New RV-8 Project Purchase

[Curtisairfamily]

My wife and I just purchased a RV-8 kit that is mostly complete. The builder started back in 2000, so it is an older kit. We have never built a RV before and we sold our Bonanza to fund our project. See we are not new to aviation but brand new to the RV world.

I know there are some SB's I should comply with but any other tips of items to do on an older airframe.

We live in Maine so good heat will be a must. Where do people get the heated seats?

We want to do the G3X panel with the Garmin Autopilot. Will we need to open up the wings or tail to install the servos?

So far we know it needs paint, a panel, a propeller, and an interior. It should be delivered in early December. We are very excited!!

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by Curtisairfamily

My wife and I just purchased a RV-8 kit that is mostly complete. -------See we are not new to aviation but brand new to the RV world.

Caleb & Laura, welcome aboard the good ship VAF

Congrats on the new project.

[N804RV]

Do you know if you have the -1 wings? That might be an important factor in determining aircraft limitations.

By the way: Hi, and hope to see you around!

[BruceEicher]

Hi,
Exciting! I inserted some possible answers into your text below. A lot of good experience and advice here on VAF, but also talk to the manufacturers, Van?s, Garmin and so forth.
Have fun, you are 90% done and 90% to go.

Originally Posted by Curtisairfamily

My wife and I just purchased a RV-8 kit that is mostly complete. The builder started back in 2000, so it is an older kit. We have never built a RV before and we sold our Bonanza to fund our project. See we are not new to aviation but brand new to the RV world.

I know there are some SB's I should comply with but any other tips of items to do on an older airframe.

We live in Maine so good heat will be a must. Where do people get the heated seats?

Try Classic Aero or Oregon Aero, both in Oregon.

We want to do the G3X panel with the Garmin Autopilot. Will we need to open up the wings or tail to install the servos?

If a wing servo you should be able to install through an inspection plate, or a space under the seat. The elevator servo will go behind the rear baggage, happy times crawling. Check with Garmin for instructions and a parts kit.

So far we know it needs paint, a panel, a propeller, and an interior. It should be delivered in early December. We are very excited!!

[rv8ch]

Hi Caleb, I strongly recommend registering with Van's and placing an order for the RV-8 plans that come on a USB stick. They are very helpful. Can't hurt as well to get the RV-14 plans, since they are much newer, and more complete. Not everything on the RV-14 will help on the RV-8, but it can give you some ideas, just like your experience with other aircraft will help you with your RV-8.

Any SBs are on the van's website: https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/service-rv8.htm


I also recommend talking to local builders and EAA Technical Counselors (https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-bui...cal-counselors) to help you get ready for the paperwork.

[scsmith]

I don't know about the Garmin roll servo, perhaps someone will chime in that does. But my Trutrak roll servo mounts in the fuselage. That makes life pretty simple.

Things you will have to get creative to install will be ADAHRS and remote compass, things like that. I'm sure you will find lots of help here on VAF

[rv8ch]

I had my original roll servo in the fuselage as well, and I thought that was a pretty clean way to do it. The new GRT servo (which seems to have an identical form factor to the Dynon and Garmin) is installed in the wing, and it was very easy. You could do this with a flying RV in a few hours, since it goes into the inspection port for the aileron bellcrank. The pitch servo was a bit harder as it required removing the bellcrank support - drilling out the rivets carefully is the most important part. Probably a day's work to install both in a flying RV-8 for someone that knows what they are doing or has done it before. Obviously I don't recommend doing this while the RV is actually flying.

[rockbottom]

Caleb,
Congratulations with your new project! I have a pair of heated seats from Flyboyaccessories that I didn't install that I'll sell to you at a discount. I purchased them last year just before Oshkosh and then found out that Classic Aero, who was fabricating my seats at the time, was offering free seat heaters as a sale promotion during the airshow...so I got theirs instead. Send me an email if you're interested.
James Baker
RV8 (almost finished)

[Robert Anglin]

Hello and welcome to the RV family. We have Garmin servos that were installed after the airframe was finished and on it's feet. You can do it either way you wish. Their are a lot of good people at this forum that will help as you go. Getting started can be a little bewildering, but the dust will settle as time goes on. You will enjoy the performance and nimbleness of the RV8 once you get to know it. Keep asking good questions or any questions and keep moving forward is the best advice I can give you at the point you are at now.
Yours, R.E.A. III # 80888
P.S. there are a lot of RV builders to the east of you in Belfast. Most are RV12 builders, but they are all good guys. We try to go up there every year for the Lobster Fest.

[Vlad]

Welcome Curtisairfamily! You live in a beautiful country been to your airport couple times. Come to Mooselookmeguntic flyin on ice 2020 in your new RV8. It's just 60 NM west of you