First weekend in 8 weeks w/no side job in the mix - spent Sunday at Mass and tried to catch up on a few emails and messages. Luby’s for lunch w/the Mrs. ;^). LuAnn Platter.
To the kind folks who support VAF with a badge under their username, thank you again. Here towards the end of the year I remind folks who don’t have a subscription (badge) to please consider it. The self-employed aviation content business isn’t one most would call ‘comfortable’ (hence the two part time jobs). ;^)
I hope you all had a nice weekend and I’m looking forward to folks chiming in on this weekend’s ‘what did you do’ thread.
v/r,dr
on with the news.....
Since the last project update, I ran out of things to do in the shop/hangar because the RV construction phase is complete.
I've been preparing the paperwork that is required to apply for the Special Certificate of Airworthiness in Australia and have had the final inspection by the AP (Authorised Person for CASA), equivalent to DAR. And today I received the certificate, so the plane is legally able to fly (with restrictions) and phase 1 testing can begin.
As mentioned previously, I started building in 1993 and it has thefore taken 32 years and half a lifetime for me to finish this project. There were many moments when I felt that the dang thing had defeated me and that I would never be able to get it done, but somehow it is now ready for phase 1 flight testing. It's fair to say that don't think I could have finished it without support and encoragement from family, friends, SAAA (Sport Aircraft Association of Australia) and VAF!
I (didn’t) Give Up
It's over! The nightmare is over. There was still some confusion in my mind about which ECU fault indicators went with which engine test, so I cleared out all the logs. I replaced two of the valve cover bolts and O-rings from the overtorquing episode because I didn't trust them, buttoned everything up, put the bottom cowl back on, attached all hoses and wheeled it out for a test.
I was finally able to remove the engine. After getting into the accessory case, we found the main crank bolt suffered an apparent fatigue crack as it has sheered completely off, thus the main crank gear no longer spun. We didn't find the head of the bolt yet...probably down in the oil pan. Some minor damage to the main gear teeth and a couple others. From the records, it is unclear if this bolt was replaced when the engine was rebuilt after a prop strike. Also, the case may not have been fully cleaned as it is caked in dark, black, cooked oil.
This will be an excellent "opportunity" to learn how to assemble an engine after all the parts are sent out for inspection.
OFF TOPIC:
Seen where I ate breakfast Saturday. You’ll see it….dr
gnivigsknaht yppah
and 24 hrs later….
(I told them)
Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
To the kind folks who support VAF with a badge under their username, thank you again. Here towards the end of the year I remind folks who don’t have a subscription (badge) to please consider it. The self-employed aviation content business isn’t one most would call ‘comfortable’ (hence the two part time jobs). ;^)
I hope you all had a nice weekend and I’m looking forward to folks chiming in on this weekend’s ‘what did you do’ thread.
v/r,dr
on with the news.....
Since the last project update, I ran out of things to do in the shop/hangar because the RV construction phase is complete.
I've been preparing the paperwork that is required to apply for the Special Certificate of Airworthiness in Australia and have had the final inspection by the AP (Authorised Person for CASA), equivalent to DAR. And today I received the certificate, so the plane is legally able to fly (with restrictions) and phase 1 testing can begin.
As mentioned previously, I started building in 1993 and it has thefore taken 32 years and half a lifetime for me to finish this project. There were many moments when I felt that the dang thing had defeated me and that I would never be able to get it done, but somehow it is now ready for phase 1 flight testing. It's fair to say that don't think I could have finished it without support and encoragement from family, friends, SAAA (Sport Aircraft Association of Australia) and VAF!
RV-6A Very Slow Build, Western Australia
This post was going to be about the seat cushions but that update will be another day because today was a bit more interesting. There was a break in the weather (been raining all week) so it was fine enough to go outside and put some fire in the holes. The last time this engine ran was 32...
vansairforce.net
I (didn’t) Give Up
It's over! The nightmare is over. There was still some confusion in my mind about which ECU fault indicators went with which engine test, so I cleared out all the logs. I replaced two of the valve cover bolts and O-rings from the overtorquing episode because I didn't trust them, buttoned everything up, put the bottom cowl back on, attached all hoses and wheeled it out for a test.
I (didn't) give up
I put the CPS wires and knock wire back in the connectors and tied them with zip ties then put the fuel system and injectors back with new O-rings and lithium grease. I had a bit of a time with the pilot side heat shield and getting the shield between the fuel pressure regulator and case, and...
vansairforce.net
WDYDWYRTW? 11/8-9/2025
What did you do with your RV this weekend? Saturday morning I went out and took the RV up for a spin, as it was the first weekend in eight weeks I didn't have an extra paper route. REALLY nice flying!!! Wasn’t alone - lots of folks getting in some flying before the northern winds arrived mid...
vansairforce.net
How do I route my mixture/prop cables through a SB-500 bushing?
No way it fits. It’s just too big! There has to be a trick like taking it apart or something. Very stumped here.
vansairforce.net
Using iPad in flight
I would like to use an iPad with Foreflight while in flight in my RV-12iS. I haven't been able to settle on a good method ... knee board strapped to leg? ... or iPad Mini mounted somewhere using RAM mounts (and if so, where? and how attached?). Is there anyone who has already solved this...
vansairforce.net
I was finally able to remove the engine. After getting into the accessory case, we found the main crank bolt suffered an apparent fatigue crack as it has sheered completely off, thus the main crank gear no longer spun. We didn't find the head of the bolt yet...probably down in the oil pan. Some minor damage to the main gear teeth and a couple others. From the records, it is unclear if this bolt was replaced when the engine was rebuilt after a prop strike. Also, the case may not have been fully cleaned as it is caked in dark, black, cooked oil.
This will be an excellent "opportunity" to learn how to assemble an engine after all the parts are sent out for inspection.
UPDATE -- RV-7 engine failure, Emer landing, no damage/injuries
Flying from Winslow Az (KINW) to levelland tx KLLN), fat, dumb, and happy at 9500’. Suddenly out of nowhere (and over nowhere) engine rolled back. Mix, prop, throttle forward, aux pump on, and no power. Engine never stopped rotating, so I should have pulled prop aft. Made the call to center...
vansairforce.net
Prop cable travel too short for new governor?
My 8A has been finished for 5 years and I'm not the original builder. In the process of overhauling the engine, I elected to replace the Woodward prop governor (which was unserviceable) with a PCU 5000X. Now that the overhauled engine is hanging on the plane, I'm going through the long, careful...
vansairforce.net
OFF TOPIC:
Seen where I ate breakfast Saturday. You’ll see it….dr
gnivigsknaht yppah
and 24 hrs later….
(I told them)
Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
VAF Charity Cap: Help your charity and promote this site.
Get the cap all the cool kids are wearing! I don’t get a penny. It’s around $15. $5 more if you want your N-number on the back (I put 'STAFF' on the back of mine because it makes me laugh. Put STAFF on yours too if it makes you smile). And down the road $10 to the charity of your choice...
vansairforce.net
Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
Doug's Area ...The VAF News, About VAF, My Resume
Pushed out every now and then.
www.vansairforce.net
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
The VAF List ...a list of RV-related lists. RV-related things you might want to browse over (a closed post that is sticky and maintained by dr). Link to this in 'Links' in the menu. v/r,dr Small businesses that help bring you this list of RV-related lists: 360 Avionics www.360Avionics.com Ace...
vansairforce.net
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