RV-7 N117TR

[Vlad]

Now I know why you have the time for all that fiberglass. You are a baby sitter! Change your profile occupation

[crabandy]

Hahahahaha, done! I prefer the title HouseDad!
I've found my vacation time has been reallocated to working on the airplane!

I've got the transition fairings mostly shaped, enough work time to fly! I gathered some cruise speed numbers on my way to Kstate's open house (pancakes&sausage). I graduated here over 10 years ago, great to see some of my ol' teachers!

Cruise speeds right on with what Van advertises, also 55-60% power yields 150 knts TAS 80ish degrees lean of peak burning >7 GPH. Density altitudes varied the TAS numbers several knts either side.

Lots of range burning going on in the flint hills, 3-5 miles of visibility in places.



I made a pit stop at the Beaumont Hotel, taxing the 1/4 mile from the 2400 steeply sloped (for Kansas) strip along a road was kinda fun! Careful on the taxing technique lots of FOD along the way.





Pic doesn't do it justice but back-taxing RWY18 up the hill.


Departure end of RWY18, the runway disappears down the hill and if you zoom in you can see the windmill farm several miles past the runway.


3.9 hours of flying around my test area and 22 gallons of fuel, not to shabby. 9.3 hours to go in phase 1!

[crabandy]

After today 7 hours left in phase 1, gross weight and aerobatic testing to go.

I had made a heck of a mess in th hangar the past several days so the girls and I cleaned it up. It took several Popsicles but we got the job done.



I had worked my way through Van's how to diagnose and fix a heavy left wing up to the squishing the aileron part (right before a trim tab). Finger pressure squeezing showed no results previously so as I was preheating this morning I used my hand seamers with Popsicle sticks taped in the jaws to lightly squeeze my right (right) aileron. 20 min in the air showed no change in the heavy wing, I stopped at KPTS for coffee and some squeezn'. I used a little firmer pressure this time, still no visible change in the aileron trailing edge. By the time I was airborne and picking up speed on a left downwind departure I had forgot about squeezing the aileron. At midfield I noticed a heavy right wing, "ding ding" I neutralized the aileron trim and no more heavy wing.

As a reference here is a 50 lb 5 year old.


Same 5 year old in a car seat strapped in the baggage area. Earlier post in my build log show my anchors, surprisingly easy for her to crawl back there and roomy. I need to modify the rear slider rail and add some padding just in case and i will be satisfied.



My girls are more than ready for their first RV7 ride!

[crabandy]

I modified the rear slider rail but forgot to get a pic.

I did some higher gross weight test and aft CG flights, 200 lbs in the right seat and 50 lbs in the baggage compartment. Everything felt heavier but performed fine. I was within 3/4 inch of the aft CG and it would hold alt while trim but was dynamically unstable when I bumped the stick. Stall testing was normal with the extra weight except for lighter stick forces. The air was smooth so I also took it 3 knts past Vne.

Thanks to my friend John who picked up where I left off and took my plane to the edge of the envelope. Double check handling characteristics, +6/-1 G (no inverted systems), spins and a whole list of primary and sportsman aerobatic maneuvers. Thanks to Ray for flying chase in his awesome 10!

[crabandy]

I was utterly amazed at the amount of oil on the belly, I've got quite the mess to clean up. It's worse than my first oil change.






Everything went well except the engine did quit during a hammerhead, and my Tosten grip started swiveling on the stick. Engine fired right back up and the grip I've still got to trouble shoot.
Just over 30 hours and the aerobatic testing made for a good time to change the oil. Everything looked good under the cowling except for oil everywhere.

The quick drain is worth every penny, not a drop spilled during the oil change.

A little routine maintenance, a sign-off, less than 2 hours and I'm out of phase 1!

[crabandy]

The Easter Bunny happened to make it to the hangar today!



All that sugar sure primed them for some scrubbing, I got the belly and they got the rest. FWF was cleaned up first, I'm sure I'll have some oil seeping out of some cracks but she looks pretty good overall. Fresh oil change and she fired right up for a quick taxi back and leak check.




Of course I forgot several things back at the hanger, the girls thought it was funny I wanted to use their bikes to ride the 200 yards back to the hanger. I was going pretty fast for a princess fairy bike!

[crabandy]

Pics of the shortened canopy rail and he new brace I made from scrap .063. Future maintenance will be nicer as well, nothing but screws to remove the baggage bulkhead covers. I cut the bulkhead cover around the tie down too. It's short enough to be behind the car seat now, I added some high density foam just in case.



I discovered several leaky areas in my baffling I'm hoping to plug tonight, CHT's aren't terrible but could be better. I typically climb at 125 knts IAS and see 360-380 and the same for cruise, if the engine is heat soaked or if I climb at 96 I start seeing 410 until cruise and they drop back to 360-380.

[crabandy]

FWF inspection and oil change went well, I did find one spot where the left exhaust elbow poked the lower cowl. I'm waiting on a new air filter, mine shrank considerably in 31 hours (tach time).

I installed my new DJM tailwheel and JD Accessories tail link. The link saved 3.5 oz. and I'm told the tailwheel saves 1 lb (larger scale not handy). Just a couple hours flying it but I think I'll like the new setup. I should get my heavier crush plate soon and see how much my CG moves. While I was back there I noticed oil got into my tail strobe.


The DJM wheel is not nearly as bouncy, my Van's tailwheel used to bounce 2-3 inches high going over the hanger door tracks and the DJM just rolls over it. The DJM tailwheel has more rolling noise and thunking on cracks in the runway. I definitely like the sealed bearings.
The link does provide a tighter more responsive feel while taxiing on pavement, much less wandering down the taxiway especially with a tailwind. Takeoff/landing ops seem to be touchier requiring a lighter touch on the pedals to not over control. Don't install it incorrectly as I did, the tail link should be underneath of the rudder control horn.


I was showing off my new setup to another RV'er who said "looks like you'd have more clearance if you mounted it underneath the rudder contr horn." A quick check online proved I obviously don't follow directions very well.

[crabandy]

Guess who finished their 40 hour phase 1??? This Guy!!!

The wife said she owned the rights to the first ride since she had to put up with me building for 9 years. My youngest joined us in the back.


It was hard to get a decent shot in the air, but my youngest seems to be saying "I thought this was going to be exciting, is that all you got Dad?"


The other girls couldn't wait for their turn. On crosswind of the first takeoff my 6 year old says "Dad I want to go upside down!" Do they make kiddie parachutes?


My wife drove with the youngest and met me and the girls for some BBQ at K81.


My oldest was energized with all the excitement, my 6 year old caught a nap!



I'm really looking forward to some trips!

[krw5927]

CONGRATS, ANDY!

I need to get up there to check out your plane. Hoping to take my first x/c this weekend if the wind lets up.