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  #41  
Old 07-21-2016, 02:12 PM
Bob Martin's Avatar
Bob Martin Bob Martin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 1,230
Default pictures

Nice posts and detail.
Love the progress and photos.
It is oh so good to have help!
Congrats on the progress.
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Bob Martin
RV-6, 0-360 Hartzell C/S, Tip up, 1200+TT
James extended cowl/plenum, induction, -8VS and Rudder. TSFlightline hoses. Oregon Aero leather seats.
D100-KMD150-660-TT ADI2- AS air/oil seperator. Vetterman exhaust with turndown tips.
Louisa, Virginia KLKU N94TB
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  #42  
Old 07-22-2016, 08:59 AM
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MartinACFactory MartinACFactory is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sblack View Post
Your paint racks are genius. They key to paing small stuff is hanging on to it so it doesn't flap around and so u can get at all sides. Yours is cheap, simple and and effective.
Hello Scott !

Thanks for your comments !

Actually, I got the idea for the rack from my experience working with Aerolia (now Stelia), a subsidary of Airbus. When I visited our elementary part facility in France, I noted that they put all the small parts in racks, racks are then hung on conveyors. While on conveyors, the rack subsequently are dipped in Alumprep, water and Alodine baths for surface treatment. Once that is done, conveyors brings the racks directly to paint shop, where all the parts are electrostatic primes and painted by robots. Obviously, at Airbus they make 50 aircraft per month. I certainly do not need that much industrialization for just one RV-8 !

Don't be fooled, it sure takes a lot of time to hang all RV-8 parts in my rack. The main benefit is that when I take the rack to the paint shop, the painter is not wasting precious time (read $$$ from my pocket!) for hanging parts. Plus, there is less risk to lose parts in the process. It is actually very fast for my painter to paint one rack.

The next step for me, that is if I build more than 1 RV, it will be to have baths large enough to hand dip my racks directly with the parts already attached to it (no conveyor here of course). Dipping one part at a time in alodine is very time consumming, plus too much exposure for me to bad chemicals. Of course, we can all argue that these treatment are not mandatory for RV's, but I am a perfectionist

The other benefit of parts hanging in a rack....it makes nice chime music when you blow air though it !!!!
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Martin Leroux
CPL ME-IFR & CFI Class 3, 1,400+ Flight Hours
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
RV-8 s/n #80414
Kitlog: http://www.mykitlog.com/MartRV80414/
Empennage: 100%
Fuselage: 95%
Wings: 99% (Flaps remain to attach)
MD-RA Pre-closure inspection completed Dec 27, 2019
Entering Final Assembly Phase !
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  #43  
Old 01-02-2017, 11:09 PM
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MartinACFactory MartinACFactory is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 98
Smile Happy New Year 2017 from Martin's Aircraft Factory

Happy New Year 2017 to all on VAF !

With this New Year that just started, it is a good time to do first a wrap up of my 2016 RV year...A good number of things happened since I last posted here in VAF in July 2016. I will try to update you all !

Above all, if there is anything positive that I will remember for the rest of my life about the Year 2016, it will be the (lots of) time I spent building my dream RV-8. There was other things positives for sure, but 2016 will remain in my mind forever a difficult and challenging year. Out of the 12 months of 2016, I was unemployed for 10 full months, living through a lot of insecurity during this period. After many weeks of job seeking, I finally found and accepted a position with a Transit Bus manufacturer. That is quite a change for someone who worked 20 years in aerospace and aviation Well sometime, you have to put the aviation passion aside, and find some revenues before the Bank calls in....After all, working on Airbus or on City Buses, there is no difference, they are all buses anyway. One flies, the other crawls beside the sidewalk

Overall, my Kitlog indicates that I have exceeded 900 hours on this RV-8 project. That is pretty good for someone who actually has been at it for less than 18 months...Currently, at the beginning of 2017, still working on the fuselage, I am at the Canoe 1.5 stage. I am trying to achieve Canoe 2.0 as soon as possible . Obviously, that would have never happened if I had worked at a full time job throughout 2016....

Not really RV related, but another thing positive for me in 2016 is the fact that I renewed my Flight Instructor rating. Out of employment, I started looking for various options to get some cash flow, and dusting off my instructor rating was more attractive than going to work at Wal-Mart until I find another "real career job".... I started teaching flying to new pilots at Joliette, Quebec Airfield (CSG3), initially full time, then part-time after finding my full time "pay the bills" job in the Bus industry. At Joliette Airfield, the news about a flight instructor and RV-8 builder started spreading around. At the Flying School, a few times we had people asking for me because they either want to build a RV, or they want to talk about the RV they already own or would like to buy. I am becoming a RV reference at my new local airfield, that's cool !

The saddest day of my aviation life probably happened on November 13, 2016 at sunset....My local airport, Mascouche Airport, Quebec, Canada (CSK3) was closed for good . City of Mascouche, airfield owner, decided that it was better to use the land for more shopping mall, more office towers or more appartment building than a local GA airport, even if at a time, CSK3 was one of the busiest GA airport in Canada. Martin's Aircraft Factory is located no more than 10 minutes from CSK3. I had wished I could have flown my RV-8 from that airfield, same airfield were I did my first solo flight in 1988. Now, when completed, my RV-8 will likely make its first flight from Joliette, closest airport from my shop, and 45 minutes away....

For 2017, my RV-8 project objectives are simple:

- Finalize the Fuselage structural assembly....The Canoe 2.0
- Get the empennage procured from other builder inspected by Transport Canada / MD-RA, then mounted on fuselage
- Save enough cash to order the wing kit from Van's, and hope the value of Canadian dollar to the USD will improve prior to my wing kit purchase....

That is it for now. Over the next few days, I will share picture of my progress and things I did on my -8 from July until end of 2016. Please come back soon !

Have the best RV year of you life !

Martin
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Martin Leroux
CPL ME-IFR & CFI Class 3, 1,400+ Flight Hours
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
RV-8 s/n #80414
Kitlog: http://www.mykitlog.com/MartRV80414/
Empennage: 100%
Fuselage: 95%
Wings: 99% (Flaps remain to attach)
MD-RA Pre-closure inspection completed Dec 27, 2019
Entering Final Assembly Phase !
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  #44  
Old 01-03-2017, 06:39 AM
goatflieg's Avatar
goatflieg goatflieg is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 660
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Quite a year of ups and downs... but still, progress was made. I had some ups and downs too... but overall a spectacular year. The one lingering downside is that I ordered my quickbuild RV-8 kits June 1... and Im still waiting... 8 months in now. My empennage is thinking about becoming a spinster... waiting for its fuselage in shining aluminum.
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Martin J Filiatrault
Clarkston, MI
RV-8 #83507 - currently working on finishing & firewall forward.
N657AR reserved
Builder websites:
http://goatflieg.blogspot.com/
http://www.mykitlog.com/goatflieg/
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/goatflieg
Dues paid for 2020... extra payment included for psychological therapeutic services rendered.

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  #45  
Old 01-03-2017, 08:59 PM
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MartinACFactory MartinACFactory is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 98
Default Dec 31, 2016....Canoe 1.5 stage

End of 2016, after 6 months with a fuselage in the shop at "Canoe 1.0" stage, I had to do, according to instructions, the "demotivating task" of disassembling the fuselage back to a bunch of aluminum parts....It was nice to have a fuselage to sit in and dream about flying, but there comes a time when you actually need to finish it for good

[IMG]DSCN3004 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]

Dad looking a bit discouraged...I know, you can't show off this fine fuselage to visitors for a while...But don't worry, it will come back very soon as a final product !

DSCN3002 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr

Initially, I thought I would at Canoe 1.0 stage only for a month or so. I decided to take the opportunity to incorporate changes and my improvements to the kit while at this stage.

Last step I did for 2016...Makes some dimples to Forward floor with a tool I thought I would give away of when I purchased my DRDT-2. It turns out that the famous C-Frame has found some use lately. It earned my "respect" back

[IMG]DSCN3005 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]
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Martin Leroux
CPL ME-IFR & CFI Class 3, 1,400+ Flight Hours
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
RV-8 s/n #80414
Kitlog: http://www.mykitlog.com/MartRV80414/
Empennage: 100%
Fuselage: 95%
Wings: 99% (Flaps remain to attach)
MD-RA Pre-closure inspection completed Dec 27, 2019
Entering Final Assembly Phase !

Last edited by MartinACFactory : 03-09-2018 at 08:52 PM.
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  #46  
Old 01-03-2017, 09:12 PM
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MartinACFactory MartinACFactory is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 98
Default Flashback to July 2016

Back in July 2016, just after building the Canoe 1.0 on Cleco, We started drilling all the holes in this RV-8 fuselage...So many holes. Thank fully, Dad volontered some time.

[IMG][https://flic.kr/p/Fo5f8K][/url]DSCN2823 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]

Watch out not to make some double holes, Dad !

Working in team, I did the other side
[IMG]DSCN2820 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]


Later after drilling all these holes, I taught my Dad the fine difference between deburring a rivet hole or countersinking it. Oups...
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Martin Leroux
CPL ME-IFR & CFI Class 3, 1,400+ Flight Hours
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
RV-8 s/n #80414
Kitlog: http://www.mykitlog.com/MartRV80414/
Empennage: 100%
Fuselage: 95%
Wings: 99% (Flaps remain to attach)
MD-RA Pre-closure inspection completed Dec 27, 2019
Entering Final Assembly Phase !

Last edited by MartinACFactory : 03-09-2018 at 08:35 PM.
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  #47  
Old 01-03-2017, 09:25 PM
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MartinACFactory MartinACFactory is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 98
Default Floor boards to sit in cockpit

After completing all the required drilling on the Canoe 1.0, I moved on my attention to incorporating my own small improvement to RV-8 fuselage. I realized I would likely need to sit in or stand the fuselage quite often. I didn't want to damage my final sheet metal cockpit floor. Therefore, I took a day to build a set of temporary plywood floor boards for the cockpit area.

[IMG]Cockpit temporary floor board fitted 06082016 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]

Obviously, now with floors I could sit in the "pilot seat" and start making some airplane noise....My Dad caught me by surprise on this picture

[IMG]première fois assis place pilote 7 août 2016 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]

A few of my flying club friends came for a visit, and they too sat in the "pilot seat". They liked it a lot !
__________________
Martin Leroux
CPL ME-IFR & CFI Class 3, 1,400+ Flight Hours
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
RV-8 s/n #80414
Kitlog: http://www.mykitlog.com/MartRV80414/
Empennage: 100%
Fuselage: 95%
Wings: 99% (Flaps remain to attach)
MD-RA Pre-closure inspection completed Dec 27, 2019
Entering Final Assembly Phase !

Last edited by MartinACFactory : 03-09-2018 at 08:37 PM.
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  #48  
Old 02-28-2017, 09:32 PM
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MartinACFactory MartinACFactory is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 98
Default Smell like Fuselage Final Assembly has begun !

Hello Friends on VAF !

This is just a quick update on my RV-8 fuselage progress. Beginning of March, it is coming along very well actually. Almost a year later, I was back at Ben Forget' Bodyshop (Carosserie RMP) to get my second and last batch of fuselage parts primed. This past week-end, Ben primed all my skin panel on their inside surface. We've let the Epoxy primer dry over the week-end, and I picked up my panel Monday evening after work. See pics below:

[IMG]DSCN3020 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]DSCN3019 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]


With these skin panels primed, it smells like Final Fuselage Assembly can begin at Martin's Aircraft Factory Lots a nutplates and rivets have already been installed on frames, stringers and intercoastals....

But before rushing to get to Canoe 2.0, I will take the opportunity to manufacture, trial and install all that goes in the fwd fuselage, ie fuel selector, fuel lines, rudder pedals, etc. Much easier to do at this stage.

I hope to find a minute to continue updating you with what was done prior to today, but I got to keep pounding rivet before our Canadian winters ends and it gets too nice to be inside
__________________
Martin Leroux
CPL ME-IFR & CFI Class 3, 1,400+ Flight Hours
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
RV-8 s/n #80414
Kitlog: http://www.mykitlog.com/MartRV80414/
Empennage: 100%
Fuselage: 95%
Wings: 99% (Flaps remain to attach)
MD-RA Pre-closure inspection completed Dec 27, 2019
Entering Final Assembly Phase !

Last edited by MartinACFactory : 03-09-2018 at 08:40 PM.
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  #49  
Old 02-28-2017, 10:09 PM
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MartinACFactory MartinACFactory is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 98
Default Front Throttle Quadrant improvements

Hello again !

I want to share a little improvement I made to my RV-8. It appears to be a known issue amongst all RV-8 builder using the DJM Throttle Quadrant that this unit sits below the F864B-1 Throttle Quad Cover, as per the picture below:

[IMG]photo 14 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]

Being sometime a little too perfectionist, I didn't like that. I scratched my head many times to find a solution to this problem. Since I do not have the tools to cut and bend 0.063" thick aluminum to make a new Throttle Quadrant Mounting Plate F864A-1, I had given up on doing anything with this, until....Enter in the picture Ben Simard, my private pilot student at Joliette Airport' Académie de l'Aviation. After a flight lesson, Ben proudly showed me pictures of his "heavy shop equipment" at his welding shop he owns and operates for a living. That gave me an idea....A few days later, Ben was cutting and bending this new F864A-1 parts I needed...

photo 9 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr

Always great to find local resources to help you with your RV projects....That said, here is a picture of the replicated F864A-1 Throttle Quad Mount Plate, but with a 3/8 inch high added area, where the Throttle quadrant will mount higher. That is prior to deburring.

[IMG]photo 6 by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]

I will share picture of the final product tomorrow. It is late now !
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Martin Leroux
CPL ME-IFR & CFI Class 3, 1,400+ Flight Hours
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
RV-8 s/n #80414
Kitlog: http://www.mykitlog.com/MartRV80414/
Empennage: 100%
Fuselage: 95%
Wings: 99% (Flaps remain to attach)
MD-RA Pre-closure inspection completed Dec 27, 2019
Entering Final Assembly Phase !

Last edited by MartinACFactory : 03-09-2018 at 08:43 PM.
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  #50  
Old 03-01-2017, 09:22 PM
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MartinACFactory MartinACFactory is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 98
Default Front Throttle Quadrant improvements - Part 2

Per my last post from yesterday evening, please see here below the final product. With a new Throttle Quadrant Mounting Plate raising the Throttle Quadrant by 3/8 inch, it is now flush with the cover. Looking nice

[IMG]throttle quadrant final product by Martin Leroux, on Flickr[/IMG]

What do you think about that ?
__________________
Martin Leroux
CPL ME-IFR & CFI Class 3, 1,400+ Flight Hours
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
RV-8 s/n #80414
Kitlog: http://www.mykitlog.com/MartRV80414/
Empennage: 100%
Fuselage: 95%
Wings: 99% (Flaps remain to attach)
MD-RA Pre-closure inspection completed Dec 27, 2019
Entering Final Assembly Phase !

Last edited by MartinACFactory : 03-09-2018 at 08:44 PM. Reason: Photobucket....
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