cdeerinck
Well Known Member
This post is mostly about me trying to avoid making any irreversible mistakes, and in avoiding re-work.
I know I can't plan/know everything in advance, but I am at least trying to get the wiring and hoses done, before I close up the floors, final wing skins, and fuselage tops. I am getting to that point in the plans, where things become vague, and if I just march forward per the book, I will end up having easy jobs become crazy retrofits.
I have open items that say "avoid doing these steps until as late as possible". In other areas, they describe things that aren't applicable to the plane I'm building. I am finding myself standing in the garage, endlessly planning things that are going to happen, and getting less and less work done.
I have most of the sub-schematics done, and I'm comfortable with what I have so far, but I haven't put everything all together and have a final review done yet.
So, I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on how to plan at this point, and maybe get ideas on the best way to go on some equipment, point out things I might be missing, etc.
There are three strong RV groups in the category of "not local, but close enough to draw other people away", located in San Diego, Ramona, and Chino, so it leaves my area a bit emptied out.
My local EAA chapter consists of already flying guys that just want to swap stories, and a few new guys looking for guidance but not getting much. I'm not giving up on that avenue, but I can't bank on getting anything soon. I do plan on being there for anyone else in the chapter who would like anything I might have to offer. But so far, nobody that would be willing to drop by and check up on me.
Also, so far, I have been unable to locate a Tech Councilor (the EAA list is full of people that have retired, and seems like it isn't being maintained). I recently got two leads on not local guys that are DAR and Tech Counselors (Brian Evans and Matt Hlavac) that I haven't follow up on yet. So I don't know if I can get them for other than a paid inspection yet.
So here is the background info:
Pilot:
Knowns:
What I have already read:
Questions:
I know I can't plan/know everything in advance, but I am at least trying to get the wiring and hoses done, before I close up the floors, final wing skins, and fuselage tops. I am getting to that point in the plans, where things become vague, and if I just march forward per the book, I will end up having easy jobs become crazy retrofits.
I have open items that say "avoid doing these steps until as late as possible". In other areas, they describe things that aren't applicable to the plane I'm building. I am finding myself standing in the garage, endlessly planning things that are going to happen, and getting less and less work done.
I have most of the sub-schematics done, and I'm comfortable with what I have so far, but I haven't put everything all together and have a final review done yet.
So, I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on how to plan at this point, and maybe get ideas on the best way to go on some equipment, point out things I might be missing, etc.
There are three strong RV groups in the category of "not local, but close enough to draw other people away", located in San Diego, Ramona, and Chino, so it leaves my area a bit emptied out.
My local EAA chapter consists of already flying guys that just want to swap stories, and a few new guys looking for guidance but not getting much. I'm not giving up on that avenue, but I can't bank on getting anything soon. I do plan on being there for anyone else in the chapter who would like anything I might have to offer. But so far, nobody that would be willing to drop by and check up on me.
Also, so far, I have been unable to locate a Tech Councilor (the EAA list is full of people that have retired, and seems like it isn't being maintained). I recently got two leads on not local guys that are DAR and Tech Counselors (Brian Evans and Matt Hlavac) that I haven't follow up on yet. So I don't know if I can get them for other than a paid inspection yet.
So here is the background info:
Pilot:
- 13 year, 1200 hour glider pilot, soloed in power, and finishing my power license now.
- Then comes tail wheel, RV transition, then IFR.
Knowns:
RV-8 QB
Mission
Unknowns:Mission
Commuter and traveling plane, IFR Capable, will be flying a lot of night, and a very occasional acro maneuver (you just have to occasionally roll any RV-8, right?)
Engine- IO-360 (haven't decided high or low compression)
- Hartzell Constant Speed prop
- Dual P-Mags
- B&C Starter
- B&C L-60 belt driven Alternator, B&C 410-H 20-30 amp gear driven Alternator as backup (to be put on vacuum pad)
- Dual Dynon Skyview 10" touch w/Dynon Transponder, Auto Pilot, Com, Intercom, EMS, AOA/Pitot w/heat, ADAHRS, ADS-B
- (yes, no backup steam gauges. If I wanted a manual ASI, I would have to find a creative location.)
- Also, iPhone running Foreflight from phone GPS only
- AeroLED Nav/Strobe/Landing/Taxi lights
- Aft battery (debating about 2nd battery forward, the Skyview already has back up batteries, but don't want it forward of the firewall)
- VP-X (wavering between Sport and Pro, $700 for an integrated 2nd battery voltage monitor, ouch!)
- Ray Allen Flap Position Sensor
- ClassicAero seats w/internal heaters
- Andair Fuel Selector
- Would like to use pre-made fuel and break lines in the cockpit
- Have done the brake fluid reservoir on rudder pedals mod
- Behind panel access door
- Over aft battery access door
- Rear tailcone shelf (for long items like Snowboard/Kiteboard)
- Single car garage, and managing with everything on wheels, wings in dolly, fuselage on rolling rotisserie. The tail has been installed, trued and installed, then removed.
- The fuselage fits with the tail off, and the door closed, without about 2-3 inches to spare.
- Once I want to rig wings or tail permanently, or mount the engine, it won't fit, at which point I will have to take over the 2 car garage, or move it to a hangar, so I am trying to finish everything I can before that happens.
- The fuselage will be going out shortly for internal cockpit powder coating or paint, so I have to remove anything that can't take 400 degree heat.
- Type of Fuel pump
- Type of Boost pump
- Type of voltage regulator
- Type of Fuel Totalizer (I have stock fuel senders, and would like to avoid a capacitive sender retrofit)
- Stick Grips (Infinity?)
What I have already read:
- The Sportplane Builder
- Tony Bingelis on Engines
- Firewall Forward
- AeroElectric Connection
- The VPX Manual (very good)
Questions:
- Order of operations: (Wiring, Plumbing, Floors, Top skins, Finish kit, Engine, Electronics) or some other order?
- How the **** do you pre-plan the firewall layout, without knowing everything (Equipment list, Engine and Engine Mount clearance, FWF tube and hose wiring, etc)?
- Do people usually buy everything at once, or as they go?
- Can I do an occasional roll or loop without inverted oil system, and fuel flop tube?
- Should I make the floors to be removable with nutplates? How often do you really need to pull them?
And why the heck does Vans make some of the holes have nutplates, when you rivet the rest down? - What am I missing?