RV-9a: Cal’s build

[cgeyman]

The seats are cloth, and are from classic Aero Design (they advertise on VAF splash page). I chose cloth due to lower cost and weight. They are might comfy on trial sitting so far. Their wait/ lead time is about 9 months so you do have to order ahead of time. Quite happy- they also have lots of color choices.

[cgeyman]

Got 27 gallons an hour on my electric pump. Hurray. You need 1.5 times full power take off fuel burn; about 16 gph on the o-360 a1a.

The first run dropped fuel all over my landing gear. Turns out I never torqued fully the line from the gascolator to the mechanical fuel pump. Oh my.

Still have to test with it’s tail tied down and nose up I climb position and repeat the test. 🤓

[cgeyman]

Took several crank attempts on preoiling the pressure sensor- likely had to fill the filter first- then came gushing out sensor line. Quick connect to the kavlinko sensor and we got oil pressure- getting closer to real start. Pretty darn exciting.

[cgeyman]

With climb attitude I still got 28 gph. No leaks this time.

[cgeyman]

Got 2/16 difference on my Sensenich composite ground adjustable blade. Spec is 3/16 or less so acceptable.

[cgeyman]

Kept making a mess until I clamped the 3/8 tube onto my squirt gun and the nylon hard tubing (same used for pitot static)

[Mike S]

Interesting looking squirt bottle---what brand is it?

[cgeyman]

I like to only deal in high end tools:

[cgeyman]

My rudder and elevator and L aileron were all in spec on travel, but my R aileron was up 34 degrees, with max of 32 recommended by Vans per spec. Tech advice was a do over- drill out “bad” aileron stop and rivet in a stop with a longer leg. Not really a big deal. Thanks to my EAA chapter last night for going over my plane- lots of useful suggestions prior to DAR visit.

[cgeyman]

I found my right wingtip to be 3/8 inch lower than my aileron and flaps when all was rigged properly. I missed the memo of NOT drilling the wingtips until the flaps and ailerons are fully fitted and rigged to the chord line. As other before have done, you can dremel split the fiberglass and adjust it and reglass, you can drill out and shift/tweak it’s position and reattach, or fly and see how it behaves. I am doing the latter for now but did order a new right tip as I want a do over anyway given mild rib positioning issue on my first tip. I don’t want a heavy wing but lots of variables to this.