VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #21  
Old 08-13-2012, 08:59 AM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
Default 3 year anniversary!

I have hit the 3 year mark in this project. Current status is that the tail and wings are completely done (except for wiring up the lighting). The fuselage is done except for the top skins at the front and behind the rear window. I'm ready to bond the canopy bubble on to the frame - just need a free weekend to get that done. Most of the wiring is done in the fuselage, but the panel is still waiting to be cut. I have a few more items to buy on the panel before I can do a final design. I am in the process of buying an engine (IO-320) and prop. I recently started prepping the baffle parts. Cowling work is on deck.



When I started this project, I figured it would take me 5 years. I should be able to get all of the firewall forward work, cowling, and panel done by then.

I'm paying as I go, and right now it is getting expensive. Not to mention I have multiple children in college. My youngest starts college next week. She is going to be at CU-Boulder for the next 4 years. I need to get this thing flying so we can travel out there from SoCal to visit her.
__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 08-26-2012, 04:37 PM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
Default

Back in the shop after what has seemed like months of traveling.
I got my son to help me get the canopy bonded on the frame with Sikaflex. I've been ready to do this for the last 2 months, and just kept putting it off. After about 3 hours of work, it is done! Just need to let it set up for a day before I can take if off the fuselage and make it look pretty and pull all of the masking tapes off.


Laying down a bead on the frame.


Working on the inside to get a good bond between the bubble and frame.


All positioned and pinned down with various clamps, weights and straps.
__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 08-26-2012, 08:51 PM
ArVeeNiner's Avatar
ArVeeNiner ArVeeNiner is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,125
Default

Way to stick that baby on Bruce. Check off yet another milestone.
__________________
Kelly Johnson
San Jose, CA
RV-9A

Pink slip issued: 5/7/12

First flight: 5/28/12, Memorial Day.

Phase I Complete: 8/18/12!

2020 donation: complete
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 08-27-2012, 08:02 AM
BillC BillC is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ramona, Ca
Posts: 259
Default

Hay Bruce,

Almost time to move the project to the airport isn't it?

Bill
__________________
Bill RV-9A Flying
FFI- Flight Lead
N99WC
Ramona, CA (KRNM)
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 09-15-2012, 03:30 PM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
Default The beginning of the end of the canopy work!

After what seems like endless prep on the fiberglass fairing along the front of the canopy, I finally got it looking good enough to spray on some high build primer.

__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 10-14-2012, 10:36 AM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
Default penultimate skin is riveted

I was able to get the final top skin on the fuselage with the help of my son. Those furthest rivets were just too far for my arms.



I decided to work on the routing of the AOA, pitot and static lines to the Dynon Skyview ADAHRS. I felt that the lines needed some support as they make their way to the unit. I ended up fabricating and installing this little support shelf.





I also moved how my conduit for the AOA and pitot lines from the wings is oriented. Instead of going back another bulkhead, I moved it to go up the center baggage bulkhead support. This will give the lines a much nicer path to the ADAHRS.



Next up is bonding in the rear window with Sikaflex.
Rebuiding the engine will start in a couple of weeks! Then all that is left is the firewall forward and finish the panel.
__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 10-15-2012, 10:30 AM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
Default Rear window is done



Got the rear window bonded in place with Sikaflex. Really happy with how this came out.

At this point the long process of building the canopy is 99.9% DONE!
__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 10-15-2012, 10:41 AM
N941WR's Avatar
N941WR N941WR is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
Default

Great job Bruce!

I wish I would have done that with my canopy rather than use the screw method!
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 10-15-2012, 10:58 AM
BSwayze's Avatar
BSwayze BSwayze is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Molalla, Oregon
Posts: 955
Default

SUPERB workmanship, Bruce. Wow! I looked at all your pics on your website, and came away with some valuable tips for doing my own rear window in the near future. Way to go!
__________________
Bruce Swayze
RV-7A Standard Build
First flight November 3, 2019!
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 11-17-2012, 05:12 PM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
Default Rebuild of the Engine has started

Crank has the rods on and they are installed into the case.



Cylinders are next.

__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:47 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.