SB 14-01-31; RV-6, 7, 8

[vlittle]

Oddly enough, I was given the heads up when constructing my Rocket that it would be a good idea to reinforce the forward HS spar, which I did. So there's been some indication of this type of problem floating around for a while, albeit in a more stressful application.

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by Walt

Bob,
My prints dated 2/28/01 have no call out for relief notches. I also suspect that these were never called out on the RV6 as my print references parts call out as HS-6xx so apparently Van's basically took the RV6 prints, made a few changes, then changed the name to RV-7.
Walt

Walt it might be that Vans included the relief notch detail for the first time when they reissued the RV7A HS drawing on 7/20/01.

What strikes me as strange however is that Mark Strahler (post #74) has obvious relief notches on his RV6.

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

I have confirmed that there are no notches on the rib in early drawings. You'll note that the SB references DWG3PP on "early" RV 7/7A. There was no such drawing on the really early drawings. Only **DWG3.

SO now we're faced with trying to get Van's to tell us whether we need to upgrade our planes to the revised drawing also.

This is one of those times when I wish Van's tech support had an active presence on VAF.

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Just my opinion Bob (for what it's worth)... Considering your airplane is very low time, and the position you are in with a paint schedule, I personally would just go ahead and have it painted and do the mod. later.
Your airplane is low time and it would be unlikely for you to see any problem anytime real soon.
Doing the mod on an already painted airplane will require touching up 4 new 3/32 rivets. One top and bottom on each side just outboard of the emp fairing. As long as you could tolerate that, it would save you from losing any money, or messing with the painting schedule.

I've taken everything but the HS off to get a better look at the area. I guess the question is what's the estimated time to complete the fix. Since everything is apart, it might make sense to go ahead with the fix.

Gotta retool to do that, though. No 3x gun nor right angle drill.

Would be nice if Minnesota's polar vortex would retreat north, too.

[N804RV]

Originally Posted by LettersFromFlyoverCountry

I have confirmed that there are no notches on the rib in early drawings. You'll note that the SB references DWG3PP on "early" RV 7/7A. There was no such drawing on the really early drawings. Only **DWG3.

SO now we're faced with trying to get Van's to tell us whether we need to upgrade our planes to the revised drawing also.

This is one of those times when I wish Van's tech support had an active presence on VAF.

I have DWG-3PP with my RV-8 tail kit, dated 3/96, it had rev. 1 & 2, but not rev. 3.

[Andy Hill]

I guess the question is what's the estimated time to complete the fix

1st thing is the lead time for the kits from Vans. As others have said, type the part number into the Web Store and it comes up as "nothing found".

[Hum]

My RV7 EI HUM Serial 70588-1 has approx 850 hours since I built it, lives on a grass strip and does a lot of aerobatics. O-320, sensenics Fixed Pitch Prop.
I found cracks both sides, possibly 2 x cracks on the Stbd side.

General view for those who have not yet studied this:


At least 1 x Crack on Stbd side (will examine closer & report back when it comes off):


Another crack port side:

[flytoday]

Hum, thanks for the great pictures, including the wide shot to help with orientation.

Could your port side also have a crack at the bottom?

Carl

[Hum]

Thanks Carl, I think its just dirt on a low-res photo taken on a mobile phone.. but I will be taking a close look there also..

[fl9500]

Question:
What is the best way, when I just began to build my first RV7 Empennage ? Wait for better components from VAN'S ? Include the extra sheets ? Continue building ... ?
Thanks, Achim