Thanks Vic. I guess I didn't read the SB that closely. This is going to be a challenge!

1 1/2 hours for one plane Vic? You're padding the job..... :)

Then again, maybe it takes on longer on the "Heavy Iron".

Louise and I just finish doing all three of our RV's ( -3, -6, -8), and did it within the second our of Prairie Home on the radio - so about 45 minutes. Just slid around on the creepers pulling covers, inspecting, putting them back on. I started out using my borescope, but quickly decided the resolution wasn't up to the job, and it was tricky to point, so I just reached in with the cell phone and took great Hi Rez pictures. One spot on the -8 was a little suspect, but once I blew it up on the big computer screen, it appears to be a scratch rather than a crack.

I highly recommend using the camera method - quick, and you have results you can save and look at the next time.

Total TIme in Service:

RV-6 ~ 4,000
RV-3 = 530
RV-8 = 1810

Is it safe to assume this SB will be a non issue for new kits not shipped/ordered yet.

We just completed the inspection on all three of our RV's. It took Louise and I less than an hour to remove the six covers, take pictures of the suspect area with a cell phone stuck in through the hole, and then put the covers back on. Would have been quicker if I let Louise use a power driver, but I'm old fashioned and use a screwdriver for inspection covers to avoid buggering things up.

I highly recommend using the cell phone camera. Email the Hi Rez to yourself and then use your big computer screen to really look at the picture. I had a scratch that looked like a crack until I blew it up.

Paul

Just out of curiosity, how does the company get this info out to owners? I *think* (but can't swear) that I have notified Van's that I currently own my purchased RV-4, but I've never received any notification directly from the company about any SB that applies to it.

Do they attempt to send emails to registered owners, or are we expected to check somewhere every day for service bulletins as part of our pre-flight? If so, where?

Not that I've got my panties in a wad over it, but I just gave about a half dozen Young Eagles rides, plus taking my wife to/from the event, the day after this SB was issued.

I realize that Van's is a small company; yadayadayada, and mailing letters might be seen as too expensive, but an email to registered owners??

Charlie

The inspection is easy
 

I just inspected my 2006 RV-8 SB @1577 hours and found no cracks. I used a mirror and flashlight. The rivets in question are very easy to see and/or photograph. The area looks pristine on my plane. I routinely do light aerobatics; it will be interesting to see how many RV's have cracks and what activities or practices might be associated with cracks.

Dan Miller
RV-8 N3TU
IO-360 M1; WW 200RV

Just inspected my RV-8A

Built: 2003.
Hours: 687

Inspected visually and with cell phone camera. No cracks observed.

No cracks. (Flying since 2008.)

Dan

1577-hour RV-8, no cracks
 

My RV-8 is 10-years old and 1577 hours, including frequent light aerobatics. No cracks or defects noted. This inspection is easy; accomplishing the repair would not be.

Dan Miller

Just checked two RV-8's and my RV-7A on my field (3EV) and no cracks. Youngest plane was mine at 6 years old and 600 hours.