well done!

Bravo!!!
 

Well done - I often wonder if I would have the same ability to keep calm and fly the airplane. Good job.

Let us know what you find out about what happened.

Thanks
 

Thanks Guy! This happened a few weeks ago and I had to step back and think about stuff for a bit. Didn't fly anything during that time. I went back and made a list of stuff I did well and all the things I was told in basic training that I didn't cover. Or at least I don't remember doing. It's a bit of a blur. The second list was much longer!

Yes. The carburetor was exchanged and the airplane took off the same field by the mechanic. Looks like the carb wasn't supplying enough fuel to the engine.

Do you mean keeping it straight on the field? it was quite the bumpy ride on the field but I applied some brakes after touch down. One of the things I probably shouldn't have done.

You really nailed it on this one. I kid you not. On the "Base to final" turn I heard the stall warning go off, while I pushed the yoke forward "whatever you do, do not let her stall!" was on my mind and I was terrified. I think the stall warning in the Cessna still has a margin but that must be much smaller in a bank.

#62
 

Well, I did say "a lot has happened"

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

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

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

Final assembly at the airport


She flies!


On final


Landing


Panel


The RV GRINN is pretty permanent for all of is. These are truly amazing airplanes.

#63
 

Back to my own bird...Honestly while I now know how to build tail feathers, I can't say that it goes much faster then the first time around. De burring and priming prep takes forever and I was actually somehow more prone to mistakes than the first time. Managed to get a slight dent into the bottom skin of my new HS. It's not bad but it sure bothered me for a while. Anyway, here it is:







All done... (minus fiberglass) Now on to the rudder and I will be back on track with the wings.

#64
 

Sometimes at bed time when it would be to late to start anything else I tinker with some electrical projects.

I have read a bunch about the standard Flap motor not being "perfect"
During the rebuild of the other RV7A with G3X system the flap position was missing. So I added with a ray allen position sensor. It also had the "Flap Positioning System" by show planes.

Motor
Sensor mounted to the motor
Potentiometer mounted to the motor

This kicked of this idea. There is got the be a simpler way.
What I came up with is a motor that has it's own potentiometer inside.
Then I got a arduino board to play with and after about 3 months I got the first beta version that does everything I want it to do.

My system mounted to a board


I had originally copied the switch that all the other systems use but then changed my mind to a rotary knob.

From this:


To this:


I made another version but I havent decided on the final one. (these are rough prints from the 3d printer. I would like to get the final one made out of Aluminum CNC.



I also have some LEDs. they are on the board now for testing but I want them to be mounted next to each position of the flap switch


---

Then I added a GPS and that lead to a few new possibilities.

I was able to set up an over speed protection on the flaps.

I also included a wig wag module. This is also driven by the GPS.

Now the last piece of the puzzle was to make an output that the garmin g3x systems can read. (I suspect others would work too) I borrowed the gea24 and a g3x display from a friend to do this test.


Works like a charm


---
So far I have only tested the system in the car while driving and it performs great there.

I really like the "rotary" flap switch! I am in on that!

Thanks!
 

Yes, I really don't know why so view people are using them. Anything I am not thinking of?

I know Cirrus ad Aquila both have pretty much the same design although with only 0?/ 15?/ 30?.

But all my RV friends at the field like the other switch better. Maybe its because they like what "everyone" is using. I think I will stick with the rotary.

btw. witch of the printed switch heads do you prefer?

I like the look of the asymmetrical switch better.

I like the asymmetrical as well.

Although I would like to know its overall length, it seems long but just another guy's opinion... maybe a coin for perspective.