new builder, need advice....

tom gort · #1 04-13-2010, 02:06 AM

Hello to all, I am a new builder of a -4. I started about 4 months ago, and am about halfway through the empennage. I have a few questions for anyone out there who can provide some advice since I have never done this before....First of all, should I go with manual or electric trim on the elevator? I am planning on keeping the acft as simple as possible, however I would like to hear any opinions on the pros and cons of both. Also, I will be ordering the wing kit shortly and would like to know if the pre-made spars are worth the cost. I enjoy the building so the thought of doing these myself is not that daunting, but it would be nice to hear from someone who has put one of these together if the time/difficulty involved makes it worthwhile to just get the completed assembly. Thanks in advance for any help, and if there are any other -4 builders in the seattle/tacoma area I would like to hear from you. (I am in Puyallup).

ABRV4 · #2 04-13-2010, 06:45 AM

Tom,
When I started my -4's build 10 years ago I too wanted to keep it simple. I installed the manual trim and am glad I did. It is easy to operate and is lighter and cheaper than the powered trim set up. I also built Van's standard spar and would do it again if I decide to build another plane. It took longer to assemble and didn't look as nice as the anodized unit but you can't see it anyway once it is installed. The money I saved went toward all the other stuff I needed for the panel and for filling up the tanks.

Alan
RV-4 N7028K

pierre smith · #3 04-13-2010, 08:47 AM

....to VAF. I have a buddy who's building his fourth airplane, an RV-3. I mentioned to him that he could buy quickbuild wings and save a bunch of time. His reply was that he really enjoyed building and wasn't at all interested in NOT building the wings.

If you're in that frame of mind, build your spars. If you'd like to save time and have neat, anodized spars, go with them pre-built.....it's your call, after all

Best,

tom gort · #4 04-13-2010, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the input, I will probably build the spar myself. Maybe I am the exception here, but I seem to have more time than money....plus I will end up with an airplane that I completely built myself. This was one of the (many) reasons I chose to go with the -4, I enjoy the challenge of building so I am looking forward to this next step.

WAM120RV · #5 04-13-2010, 11:13 AM

I have to disagree on the weight issue on the manual trim mentioned above. Yes manual will be lighter if you dont count in the weight of the cable that has to run the length of the aeroplane. I have electric on my 9 and 4 and its simple to use.

I would go with the phlosigon spars if thats what you are asking, definately corrosion proofed and built right.

OceanBob · #6 04-13-2010, 11:58 AM

Will help the resale value. Most people buying a used Vans do their homework. And people love the electric trim; the weigh difference is not a factor. JMO.

SvingenB · #7 04-13-2010, 01:44 PM

Before going anodized spars you should read this:
http://www.experimentalhelo.com/Anodizing&Fatigue.pdf

I don't know what kind of anodizing Vans spars have, but "normal" anodizing using sulphuric acid most certainly will reduce fatigue life a whole lot.

Mel · #8 04-13-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SvingenB

I don't know what kind of anodizing Vans spars have, but "normal" anodizing using sulphuric acid most certainly will reduce fatigue life a whole lot.

This has been discussed extensively. It has been determined that the "plus" benefits of the anodized spar FAR outweigh the "negative".

RVSpike · #9 04-13-2010, 02:28 PM

My two cents:

I built my own spars and enjoyed the challenge and the savings.

If you radius all the edges, etch and Alodine your non-alclad parts and epoxy primer everything it will be as corrosion resistant as anodizing.
The riviting process is simple and easy to get perfect results.

I also have 15 years and 1100 hours of trouble free service from the elctric trim. I recently added the Infinity stick grip and having trim on the stick is delux.

SvingenB · #10 04-13-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel

This has been discussed extensively. It has been determined that the "plus" benefits of the anodized spar FAR outweigh the "negative".

Determined by who? That helicopter I linked to was "determined" by judges to become Grand Champion at Osh. The anodizing on those rods didn't exactly outweigh the negative.