hours TT (and rapidly increasing). The thanks is to all of you who have inspired me to persevere, provided needed information, and who have shared in the same frustrations of the build. Im still in a bit of disbelief Im actually flying this plane, as I circle and circle and circle and circle around within my 100 mile radius at 150 knots. Thank God (and Vic Syracuse) for not making it a 50 mile radius).

All I can say now is wow!

I did a thing! (Restarted Building RV-7) ...Andrew Z.

(walks up...taps microphone...)

Well, I’m back!!!

To make a very long story very short, back in 2013, I sold the RV-7 kit to a gentleman in North Carolina after reaching the conclusion that at my (then) current build rate, I would likely need a four-seater (RV-10?).

Well, after a smooth transaction, the family and I made 3 cross-country moves chasing fun Flight Test jobs around the country and finally settling somewhere in the midwest.

Standing in my large garage (ahem….airplane factory), I started dreaming about building again. On the exact same day, the gentlemen who bought my kit happened to post a FS: RV-7 thread on VAF. I didn’t really want to start a used kit, so I was thinking of a new set of preview plans, but I thought I’d investigate anyway.

Whoa, that’s my kit!  continue

Wheel landings FINALLY

After flying my Husky for 1000 hrs and 2000 landings I am finally getting proficient at wheel landing my 7. It took a while as I am used to BIG tires and slower speeds. The RV landing gear is just so less forgiving and I kept bouncing it. Just took a little time to get the sight picture correct and the speed just right. I was three pointing it most of the time and the wheel landings are just easier on the plane in my opinion. I read through the past discussions on this topic and i really helped a lot. Jumped in the 7 and did at least 50 landings this past weekend. The key is getting the mains planted and stick forward. These plans are just plain fun to fly. Got it to 17500 on oxygen and I was amazed how fast it got these. Looks like I am stuck with two plans as I cant decide which one I like better.

From the 'Economical Panels' Thread...

Dynon is Hiring

Sent to me by RV builder and friend Don Hull (rocket dude)

"Hey Doug. I know you'll enjoy this.  Breakout your headset or earbuds and watch this.  https://youtu.be/ImoQqNyRL8Y
By the way, this guy works at Redstone Arsenal
Don"

February 7, 2018.  Issue #4,496.

Grab from the camera.
Live Feed from the Car...

  I was going to write something about RVs, but after watching the launch of Falcon Heavy stream on YouTube around 3pm Tuesday my mind has honestly been elsewhere. When those two boosters landed simultaneously I actually screamed out loud at my monitor and slapped my hands on the top of my head.  Pantaloons were very nearly shat.
  I was four when Apollo 11 launched, so this was a lot of fun to watch.  The live telemetry, music and employees cheering in the background added to the enjoyment. Lunch discussion material.
  Later I popped over to RV-7A/12 builder Bob Collins'  'News Cut' site and saw he was equally gobsmacked.   Something about spaceflight that resonates with more than a few RV builders/pilots.  I think I read once in the forums that there are a couple of Space X employees building RVs.  On the small chance they are reading this, congrats!  I would really like to someday tour the McGregor, TX SpaceX facility.  I'll fly my RV down there and write up a story.  And buy your lunch. ;^)
  The car was a nice touch in lieu of a block of test flight ballast made of concrete.  Sometime down the road don't be surprised if they announce David Bowie's ashes are in that car orbiting the Sun for the next billion years.  You heard it here first...
  Well done, SpaceX.  Godspeed Starman. 

Long Overdue Update ...crabandy

I've wanted to add a short update on our PennyPie for some time now, but I'm still trying to nail down a new photo hosting source. Short story is she is doing GREAT and better than ever expected by her Dr. As of our last visit we are close to 90% kidney function compared to 60ish% a year and a half ago. The Dr.'s goal is to actively monitor kidney function so that these 2 little kidneys will last her lifetime. Prayers answered and prayers continued.

We flew to her last Dr. Visit to downtown KC...continue

How do I rivet the elevator root?

Hey guys, I messed up 4 of 4 here https://youtu.be/BGj_2nSDEs8
does anyone have any tips?

Should I make a special bucking bar?

West Coast Formation Clinic, WCFC 2018

*****carded folks, please fill out your application as soon as possible, so we can determine clinic size.*****

All,
I’m pleased to announce this year’s West Coast Formation Clinic, WCFC 2018.

Like every year we are expecting that we will receive more applicants than we can safely support. The management team will evaluate applications and contact participants as soon as possible after the application period closes. Deadline for applications is Feb 28th Please remember that the management team does this for fun and to help the RV-community be safer when performing formation flying. This is NOT our job; please give us time to figure out this complex event. There is a lot that goes into making this a safe event.

To apply and/or for additional details, visit the WCFC 2018 website shown below.

Date: Apr 20-22 of 2018
Location: Madera, CA (KMAE)
Website: http://www.rvformation.com/WCFC2018/

If you have any questions, please contact me or any of the POCs shown on our web site. Hope to see you there. Thank you,

Axel and the West Coast Formation Clinic Management Team

10th annual ice cream social at Inyokern, CA on March 10th

Sorry for the somewhat late notice, been busy with the new project. If you want to see it or find out what it is, show up.

The 10th annual ice cream social will be held at Inyokern, CA airport on March 10th from 1100-1400.

The ice cream social is just an excuse to get together, eat some free ice cream and fly. It started as a way to get folks involved and has grown every year. The most aircraft to ever show up was 48. Being that this is the 10th year I am aiming at the number of 50. Lets see what we can do.

If you would like to attend, please email me at axel_alvarez "at" hotmail "dot" com Use "Ice cream social" on the subject line of the email for spam filter reasons. If not, it will end up in the "trash/recycling bin" and I won't know you are coming. The head count will be used to figure out how much supplies my wife and I need to buy. All I need is your name and the number of people attending by March 3rd. Please DON'T wait until the last minute.  more

Design Shamelessly Stolen (his words)

February 6, 2018.  Issue #4,495.
   Monday 0900 I met Sky at the hangar so he could put his wife’s car up on the lift to hopefully find what the rattling noise was at highway speed. Answer: a plastic shroud underneath was flapping.  Fixed.
  Jumped in Flash for a quick orbit just to say I did, but mostly to get out of the 24*F temps that I underdressed for. Flew NE of Lake Lewisville to hopefully spot a grass runway Monk told me about. Didn’t spot it, but found it later on GoogleEarth - hadn’t gone far enough north. Did fly over Deion Sanders’ old house in Prosper.  Years ago as a student pilot his land was big enough for a 3000' runway and uncrowded. Looks like it has been sold off now and lots of homes are being developed. The new Kroger is in his former yard.
  RTB 52F and the 3 mile call coming up initial. Former F-8 driver Gary was on the ramp warming up so I took the opportunity to use some verbiage I looked up on the interwebs awhile back. Turning final I keyed the mic...“7AR, RV Ball, .18” (had 180 lbs of gas).  He didn’t say a word for ten seconds, but when I was in the flare he keyed his mic....“Nerd”.  (explained)
  Perfect comeback….and a little true. ;^)

PS:
Space X Falcon Heavy is supposed to launch 1:30PM ET Tuesday.  If it works (3) boosters return to the pad to be reused, and a convertable goes to Mars.  Watch Live. 

PSS:
The RV-6A featured here yesterday for sale sold in 13hrs 50min (sale pending). Backups still calling says the Monk Man.

Picture of my panel ...Dave Cobb RV-7

Well finally I have hooked up the Dynon Skyview D1000 touch to some of the network stuff i have been fortunate to have purchased used from other builders and fliers.

I would like to thank those private vendors and Stein for having provided me a budget favourable option to EFIS. And they all worked!

The mission for the airplane is simply VFR Day / night so nothing fancy. The Syview stands alone. It is supported by steam gauges for Oil pressure and temp. , as well as Ammetter. The RPM gauge is driven by the engine and the Airspeed and Artificial horizon are stand alone units as well. That way flying at night a power loss is a non issue as you can safely navigate.

Eagle's Nest Projects - Montgomery High School (TX)

(comments from Ernie)
"Take a guess who has the most fun and/or rewarding experiences during an Eagle’s Nest high school aircraft build project; the mentors or the build-students. Well, it really depends on who you ask. Ask any build-student and they’ll certainly convince you that the students have the most fun and best experience. Ask any mentor at Montgomery high school or any other Eagle's Nest high school and they’ll more than convince you that the mentor team has the most fun and offer up a list of reasons why the experience is among the most rewarding in their life. And the correct answer is… it’s a draw!

The mentor team at Montgomery high school is a top-drawer group of professional pilots and RV builders based “on top of the hill” at nearby Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO). Under the leadership of Joe Waltz, the mentor team has taken to task the largest group of build-students (48) at any of our high schools. The ‘team’ is doing an outstanding job of organizing the students, the build process, and through it all an excellent level of build quality. Build sessions at Montgomery high school are two days per week with two back-to-back 50-minute class periods of 24 students each. Their current build-project, EN-19, was started at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year and is on track to be completed and on display at Oshkosh this year. Just mention “aircraft build” to any of Montgomery’s 1,600 students or staff and you’ll be greeted with a response filled with pride, excitement, and an invitation to visit the build classroom.

Mentor debrief sessions at Montgomery are typically held at one of the local burger joints immediately following each build session. I’ve attended several of these debrief sessions and it reminds me of a bunch of kids in a candy store; smiles, laughter, and never-ending stories about the really cool or absolutely unbelievable experiences each shared with their students that day. Two of my favorites stories are (1) the ‘engineering’ student that didn’t know how to read a ruler and the mentor’s experience through the teaching process and (2) the student that didn’t know what a saw horse was. I found the saw horse story a little hard to believe and it prompted me to ask our waitress if she knew what a saw horse was. After a long wide-eyed blank stare, she timidly said no. Confirmation that today’s youth need a little less ‘screen’ time and a little more vocational training.

Eagle’s Nest Projects is the most successful and prolific high school aircraft build program in the USA. Seven and one-half years- 14 completed (flying) aircraft and 7 aircraft under construction at various high schools. Build projects are implemented as a companion lab project to existing STEM based engineering curriculums (ex. PLTW Aerospace) and the builds take place in the classroom lab area during regular hours. Students are graded, most receive dual academic credit, and above all, students are held accountable for attendance, conduct, level of participation, and knowledge base.

Community and education partnerships are the supporting pillars of the program’s success. Eagle’s Nest Projects is partnered with Project Lead the Way, the nations leading provider of STEM curriculums, Embry-Riddle, the nations leading aeronautical university, and with a number of other aerospace and engineering-based education organizations. Community partnerships include school districts, municipal airports, local businesses, and hundreds of individuals who volunteer their time as mentors. If you missed it in the above captioned video, ABC Channel 13 News was so inspired by the great work at Montgomery high school that they reached out to Southwest Airlines and announced in the video (surprise to us all) that SWA has offered their support and intern opportunities to Eagle’s Nest build students. When you think it just can’t get any better, a new community partner joins in support of the program with new and exciting opportunities for Eagle’s Nest build-students to further empower them on a pathway of leadership and a productive life."

When Worlds Collide  ...Scott Chastain

On Saturday, January 27, 2018, I got sent to the old Fritzsche Army Airfield, now the Marina Municipal Airport (OAR), where I got out and looked around. The place felt abandoned. Nobody was around. I put the canopy cover on as the morning sun began delivering the promise of heat across a tarmac that at once held history in its structures while a light breeze sighed vacantly beyond.  ...

Trim Selector Switch & Indicator ...GalinHdz

Back in 2012 when I designed my all glass instrument panel, I thought I had covered every possible situation you could encounter while flying. I was quickly proven wrong when I did my first flight with my wife. As we flew along she rested her hand on the co-pilot joystick, and since both joysticks have trim control, she accidentally changed the way the airplane was trimmed. Since I fly actual IMC, this was not part of an acceptable design to me. So I re-wired the trim circuit and installed a trim selector switch. This way the trim can only be controlled by the pilot flying while the other trim is inactive. This setup worked to perfection, until last month.

I was flying with a pilot friend who wanted to do some practice approaches. He flew the airplane for about 1hr then it was my turn to do some approaches. But no matter how hard I tried I was fighting the airplane and could not keep it where I wanted. After about 1/2hr I realized the trim switch was still set to co-pilot so no matter how much I moved the trim, nothing was happening. As soon as I turned the switch to pilot, I could properly trim the airplane and everything fell in to place. I realized that unless I was looking down at the selector switch I couldn’t tell who had control of the trim. The last thing I want to do while flying actual IMC is to be looking down to check the trim selector switch position. Again this was not part of an acceptable design to me. So I went back to the drawing board to come up with an acceptable solution. The process is too long to post so here is a link to a .pdf file that details my "solution".

Now 3D Scanning! ...Steve Melton

...the tail is a 3D surface so I thought I would try the scanning camera

February 5, 2018.  0001Z.  Issue #4,494.
   More than one moderator in the past has asked for an alphabetized listing of the businesses that advertise here (helps those mods with posting rule #1). After a little digging in Quickbooks I found a report that, with a little tweaking, I could turn into a list like you might find in the back of a magazine. Here it is...
  Todays 'Off Topic' is a 35 minute video on the Linotype machine used for typesetting up through the 70’s. My uneducated guess is that you’re going to want to block out 35 minutes to watch it. I watched it twice, then found a film online called ‘Linotype: The Film’ that just might end up buying (it wasn’t on Netflix).
  Hope you had a good weekend. v/r,

RV-6A For Sale ...410 hrs TTAF.  410 hrs since new Lycoming O-360A1A. 

Additional Items Included: 
1. Two Lightspeed headsets.  2. iFly GPS.  3. N-number is a decal (not painted).

If interested contact Randy Richmond via email at: rrv8er 'at' yahoo 'dot' com or (817) 401 - Eight Zero Nine Six.
More details and more photos

RV-8 Panel Progression - The Saga ...Jeff A

Just thought I'd share how interesting the changes have been over the years...

...and on the other end of the spectrum...

 

Economical Panel Entry ...Simon Hitchen

Here’s mine and it was quite inexpensive.
A used 7 inch dynon skyview
Used ASI & ALT
Used Garmin GTX-327
New Garmin GTR-200 com radio
IPAD Pro running ForeFlight connected via WiFi to the skyview thereby using its AHARS and gps antenna. Can also send and receive flightplans between the two units.

I already had the IPad so the whole panel cost me around $3500 USD. It’s obviously not the flashiest but I like it and with two kids heading off to university it’ll be staying for a while

Solid VFR that I fly through some of the busiest airspace around. Works beautifully. You really don’t have to spend a fortune if you’re looking to fly VFR comfortably.

Forgive the clamp on the cabin heat, the friction needed adjusting.

9A Status Report ...PilotjohnS

David Paule RV-3B Status Report

kentlik RV-7A Rebirthing Update

Decided to start on the canopy...initial fit before cutting anything.  Looks like I have a way to go with this puppy...

Wood Tailwheel Lift ver. 2.0 ...Sam B.

Refined the wood tailwheel lift to make it easier to roll the aircraft's tailwheel into position. The bottom of the dolly was originally wood but it's been replaced with steel angle and plate which sits at floor level. It's amazing how well such a simple device works.

2018 KC Flight Formation Clinic

2018 Formation Clinic is set for May 4, 5, & 6 2018 at KLXT.  Follow the link, once you are in the group you must add a record to the Database.  Hotel info is in the description, the cutoff for room reservations (Block held under KC Flight) is April 7, 2018

Closest thing to a hug ...Steve M.

"...a pat on back is close to a hug.

I took off at -10C at 5PM. A Cessna 320 was inbound and I knew the voice. Hey, Bob how's it going, chit chat. Upon him entering the pattern, I heard "Steve, I can't get my gear down". He was returning from the Avionics shop that had installed a L3 and new audio panel. I asked him to join me perpendicular to field at 5 miles to have a look. The gear was up. He began to crank the gear down manually for his first real situation. I verified it was down. He swung a 180 and landed uneventfully and then stopped over at my hangar afterwards. I got a pat on the back but it seemed like a hug.

This is the same avionics shop I walked away from a couple of years ago because it didn't seem focused. Even for a transponder check.

Why was I flying when it was so cold, -14C at 3000 ft. Why was he inbound at exactly the same time I lifted off? Why was it a perfect execution? He is trained and he flies angel flights. He mentioned it felt good to have someone there."

Questions on my Workmanship

I know what "perfect" looks like, but don't have a handle on "good enough." Two quick questions:

1) Scratches. These were caused by the squeezer while, if I recall correctly, I was standing on my head. Are these scratches something to fix when prepping to paint, something to buff out and prime over now, or absolute death to the part?

RV-14A Status Report ...jwoolard

Mid and forward fuselage just joined...

February 2, 2018.  Issue #4,493.
  A quick .3 Thursday morning looking for deer (spotted six) while in the background Smashing Pumpkin's 1993 ‘Mayonaise’ played over the Dave Clarks.  Sigh.  The sounds of adolescence…capturing the uncertainty, boredom, innocence, and confusion of growing up.  Strings fed to an Electro-Harmonix late-70s Op-Amp Big Muff pedal.  Lovin me that song...and that overdubbed fuzz so perfect for increasing your hearing loss.

“Fool enough to almost be it.  Cool enough to not quite see it.  Doomed.
Pick your pockets full of sorrow.  Run away with me tomorrow.  June.”
                      ---Billy Corgan

  Being in the air makes the music that much more sharp.  At least for me, listening to a song in the air often changes how I interpret and enjoy it. *Had the headset set up to play ATC over the music…loudly.  Quiet morning with very little comm.
  Wishing you and yours a heavy distortion, SAFE and RV-filled weekend.

   - How to play 'Mayonaise' .  Eb Bb Bb Gb Bb D tuning.

Tease Part Deux (helping a friend)

164 pictures of a really nice 2007 RV-6A coming up for sale.

All the specifics and hopefully some A2A pics in the Monday edition (goes live around 0001Z).  I apologize for the washed out color from the drone shots.  The light brown grass and a too-high sun made for tough auto-balancing.  The shots with some blue sky in it more accurately represent the aircraft's paint colors.

RV Hotel List Updated

...Colorado and California.

VAF Courtesy Car and Food List Updated

Seen at Monk's

Oil cooler door mod on RV-6.  Neat!

scaled / full

Mothership Stats

February 1, 2018.  Issue #4,492.

First Flight RV-7 ...BillL

It finally happened. A very cool, but calm day.

Heavy left wing, but otherwise very familiar handling characteristics. The cabin heat worked nicely at 6500 ft and 25F. A little draft from the spar box.

Smooth and wiggled at ~47 kts with 20 deg flaps. Nice cruise at ~150kts with 23" and 2340 rpm.

Now comes the tuning, data collection and airmanship proficiency improvement.  Several people deserve some personal thanks, as well as the VAF members at large. A new beginning.

A Tease

...really nice 6A coming up for sale at 52F. 

Fresh annual.  Insanely clean.  View (27) pics of engine compartment.  All pictures here 2,560 x 1920 pixels.  The bigger the monitor you have the better. 

More info tomorrow.

February Wallpaper Calendar ...Ed Hicks photo

RV-Lancair Brotherhood Day ...1/31 entry

The RV contingent called in reinforcements from as far away as the Atlanta area; I was vastly outnumbered, and parked in back so as not to take away from those four beautiful RVs. We all took the courtesy van to Jason's Deli in Spartanburg. After lunch the RV-4s did some formation flying.

Alternate Battery Location ...RV-14 (M McGraw)

This is a PC680 mounted in the area you are interested. You will need to build the mount from inside the airframe because the access panel pictured is not part of the -14 kit.

Audrey Reeves (the 'AR' in N617AR) Got Published Again

...a proud papa bragging on his kid.

A Chemiluminescent Probe for Cellular Peroxynitrite Using a Self-Immolative Oxidative Decarbonylation Reaction (abstract)

(from Audrey)
"...most of the data I collected is in the supplementary information, which is available from that link without paying for the article. I did a lot of the reactions there, and collected the data for figures S5 and S6."

January 31, 2018.  Issue #4,491.
  Washed the RV-6 Tuesday instead of climbing on the treadmill, and while drying it the light reflected off the wing in a way that caught my attention.  Interesting reflection where the flap trails off and the epoxy-painted floor begins (stands out more in the full size pic).  Lotta blue sky Monday in Texas, as you can see in the pic.
  The winds and fire watches return Wednesday here in N.TX, so heads up.

scaled / full

New to the forum ...Rick Meyer (Iowa)

Hello everyone. I am new to the forum and this is my first post. I am from eastern Iowa, I farm and have an excavating business, I am 59, received my pilots license six years ago, and fly/own a 172M. I believe in goodness, I believe in doing the right thing, and I believe in working hard to make the world a better place. I also believe I want to build an RV! I am unsure of which model, however I am leaning towards the 14. I would like to here the thoughts of others who have flown or owned the 14, especially as compared to the other models. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Rick.

Trying a Baffle Cutting Idea ...greghughespdx 14min video

I'm currently working (when I can find some time away from my job, it's been crazy-busy) on the engine baffles for my 8A project. I actually have two baffle kits. One is the "old" style kit that was available circa 2000. The other is the newer style kit that is more refined and has modern drawings and plans pages.  ...

New Product - RV-10 Wheel Pant Tire Pressure Ports ...VAF advertiser.

Alternate Air in RV-8 Snorkel

...seen at 52F.  Some pics....

https://dougreeves.smugmug.com/MiscPublic/i-6HPDcj6/A

https://dougreeves.smugmug.com/MiscPublic/i-sgn9vPS/A

https://dougreeves.smugmug.com/MiscPublic/i-gprg3HZ/A

More 3D ...Steve Melton

Ground Shot...Planecrazy232

New Beta 'Walk Through' Feature at RapidsetBuildings.com ...VAF advertiser

"...we have the beta of the "walk through" and "walk around" live online.  When you design a hangar let the system generate the plans after the quote form like usual then you will see the "walkthrough" and "walk around" option buttons appear."

January 30, 2018.  Issue #4,490.
  A pic of the bottom of the oil door on an RV-8 at 52F being built.  Of note is the glassed-in support on the underside (stiff foam underneath).  Haven't seen that before...

scaled to fit monitor / 3,200 x 2,500 pixel full size

RV White Pages Updated and Current

...as of 7:09pm Sunday night.  Sorted three ways.  PDF documents.  Use Ctrl-F on a PC or Command-F on a Mac to search for a name or town.  dr

Initial RV-10 cowl sanding

I'm working an RV-10 but I suspect it's the same for any RV cowling. I want to ensure this looks correct before committing to any drilling.

The diameter both horizontally and vertically is roughly 13" ... hard to be exact without a straight edge. I do have a bit of a gap to accommodate the later painting and whatnot. The top still protrudes out a bit further than the bottom. I can probably sand a bit more on the inside of the top to get it tighter. Thoughts?

Scouty has gone West.......... Pete Howell

Nine and a half years ago, I met a best friend and discovered a great new use for these flying machines we love. Then named Olivia, a little Boxer rescue, Scout came into our lives via a plane ride in our family's magic carpet.

Kate was just a little girl then, but she made the executive decision that Scout was coming home. Since that time, Scouty, even with all her quirkiness, wormed her way into our hearts, especially that of my wife, Andi.

It was especially hard to let her go this morning, but we know like all good girls, she goes to a better place. I'd like to think that finding her started me, and several other VAFers, on the path to perform many rescue flights all over the country.

She truly was a good girl, and we will miss her dearly........

Alton Bay Ice Runway is Now Open

“Alton Bay ice Airport Runway is now Open. Runway 1 /19. Runway is 100’ wide x 2800 ‘ long surface conditions all ice no snow very slick . Runway is marked with yellow cones every 300’ on both sides with triple cones on both ends marking thresholds . Taxi way is on east side of runway marked with orange cones into parking ramp on south end. If you have ice cleats for your shoes I suggest you bring them.” - Paul LaRochelle Airport Manager

Over Dimpling?  Any answer to the original question?

I cant seem to find an example of over dimpling. I keep reading over and over its hard/unlikely to over dimple but in another thread I was discussing my results with a new set of dies and was wondering if under dimpling could be the cause. I went back over some holes and hit them pretty hard with a hardwood flooring hammer and the c-frame on the concrete floor. To me the dimples look crisp but from a distance the whole row looks rippled. I think it may be what the OP was trying to describe. Its very hard to capture the ripples on camera.

Engine Fuel Pump Failure

Adding a data point on this.

I have about 900h on my RV-8 with a Lyc IO360M1B, which was installed new with the airplane. Nine months ago, I upgraded my panel to dual G3x's from, among other things, the Grand Rapids EIS system.

At about the time that I was testing out my new avionics, I noticed occasional fluctuations in fuel pressure, from a baseline of about 24psi to momentary lows as much as 14-15psi. The dips were transient, occurring maybe once or twice per hour, and not associated with any changes in engine output, RPM/MP, or sound/tone. They seemed to happen at higher altitudes during prolonged cruise (6-9000'), but were not associated with temperature. There were no changes in fuel flow. Activating the Aux Fuel Pump remedied the low pressure without hesitation or fail. It is possible that this was occurring with the EIS system and that I missed it.

I decided to have the fuel pump replaced before it failed outright. Upon removal, there was nothing out of the ordinary; no debris, no leaks, no undue chaffing or obvious wear. I did not take the pump apart to inspect the diaphragm.

The new pump is generating 32-34psi consistently, hence confirming (to me at least) that the original pump was in slow failure mode.

I was under the impression that these pumps rarely fail.

Hope this helps someone in the future.

Jon Weiswasser
N898JW, RV-8
IO360M1B

January 29, 2018.  Issue #4,489.

Custom-built wood tailwheel lift ...S.Buchanan

There was a good thread recently about how to raise the tail wheel for maintenance and the formerly available Tail-Mate was part of the discussion. I fully intended to fabricate a copy of the steel Tail-Mate but decided to first whip together a wood version out of scraps in the shop. I moved it to the hangar today and made its first flight and the thing works incredible well.

Cherry Max Rivets Preparation and Setting: Van's Aircraft Builder Tips

(Rian at Van's)
"I just made and posted a video on Cherry Max rivets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb9miRllZDo.  I plan on making many more of these. This one was in answer to a tech help question we have been asked again and again."

Old Farts Update ...turbo's 1/28 entry

Our trip to Arcadia (X06) worked out wonderfully! The weather cooperated with winds coming straight down Runway 06, mostly sunny skies and tolerable temps. The big winds held off until we were all back in our hangars. Our hosts, George Chase and his Friends of Arcadia Airport, again went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed for our cookout. Randy and Beverly Barry, owners of Eagle Vista Aviation and operators of the X06 FBO, went out of their way to make sure we were welcome. They shuttled Old Farts from the ramp in their golf cart and offered up tours of their agricultural aerial spraying training facility. And finally, as an unexpected treat, we were allowed a look at an incredibly rare Antique Aircraft based at Arcadia. What a great day! Oh... I counted 31 Old Fart aircraft and we went through sixty burgers and six pounds of BBQ chicken!!!

Changed my signature today

First flight of VH-EAB. All went well. Started the build Aug 2011.
__________________
Pete
RV-9 "Cloud tinnie"
Registered VH-EAB
Flying

Status Report: RV14A N225HK ...kiljoy

So I've been lucky and have had an over abundance of time the last couple of weeks to work on
the left wing a little bit more. I've gotten the ribs on, the rear spar on along with the aileron hinge
brackets and today got about 50% of the top skins on.

I'm so glad that I built those two work benches and even happier that I kept the tops of them
at 8' long.

Here is a pic of the left wing with the rear spar having been riveted on and the top skins cleco'd
in place. I'd left the J channels in place to test the fit. They hadn't been primed yet:

.....and some video feeds of the construction:
https://youtu.be/wgrdKX89tos
https://youtu.be/aKpA-Ed5Vbk
https://youtu.be/Jahi1HU6lbk
https://youtu.be/RDawJrSeUqE
https://youtu.be/kFl42dh6pWI
https://youtu.be/VjQ6n9LarPE

RV accident data analysis ...John B

I wanted to learn a new data analysis tool (Power BI) so I decided to build a simple dashboard based on the NTSB database. I thought it might be interesting to the community so I am sharing the link with you.

January 26, 2018.  Issue #4,488.
  Passing over the top of Denton's class D on my way back to 52F - quick gas run up to GLE.  Garmin G3X.  Even though I'm not in their airspace I usually check in with Denton's  tower to let 'em know I'm listening and can move if they need me to.  They have a lot of training traffic and seem to appreciate the check in.  Target rich.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, SAFE and RV-filled weekend. 

full size

Probable Cause List Updated

...(16) new documents posted since the last update.  PLEASE read, discuss and digest these probable cause publications so that you can hopefully be a safer pilot!  Please!  Newest listings at top...

Note:  This page is over 8MB in size.  Make sure you're on Wi-Fi before clicking on it.

Related:
Dedicated area in forums to discuss probable cause documents.

An Unexpected Builder Risk - Radon

Here in this part of Colorado, we often have high levels of radon in our homes. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes out of the ground under our homes. Relatively low doses are a risk for lung cancer. Getting rid of it takes a straight-forward bit of work, which I won't go into, except to mention that it generally includes a suction applied below the house to exhaust the radon before it can enter the home.

You can see a map of the U.S. that shows relative levels across the country here. Click on your state for a closer look by county.

Radon can't be detected except with a radon tester. There's no smell to it.

My neighborhood association has a radon tester and I borrowed it. It spent a week in the unfinished basement, a week in the main part of the house, and a week in the shop, otherwise known as a garage among people who aren't building airplanes there. Since I've been spending 500 to 600 hours a year there, it seemed a good place to check.

The results are in picocuries per liter:

8.8 in the basement,
8.6 in the house,
and 17.9 in the shop.

What's the risk? I'm a non-smoker, and the numbers get much worse for smokers. But at a level of 8, about 15 people per thousand could get lung cancer. Out in the shop, for me, it's probably twice that.

But catch this: there is no safe level! But EPA recommends getting it fixed it it's over 4.0, and even there, the risk is about 7 people per thousand getting lung cancer.

I've got to get quotes and get this thing fixed, for sure. Especially since now it's out on the internet.

David Paule (RV-3B)

Gap around flush rivet mfg head

I started my project with mainly used/borrowed tools from a friend and have been adding tools of my own as I go along. The dimple dies I was using were giving good results but they have built a whole airplane already and I figured why not get a new set of my own. I bought the Cleveland spring back dies to use on the skins. I also bought a set of the sub structure dies just to try it out. I tried on a scrap before going to town and everything appeared to look good. I went ahead and dimpled real parts and during assembly I started noticing a slight gap around the manufactured head of the rivets that I wasn't getting before with the old dies. I pretty concerned so I took some scrap, made a test part, and took a cross section of the joint on a wire EDM machine I have at work. I think the joint looks OK (other than the shop head being a little off) but you can see the little gaps around the head. It looks like the new dies leave a larger radius and is the reason for the gap.

What is everyones thoughts on the gaps I am seeing? Could there be a different reason this is happening?

Jerald Folkerts Thanks the VAF Community

Wednesday, January 24th, at high noon, N25SR, a Murphy Super Rebel, SR2500, took to the skies for approximately 45 minutes. I could not have built this airplane without the incredible resource Vans Aircraft Forum provided. I purchased all of my avionics from individuals on the site, many of my engine accessories and wiring tools, swapped a set of incorrect Lord mounts with a Harmon Rocket builder, and even learned how to build my own panel with an excellent pin out diagram from Stein. I even managed to wade through the many controversial topics documented in the database, and made informed decisions on priming and Pro-Seal application techniques. And perhaps most important, I made numerous friends through contacts on this forum, and then had the chance to put faces on at Oshkosh, where I volunteer in homebuilt camping.

I bought the kit in 1995, took delivery in 2000 due to overseas USAF moves, finally retired and began construction in 2011; finished a Cygnet; built a hangar; designed, built and began marketing the Pedal RV; restored another Cygnet; and then, after 7 years and 4000 hours, it all came together. Empty weight is 1650 lbs, max gross weight is 3000 lbs. It carries 80 gal of fuel in a wet wing, and is powered by a Lycoming O-540 (250 hp version) with a two-blade Hartzell constant speed prop. The avionics are second generation King and the EMS is a VM1000C. The panel is traditional round dial with all electric instruments.

The flight was relatively uneventful with only a few minor discrepancies. Notably, the airplane was really fast and I wasn’t able to get it up to the 75% power range for adequate engine break in procedures. I broke ground within the first 600 ft and was almost immediately into the yellow range of airspeed. We had cloud cover at 2500 ft limiting my ability to climb. Consequently, it wanted to go too fast and I had to throttle back more than I wanted for the chrome cylinders. I’ll wait for clear skies on future flights. No adverse handling characteristics and I’ll pat myself on the back -- awesome landing. It’s going to be a real performer.

Jerry Folkerts

Is this scrap? ...RV-7

E713.  I drilled through into the counter weight to final size of #10 than realizing the E713 called for a #12.
When dimpled for a #8 screw I am seeing a gap at the root when the bolt is installed.
An issue?

Smokey Ray Air to Air

52F was doing the RV beehive thing Wednesday. 00000KT and a pattern clobbered with people playing with their toys. Tuesday evening Smokey Ray texted me asking if I had a short mission planned for the next day. Nope. Ideas?

Me, “Meet me over Ponder CCW turns 1000 at 2,500’ on 122.85 for some A2A pics. Preload 122.75. Standard briefing.”   I was there watching my second hand sweep past 12 at 1000 sharp.  I won’t rub it in too much that Smokey was three minutes 17 seconds late. ;^)

Still air called for 1/250th. Shot (47) pictures just pushing the button every few seconds on the down-sun side of each circle. Maybe he’s in the FOV. The 11yr old Canon G9 is small enough to hold in one hand, and it auto-does just about everything for you. Shot RAW at 4,000 pixels wide, hoping to crop out the best stuff later. Link below. The bigger your monitor the better. It’ll scale if you have the acreage.

Not too bad for not looking.  Remember back in the day when getting descent A2A shots was hard? I kidd…

Other stuff going on around the field besides me and Smokey, so I got some pics of some of that too. Other than the brown grass it almost felt like Spring. A great day for RVating around N. Texas.

Wish you were here.

RVs rock. v/r,

See the rest of the pictures...

January 25, 2018.  Issue #4,487.

RV-6A Split Screen Panel ...Planecrazy232

This is a 6A not a 14 but this is how I have my panel set up. I like the screens on the pilots side.

Amanda wants a tang ...3D printed stuff Steve M.

So, Amanda and I were test fitting fairings and we concluded that the eyebolt threaded distance variation from the wing skin was too much to deal with using a simple cone. Some folks thread these more than others. She wants a tang. So there it is. Getting closer.

Slow-Build Wings ...Dr. HC Phillips RV-14

Hi All,
I started building my slow-build wings around mid-May last year. At the time I had just completed my empennage after about 5 months of effort. Based on that experience I (laughingly) thought I would be done with them by this past Christmas, or about 7 months of effort. I am now about 8 months into the wings and have only gotten this far:

I'm at the step where you rivet the outboard leading edge to the spar assembly. 8 months and there is still so much to do before the wings are finished-fuel tanks, pitot, wiring harnesses, aileron trim, aileron servo, magnetometer, flaps, ailerons, and bottom skins. At this point I'm thinking it is entirely reasonable for it to take a full year to finish them. I'm curious; am I just a slow builder or do the wings really take this long to finish for most folks? I'm 15 months into the build and I estimate I have about 600 hours in the total project. Those are actual build-hours. I don't include head-scratching, cleanup, or other putzing around the shop hours. How much time/effort has it taken you slow-build guys to finish your wings?

January 24, 2018.  Issue #4,486.

Cupp's Drive-In via RV-6, RV-6 and RV-8A...

Three of us flew our RVs down to Waco for a burger - longest trip in a good while (39 minutes).  Grabbed the courtesy truck at Texas Aero with 172,000 on the odom and drove shimmied out to Baylor to eat at Cupp's (est. 1929).  They fueled us while we ate.  It's the restaurant pictured at the top of the Courtesy Car/ Food list.  The road to the food took us past the piece of dirt where the hospital I was born in used to be, and the drive back went past my old college dump apartment and the church Susie and I were married in.  I had my driving companions more than adequately bored.  Pics below include the scars from the grass fire in our neck of the woods that occurred Monday.  Yikes.

PS:  Most of the pics are at least 3,800 pixels wide in full screen mode.  If you have a big monitor it will scale accordingly.

See the pics...descriptions in the titles of each pic.

Build Update ...KazooRV-9A

Finished riveting the top skins and J-stringers in place on the Right wing, it's a good days work to do all that riveting. Be sure to have a plan for communication between rivet'r and bucking bar'r, you can get riveters brain fade with all the repetition. Luckily nothing happened that was bad. But I did use my first Oops rivet, that was overdue..

High Temperature during take off in RV-7  ...givo in Italy

I guess this issue has been already discussed many time in this forum . Nevertheless I’m relatively young in experimental field and in RVs so I post the following question , hoping someone is so nice to give me some suggestion .

I have problems of temperature in my RV-7 180 CV . I have two CHT , one on the most cooled , one on the least cooled cylinder .

I have also a small door on the lower cowling ( I miss the English term , in Italian is “ flabello “ ) that can be open with a servo .

With this door open , during take off also in winter with externa temperature of 30 – 50 F° , the temperature of the less favorable cylinder goes from 350-400 °F to 450 °F . The other more cooled cylinder will stay around 400 °F .

After take off I usually level the aircraft quite soon reducing power as soon as feasible and until both temperature return to 350 F° but it take quite a while .

Than I resume normal level flight at 75% power .

From now on temperature are relatively stable around 350 °F but if I start to climb also starting from an altitude as 3000 ft the temperature of the less favorable cylinder goes to 400 ° F .

Question : there is a way to improve ventilation inside the cowling ? Shall I install second door on the lower cowling ? or may be shall I enlarge the bottom opening ? regarding the baffle they seems to sit quite tight with the cowling … tank you for suggestions … Giulio

What's this part?

RV Washing

Q: What is the best way to do a complete wash of your RV?

A: Find a 15 year old kid that wants a ride!

How it Went Down

Attaching the canopy to a QB fuselage ... is this a problem?

This is a QB fuse.

On page 35-22 it shows the location of a fuel tank sealant line as follows:

January 23, 2018.  Issue #4,485.
  Pic below a blast from the past.  Randy Richmond at 52F after take off.  1/250s.  f/13  ISO:100  226mm.  Canon EOS-1D Mark II N.

scaled to fit / full size

Thoughts RE: the Thermal Expansion of Plexi ...AlexPeterson

I re-read this thread, and have some thoughts.

It seems we've been discussing stress concentration factors, which are typically used when, for example, one places a strip of material containing holes under tension. The stress is "concentrated" around the edges of the holes in the manner depicted here:

However, this does not fit our situation entirely. The above depiction assumes the tension is not being applied directly on the edges of the hole. In the case of canopies attached entirely or partially by rivets, once the acrylic has contracted enough to contact the rivets at the extreme ends, the force is applied at the hole. We now have a local contact stress which may be extremely high.

Bill's interesting test of attaching a strip of acrylic to a steel angle might have a different outcome if the strip were wider, yet still attached in the same way. The resulting force on the fastener will be proportional to how wide the strip is. Our canopies are really wide, as analogized to this strip test.

I guess for me, what remains a mystery, is why they don't all crack... When I take mine from a 45F hangar out into 0F or so weather, the clicking it makes is horrifying, once the engine is running and the rapid cooling begins. The clicking is presumably the acrylic shifting relative to the frame, as the mounting scheme was designed to allow. If it stops clicking I need to worry.

It has been doing this every winter for 1600 hours/16 years, and hopefully it will continue to behave. The -8 is obviously worse case, given its length and the apparent mis-match to the curvature near the aft end.

Motivational Video ...Nigel

[ed. After watching some of the video I said to myself, "Hey, that's the same airport I'm based at.  Then I had a light bulb over head moment and remembered this is the nice guy who put a new roof on my house after the last bad hail storm (his day job is running a roofing co.).  Thanks again Nigel!!!  v/r,vafdr]

Low time Pilot, New (to me) RV, motion sickness

Hi All, long time lurker here, only a couple of posts.

I received my recreational cert. back in 2012 (Australian equiv of a sport pilot i suppose).

Background:
My 1st flight was in a Fly Synthesis Texan, on a hot bumpy day. Another student on the ground before my flight said, "Don't throw up!". We got into the circuit started doing basic effects of controls etc. I'm getting greener. I said to the instructor, "i'm going to spew!" He handed me a towel and I used that. Nothing actually came out of me, just a big burp, was a strange experience. We landed, and I called it quits for the day.

I ended continuing my training, and it took me, according to my logbook, about 19 hours to go solo. I battled air sickness the whole way. I then completed the endorsements I wanted (cross country, radio, passenger etc).
My instructor was(and is) convinced its all in my head. I, to a point, agree. Sometimes I would feel sick before we were even airborn. It was never a case of being nervous about the flying or the landing. I knew I could land it, fly it, navigate etc. I was afraid of being sick.

I kept flying for another year or so in a rented aircraft, which was a ICP Savannah with a very light wing loading, STOL kind of aircraft. Probably not ideal for our climate. Hot, humid, bumpy etc. Then work rosters and things changed, didnt have time to continue flying.

Fast forward to present day. I now have a lofty sum of 60 hours total time.

On the weekend, I pulled the trigger and bought a RV-7a superior io360 cs dynon SV touch etc, nice plane.

Went for a short flight with the owner, and again its the middle of our summer, hot humid and bumpy, After 15 mins, I'm asking to go home. No vomiting, just the sweats and queezy.

I know it has been a considerable amount of time since I've flown, and I'll never be an aerobatic king, but I'm stubborn and have wanted an RV ever since I found a stack of sport aviation magazines in a secondhand shop when I was a kid.

But now I'm thinking I've made a mistake. More then anything, I get angry/disappointed/ashamed about being sick, and disappointed that I cant enjoy what has been my passion since I could talk!

Sorry for the long winded post.

input/opinions appreciated.

Flap rod rod end bearing

Steve,
Going through archives and found this post. I’m installing my flap rods and have run into the same issues with the rod end bearing running out of enough tread after washering out from the flap end rib. This is a RV4. I’m sending my drawing, I’m having trouble understanding the “spacer” added to get the rod spaced further inboard. Did you use a different rod bearing than specified? Thanks for any pics drawings or info you can share. I could make this work, it’s just a lot more hole running up the fuse than I wanted.
Mike

RE Flap Pushrod Testing for Fauilure ...Scott

3D Printed Tie Down Ring Fairing Update ...Steve Melton

I've never been faster. 141 kts at 20.5 MP, 2325 rpm at 2500 ft. low power setting. low clouds. this is about 6 kts faster than my normal speed. temp = 10C.

Flap bracket fairings with buttons and tie down fairings, both sides. Slipping thru the air. The tie down fairings worked perfectly, concept 1 rev 2. I plan to evaluate concept 2 in the future but I'm pleased so far.

A Stiffener Mod to the Lower Cowl of a RV-8 ...seen at 52F.  dr photo

scaled to fit / full size

scaled to fit / full size

Mothership Stats...

January 22, 2018.  Issue #4,484.

First flight ...Scott Ahrens

After a long, slow build my RV-7 finally takes flight.

A Father's Blessing ...Scott Chastain

A blast of rain and cold weather swept through California at the end of the week, and I awoke Saturday morning to clear, crisp flying weather. I drove out to the airport and put some preheat on the engine while I waited for the old man to show up. My dad and I were heading to Paso Robles (PRB) for brunch to get the weekend off to a good start.

As my flight instructor when I was just a boy, and as my primary rivet bucker during the build of N898W, my father would be the first passenger to fly in the Dove since the canopy repair. At nearly 82-years old, the 1961 Cal Berkeley graduate climbed into the back seat and strapped in. Soon enough, we were airborne.

Greg Novotny RV-14A ...Luke D post (VAF advertiser)

I'm trying to get back to doing regular updates on pictures that our customers send us. These are from Greg N. in Washington State. His RV-14A looks great. Very professional. Thanks Greg!

Also, click the link below to see more detailed info about Greg's RV-14A. We've redesigned our customer galleries to make them easier to use.

While flying to breakfast.....

My wife and I were flying to a Saturday breakfast we ran across this farm field. Not sure who it was for, but I wonder if it worked?

RV-Lancair Bro Day

We finally, FINALLY!, got some decent flying weather today, so Owen, Darwin and I saddled up and flew to Gwinnett County [LZU] for lunch today at the Flying Machine. It was roughly a 45 minute flight from Asheville, and the weather was clear, and smooth. On the way back, some scattered clouds had formed at ~6,000' over Toccoa, with associated light turbulence underneath. It was fun!

Wing skins on!!

Right wing bottom skins on. Both wings skins are now done. Enlisted the wife for some of the harder to reach ones. This is one small milestone I've been looking forward to. It was warm today in the garage. 38 degrees

Flat Tire Update ...airguy

My new tires and tubes showed up so I jumped into the task today. I had a little damage on both main wheel pants from pulling off into soft dirt and a little grinding action on the flat tire side, nothing some touchup paint won't solve. Apparently I picked up some piece of debris on the takeoff roll or very shortly before, in the wheel pant that cut the sidewall of the right main and got through it to the tube. I did not find the offending piece of debris, just the evidence of it's passage. I replaced the Vans OEM tires/tubes with Desser 6-ply retreads and Michelin Airstop tubes. Incidentally - kudos to Desser - they include a small baggy of talc powder with the tubes for convenience, nice to see that. No instructions on how to use it - they expect you to know that already - but it's nice that they include it.

My OEM nosewheel looks like the day I installed it, with 205 hours - guess I'm treating it correctly.

from old fart Roger.........

Old Farts

I want you all to know that I really appreciate the numerous “Thank Yous”, compliments and “Atta Boys” sent my way for running this outfit. However, I often feel the shoe should be on the other foot. Today’s event at Punta Gorda (KPGD) is a case in point. It was way too cold to fly my old Stearman an hour each way. No problem, Old Fart Jeff Weston chauffeured me in his 1958 Comanche 180... a truly great airplane. Once at EAA Hangar 565, Old Fart Larry McClure and his crew fed me, and even gave me an “Old Fart” coffee mug. Then Old Fart Walt Fricke chauffeured me across the field to the hangars where we were all treated to a tour of incredible aircraft. The tour was made possible by Old Fart Jim Lyons. And, more than twenty of you braved the cold and flew in to let me look at your airplanes.

Makes me wonder who should be thanking who? How about a big, “Hip, Hip Horray!!!” all the way around?

What a great venue!!! The EAA clubhouse was once the concrete backstop for sighting in P-40 Warhawk machine guns. The airfield was a WWII training base. It is the only WWII building remaining on the field.

Here’s a pano shot of the interior. I think Larry’s crew fed well over fifty.  ...

January 19, 2018.  Issue #4,483.
  00000KT this morning (23*F) so I gotta go fly for at least a few minutes.  I mean come on.....00000KT.  Saw the cause of a recent column of smoke around our area.  Grass fire here - pic below.
  Two quick site items.  First, the VAF 2018-2019 online calendar has been activated, so if you want your RV gatherings to start showing up on the front page of VAF and at the bottom of the forums (when logged in) you can now enter those RV events.  Second, the link to the GOES East Vis/Fog Sat image on the Wx page recently changed.  I adjusted it to the new link.  Sorry I didn't catch that earlier.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled (and warm) weekend.

scaled to fit / full size

Fuel Pump Failure Mode ...Craig Taylor

Our RV8 has IO360M1A and a Tempest Fuel Pump #L15473. When cleaning up the aircraft yesterday after a long cross country I found a trail of gasoline dye behind the fuel pump drain tube. As a check, I pressurized the fuel system with the boost pump on the ground and no leakage was seen. Also, when pressurizing the system with the engine driven pump by cranking the engine, no discharge from the fuel pump drain was noted. The pump has accumulated 1400 flight hours since new.

Does anyone know how these pumps fail? Does the diaphragm slowly crack, or can the final failure be catastrophic? (I had planned to attend the 75th anniversary of my Navy Attack squadron in California this weekend but feel it would be risky to attempt the 9 hours of flight time over barren countryside.)

Any knowledge that you all might be able to provide will be appreciated.

 

RV-10 Build Update ...mciaglia

"..I think its time to move the wife's car out of the 2 car garage. Its gettnig kinda big."

Gallagher Aviation

DID YOU KNOW about switching coverage from builders to flight?

During all of your hard work while building your aircraft, you couldn’t wait to get it up in the air. When it’s time to fly, make sure you remember to update your insurance policy. In fact, it may be beneficial to update the policy prior to being ready to fly. Did you know there is no coverage under a builder’s risk policy once the aircraft is moving under its own power? You can put fuel in the tank and you can start the engine, but if the plane gets away from you, there’s no coverage. We want to make sure you have the right coverage at the right time. If you’re ready to get a full flight quote or even if you just started building, give us a call for quotes. At Gallagher, we have our girls that work specifically on Vans, but we also have several other people on our team that can quote just about any type of aircraft you can come across.

 

RV-3B Build Update ...David Paule

Seems like it's been a long time... in fact it has been.

The things I've done in the last month are small stuff. I'm getting ready to attach the next long side skin, and while it's still off, wanted to do some of the smaller stuff. These are things like riveting those bulkhead flanges that I made to the bulkhead's webs. These are finally done, along with a few less exciting things.

PnP Data Point ...AndyRV7

I've flown a few dogs in my 7 and none have been crated. I looked around for a soft sided crate but they don't seem to be made to fit an RV without giving up some useable space. And they seem to be unable to hold a curious dog in place, from the reviews I've read. Also, the dogs are mostly crated when they get to you, whether you are the 1st leg or the last. I always specify I can't use a crate for size reasons.

If I fly the flight alone, I take out the passenger seat and put 2 or 3 harbor freight moving blankets down and create a little bit of a cradle with them. They are ALWAYS on sale for $5.99 and once folded to fit the plane space, will contain any potential "issues" you may have. I have not had an issue yet... If a friend wants to come with me I put the blankets in the baggage area. Most dogs have been energetic and curious once loaded but all have slept once we started taxiing and the canopy was closed. I tether to the support behind the seat and keep it long enough for the dog to lay down, but short enough to keep them from reaching the controls. You can add some shade in the Summer.

Like someone else said, it's a great thing if you like helping animals. I began just taking trips that had 15 pound sized dogs. My last trip was a VERY energetic Springer Spaniel of about 25 pounds. I realized then I could probably handle a 40 pound dog. Incidentally, the tether is more to keep the do in the plane during open-canopy ops prior to takeoff. Every dog I have transported has been an attention hound! Just some ideas. Give it a try.

 

Build Update ...Andy C 9A

Finished up riveting the outer leading edge. Then time to pressure test the right fuel tank.  The wife had a bicycle pump, but it seemed to only fit a 1980's Cannondale tire tube,,, so no joy there. But I found my trusty Mastervac and pumped things up sufficiently to soap up all the seams and rivets, and no leaks indicated, Yay!  Installed the tank and now onto riveting the top skins.

New Guy Chimes In ...Steve F.

I just ordered my empennage kit so after lurking for some time I am on my way and hope to meet new people and make new friends.

This will be my third airplane project. I currently built and I am flying 902AL which is a Zenith, CH650B air-frame (essentially the same as the RV-12) powered by a Lycoming 0235-N2C with MGL Avionics and Comm, uAvionix ADSB.

I love 2AL but I have decided I want to step up my building as well as piloting game.

If anyone has any newbie advice I am all ears.

Looking forward to the RV-Grin One Day.

 

RV-9A Build Update ...dwranda

Left wing bottom skin on!! 12 degrees outside and I'm riveting the right wing bottom skin in my unheated garage. Tired of waiting for warmer weather. Let's Git er Done!!!

RE: Acrylic Thickness and Thermal Properties ...Clive in New Zealand

A couple more complicating factors:

The thickness of acrylic sheet stock as it comes from the manufacturer can vary slightly across it's surface. Part of our business is making acrylic aircraft windows (including RV12 rear windows for the local builders btw) and for say a typical 3mm thickness we have seen occasional variations from about 2.8mm up to 3.2 in the one sheet. Generally not a problem because many of the windows we make are relatively small so we can avoid any issues. But for the bigger canopies who knows, this might be contributing to the cracking problem.

Something else to consider is that when a canopy is blown, especially the longer narrow types such as the RV8, there is a lot of stretch and thinning of the acrylic happening at the highest point. Starting off with say 3mm acrylic could easily see it reduced to around half that thickness in some cases (think of inflating a balloon). Add in slightly thinner than spec acrylic to start with and this could go some way toward explaining why some installations fair better than others.

I always cringe a little when I think of the compression forces being applied when rivets are used to directly secure acrylic. Not disputing that many get away with it for years on end but it's not ideal. With bolts many hundreds of psi can easily be applied when over-torquing nuts and bolts. That's why good practice is to tighten to a firm fit and then back off a full turn of the nut. It only has to be lightly tightened. Also the hole in the acrylic should be half as big again as the bolt diameter with each bolt centred in the hole i.e. 4mm bolt - 6mm hole. This is another disadvantage of rivets because they try to expand to fill the hole as they are pulled.

Personally I have gone with Sikaflex for my canopy and screen. Trying to give myself the best shot at a trouble free installation. Time while of course tell!

January 18, 2018.  Issue #4,482.

50 to go to 5,000 ...turbo

Almost sold her a few years ago but couldn't part with her.  Felt much better to do some upgrades and keep what I felt so comfortable with.  I love this plane and where it has brought me over the past 18 years.  Hope to pass the 5,000 mark and keep on going till..........

Fly your bird, these planes are the best.

Why RV-12's have wing-tip handholds (resurrecting an old thread with video)

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but I thought I'd close the circle on this one by posting a video of an RV landing on Sollas beach last summer.

As Keith found out the hard way, you have to carefully identify the correct area of beach to land on, and the surface is not always as dry as in this video, but Sollas beach as marked on the charts will definitely take the weight of even the larger RV's.

https://youtu.be/MsKktRO4iJc

A careful inspection before landing for ridging or washed up debris is a good idea though, or even better a briefing from someone on the beach!

[ed.  I enjoyed this video very much.  Full screen!  v/r,vafdr].

Rudder Leading Edge Started ...azflyer21 RV-14

Today I set up my bench to roll the Rudder leading edge. I successfully finished 2 sections, now that I'm comfortable with the process I should be able to finish the rest tomorrow.

Bottom cowl closeout glitch ...RV-14

We just finished our 1st Conditional Inspection at 150 hours on N199MJ. I'm happy to report everything looks like new except for this glitch with P/N FF-00003A (bottom cowl closeout). I would suggest using a doubler to strengthen this thin aluminum where the bracket is riveted. Happy New Year to our RV family from Roger and Myra.

3D Printing Fun ...Steve Melton

Kicking this idea around with Amanda. maybe something like this?

Workbench Retract Wheels ...Mike Rettig

I build my (3) work tables with "retractable gear" too. The "lock blocks" simply drop into place when you pick up the table. Later, I took some thin nylon rope and tied it to little eyes in each block and then to another eye under the bottom of the table. The rope was left loose enough so that the blocks drop into place when you lift the table edge slightly. However, when you want to "raise the gear" you simply pull on the rope, lifting the lock blocks back up. Hence, no need to bend over whatsoever.

January 17, 2018.  Issue #4,481.
  Cold down here in Texas (for me at least)...no RVating observed.  Spent an hour at the health club I jokingly call 'VA Fitness'...the exercise equipment in the corner of the hangar with a propane heater nearby.  Taco Tuesday lunch at Rosa's with the usual suspects ($2.62 discount) and back home to bond with electrons on the QWERTY.  No time in a plane, but I got to look at one from the treadmill, so maybe that counts for something ;^).  Probably not...
  Hope it's warmer where you are.
 

First Flight: Another RV-7A Takes to the Sky! ...Walt at 52F

Good friend Mike Ciaccio made his first flight yesterday at 52F, everything went smooth as expected. Congratulations Mike!!

Workbench w/Retractable Wheels

...video shot at my home field Tuesday.  Wheels are from a $10 furniture dolly bought from Harbor.  Maybe another $4 in hinges and wood.  Beats buying those massive castors that are $15/ea.

Video of Wheels Being Extended / Retracted

Photo: scaled / full size

Martin Buehler's RV-4 Pilots 'N Paws Setup

I've done a medium sized dog in the back of my RV4 which would be similar. I removed the back seat and stick which made the whole back area a "crate". Plastic down for accidents, then pillows and blankets on the floor, and the dog seemed to like having sun or shade depending on where he lay.

Panel Pic ...FitzRX7

Finally posting full view of my finished panel...if only to nudge Oly to put full glass in his.

From the Mothership FB page...

Ikea Shop Cart

Tie Down Ring Fairing Concept 1 ...Steve Melton 3D printing

"...to be spring loaded for quick removal and install. you know, I fly around with these tie downs hanging out and use them only occasionally but I don't want to be threading them in and out when I need them. not a good idea if it's gusty. I want to leave them in place and add a quickly removable fairing. the goal is to be able to remove and install the fairing with one hand."

Turf wars between new Avionics and F-402C

I'm in the early stages of designing and building a new panel for my -4. This is what I've dreamed up and skillfully laid out in the most technical manner...

It's recently come to my attention that there's a part of the F-402 bulkhead behind where I'd like my 430/327 radios to go. F-402C goes right behind the panel, across the width of the fuselage.

How are others getting around this? Has anyone modified F-402C? Has anyone ever moved it? Is it just something that everybody is building around? It's really limiting me on placement of my radios...

p.s. Yes, I've seen panels with radios mounted between the pilots legs... I'm trying to avoid that at all costs because I have a firewall mounted battery and some really awesome cabin heat I don't want to modify (or cook the radios).

-Justin

'Rebirthing' Update ...Kentlik 7A

Flap motor.

January 16, 2018.  0008Z.  Issue #4,480.
  Got in a quick loop, two rolls and a split-S before the Wx arrived Monday in our area (pano pic below).  And the 16L practice ILS at KAFW.  Passed the NASCAR track after going missed and turning east RTB (look for the Texas-shaped pool in the full size version).  Could have worn shorts before lunch.  Not so much afterwards.
  It's cold again.  Bleh.
 

scaled / 6,480 x 2,407 full size

scaled / 3,264 x 2,448 full size

Flight Testing of Repaired Canopy Crack ...Scott Chastain

The San Joaquin Valley winter fog finally broke on the afternoon of Sunday, January 14. I raced from Church to the airport and put some preheat on the engine while I prepped the Dove for her first flight since the canopy repair. After taking my dog, Gracie, for a little adventure walk around the airport, I pushed the plane out of the hangar for the first time since Christmas Day. It had been 3 weeks since the canopy was removed.

Will helmet (or head) break the canopy?

With my seat a comfortable height for normal (blue-side up) flying, I find when I do neg g maneuvers my helmet hits the canopy. I cinch up the belts but it still happens. I have a slider and was concerned if I could crack the canopy?

If I am not going to be doing aerobatics, I don’t wear the helmet and my head doesn’t hit even in turbulence. The things I have thought of: lower the seat but that will restrict forward visibility, pad the helmet, don’t wear a helmet, or don’t worry about it.

A: I have heard of one occurrence, here in Colorado, where a very seasoned RV-6 pilot smacked his head during turbulence and cracked his slider canopy enough that it needed to be replaced. That being said, I believe the canopy had flown for many years before this occurred. Although it's always been hangared, it sees a lot of flight hours too.

A: Ages ago, I learned aerobatics in an open-cockpit airplane over the ocean. The first thing we'd so was roll upside down and roll back upright. Then we'd tighten our safety belts as much as possible. We repeated this and if necessary, we tightened again. Having no canopy and a cold ocean underneath made this seem important.

Show us Your RV-4 ...Jvon811

I actually was fortunate to join the club back in June 2017 but this is my first pic post! N249P is early-ish (S/N #715) with 327TT. O-320 with a Ben Warnke Prop. Improvements in the works are a new panel, "Poor man's cold air intake", heated seats, and many others. Located KFNT, Flint, MI.

RV-7 Status ...pazmanyflyer

Finished horizontal intake.  Started and finished trimming baffles over this past weekend. I have a nice evenly spaced (3/8"ish) baffle to cowl. Still need to do the air gap seal.

Video on oil cooler

Build Update ...KazooRV-9A

Continued working on the right wing leading edge. Had a couple of days last week in the upper 50's here in SW Michigan, worked with the shop door open for awhile!
Leading edge now on, finally something permanently installed!

Stand-by Alternator Photos

Anyone have photos of installation of a stand-by alternator on the rear engine case? It's kinda crowded back there and I am wondering about interferences. Thanks.

January 15, 2018.  0001Z.  Issue #4,479.
  A bit of a rarity occurred Sunday....Susie, Tate and I all flew via RV to lunch.  Tate flew in the back of Chris Pratt's unbelievably beautiful -8 (his first ride in an 8 - pic right).  We ended up with (8) RVs on the ramp and enjoyed a fun walk to and from the Hard Eight BBQ.  Pictures.   It's been too long.  Susie and I launched early so we could stop in Mineral Wells for cheaper gas on the way down ($3.79).  Five minutes added to the trip to Stephenville, but saved nearly $10 total (KSEP was $4.33).  We called Mineral Wells Unicom ten miles out asking for fuel and the nice lady said 'shut down next to the fuel truck'.  The truck was running and ready to go when we taxied up.  Had us on our way in about ten minutes.  What great service!
  It's always nice to catch up with other members of the B.C. Squadron, and we always end up asking ourselves why we don't do it more often.
  Hope you had a nice weekend also. 
 

She Flies

Old farts converge on Okeechoobee...turbo's words <g>

Wrapping my RV-14A ...Jared Solomon

New 3D Printing Service Bureau Announcement

1st Photo Post ...egp8111's RV-4

Hoping to get the W&B done next week and scheduled with the FAA for inspection

RV-4 MS1095 ...new 'My RV Build Project' thread

Baggage Door Alarm ...RV-10

I put a micro switch in the upper rear corner. It seemed like the best location to not be seen or snagged on something going in or out of the door. I made the bracket loop around the switch to provide protection. The bracket can be lightly bent to position the switch accurately.

Jim W's RV-4 ...Smokey Ray post

Yep

more
 

Build Update ...kiljoy

January 12, 2018.  Issue #4,478.
  I would like to publicly welcome Gary Platner (RV-8) to the Board of Directors of the airport we are both based at (www).  Scott Doores stepped down after six years of hard work and Gary has replaced him.  There was talk last night at the board meeting of a RV Fly-In at 52F sometime this year - food trucks, fuel trucks and parking need to be worked out.  33.052481, -97.231992.  Centrally located in the middle of the country.  Got to celebrate that new runway Texas-style!
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.  
 

Done ...laz RV-8

"All I have to do is fly."

From the Mothership...

...and...

(NOTICE TO GEORGIA CUSTOMERS:)
We are now required to collect sales tax on all parts and kit orders from our customers who are receiving shipments within the state of Georgia. This includes engines and propellers purchased from Van’s Aircraft and drop shipped by our OEM suppliers. Since the tax amount varies based upon the county of the shipping address, the tax cannot automatically be applied during checkout for online orders. Therefore, the tax will be computed and included as part of the invoice total, subject to our payment policy prior to shipment. If you are a business and have a Tax Exempt permit, please send us a copy of your permit with your builder’s number to orders@vansaircraft.com so we may attach it to your account.

The Unhappy Cracky Club ...Scott Chastain

On the night of December 1, 2017, I flew my RV-8, N898W, Descending Dove, to Tehachapi, CA (TSP) and spent the night in the pilots’ lounge. I found after-hours access to a room with plenty of space on the floor to inflate my mattress and unroll a sleeping bag. I wanted to explore the town of Tehachapi the next day.  ...

Pics from Petit Jean '17

I'm a little late in posting these links but Petit Jean 2017 was something very special. What a great group of RV drivers and riders! I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves! The links to albums at the end have hundreds of spectacular pictures of you and all your RV buddies and buddettes! What follows is just a sample of all the miles of smiles!

Wrapping ...JasonM

I too decided to wrap rather than paint. Also using the 3M 1080 film. There are a few tricks to learn like when to use heat and when to not along with where to start applying the film when it comes to complex shapes. Overall it's pretty easy and if I don't like it simply peel it off.

Here are a few pictures of my wingtips and ailerons

Updated Panel Pic ...Walt

Tall/Short Pilot Input ...catmandu

Finally got some today, here's the base, aft looking forward, seat back installed in the forward position. You can see there is an interim set of nutplates as well, should we ever have a 5'7" pilot, I guess

Here is a picture of the top of the seatback with the extension I riveted on to the plans-specified extension. Tried to rotate it, Imgur fail on my part.

Seen at Richmond Aircraft (52F)

...I took these pics Thursday.  vafdr

RV-6 Cracked Motor Mount Repair w/Gussets and new paint

scaled / 3504 x 2336

scaled / 3504 x 2336

Attempting to Wrap the Cowl ...sahrens

Well Bruce I took your advice. After finishing the oil door I was going to wrap the empennage fairing but I decided to have a go at the upper cowling. Moving to a much larger peice of vinyl was a little more difficult than I had imagined. The backing material that is removed is fairly thick and does not want to bend. I was hesistant to remove all the backing for fear the vinyl would stick to itself. It did anyway and much like duck tape, it really sticks. There is a happy place in there somewhere where just enough backing is removed to allow applying the vinyl and removing too much.

All that said about 1/3 of the way into this I knew it was going to get pulled off. The material is relatively strong, it will stretch and it will shrink. It will also tear, especially when heated or over stretched. Long story short I had some small pock marks of damage that I wasn't satisfied leaving on the aircraft. Once that decision was made I just made this a learning project working on technique, how much heat was too much and how to work compound curves.

January 11, 2018.  Issue #4,477.
  Please excuse the early push of the Thursday edition.  There is a board meeting for the airport I'm based at this evening and I'm on the board.  vafdr
 

RV-12 w/Stearman Mirage

RV-12 on the taxiway at 52F with a Stearman in the distance - taken a few months back.  Click on 'Full Size' to see the 4,000 x 2,248 pixel original - if you've got a big 'ol honkin monitor.

Scaled / Full Size

Finally Thawed ...Pete Howell

Got over 40 today in Minne - sunset pic of the Emerald City.......

Flat tire on landing - a little western

So I went goofing off today with my uncle, just a chance to burn some fuel and recalibrate my head. 0.7 on the hobbs and the sun is going down, time to park it. As soon as the mains touched down on the 30-foot wide pavement I noticed it pulling right, within less than a second it was pulling right A LOT and I knew what was happening. Full left rudder was OK through about 40 knots then left brake and more left brake, to the point I was almost sliding the left wheel coming down through about 10 knots but kept it on the runway. It was swervy to say the least, but I kept it on the pavement.

Pulled the wheelpant, the tube would hold air for about 3 minutes so we just aired it up and used our Rhino tug to pull it back to the hangar, took 2 mid-way stops for more air to get it put away. Datalogs showed it was 14 seconds from wheel contact to full stop, that would have been a rather impressive short-field landing if I hadn't been so busy trying to suck the seat cushion up my butt. My condition inspection was due to start in 2 weeks, I guess this just moved the start point up a bit.

Be careful out there...
__________________
Greg Niehues

Water Bottle Speed Mod

From the Review of my panel Thread

...Ed W's comments

Here are a “few” comments, and of course, your mileage may vary:
1. The USB port on the left is so close to the throttle that there may be interference with the port or the cables;
2. If there is anything dangling from the ignition key, it may hit the stick when deflected or be a nuisance on your leg;
3. Things that earn their way onto the stick are those that you use frequently and need promptly, or need to access when both hands are busy. Boost pump does not qualify. Also, there’s the concept of flow, that you move your attention around the cockpit in the same order as they appear on the checklist to make sure that the switches are all set. Boost pump on the stick probably wouldn’t fit that concept well;
4. Similarly, the only reason for having flaps on the stick is if you need to dump flaps on the rollout. I’ve thought about doing this on my RV-8;
5. Nice that your stick grip is not left or right handed;
6. I’ve learned to fly my RV-9A with left hand on the stick, and it no longer has the awkward feeling it did when I started. You’ll have all of Phase 1 to get used to it, so you might not need the dual throttles;
7. Good that you grouped your switches instead of having a long row;
8. I’d put strobe at the end, rather than in the middle;
9. If you ever do go inside cloud, it will be strobes off, pitot heat on. You might consider putting them next to each other;
10. The parking brake is in an area normally reserved for power controls, and more specifically, for carburetor heat. I’d move it. Similarly for cabin heat;
11. No point in putting warning lights on the center stack, put them in front of the pilot;
12. Having a light for fuel pump on is no longer considered by all to be good human factors (quiet, dark cockpit concept). The argument is that it gets you used to seeing a light on;
13. Move the seat warmer switches closer to the pilot.

Hope this helps,

Ed

Wrapping project

Well, not only am I nuts for polishing my aircraft, I also am using vinyl as well. So I started with the easiest component I could find, the oil door. It took about an hour to explore how much the vinyl would stretch / shrink..it will also tear.

All in all it was fairly easy to work with once I got started.

And more wrapping ...

I did use the end roll piece approach to vinyl wrapping and had my kids cut them before applying (nice family project ...):

Split Screen or 2 Portrait displays

(Des) As a new builder, panel questions are coming up, and I wonder if there are any comments or suggestions about which setup would have better utility.

The 10" model allows a split screen, so I wonder if anyone is finding advantages of using two of the 7" Portrait displays? (well, one could serve as a backup). Looks like you lose a control knob on the 7" model. And I haven't seen any examples of the 7" screen allowing a full screen view of traffic, weather or engine monitoring.

None of the "Show us your panel" images in the forum showed the two Portrait displays side by side (also not shown in the photo galleries of Steinair or Aerotronics).

The mission is for long cross countries, not yet IFR ticketed.

(Walt) I'm a big fan of the portrait displays, probably because thats what I've flown in my own aircraft for a number of years now. The 7" is taller than the 10" but the 2 7's don't have quite as much screen area as the 10". I chose to keep my seperate engine monitor (MVP-50) so that I don't lose the screen real estate to the eng instruments. Doing it this way gives me a larger/taller map than I would have on the 10" display. I also prefer to have both screens in front of me for redundancy purposes, with the flip of a switch or on screen button push the MFD is immediate a PFD so it's a total non event if one of the screens fails with this arrangement. I'll post some update panel pictures showing the 470 touch screens I now have and a few other changes I've made (added a 660 which I mainly use as a full time traffic page or IFR plate). I'm considering (if I ever have time) to change this to a 3 screen setup but honestly I'm VERY happy with the current layout.

Doug Eves RV-6 Ground Pic

Alternator failure ...make sure you read the last paragraph

So there I was 30 miles to go navigating through the rain and wind trying to get home, then a battery warning light comes on, O **** I knew instantly I had to take action and start load shedding electricity to keep the computer alive to fire the sparkplugs to keep the engine running, as the battery is on a limited life and draining quick, if the battery dies, the engine dies! I needed to decide what goes off NOW, all lights off, It was getting dark and could barley see, all fans and heat OFF, windscreen started fogging up and it was getting cold, then the engine rpm started fluctuating unexpectedly, WHAT THE!, more warning lights started coming on the panel and then the most scary, the engine started to miss and started shaking bad, then no power, them more power and stumbling, very worried I was not going to make it home, it then started slowing down and I got real scared! then I touched on the brakes and those lights brought the computer operational voltage below operational threshold and the engine Died!  I used the very last amount of velocity to make the final turn.............into the driveway.

WHEW! yes this was in my car tonight, but it was good practice for my all electric Fuel and IGN powered RV! my goodness I hope I never have to experience this in the air.
__________________
7A Slider, EFII Angle 360, CS, SJ.

RE: Thermal Expansion and Canopies ...Chris Pratt RV-8

Hopefully this is not too far off topic, but 5 or 6 years ago, after hearing of a rash of cracked canopies that occurred in cold weather with the aircraft parked in the hangar, I decided that when my RV-8 is parked I would not completely close the canopy, i.e. I do not latch the canopy when parked in the hangar.

I figure there's no need to put stress on the canopy when it is just sitting especially with the rapid changes in temperature we can experience in Texas. Perhaps it has helped, I have no way of knowing for sure, but so far no cracks. If you currently are latching your canopy when securely parked in a hangar, consider leaving the canopy just slightly open. It may make a difference.

Semi-related:  Our Site Mascot

I was going through some pics and found this gem of Moondog.  I thought I would share.  He's a sweetypie, an older, set-in-his-ways sweetypie.

scaled / full size

January 10, 2018.  Issue #4,476.
  Fog at the home field Tuesday 0900 - no RVating before noon.

scaled / full size

First flight today

Finally, it’s been an eight year part-time project but we had a decent day here in Michigan for a first flight. 1.5 hours breaking in a new engine at 75% power and all performed as expected. Chts below 350, oil temp butterfly worked great to adjust oil temp to 200. Fast and heavy on the controls at those settings, did a lot of autopilot flying, checking systems. Today was basically keeping eyes on engine gauges, a few stalls, slow flight. Landings need some work though, takeoff was sweet.
__________________
Dave Ford RV-10
Cadillac, Mi

More info on Sam Buchanan's Tug

Got to the hangar today and refined the towbar so it will be more suitable for pushing the RV-6. I removed the carabiner and fabricated a pin hitch:

It is just two steel straps bolted to the Cessna-type towbar handle. This should work while pushing or pulling and is what I would use if I had a nose-dragger. The drawbar is fabricated from steel angle and bolts to the brackets that used to attach the front of the mower deck.

Memories of the Master

...written by our own Paul Dye (RV-8/3) about his former coworker (and moonwalker) John Young.

[ed. And be sure to read Critical Burn also.  v/r,vafdr]

Things Crammed in a RV-10

Cholera Clinic Supplies.  Surgical gloves, bed pans, saline solution, HRP's, gas powered pressure washer, solar powered water purifier.

Page 06-02 step 6 ...RV-14

I ordered my RV-14 empennage kit so now it's time to start asking really, really basic questions. On the very first page of the build instructions, it says to "dimple the rivet holes on the aft face of the VS-702 Front Spar and VS-01401 Front Spar Doubler" and then in the associated Figure 4 it says "dimple flush aft." Does this mean to dimple toward the aft or dimple toward the front so the flush side is to the aft? I assume the latter, but I don't want to act on a bad assumption on the very first page of the kit.

I look forward to getting started on the build. Rest assured that I will have more basic questions as I go, and for posterity I will make future builders even more comfortable asking their basic questions since they can't possibly be more basic than mine

Review of my panel design/layout

Hello everyone.
So I'm working on FWF and will be moving into panel and wiring next. I have held off long enough and think I need some input on my panel design/layout. Please let me know your thought pro's and con's. RV7 - tipup

More on that Dog

We are not sure if Truman likes flying or just hates being left at home. He has been flying in the RV-10 since he was 8 weeks old. We picked him up near Mt Shasta CA on the way home from Oshkosh 2016.

AeroSun VX install attempt #1

Today I removed the right wingtip and read the installation instructions for the AeroSun VX landing lights. I thought I understood them pretty well and started to make the cutout for the light. I placed the template in the tip and drilled both holes to #30, marked out the area for removal with a fine sharpie and used a cutoff wheel to remove a large portion. Then I used a small bit in a air grinder and cut up to the line being sure not to remove it. Some 100 grit sand paper was used and I sanded into the line a little before checking the final fit. It took about 3-4 times of removing just a little here and there before the light would fit in the cutout like it says in the instructions. I think they call out about 1/2" on the inside and 2" on the outside that the light protrudes from the opening. The instructions don't say anything about trimming the light but I had to remove a little material at the flanges that hold the insert nuts so they not hit the tip. (pics below) All looked great and I went ahead and drilled the two screw holes to #27. I assembled the screws and washers and springs.... Uh Oh.... something isn't quite right. It looks like by inserting the screws that the whole light has moved outward by almost 1/8". What used to fit perfectly now fits like ****. I checked the template against the left side light and the holes in the template seem to line up pretty well. Not sure whats going on but I suspect that I may have to fill the holes and drill new ones. I'll figure this out tomorrow but I do want to say that I am looking for perfection here. I like working with fiberglass and I want a perfect even reveal all around the light of about 1/16". Heres some random pics of the process and some of me just taking pics at different angles trying to figure out what to do.

Well that didn't go as planned...opening pandora's box.

So I pulled everything down to ready to remove cylinders, then had one of the engine shop guys come help me pull the cylinders for my piston upgrade.

#1 and #2 no problem, pulled #3 and there is a lifter that's chewed up and it would appear that I have an issue with a cam lobe.

This "inexpensive" horsepower upgrade just changed gears.

On a brighter note, it sure will be easier replacing the two studs on the impulse coupled side of my case for my pmag...with the engine off the airplane.

I guess we all get little surprises like this somewhere in our aircraft ownership tenure...

Well, Poop. That's what I said when he showed me. Poop.

Vinyl shark teeth on a -7a?

Im looking to add shark mouth and teeth to the lower cowl on a RV7-a. Like to do this with quality vinyl press and stick instead of paint so it is less permanent. Anyone know of any US shops with vinyl experience doing this on a -6a or -7a? lower cowl. I can apply. Want to keep it simple, and not obnoxiously big.

January 9, 2018.  0001Z.  Issue #4,475.

Things Crammed in an RV-10 ...N402RH wins the internet today.

Two people, Four full 7 1/2 gallon Kegs, a Dog and his birthday cake to a beer competition in Sisters Oregon.

Aircraft Tug-or how to salvage an old Murray ...Sam Buchanan

Even though the paved ramp outside my hangar is nearly level, the RV-6 just seems to be getting more difficult each year to pull into the hangar.....the plane must be getting heavier.....

In order to avoid straining high-mileage body parts I decided to replace the soft tissue tug with something more substantial. There was a thread on VAF some time back about how to repurpose various means of locomotion so they would move an aircraft into a hangar.

The father of one our VAFers has a yard-full of lawn mowers that is in a constant state of flux as he buys, trades, swaps with the community. He loaded an old, ugly derelict Murray riding mower of 1993 vintage on my truck and I proceeded to resurrect it as an RV tug. After some minor refreshening of the engine, tubes in the dry-rotted tires and a complete tear-down for cleaning and paint after throwing away everything that didn't look like a tug, I have a rig that effortlessly pulls the RV-6 up the ramp and into the hangar. My regular towbar attaches to a drawbar on the front of the tug and it backs the RV-6 into place. My back and knees will live to fly another year.

Go/No Go - Spar Caps Trimming

I started on my van’s RV-10 Empennage kit and in the first step of the Vertical Stabilizer, it calls for trimming the rear spar caps (Section 6, Page 2 - Step 1). I made the markings, drew a straight line and trimmed it. When I came back and read the plans again I realized I didn’t straighten the bow while I drew the straight line.

Attached is the picture of the rear spar cap clamped straight. I placed a piece of scrap aluminum with a straight edge against it to show the issue. Now the question is, is it acceptable to go forward?
__________________
Rajiv Chalasani
RV-6 - Red Phoenix (N111BN)
RV-10 - Tail Kit Started

Having No Plan to Fly to Tullahoma

The Petit Jean Fly-in was next on our agenda. That started Friday, and it was only Tuesday. We’d be checking out of the Buckhorn Inn the next morning, with no plan between now and then. I always like to have a plan. I like to know where we’re going, where we’ll find dinner and where we’ll sleep.

With our new vagabond life, we can't always have a plan. Slowly, I'm learning to relax

Sunset Flight ...j-red

I found my old gopro knockoff camera in a drawer this past week and welded up a mount to fit in a tiedown slot. The video quality is pretty poor, as this camera doesn't handle low light very well, but it was fun just the same to get a little different perspective on the flight. This might just be what inspires me to buy one of the newer action cams, and ill have to try some other mounting locations in the future too.

G5 or GRT Mini

I ended up with the G5 and Backup Battery. My panel is mainly Dynon so I wanted a backup from a different manufacturer. The G5 has a serial connection to the GTN650. The Mini would have been my first choice but it didn't fit in the space I had after removing the Dynon D6. The Mini is 4.35" wide, the G5 is 3.42"

I have been very happy with the G5. Garmin did a nice job with the internal GPS antenna. I thought for sure I'd need to use an external antenna but the internal one works great, even at the top of the center stack in the 10.

Gary

Michael Kalfsbeck's G5

Get the G5 with battery back up. I've been running it now about 2 months and love it. See pic below...

A case of tall pilot/short pilot

The lady and I both have separate partnerships in certified aircraft but are thinking of selling off and getting our first plane together, an RV-6. Thankfully, we live in an RV rich area with an active EAA chapter. We were able to do a fit check in a local RV-6 to gather more information on whether this platform will work for us. We came away with a few A-HA items.

1. I am 6’3. She is 5’4. The a/c we sat in had about 3” of fwd adjustment on the seat to get her closer but even full forward, she would need the pedals closer to her feet. We could put an extension on the pedal, but we’d also be swapping seats regularly. Anyone dealt with an issue like this? A back cushion might help but then we would need to ensure the ability for full aft stick deflection. Perhaps not a major issue since she is small.

I was told the placement of pedals are one of the design decisions made by the builder and can vary between airframes. The builder of this test bird was tall like me so perhaps this example was ideal for me?

2. Canopy headroom. We sat in a slider. Does the tip up provide anymore clearance? My guess is not. Fortunately I wear a halo headset instead of an over the top, but I probably wouldn’t be able to wear at hat.

 

Stuff Crammed in RV-10s ...aturner

Quick Update

The 20 year old K&N in my RV-6 was 18 1/2" round. I think that has shrunk around 2 inches from the 20+" of the new one!

I now think the bottom plate on the K&N in my FAB is meant to be there as it is exactly the right length for the rib around the new K&N to go around it.
__________________
Rob Swain.

 

Makin 'em Fit

Doug Eves ...inflight.

January 8, 2018.  0007Z.  Issue #4,474.
  Kinda blue today.  Our daughter is back in CA working on her PhD in 'chembio' as she calls it - visited for 3 weeks over Christmas (rare).  Drove her to Love Field 0500 Sunday morning for the SWA flight back - maybe Smokey flew her back to Oakland.
  The highlights of the break were time with her, of course, but also watching her learn to drive the zero turn mower in the driveway, and flying the drone.  Took her for an hour RV flight and got a couple of waves from her in the driveway as I flew over once or twice.  That's her birthday and initials in the N-number.  The first pass over the house lets her know she has about 30 seconds to get outside before the second.  Rockin those wings...
  I gave her a kitchen knife set and Texas-shaped cutting board for Christmas.  Subliminal.
  During the break she sent me the link here, a newly published paper entitled "Activity-based sensing fluorescent probes for iron in biological systems."  She did the illustration on page one.  It'll be free online for 50 days and then you have to pay to read the paper.
  Advertisers and donations here helped pay for the laptop and undergrad education that went into the skill set needed to produce that illustration.  I thought you might appreciate some of the fruits of your kindness....science that will hopefully make the world better.
  I hope you had a nice RV weekend and have a swell RV Monday. 

Brantel: Running Bad@ss ...and RV-7 builder/pilot ;^)

I did it! Again!  48.6 miles in the bag!

A Steer, A Tandem Bike, Mountain Bikes: What have you hauled in your RV-10?

I saw another thread recently that talked about how great a bearhawk is at hauling things. I don't think many people realize how much you can get in an RV-10. It's got the largest, most comfortable rear seats of any piston single I've been in. That includes a several aircraft noted for their interior volume including a C-182, Trinidad, and Piper Lance. The Lance of course had more total volume, you just had to choose between legroom or shoulder room as a passenger.

Ultimately, the 10 is so useful, so fast, and still so much fun to fly I barely miss the 8. Yes, I do miss aerobatics, and the 8 is a much better formation platform. That said the 10 is surprisingly capable of formation at least up to the FFI limits.

I'll start: I've hauled my family of 4 and a week's camping gear including a huge tent to Oshkosh. I've carried the (frozen and edible parts) of what was once a 1200lb steer, our new tandem bike, and two full size mountain bikes. I'm curious to see what others have done.

J_Turner Status Report ...RV-7

Today I wanted to get the wingtips in place and drilled to the wings. I only got the right one drilled to #40 but it is straight! To start I made an aileron center jig and clamped the aileron to it. Then I had to cut some material off the bellcrank jig to allow it to clear the Garmin AP servo brace. Once those were in place I adjusted the pushrod length and tightened it down. Next I clamped the bell crank jig to the bolt that holds the pushrod so I could get the wingtip aligned.

Cold Wx Flying ...terry.mortimor

Hi gang, with a certain Texan recently complaining about a little cold weather while flying I just had to post a few pictures of some real cold weather flying in my neck of the woods

300 Hours: Then and now ...Bob Collins

I hit 299.6 hours this morning in the RV-12iS project. It's been almost a year to the day since I took delivery of the first kit. In the first year, there was a lot of waiting around. I didn't realize how quickly the emp kit went together so I had 12 weeks to cool my jets before the wings arrived. I knocked those off in six weeks but by then the 12iS has been announced so I chose to delay delivery of the fuselage kit to get the redesign.

I'm continually amazed by how quickly this has gone together, even with the stuck-in-traffic pace.

I looked up my RV-7A build and was surprised to see that 300 hours if about a year's work on that project too. That makes sense. My routine is roughly the same: About 1-1.5 hours of work after work, and a few hours each weekend day.

Pondering if thermal expansion can break a canopy

"...Assuming a canopy built to plans we have the following numbers:

A #40 drill through the steel rail. (0.098")
A #27 drill through the canopy. (0.144")

12 " between fasteners. (Lo in the equations)

The thermal expansion Ct for steel is approximately 0.00008 in/inR
The thermal expansion Ct for acrylic is approximately 0.000417 in/inR

I'm going to take a lot of liberties with my assumptions from here on (feel free to shoot me down)

Lets say we go flying at -5 degF outside. Lets also say that our cockpit/sun heater is able to bring the interior of the cockpit up to 32 degF for a deltaT of 37 degF as we fly around.

The expansion of a material dl = Ct * deltaT * Lo

So...

The steel will expand by: 0.03552 inches between fasteners.

The acrylic will expand by: 0.1851 inches.

Yikes. But wait, we have some slop in the holes of 0.046 inches (#27 - #40)..."  continue

A thank you video...AX-O RV-4 Fastback

All,
I made a video to say thank you to some of the folks that have supported our team at Reno and during airshows in various ways. It has pics and footage recorded over the past 2 years. This video took for EVER to edit. Hope you enjoy it.

https://youtu.be/n4oEK1Oe-AY

January 5, 2018.  Issue #4,473.
  A milestone of sorts is shaping up for the weekend possibly - the 1,000,000th VAF Forums post.  Thanks again as always for goofing off at work ;^), and for being a part of the online RV collective.  Humbled and honored to call so many of you friend.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend! 

G-RMPS Inflight Photo ...Scotland

Fort Bragg CA, weekend get-a-way ...joe_rainbolt

A wine tasting, beer sampling, Christmas Parade watching, overniter to California's North Coast.

J_Turner Status Report

Today was fun, I match drilled approx. 302 holes in the right lower wing skin. Deburred about 1100 holes, dimpled around 500 holes and set about 30 rivets. I think I'd rather be doing fiberglass work but hopefully tomorrow I can finish the skin and start on fitting the wingtips. Oh yeah, I also made one extra hole while dimpling. I didn't get too upset, just but on some flat dies and squashed it flat.

Vandenberg AFB

10 miles out at 5K I watched a launch out of the coastal fog then disappear through a high layer. A clear sky would have given a better result but in the end, hearing my engine drone on instead of hearing and feeling the energy of the launch made it less exciting than being on the ground near the launch site.
__________________
JD
----------------------
RV-7 N314SY

 

See the Launch Schedule

A good source to keep up with the launches including launch schedule changes is:

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

(Yes, even us gov'mint types cross reference the civilian web sites to keep up with what's going on...!)
__________________
Don Hull
RV-7 Wings

RE: Mountain Bikes in RV-14 Cargo Area ...Jared RV-14A

The RV-14's baggage space is large. With that being said I believe the challenge may be getting the bike's frame between the seat back cross-member and the roll bar. You'd probably have to turn the frame on it side to pass through and then rotate it back to right side up. Not sure if you'd have to remove the fork as well. I doubt you'd be able to get a second bike back there, due to the manipulation required as described above. Possibly if you remove the fork/handle bars. Probably one of those things you'd have to try. Like others have eluded too, if you plan to transport a mountain bike regularly, the wear and tear level on your plane may be high.

related: Jared's YouTube channel

Alton Bay (B18) PIREP ...Glen

As of Wednesday (ahead of the storm hitting the east coast) Alton Bay reported ice ranging between 9” and 10.5”. Still not the 12” minimum everywhere but getting closer.

BTW: if you use Facebook, you can catch their updates including video posts.  here

Frank Jackson RE: Sticking Exhaust Valve

Wish I had read this sooner.

I should have looked at this sooner. Yesterday the #2 exhaust valve on my Lycoming IO360 stuck completely and bent the pushrod. Fortunately I was in the pattern at a nearby airport and immediately landed. It's now at the FBO at the same field getting a rebuilt cylinder. It had been running rough at idle and low power settings but smoothed out at runup power and higher. The engine had only 380 hours on it. I'll be doing a wobble test on the other cylinders.

January 4, 2018.  Issue #4,472.

Stuck in Lake Havasu, bad electric ignition

Note:  Please check thread to see if/when problem is solved.  Mike may chime in after publish time with more info (don't want to swamp his phone).

Pushrod Boot Pattern

Aileron Push Rod Boots...Sam Buchanan

Here are notes and photos of boots being constructed using the above drawing from Fred:

Mine have been flying in the RV-6 for nearly 18 years and continue to work as designed.

RV Friend Brantel's 2nd 'Dopey Challenge at Disney World'...wishing him luck!!!

Fellow RV friends,

Just wanted to give you an update on my battle to stay healthy enough to keep enjoying my RV7 (and most of all be around to love, support and enjoy my family). As many of you know I started taking this battle seriously about 4 years ago.

While I have had a few setbacks, I am proud to say that tomorrow I will attempt to complete my second Dopey Challenge at Disney World. It is a 4 day progressive 48.6 mile road race. 5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon.

For me running has been the best way for me to maintain my RV performance enhancing weight loss and for me to keep my known coronary artery disease in check!

Twitchy Ailerons

I had an interesting experience regarding this topic with my RV-7. You can read it on the Twin Cities RV Builders website: here
__________________
Doug Weiler
Hudson, WI

RV-8 Builder For Sale ...Dan helping a friend's family

Guys: I have volunteered to help sell a deceased friend's RV-8 fastback build. The Kit # is 80406 initially bought July 25 1997, he was the third or fourth owner. This kit is well past the quick build stage.

The kit includes Dynon D-100 and D-120,True Track ADI PilotI/II Autopilot(2 servos mounted and wired),GTX-327 txp, Garmin 496 mount, Flight Comm 403 mc, intercom, hobbs meter, stby airspeed, altimeter, 12 Circuit Breakers, Split Master, 5 switches, and spare blank instrument panel.

Wings, tail feathers, flaps, and ailerons are finished. Fastback kit is 1/2 finished, pull out handle option is finished, finish and firewall forward kit, engine control cables with throttle quadrant, military front stick grip, snorkle, baffle kit, prop spinner kit, Vetterman exhaust NIB, oil cooler, Van's 60 amp alternator, Hooker harnesses, complete set of hand tools, all hardware, heated pitot, 2 canopies, 1-tinted, 1-clear, 121.5 ELT, aileron and elevator electric trim, and landing, strobes, and position light, all included.

I have pictures and will post them on a site or can send on request. The price is $44,500. Not willing to sell pieces, all or nothing. Buyer arranges shipping. Dan from Reno

My photos from the Lake Havasu gathering

I put my photos here.

Had a great flight out and back and the food was very good. Wish I could have had a beer (or two).
__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 500 hours!

Cutting Subpanel for Garmin 430

Thanks Scott
Your photos are helpful. I went ahead and cut the hole. Photo at link. Seems ok. Van's told me to reinforce as necessary. Now I need to figure out where to route the cables back behind the subpanel so they can plug into VPX.

__________________
Steve Lynn
RV-7A
90% Finished
Working on Wiring

 

FAA Safety Briefing

Back to Basics | January/February 2018

January 3, 2018  0001Z.  Issue #4,471.
  So Tuesday morning only one aviator on the field was stupid enough willing to go up for a flight in the 23*F morning air via RV-6, and that idiot person was me (note one hangar door open).
  I know, I know…I’m a wuss from TX and people up north take saunas in 23*F water. ;^)
  I should have worn long underwear (and where is mine?), I need to stuff some foam into the NACA ducts to keep the leaking air around the closed vents from bleeding in, and heated motorcycle gloves that plug into 12V are seeming more and more attractive. Other than the 14 minutes it took to get my oil to 100*F, it was a pretty nice flight. The wing sure liked that dense air.  Hadn't flown in five days...felt good to get off the surface for some alumitherapy slash mental re-calibration.
  And I need to tape off some of my oil cooler. We really just don’t get that much insanely cold air down here.
  It's forecast to be above freezing today for the first time in 80 hours, so we're pumped.  That fountain ice near the airport is gonna melt. 

New Years Flights

Very cold here, +9F this morning and got up to +17F in the afternoon but had good sunshine and basically no wind. I couldn't stand it and had to go flying, went goofing off with a buddy and shot some touch and goes, just burning fuel.

Interestingly, we have quite the strong temperature inversion parked over west Texas right now, at 5000' it was 12F outside and at 8000' it was 41F. Altimeter was the highest I've seen it, at 30.56 this afternoon, by setting to my known private home strip altitude.

Bob Mills photo.

Regarding Buldged Control Surfaces

For anyone else interested, there is potential for this to have a negative impact on handle if it exists on other control surfaces as well....

A bulged control surface will make it act as if it were narrower in cord.  That will reduce the aerodynamic feedback... I.E. make the control forces lighter (possibly to a degree that impacts control ability)

It can also impact static stability. If the aerodynamic feedback force of the control circuit is lower than desirable, it has a lower working force against any friction within the system.

A small bit of turbulence or an occupant bumping the stick might induce a small movement of the system that doesn't return to the same position each time because the system feedback is too low to overcome the system friction.

BTW, this is also why friction in the pitch circuit is such a bad thing. Even if the elevators have the proper shape they won't re-center the same each time they are displaced if the friction is too high.

A mis-shaped rudder can also have a negative effect by reducing centering tenancy (once again hinging friction being a bad thing) and making the airplane appear to have reduced yaw stability.

Maintenance Tracking Board

In another thread (which was in danger of being hijacked), I was asked by Plummit about my maintenance tracking board:

Questions, with answers:

Did you apply the divider lines? How?
Answer: I applied the divider lines using line tape from Office Depot.

Where did you get the board?
Answer: Office Depot.

Bonus info: The Event and Interval text is applied using permanent marker (although alcohol will wipe that text easily). The Last Completed and Text Due info is done in normal white-erase marker.

One RV-10 Coming up...Soon...ish?! ...new guy checks in

I'm excited to announce, I have finally decided to build an RV-10. Ordered a kit and built a EAA Work Table (modified to my needs). Tail-kit should be arriving tomorrow (DFW).

I started with a RV-7 and later decide to buy a RV-6. I have flow a bit more than a couple of hundred hours in an RV-6 now and I feel a RV-10 fits my needs better. One of the main reasons for me to decide to build an RV-10 is the VAF Community. Big Thanks to Gary Sobek who helped me fly the RV-6 from San Diego to NJ. I learnt so much from him on that trip, great guy, I can't thank him enough. All I had was 60 Hours of Cessna 172 and 10hours of RV-6 (transition and tailwheel time) so it was quite a jump. Flying along with Vlad for a while, a couple of years ago has helped me immensely to change from a Mission Based Mindset(Flight school) to a Fun Based Mindset.

I assessed my situation and the biggest roadblock I have is time. I travel for work Sunday Night - Thursday (Currently to Montreal). I also have a couple more hobbies other than flying(Motorcycle Track Days, Rock Climbing, etc) so it is going to be challenging. Since I'm already flying, this project is not critical, albeit very significant. It will be an interesting journey working on it and finishing this project.

I'm looking forward to connect with other RV builders in the DFW. Email me and I would love to get in touch.

Happy New Year to all!

__________________
Rajiv Chalasani
RV-6 - Red Phoenix (N111BN)
RV-10 - Tail Kit Started

Feb'18 Issue of Kitplanes

...has a nice article about an RV flight over both poles.  "Have you ever wanted to fly around the world? Just imagine the organizational nightmare of it: You would need to book dozens of flights and land in many foreign countries, each with its own language, laws, rules, customs, and regulations. Add to that the dreaded idea of extended traveling with strangers to stranger lands. And after all is said and done, it still could not be said that you actually “flew all around the world,” because in all likelihood you did not fly over the North Pole, not to mention flying over the South Pole."

What does over dimpling look like?

I’ve completed the dimpling on my Empennage skins, I don’t have pictures yet because I can’t seem to capture what I’m seeing. Does anyone have pictures that I can compare to my skins?

I use a C-frame, the dimples look crisp, there is no pillowing around the dimple from what I understand that to be. Looking directly above each dimple there is no distortion, however looking down the rivet line with the skin at eye level, you can see ripples along the rivet line. Only when when light hits it at the right angle. Did I over dimple the skins causing distortion in the metal along the rivet line?

What I Love About This Place

...people like this.

Job Opening at Garmin

Sales Manager Experimental Aircraft and LSA Markets-17001EY

Description
As a leading worldwide provider of navigation devices and wearable technology, our focus is on developing, designing and supporting superior products. Our advanced technology promotes performance, safety and ease of use in every market we serve. That makes us an engineering and technology company with a keen focus on recruiting talent in those fields. But the same vertical integration business model that keeps all design and manufacturing processes in-house also gives us the incentive to hire top performers from different backgrounds, including operations, finance and accounting, information technology, sales, marketing and communications.

We are looking for a full time Sales Manager, Experimental Aircraft and LSA Markets for our headquarters in Olathe, Kansas. This position is primarily responsible for all sales activity within the Experimental Aircraft and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) market segments and will focus on facilitating Garmin’s growth in this expanding market segment, offer superior support to Garmin dealers and end-customers and identify and cultivate sales channels to maximize revenue.

In this role, you’ll also be responsible for these essential functions:

•Develop and execute sales strategies which maximize sales growth and market share in Experimental Aircraft and LSA market segments
•Participate in public forums such as Van’s Air Force as a knowledgeable product expert and member of Garmin’s “Team X”
•Be immersed in the market to understand LSA manufacturer, dealer and end-user needs, evaluate and communicate competitive landscape, specify market requirements and identify innovative solutions for success
•Assist end-users with purchase decisions and basic avionics installation considerations
•Serve as technical and operational resource to customers who have Garmin Avionics for their Experimental and LSA aircraft
•Aggressively promote all non-certified and certified products as applicable within this market segment
•Aggressively promote the display of Garmin products in this segment at select trade shows
•Coordinate, schedule and present seminars and webinars focused on Experimental Aircraft and relevant product offerings, hosted by Garmin
•Coordinate strategic LSA and/or OEM market-specific initiatives with all sales managers globally
•Build long-lasting relationships with key industry partners
•Identify specific product line and feature growth opportunities and develop analysis for the company’s consideration
•Develop and harmonize product line presentations and marketing communications to this market segment
•Coordinate with the industrial design team to develop or update kiosks used at major tradeshows
•Contribute content and work with others to manage the experimental avionics portion of the website and social media marketing
•Through complete understanding of the competitive landscape, recommend product pricing for new and existing products
•Responsible for the creating and/or updating 1-year rolling forecast (on a monthly basis) for these product categories
•Review and contribute to the 5-year strategic forecast on a quarterly basis
•Provide diligent follow-up to dealers, customers and internal requirements, regardless of travel

Other responsibilities include collaborating with Marketing Communications to deliver creative and high impact printed collateral, video media, website content and product launches. Additionally developing marketing strategies which increase aviation product exposure and sales with Aviation Dealers via their print, digital, web and tradeshow marketing efforts.

Qualifications
A Bachelors Degree from an accredited four year college or university AND a minimum of 2 years experience in Avionics Sales or a position substantially similar to the essential functions of this job description are required for this role.

Qualified candidates for this role will possess the following education, experience and skills:

•Demonstrated experience as an Experimental Aircraft Builder including avionics installations
•Active private pilot
•Demonstrated proficient technical understanding of the avionics competitive landscape, products and systems
•Proven track record executing sales and marketing projects and programs
•Must be team-oriented, possess a positive attitude, work well with others and possess a strong passion for customer satisfaction
•Must be detail-oriented and have the ability to work proactively and effectively with minimal supervision
•Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a flexible, fast paced and challenging environment
•Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
•Proven ability to interact with diverse teams from various internal and external organizations


Job Sales & Marketing
Primary LocationUS-KS-Olathe
Organization Aviation Business
Schedule Full-time
Job Class Exempt

Apply

January 2, 2018  0004Z.  Issue #4,470.
  Something we don't see too often in DFW (ice).  Photo taken 1/1/18 near 52F (33.059896, -97.215713) by Randy Richmond.  It should stick around another day, before it gets above freezing on Wednesday.

enlarge
related: Live Chill Map

New Guy Checks In ...SpeedyMedina

Hi Guys!!!  Happy new year!!!  I'm actually working on an RV-9A! Im trying to have it ready to Sun n Fun, Maria hurricane delay me a lot but still working on it!!
here some Pictures!

Need More Heat!

Happy New Year Everyone,

Flew the RV6A today in this 16 degree weather. To call the heat system inadequate is an understatement. I have a Vetterman exhaust with one heat muff, no mufflers, coming into the cabin in the toe area. Is there anything I can go to get some more heat into the cabin? I'm thinking add another muff to the other side and wrap them with an exhaust heat wrap. What is everyone else in cold climates using for cabin heat?

Thanks,
Mike

RV inverted spin no fear

Having done hundreds of inverted spins in my RV4 since it's in my free style for competition for the last three years, I can offer some advice. It takes specific inputs, attitude, and timing to make an RV spin inverted as other RV competitors will concur. I received advanced instruction in an Extra 300 before I tried it. Here's a video of a botched hammerhead that starts a tail slide and possible inverted spin at the 1 minute point, but it never gets to the rotation part:

The error with this hammer head was dragging the right wing, kicking left rudder too late which wasn't effective in rotating the nose down.
Be careful and hope to see y'all in the box this year,
Bill McLean
RV-4 slider
lower AL (roll tide)

 

-8 acro vid ...ronschreck

There's a half snap at 1:10 and a quarter rolling circle at 3:05.

Canopy fairing fiberglass

Can I do the fuel tanks again? Fiberglass sanding is tough work! When is says don’t worry if the glass overlaps the forward edge the work needed to sand it away isn’t mentioned.

The front center is looking pretty good.

On the left side I attached a pic. Getting the overlap off on the front sacrificed some of piece A. There is also metal showing on the aft edge. You can’t see it but there is a bit of a swale depression between the two.

I was going to lay in another piece of glass cut to size to cover this metal and lay it over some small strips in the depression.

On the other side that little corner where the window meets the aft structure looks a lot better but a little bit of the tip of the metal at that corner shows. How critical is that? Should I keep glassing it until I get a edge of glass to the top of the metal? Or will the final epoxy and primer cure my worry?

Getting ready to order some wings! (slow build) ...SeanM RV-10

I just about have the RV10 emp kit finished up. I'm just waiting on some composite materials to arrive. In the meantime my mind has now turned to the wings. I need to get things in order before I place my order.

Vans Wing kit options-

1. Landing lights- I will probably go with the sunspot LED landing light kit that vans supplies

2. Aileron trim- Will be doing this. "operates independently from autopilot". If I want an AP system does this mean I'll need different servos for that too? At what point do I need to start thinking about an AP system?

3. Float fuel sending units- Will be going this route.

Things I'm starting to look into:

1. Wing and tail position/strobes.
2. Pitot (will probably upgrade to something heated)
3. Stall horn (is this included in the wing kit?)
4. AOA
5. Would like to do a Garmin IFR type setup /w AP, but I need to research this more. should I be looking into this now as well?

When is the right time to get some wiring/crimping tools? Now? Or are they not needed until mid-way through the wings? (I'll probably splurge on the steinair master kit).

Is that a good list? Is there anything else that I should be researching right now?

Thanks

January 1, 2018.   Issue #4,469.

January Wallpaper Calendar Online

Ed Hicks photo.

Mothership Closed Today

"We will be closed on Monday January 1, 2018 For New Year's holiday.

Phone, Fax, e-mail and Web Orders placed after 12PM noon (Pacific Time) on Friday, December 29th 2017 will be processed on Tuesday January 2, 2018."

Last flight for 2017 - cold day in Maine ...and video!

My last flight for 2017, cold day in Belfast. -17c and -23c @ 3000 ft. Got the chance to get close to 40 min of flight time searching for warm air, but no luck (just cold).

I installed the Bender mod and have an in-flight adjustable oil cooler shutter. I was able to keep the oil temps up to 215 to 220 not too bad with some warm air from the heater.  ...

Unknown Black Box - What is it?

I'm helping a friend who purchased an RV8 that has no known electrical documentation. The original builder is deceased. I came across this small black box that has 4 wires and surgical tubing attached. It has no markings on the visible surfaces. I have not yet tried to trace the wiring and where the tubing ends up is not apparent.
If you happen to know what is it let me know.
Thanks in advance.

My landing gear needs some suggestions, quick!

A few weeks ago my left tire went flat on rollout. I bought new tires and tubes which I installed today. My gear has been shaky and I thought the new rubber may help. I previously reviewed the wheel/axel alignment and it looked ok.

Today after the tires were installed I started to check things and found I could move the left gear by hand back and forth a few degrees. I looked up and saw the gear/engine mount bolt moving. I removed the bolt and found this. (yes, JB Weld was involved)  ...

Alton Bay (B18) PIREP ...Glen

There is a hard cold snap gripping the Eastern United States which isn’t much fun unless you are trying to make ice

Just a week ago Alton Bay was reporting open water but today they are watching significant ice developing!

”Good Saturday Morning! It’s over cast and 3 degrees below 0 in Alton Bay. I checked the ice we have approximately 71/2” to 8” in the bay it’s coming along!!”
They need a minimum of 12” everywhere - runway, taxiway, parking, access routes, and snow removal & equipment areas - before they can open. Then also need to be able to keep everything plowed.

Waiting for Spring

Hangar Lighting - The importance of Color Rendering

  Hangar Lighting is a common topic discussed here and a very important one for anyone building an airplane indoors.  There are many factors that go into a quality lighting design but one often overlooked is Color Rendering. CRI, Color Rendering Index, is a number from 0-100, 100 being the most true representation of all colors as viewed with the human eye.
Traditional older lighting sources still commonly found in our hangars are T12 Fluorescent and Metal Halide. Both of these sources have very poor Color Rendering, usually 60 CRI or worse. Other newer sources like T5 or T8 Fluorescent, or LED typically will have better color rendering.
  Here is an example. The top pic is 400W MH, the bottom LED. The MH I would estimate at 60 CRI or lower as they degrade with age, the LED is 70 CRI.  ...

DIY SS Firewall Penetration Kit: $7.85 ...9GT

RV-14 Build Status Report Video ...control.

3D Printing Speed Mods Update ...Steve Melton

Scott Black's Panel is Cut

December 29-31, 2017.   Issue #4,468.
  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled NEW YEAR!!!
 

Mema One Flies Again

Thursday morning I woke up, checked all the computers, did my stretching, weighed myself (170.6), measured BP (114/72) and resting pulse (58) for the spreadsheet (nerds unite), then drove out to 52F for a little cold Wx flying complete with Red Wing boots and Dickies jacket.  I'm ready for the cold.

I noticed Gary Platner pushing out a Bonanza, and he was wearing a collared shirt, which can only mean one thing - his Mom is nearby.  He was about to fly her back home (5hr drive / 1.3hr flight) after a Christmas visit.

The plane wouldn't start, and you already know where this is headed.

"Take my plane."  "Thanks."  Anne Platner, Gary's Mom, is 97 years young.  A small group of folks helped get all their stuff out of the Bonanza while I went and got my plane.  We helped her in and got the seat belts and headset on.  Large blanket for the trip.  Pulled out the passenger stick.

Anne even waved on the takeoff roll as they went by - her first ride in a side by side RV.  She's ridden in Gary's RV-8, which is currently down for annual.

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Gary and I flew my RV a few years back to the same airport for my IFR cross country, then had lunch with his Mom.  It sure was nice to get to visit again and see that infectious smile.

97 years young and 32*F.  Why not go flying?  ;^) 

 

Sid's A/C MX Board

...on the wall near his RV-7A.  You gotta admit it's pretty handy.

Delay of game? ...Scott Card

So, I took a little time off work this holiday and got to thinking.... I wonder how would be the most fun to cut a new instrument panel (among other things)?

Then, out of the blue (literally!!) this thing fell in my lap at a moments notice for not even a song the day after Christmas! Holy cow, Santa Clause really is real.

It was removed, with my help, "In Service". How often does that happen. It was too heavy for the skid steer, with it's hydraulic bypass saying "yeah, no, try again." But where there is a will, there is a way.

Oh boy, I have some CNC controls to bring into the current decade. Life is good.

What is it? It is a fixed gantry, 4'x4' CNC router, with three 5hp spindles, made by a company called Standard Router Inc. that went out of business in 2005. It is all very heavy steel (can you say RIGID) with a solid 1.5" thick aluminum table setup for vacuum hold down. After having moved it, I'm guessing it weighs over 4000#. I have powered it up in the shop but am already in the process of tearing down the controls for a major update.  more pics

Tail wheel takeoff technique for bumps

I had an unpleasant takeoff from Catalina island. I am a tail wheel noob and my normal takeoff technique is to fly the tail early so I can see. While on the roll at Catalina near rotate speed, I hit a hump in the runway which launched me in the air. I got the nose down and accelerated and continued flying but it was not pleasant (and it was my Wife’s first trip in the plane).

I am pretty sure that when the wheels hit the hump, the inertia of the tail kept it where it was with the nose rising, increasing the AOA inducing a premature lift off. The question is, what is the best technique to prevent that.

Christmas Present- Cool RV-10 Drawing from my Son ...TJ

Physics of Air Pressure in the RV-14 ...Scott

The physics of air pressure is such that just like water, it will flow primarily to the path of least resistance.
Pressure Delta (difference) is what makes air flow from one point to another.

If there is no Delta, there is no movement.

If the RV-14 heat system has both heat valves unblocked there is one pressure source (the heat muff circuit) feeding four paths for the air flow (two waste/spill-off paths and two into the cockpit paths).

Regardless of where you want the heated air to go (how you set the heat control valves), it will flow to the path of least resistance. I.E., if the pilot is trying to get heat on only their side and there is no block-off installed on the co-pilot side valve, the flow can choose to go that way and out through the waste flow path instead.

As designed, there is still a small amount of interaction between the left and right heater controls, but it is not a problem..... as long as they are only sharing one waste flow path.

This is just one of many little design details that RV-14 builders are benefiting from with the advanced level of the kit.... and not having to experiment with and resolve on their own once flying.

3D Printed Ideas ...Steve Melton update

"looking fwd to proto4 install.  I am getting close to buttoning up this project."

My experience running a tank dry

Due to my impatience and boneheaded fuel expectations I managed to run a tank dry on a recent long cross country.

I knew the left tank was getting close to being empty but I thought it would get me another 10-15 minutes along before I switched to the right tank. I was about 20 minutes from home with rapidly diminishing daylight at 3500 ft. "The fuel in the right tank would be enough to get me home with reserves", was my thinking before the left tank went dry.

I did not think it would happen but suddenly the engine quit with the prop windmilling at a good clip. I was pretty quick to switch tanks and after about 3 long seconds the engine restarted. I don't remember if I pushed in the mixture and turned on the boost pump but was very relieved that the power came back on.

So...do I fly on, confident that the right tank would carry me through a darkening sky to my destination? No. I finally made a wise decision and diverted 9 miles to an airport I knew had SS fuel. I made it home later than I planned and logged some night flying and a landing. I would have gotten home sooner if I had just topped off the tanks before I left in the first place.

Lesson Learned: After 11 years and 1100 hrs with my RV9, overconfidence, impatience, and complacency are real dangers. I'm glad this happened. It needed to happen and I am a better pilot for it.

__________________
Bruce Sacks
RV-9 N659DB - Flying since 7/1/06

Bent Wing Skin Update

After some scuffing and polishing, with most of the score marks gone, I'm down to 0.0275" at the thinnest part of the sheet.

From AircraftExtras.com

NO WELD HANDLES price increase
Unfortunately, we have to pass along the sight increase in price to you. We will be doing this Feb. 30. You can purchase these handles now at the same price. These handles allow yourself and your passenger to get your aircraft without stumbling or leaning on something fragile, like the canopy.
NEW! We are offering SEAT HEAT
We are now offering seats with heat. The seat and back can be made with this feature. These are great for aircraft that are operated in colder climates. They draw little energy while keeping you warm. They come with dual controls that you can install in your instrument panel.

December is the Month to Help Keep VAF Online

It’s December once again, so it’s time for me to beg grovel respectfully ask those folks who haven’t yet sent in their 2017 donation to please send it in now so I can pay the bills I need to pay to stay in business and do the food, shelter and clothing thing.  If you haven’t heard this year-end speech before, VAF is my full time job, my sole source of income for our family (right), and the donations usually determine if we end the year in the black or not.

If you have already donated in 2017, THANK YOU! I’m trying my hardest to provide the RV community with a quality product that motivates, educates and entertains.  I want to keep doing it, but I don't get to make that call.  You do.

Click HERE for all the ‘how to donate’ details, and thank you again to those who help me keep the lights on.

As for the rest of the fam in '17, Susie is still providing free yoga classes to cancer patients (link), Audrey is currently in her 2nd rotation in year one (research) on her path to getting her PhD in Chemical Biology, and Tate is rocking it as a junior in high school - excelling in English, Art and Physics while refining those incredibly important interpersonal skills at the front counter of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.  College soon.

My wife and children never cease to inspire, amaze and humble me with their dedication, compassion and altruism.  My clumsy efforts to continually bring VAF to the RV community is an attempt at bringing a few smiles to some faces in an increasingly caustic world.  My wife and kids set the bar high, and motivate me.

If you choose to donate, thank you for supporting this site with your hard earned money!  I'll continue to try my best to bring you a good product.  Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled Christmas Season!

Doug Reeves
Your balding host.

December 28, 2017.  0001Z.  Issue #4,467.
  Cold.  I flew Wednesday a.m. for .2 and it never got above 31*F.  My feet were cold all day.  Stein and the rest of the Minnesota RV gang...I have no idea how you folks do it (chill map).  I saw on the news it was -36*F OAT Wednesday morning at your northern border.  I can't wrap my head around life at those temps.  Shivering nod of respect your way...
  I noticed on downdetector.com and isitdownrightnow.com that a couple of photo sites were offline Wednesday afternoon (TinyPic and Photobucket), among others.  Might take a bit for those to get back online. Tech happens...
  Our upstairs heater is currently inop, and I'm troubleshooting.  God Bless the internet, digital cameras and those RV builders who work repairing heaters and a/c units (and helping schmucks like me over email).  Also glad heat rises...
  Yours in fiberglass insulation scratching,
 

Been Working in the Wing ;^) ...J_Turner

Been slow on the build the last couple of days but, I did make some progress today. If anyone remembers a few days ago I got the lights in the left wing wired up and tested. Everything was quiet as a mouse in the headset. The problem with that test was that I didn't have the antennas connected. When cleaning my bench for prepping the wing skin, I decided to go ahead and connect them to the plane just to get them out of the way. At the end of the day last Saturday, I wanted to demonstrate how nice and quiet it was to my brother. Powered everything on and had all kind of radio noise when I turned on any light. The lights were breaking squelch on both radios (GTN 750 and GTR 20). After messing with it for a few minutes I just said the heck with it and went home to think about the problem. I read about the auto squelch function and wondered if that was the problem since There have been updates to address this function. My G3X's have never been updated since I got them in early '15. Today I downloaded the latest software from the Garmin site and proceeded to do the update. Problem 1) The GSU 73 wouldn't update and problem 2) the GTR 20 wouldn't update. Called Garmin's tech support and got quickly transferred to a guy that helped me get the GSU 73 to update. Rebooted in config mode and it updated very quickly. I think I wasn't giving it enough time to do its thing. Problem 2 took longer, I called back and we couldn't quite figure out what was happening, I said I'll just wait and call back after giving it some more time. More time was not what it needed. It seems I may have a CAN bus problem. After calling back, he told me to turn everything off except the PFD and the GTR 20. It worked. I have some troubleshooting to do. The good thing is that my GTR 20 radio is dead quiet now with all of the lights on just need to figure out why I'm getting some error on the CAN bus.

I did manage to get the aileron servo bolted in and set a few more rivets in the left wing. Man its hard to reach some of the rivets at the aft side of the wing.  ...

Demo Day at Scott's

Friends Scott and Rob are demo'g an office in a hangar to make room for plane stuff.  Some of the old signs stapled on the top caught my attention.  Probably been up there over 20 years. 

"NO Tools Loaned!!!  Don't Ask."

Autopilot During IFR Checkride ...Scott Stewart

The question of "how much autopilot to use during the checkride?" was something that I discussed with all three of my CFIIs.

The first guy, who is very "old school", said that I may be asked to demonstrate it, but not to expect to get to use it for anything other than a basic demonstration during the checkride. The second guy, who is also "old school" said that I could expect to use it when things got real busy in the cockpit, for example to keep wings level while copying clearances. The third guy said to go ahead and use it in all phases of flight, and explain to the DPE when and why I'm using it. I went with the third guy's suggestions.

I used the autopilot during about 80% of cruise/level flight, but turned it off occasionally just to show I could keep the plane level wings/level altitude without the autopilot. I also used the autopilot as ATC was giving me radar vectors to the approach. I made sure to disengage the autopilot before crossing the FAF, although I did re-engage it after the FAF on two of the approaches.

Finally, on the final approach to KRNT, which was a RNAV/GPS approach, the DPE failed my primary EFIS. When he did that, I engaged the autopilot and let it fly the approach while I reconfigured the secondary/passenger EFIS to show the approach plate. All told, I probably used the autopilot for about 50% of my checkride.

Mothership Stats

Holiday free time and maintenance lessons learned ...Burke Wick in Alaska

Whenever undertaking a maintenance issue be sure and check the simple things first. By way of example I will talk about a fuel leak on one of my aircraft. Now this leak was on my Citabria on floats but since I also have an RV8 I believe the issue is still valid. One day when heading out to go flying I noticed a drip, drip drip...of fuel come from the back on the cowling. Immediately turned the fuel selector to the off position and went to work on the cowling. Removed cowl, only dropping a couple tools in the water. Started checking all the fuel connections and could find nothing loose. Turned the fuel selector back on a sure enough, drip, drip, drip...coming from the bottom of the carb. Went over it with a fine tooth comb...nothing...went back to fuel selector...at which point I noted that the Primer was not in locked!...Always start with the simple things first...happy new year.

Stuff For Sale ...Alex Peterson

January 2018 Issue Online

Quick glance shows RV news on pages: 15, 18-19, 95

December 27, 2017.  0001Z.  Issue #4,466.

IFR training in an RV-7? I did it! ...Scott Stewart RV-7

I completed my RV-7 in 2009 and have over 1100 hours on it to date. Living in the Seattle area, there are a lot of weather issues to deal with. In the past few years, there have been a few times that I’ve had to cancel planned trips due to weather. I’ve also had to turn back from coming over the Cascades due to getting stuck VFR on top of the clouds. It’s never fun at the end of a trip to come home and spend the last hour of the flight looking for a hole in the clouds to circle down through. It’s not very safe either!

So last year I decided it was time to move forward on my Instrument ticket. My goal was to use my own plane to train in, so the first hurdle was to put in an instrument panel that would be legal, and would be easy to fly on instruments. I wasn’t interested in the basic six-pack with vacuum gauges and a VOR. No! I wanted to have something that I would be comfortable with.

Oshkosh is a great place to look at the latest and greatest. I spent an entire week with one thought running through my head – IFR Instrument Panel! By the end of the week, I had decided on my setup and began planning the new panel. The legacy Dynon EFIS and EMS would go away. The Garmin transponder and comm radio are out also.

My new panel has Dynon Skyview 10” Touch and Dynon Skyview 7” EFIS, Avidyne IFD440 Nav/Com/GPS, PS Engineering audio panel, Dynon Comm, Dynon (Trig) Transponder, Dynon autopilot, and meets the 2020 ADSB requirements. I cut the new panel and had a friend do the graphics and silkscreen work for me. The old equipment was removed, and new equipment installed.

I spent a few months testing the new equipment, learning how to use the Avidyne, and looking for any bugs. I found a couple of minor issues that were easy to clear up. The worst issue though, was the Nav radio (IFD 440 Nav). Although the glideslope on an ILS approach was rock steady, the localizer needle was very erratic. It took a lot of troubleshooting to figure this one out, but I finally narrowed it down to one of the BNC ends on a short coax from the Nav/GS splitter to the Avidyne radio. And sure enough, when I examined the BNC ends, I found one pin had not been fully inserted in the assembly. Here’s a video of what the localizer looked like with the bad BNC pin, and a picture of the bad BNC pin next to a good BNC connector.

With everything working correctly, it was time to begin IFR training. I wasn’t interested in going to one of the local schools, renting a G1000 Cessna 172, and spending thousands of dollars to learn a system that I would never use again. I wanted to train in my RV-7, so I had to find an instructor who would be willing to fly with me. Seattle has a great flying community, and I was able to find several CFIIs who could do the job. After flying with several CFIIs, I settled down to three instructors who would team-teach me.

I was concerned about the ability of the RV-7 as an Instrument platform. Would it be too twitchy? Too nimble? There’s a reason why so many people get their Instrument ticket in a Cessna. It’s just a good, stable, reliable airplane. I have done a lot of aerobatics, formation flight, cross country, and sight-seeing in my RV-7. Now it was time to see if it could survive in the Instrument training world.

We began training with standard maneuvers – except the standard maneuvers were done with my foggles on! And the RV-7 behaved… OK. Not perfect, but not bad! I had to learn to have a very smooth, light touch on the stick, and really focus on the gauges. It took a few hours of maneuvers to get my skills up to par. Holding altitude, heading, and speed isn’t easy at first, but eventually I figured it out.

Approaches, holds, and course intercepts turned out to be extremely easy with the equipment I had installed. One of my instructors said that flying with my panel felt like cheating, because the instrument scan all happens on one instrument, the auto-pilot can fly straight and level (or a heading and altitude) while I was trying to plan the next maneuver. We moved onto the Cross-country flight relatively quickly, with a flight from Renton (KRNT) to Hillsboro (KHIO) to Astoria (KAST) to Hoquiem (KHQM) to Renton (KRNT). Along the way, we did an ILS approach to full stop, a Localizer to full stop, a VOR to the missed approach, and an RNAV-GPS/circle to land. The cross-country was done in about 75% IMC conditions, and my RV-7 performed wonderfully!

Fast forward a few months, I had racked up a whopping 41.0 hrs of actual/simulated IMC, and it was time to take my checkride. Once again, I had to find a DPE who would be willing to do an Instrument checkride in an RV-7. Sure enough, I found my victim. I briefed him on my equipment, the experimental RV-7, the tailwheel, the panel, etc. Oddly enough, he still agreed to go along for the ride! Because of the experimental nature of the plane, as well as the engine, as well as the panel, I had to be prepared to answer all questions about airworthiness! We spent about 45 minutes going over airframe and engine logs, discussing the work and logbook entries that I could do as the builder, and then going over ADs and service bulletins for the plane, engine, propeller, and equipment. Finally, he declared that my RV-7 may indeed be airworthy, and we completed the checkride.

In summary, if you feel like you’ve got a good handle on flying your RV, if you are very comfortable with the instrumentation on your panel, and if you don’t want to go back to a Cessna for your Instrument ticket, there’s really no reason for you not to use your RV!

Good luck!

Drilling out CCR264SS-3-2 rivets ...Bob Collins RV-12

RV12 Section 21. Page 21IS/U-5.

Unbeknownst to me, the nutplate had fallen off as I pulled the CCR264SS-3-2 rivets.

These are those hollow rivets (once pulled) that are used for nutplates and they don't seem to drill out as easily (if it at all) as regular CherryMax rivets, plus they're steel . And because they're small and the hole is mostly hollow, they spin like a sonofofagun.

Who's done this before and can recommend a procedure?

Where We Have Been (Video) ...Don Schwartz RV-9A

www.handeeclamp.com

Fwd'd to me by a reader.  ~$18.  Can buy from two VAF advertisers (ACS and Cleaveland) at the bottom of the link above.  Looks like it solves a couple of problems...so, cool!

December 26, 2017.  0119Z.  Issue #4,465.
  Besides having the family around, the best part, I got exactly what I wanted.  Audrey and Susie made me homemade fruit salad Saturday like my Mom made it.  Recipe HERE including typo on the last line.  Mom copied it out of the Waco Tribune Herald over 50 years ago and typed it up on a manual typewriter for her file.  That card is in my sister's possession, but she sent me a pic with her phone.  Skinning those orange slices down to just the INSIDE of each slice (no skin) takes over an hour, and usually results in cursing.  Makes about a gallon and a half, and it's already in the lower GI - like piranhas on a cow in a stream this bunch and their fruit salad.
  Our family drove down and back to Waco for Christmas lunch with Susie's mother (92 and kicking @ss) and her sister Patty and brother Gary.  All great folks.  On the drive home we counted three places open for business.  They are, in the order we saw them:
 1) Denny's   2) Walgreens  3) Hooters.  Only in America ;^).
  Hope you had a great weekend and Christmas.

Rob Reece Christmas Day Trip...RV-7

DFW to Abilene and back with the stepdad - he got tailwinds on the way back as a present.  217kts GS.  Ho Ho Ho.

Bent Top Wing Skin ...Draker looking for input

Merry Christmas everyone!

Some days it seems like it's disaster after disaster on the RV-7 project. Today's one of those discouraging days. After a mishap with the deburring wheel, I'm left with a pretty badly bent wing skin:

Engine Misfire Help ...Michael Burbidge 9A

I just finished my third condition inspection. Before the inspection my engine was running great. On the first flight after the inspection I was about 15 minutes into the flight, at full power, climbing through about 4000 ft. when I got what I can only describe as a misfire. I continued to climb to 7000 ft. and got 3 more misfires, on the way up. I then leveled off, pulled back the power and headed back to the airport. I did not get another misfire.

In the first 15 minutes of the flight I was cruising at about 2500 ft. and probably 50% power. I did not experience a misfire during that portion of the flight nor on takeoff.

I have basic Van's instrumentation, so I do not have recorded flight or engine data. I also did not have the presence of mind to do any diagnostics. I was focused on gaining some altitude and getting back to the airport.

Mag checks on the ground were fine.
Startup and idle were normal.

Here's the basics of my engine:

1 P-Mag, 1 slick mag
O320-D3G
TSMOH @1150 hours

Here's what I did during the condition inspection that could potentially be related:

Ignition related
Replaced auto plugs on the p-mag, gapped
Cleaned aviation plugs on the slick mag, gapped
Removed and checked p-mag, retimed.
Retimed slick mag, it was about 1 1/2 degree off (it was overhauled last condition inspection. I think some drift is normal.)
Slightly re-routed plug wires
Ohm check on auto plug wires

Induction related
Replaced intake pipe gaskets. (two were leaking)
Replaced intake pipe hose and hose clamps.
Cleaned air filter
Cleaned gascolator (no debri found)

Oil related
Removed oil cooler, repaired baffle cracks, replaced oil filter
Rerouted bottom oil cooler line to avoid chaffing
Replaced, rerouted breather tube to avoid new oil cooler line placement

I'm not sure where to start looking for the problem. So far I have rechecked p-mag and mag timing. Replaced the new auto plugs with another set. Looked for signs of intake leaks (blue stains, I'm not sure how long it would take so show up) Rerouted plug wires so that the aviation wires do not cross with the auto wires. (they were touching in one spot) My auto plug wires are separated as described in the installation instructions.

Having done this, my inclination is to go for another flight, staying close to the airport and if the problem persists, I will do a mag check at altitude, turn on the boost pump at altitude to see if the problem goes away.

I would appreciate any other diagnostics suggestions to help me find the problem.

 

Oil Leak on Top of Engine? ...Steve Melton

I don't understand this one. It's not the fwd crank seal. Has anyone had anything similar? thx, Steve

The End (of the Wing) Is Near ...PilotjohnS RV-9A

The end is near, both of 2017 and this wing build.

The ailerons are finished, and I am quite happy with the results. One aileron trailing edge is dead straight, the second took a little work to get out a very minor ripple; I think the ripple was caused by not riveting the trailing edge together as soon as the pro-seal was dry and letting the trailing edge sit unclamped for a few days. No worries should be fine.

I think the secret to building ailerons with no twist is the leading edge straightness. I spent a little extra time making sure the bottom skin was absolutely flat from the stainless steel leading edge weight to the spar. Since drilling the leading edge is very difficult due to the super hard stainless steel, I ended up having some extra "lightening" holes in the stainless steel bar. During final assembly, I made sure the leading edge ribs sat flat on my super flat surface plate (granite kitchen counter top). Once the leading edge is riveted to the spar, the aileron becomes enormously stiff. I am glad I took the extra time to make this part perfect.

3D Modeling Speed Mods Cont. ...Steve M.

December 22-25, 2017.  0001Z.  Issue #4,464.
  It's not lost on me just how Blessed I have been in this life so far.  I have family who love me, friends who can tolerate me and a career that I enjoy.  I don't ever want to take any of these things for granted, and this Christmas Season gives me the opportunity to remind those reading how grateful I am for all of you.
  Susie, Audrey, Tate and I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.  See you Tuesday...

Bending Blue

I took a picture of Rick F's RV-8 fresh out of a condition inspection at Monk's and noticed later how interesting the blue band of sky looked reflected off the freshly polished canopy.  The aircraft was in the hangar in shade, making the blue that much more vibrant.  dr

Pitot install critique please!

Hello all, wanted to get opinions if my Dynon heated pitot install looks good before I carry on. I wanted to get this done before riveting the outer lower skins. Wiring isn't done yet but that's just a matter of installing a connector on the 3 power wires. I was going to use a molex connector for that but I don't have one. I do have molex pins though. Is it OK to use the pins without the plastic connector part and use heat shrink tube over each wire to hold the pins and wires together? I thought I read that on VAF somewhere. It's not like I'm going to take that connection apart frequently.

http://mykenoshacounty.com/?p=12226

Is my engine self-destructing?

I love to learn. That's one of the things that got me into the airplane building thing. It's also taught me that there's a lot I have yet to learn...

I have a lycoming o-360, 675 hours SNEW, but was recently rebuilt (by me) in response to a prop strike. Case professionally cleaned, cam and crank polished, tappets overhauled, new bearings, overhauled jugs, new pistons, piston pins, etc. It now has about 75 hours on it since the rebuild. These 75 hours have been accrued over the past 9 months.

The engine uses virtually no oil, and has made good compression (78+/80 at 10 and 50 hours, haven't checked it since), and runs smooth and strong. Oil temps are a little low, but fine and pressure is about 80psi in cruise, 60 at idle.  ...

Yep...

The Third One ...Sylvainsting

The Team would not be complete without the third chief...  Mine was finished last year. Same configuration than Alain and same painter.  Great machine. Already 170 hours on hobbs !

Help finding torque value for idler gear shaft

Lyc gurus: I am reassembling a 540. I could not find a specific torque value in the overhaul manual for the 5/16-18 x .87 bolts that fasten the idler gear shaft flange to the case.

The standard torque value listed in the overhaul manual for 5/16 bolts is 204 in-lbs. That seems awfully high for this application.

Am I missing anything? Thanks.

December 21, 2017.   0001Z.  Issue No. 4,463.

The Flat That Wasn't

enlarge the carnage

Before all the recent storms and fog here I took Flash up for some quality time in the Tropo.  After landing I taxied back up to the hangar, mental gyros all recalibrated, and felt what I was absolutely certain was my right tire going flat FAST.   Flop.  Flop.  Roll.  Bump.  Clang.  Flop.  Uncommanded right turn.  Flop.  Wheel pant obviously being destroyed.  Mixture cutoff and on the brakes to ponder my next move.

I sat there in the cockpit for a minute or so turning off switches, unlatching harnesses and re-stowing the headset, starting to mentally plan the next two hours of wheel pant removal, finding a tube, breaking the seal and all the other fun of tire love (a.k.a. Crap Sandwich).  I got out and walked around to view the carnage...

There was none.

the offending rat bastard

The reflector on the taxiway in front of my hangar had broken from its glue on the concrete on my taxi out, and when I returned Flash's right main slid it roughly 15' in fits and starts.  Hopping a little, sliding a little, making grinding noises - grinding down that reflector like nobody's business.  Noises and vibrations translating through the airframe and into my headset cups doing the best 'I have a flat' imitation I've heard or felt.

Take away lesson:  Before you sit in the plane planning your morning's damage repair....maybe get out first and see if you're plane really has damage.

I know...right?!?! 

Nice short flight in the French Alps (video)

Short video of a nice flight in my RV-7, late afternoon in mid-December in the French Alps.

Finished 7A Post Card ...skydive911

Here is mine, also freshly painted by the same painter as my friend Alain, who becomes a reference for the French RV's!

First Flight: 5/16/17 after 1851h construction (QB)

Engine: Lycoming IO-360, horizontal induction, 180hp + smoke system

Prop: MT Prop. MTV12B, 3 Blades, constant speed

Instruments/Avionics :
Full DYNON
Dual Skyview SV-D1000 touch-screen EFIS displays
SV-ADHARS 200+201
SV-EMS-220
Dual SV-GPS-250
SV-XPNDR-261
SV-COM-X83
IVP-X Sport to control it all.

Interior : Classic Aero

Felis

Old Eagles ...Bob Miller RV-6A (and 182)

Last weekend I was able to take an old F6F pilot up. Actually had to completely pick him up to get him in a 182 - said he didn't mind. He can't see well but I watched him feeling the controls. We had a great time.

I dragged and dropped in for the "carrier" landing and braked hard. He laughed and said it would do. These guys are treasures and we are losing them fast. Wish I had the $$ to get him into a Hellcat. I'm still thinking about how to get him into the RV.

Dynon Holiday Hours

As a reminder, Dynon Avionics closes for business for a few days around Christmas and the New Year. Sales, shipping, and support services will not be available during this time. This year, we will be closed on the following dates:

Monday, December 25
Tuesday, December 26
Wednesday, December 27
Thursday, December 28
Monday, Jan 1

We'll be open Friday, December 29th. Order today and we will ship before we close at the end of the day on December 22nd.

 

Dimple Screw Up ...pilot tender

Hi all, I started building my -8 Empennage last month. I'm just about ready to start riveting the skins but somehow while i was dimpling the skins I managed to get a double hole...Do I need to purchase a new skin and replace the whole thing? or is there a fix for this?