Getting ready to start RV-7 Slow build wings. Need input

[flyabq]

Hello,
I am getting ready to start some slow build 7 wings. The input that I am looking for is what do you wish you had done when you were building the wings. i.e. I wish I had added this lightning hole for future wiring, or I wish I had run the wiring for the landing lights before I closed up the wing. etc. I look forward to your input and can't wait to get this beauty finished and flying.

[Robert Anglin]

As the 7 and 8 wings are now the same. I wish I would have put our electrical conduit a little further aft of the main spare. We put it about an inch behind the spare and that was good when we started the build, but when we got to the point of installing the A.P. servos it was a little close to the roll servo leaver arm. I would have moved the conduit to the rear another inch if I had know.
Other than that you have a very good wing to build and fly, get going.
Yours, R.E.A. III # 80888

[airguy]

Run your electrical conduit all the way to the wingtip, install a couple spare wires for future use, or leave a length of string or twine for a pull-string to drag more wire in for possible future use.

[wirejock]

I wish I had run the plumbing near the conduit location. That would keep it away from the AP servo and make an eeasier entrance to the fuse to the ADAHRS located aft. I doubt very many out the ADAHRS up front like old school instruments anymore.

[jibby212]

I second Wirejock, I ended up routing my AOA and Pitot plumbing just behind the electrical conduit. This worked out much better exiting the pitot mast, clearing the bellcrank, and cleanly entering the fuselage.

[jcarne]

Originally Posted by wirejock

I wish I had run the plumbing near the conduit location. That would keep it away from the AP servo and make an eeasier entrance to the fuse to the ADAHRS located aft. I doubt very many out the ADAHRS up front like old school instruments anymore.

Originally Posted by jibby212

I second Wirejock, I ended up routing my AOA and Pitot plumbing just behind the electrical conduit. This worked out much better exiting the pitot mast, clearing the bellcrank, and cleanly entering the fuselage.

Well darn it, now I wish I had done this too, makes way more sense.

1. I wished I had installed the needed bushing where my wire for the left fuel sender passes through the spar BEFORE putting the fuel tank on. That way you can enlarge the hole ever so slightly and get the proper bushing. This is not needed if you don't install a flop tube.

2. I also wished I had hired out the rib deburring.

[Ralph Inkster]

Lots said about conduit runs, I can only add to say make them BIG conduit, like 5/8” or so. Location I like is between the first & second lightning hole just below the top skin.
Nearly forgot, angle the conduit run down as you get to the inboard rib as you want the wires to penetrate thru the fuselage below the seat floor pan.

[Mike S]

Jeremy, welcome aboard the good ship VAF

Think about all the things that get installed in a wing-----then plan for a few new ones that could be developed before you get done.

A/P servo.

Leading edge landing lights.

AOA.

Heated pitot.

Wingtip antennas.

Wingtip mounted magnetometer.

Wingtip mounted extra fuel.

[rv7boy]

A few photographs on this thread would be worth "a thousand words" to those of us who are working on the wings.

[Maxrate]

If your installing heated pitot, be sure and leave a ?service loop?. This was some good advice given by an AP friend. It would stink if you had to de skin part of the wing to service the heater element or pitot mast.