RV-3 Plans - 'Clarifications'

[Lufthans]

Originally Posted by David Paule

Here's the detail that Russell is referring to:



For the benefit of anyone following the thread and possibly having a different version of the plans. This was from my plans, dated 11-25-84. There is a revision incorporated, R1, dated 5/00, which did not affect this area.

Dave

Yup, that's on my sheet 23 too. Mine are dated the same. Thing is, that my sheet 21 and 22 (of the same date) show only one row of rivets (and different rivet spacing in other areas). And my plane seems to have been built in accordance to these sheets 21 and 22, and thus in contradiction with sheet 23. My question was basically: was the builder a renegade moron who cut corners? Answer: no, he just stuck to sheets 21 and 22 (or perhaps an older version of the plans).

I don't feel the need to rebuild half of my fuselage now. There are more aircraft flying around with a single row of rivets there, and they are not falling out of the sky left and right.

Still, it is interesting how conflicting versions of something this fundamental have found their way in the same set of drawings, dated on the same day.

[David Paule]

The front area of the seat pan has integral steps. On my plane I misinterpreted that detail and cut the seat pan so that the steps are separate pieces. (EDIT - the steps are supposed to be separate, see other postings below, so I accidentally got it right!) This is the area on Dwg 24 that shows this.



The drawing indicates that the spar bulkhead flange goes from side to side. It doesn't, at least on the RV-3B. Here's that area on my plane. The photo was taken prior to adding the steps.



On both pictures, forward is to the left and top is the right side of the plane.

Incidentally, the rudder cable runs directly over the forward outboard screw on the steps. Bit of a pain there.

Just something to be aware of so that you don't need separate parts for the steps.

[RussellT]

Dave, I think the steps are separate, my interpretation of the plans is that the seat pan is 025 2024-T3 and fixed with LP 4-3 pulled rivets and the steps are 062 6061-T3 with 3/4x3/4x1/8 angle supports. The steps are fixed with screws and nut plates, 10 per side removable.
At least that's how I did mine, I could be wrong...

[EdH]

On my -3B, the main floor pan skin is riveted on, and the remainder is closed out by three removable sections. Two smaller reinforced step sections to the sides, and a central cover over the stick.

[Ironflight]

I don’t think there are any two -3’s alike in this area - I built a two-piece close out that covers most of the stick opening and also provides the steps.

[David Paule]

It seems as if the manual trim cable should enter the cockpit above the rudder cable. That wasn't obvious to me and I arranged to have it enter below. Now things are clearer. My fuselage is slightly lighter with some additional cable holes in the seat and baggage bulkheads.

Keep the manual trim cable above the rudder cable.

Dave

[David Paule]

I was happily bolting in the control stick and mixer assembly when I noticed that the mixer's lug fittings that connect to the elevator pushrod fitting were binding. The radius of the welded mixer fitting was too large. Have a look on Dwg 27 on the left side. Here's a look at the area of concern; up top in Section B-B' you can see the assembly.



The as-supplied radius is 1/2". I reduced it to 3/8" to clear, with plenty of edge distance remaining. It's only the aft end of the part that interferes, so I suppose an alternate (and slightly heavier) method of getting clearance at the rod-end fitting would be to simply bend the tips of the welded part out a bit.

Dave