RV7Guy
Well Known Member
One year ago yesterday, (12/23/05), my RV7 N717EE took flight for the first time. With a little bit of pride and even more disbelief, I am down for the first annual. I actually took it out of service a little early so it would be ready for Socal/AZ Laughlin trip on New Years Day. Fortunately, there was nothing major to correct or fix. Originally, I built my own fuel and oil hoses. I decided to order all new and completely fire proof hoses from Precision Hose Technology. Also had a very minor seep in the left tank that good friend Mark Chamberlin fixed for me.
During the 40 hour fly off I spend considerable time doing slow flight and stalls from many attitudes. Safety is paramount. And, knowing from many accident reviews, that the stall spin is the biggie. Everyone get out and practice these!!!!
After the 40 the RV provides the opportunity to travel quickly and efficiently. I certainly have traveled as Dan has or a few of the others, but I have done my share during the first year. Several trips to CA, Denver, NM, South Dakota, Oshkosh, Minnesota, Las Vegas and numerous In State ventures. The Oshkosh trip was great. I made it from the Phx area to Osh in just a little under 8 hours of actual stick time. That is with a head wind most of the way. 1100+ miles, 2 fuel stops, 29 frequency changes and a trouble free arrival.
The feeling of arriving at a destination quickly and rested is great. Especially with the Auto Pilot and XM Radio!!! No traffic to worry about. No Semi's flipped over blocking the road for hours, only the occasional traffic pointed out by ATC. Yeah maybe an occasional weather delay thown in, but what the heck....
I managed to get 170 hours in that first year. I flew 22 passengers, 2 of which will soon invest big $$$$ in our economy. I was down for 10 weeks for painting and didn't fly a lot in the summer. I'm shooting for 225 during this year.
I have several trips planned for 2007. Laughlin, CA several times, LV, Oregon, the Caribbean, South Carolina, Oshkosh, Indiana, South Dakota, Mexico and who knows what else.
What I learned that first year. See above on the bennies of travel. I learned that the ECI IO360 performs flawlessly. The Whirlwind 200RV prop is extremely smooth. I learned how to fix the broken spinner bracket on the 200 RV. The issue is now permanently corrected. I learned that the best piece of equipment I installed was the Garmin 330 S transponder and Garmin 430 combination. The traffic system (TIS) has been a blessing while living and operating in the area of the PHX Class B airspace. The Emag/Pmag system is great and works perfectly.
I learned that a firewall mounted oil cooler doesn't work in the AZ environment. I learned I should buy oil filters by the case. I figured out how to land the tail dragger. I learned that a crosswind landing is not as tough controlling on the ground right after that landing!!
What I would do different if doing again. This is always a great question that I asked to others many times during my build. I would spend less time worrying about a non perfect rivet and move on. I would not paint the interior until EVERYTHING had been fit and then removed. I would not paint anything that would be potentially covered by an interior. Lots of hours wasted. I still would not paint anything grey!!!! I would definitely use the same engine/prop/ignition combination. I would mount the ELT in a more convenient location for service. I would not build a utility box behind the baggage bulkhead. Too much work, limited service. I would not do such an elaborate paint scheme. I would use an all LED light system for POS and Strobes. I used LED Position lights on my plane but conventional strobes. That's all I can think of now.
In closing, the greatest aspect of the RV aircraft is the people. Yeah we can travel around at 200 mph, 8 gph in relative comfort but what is it without the people that make up the RV community? Almost daily we hear of the hopitality and comraderie that RVer's experience when the travel and more importantly if something breaks down. I've experienced the people and wouldn't trade that for any other. I've made life long friends, some I've never met!!!! This is the strength of the RV community. There are too many people to thank for the joy I've experienced with my plane. I do need to mention Robbie Attaway however. Without him I'm not sure I would have finished my plane. He kept me going when I was ready to give up, he built an incredible engine and he has been there when help was needed. I'm not the only one he has helped. Many are in the air because of him. Thanks!!!
Merry Christmas to everyone and may God Bless. Please keep in mind our Military as we enjoy this Holiday season. Without them, we would not enjoy the freedoms we enjoy.
During the 40 hour fly off I spend considerable time doing slow flight and stalls from many attitudes. Safety is paramount. And, knowing from many accident reviews, that the stall spin is the biggie. Everyone get out and practice these!!!!
After the 40 the RV provides the opportunity to travel quickly and efficiently. I certainly have traveled as Dan has or a few of the others, but I have done my share during the first year. Several trips to CA, Denver, NM, South Dakota, Oshkosh, Minnesota, Las Vegas and numerous In State ventures. The Oshkosh trip was great. I made it from the Phx area to Osh in just a little under 8 hours of actual stick time. That is with a head wind most of the way. 1100+ miles, 2 fuel stops, 29 frequency changes and a trouble free arrival.
The feeling of arriving at a destination quickly and rested is great. Especially with the Auto Pilot and XM Radio!!! No traffic to worry about. No Semi's flipped over blocking the road for hours, only the occasional traffic pointed out by ATC. Yeah maybe an occasional weather delay thown in, but what the heck....
I managed to get 170 hours in that first year. I flew 22 passengers, 2 of which will soon invest big $$$$ in our economy. I was down for 10 weeks for painting and didn't fly a lot in the summer. I'm shooting for 225 during this year.
I have several trips planned for 2007. Laughlin, CA several times, LV, Oregon, the Caribbean, South Carolina, Oshkosh, Indiana, South Dakota, Mexico and who knows what else.
What I learned that first year. See above on the bennies of travel. I learned that the ECI IO360 performs flawlessly. The Whirlwind 200RV prop is extremely smooth. I learned how to fix the broken spinner bracket on the 200 RV. The issue is now permanently corrected. I learned that the best piece of equipment I installed was the Garmin 330 S transponder and Garmin 430 combination. The traffic system (TIS) has been a blessing while living and operating in the area of the PHX Class B airspace. The Emag/Pmag system is great and works perfectly.
I learned that a firewall mounted oil cooler doesn't work in the AZ environment. I learned I should buy oil filters by the case. I figured out how to land the tail dragger. I learned that a crosswind landing is not as tough controlling on the ground right after that landing!!
What I would do different if doing again. This is always a great question that I asked to others many times during my build. I would spend less time worrying about a non perfect rivet and move on. I would not paint the interior until EVERYTHING had been fit and then removed. I would not paint anything that would be potentially covered by an interior. Lots of hours wasted. I still would not paint anything grey!!!! I would definitely use the same engine/prop/ignition combination. I would mount the ELT in a more convenient location for service. I would not build a utility box behind the baggage bulkhead. Too much work, limited service. I would not do such an elaborate paint scheme. I would use an all LED light system for POS and Strobes. I used LED Position lights on my plane but conventional strobes. That's all I can think of now.
In closing, the greatest aspect of the RV aircraft is the people. Yeah we can travel around at 200 mph, 8 gph in relative comfort but what is it without the people that make up the RV community? Almost daily we hear of the hopitality and comraderie that RVer's experience when the travel and more importantly if something breaks down. I've experienced the people and wouldn't trade that for any other. I've made life long friends, some I've never met!!!! This is the strength of the RV community. There are too many people to thank for the joy I've experienced with my plane. I do need to mention Robbie Attaway however. Without him I'm not sure I would have finished my plane. He kept me going when I was ready to give up, he built an incredible engine and he has been there when help was needed. I'm not the only one he has helped. Many are in the air because of him. Thanks!!!
Merry Christmas to everyone and may God Bless. Please keep in mind our Military as we enjoy this Holiday season. Without them, we would not enjoy the freedoms we enjoy.
