I’ve been working weekends for the past several months, and decided to give myself a treat Tuesday morning (because the schedule finally allowed it).
I 1) flew my dang RV and 2) didn’t look at a computer from 11pm Monday evening until 3:45pm Tuesday afternoon. I am mentally new again <LOL>. Below a Grok’d image made to look like it was painted via watercolor outside my left side, on the way to KXBP for gas. It has been [0] days since my last RV flight (previously [18]).
Ahhhhhh....that RV makes the brain better,
dr
First Flight: Bob Watzllavick’s RV-10 | Azle, TX RV-10 #42284
After four-and-a-half years and 3,200 hours of building, N284MA had its first flight yesterday! Other than the oil door popping open on takeoff and high CHT on Cylinder 1, it was a good flight. Flew for 30 min at 4,500 ft to assist with break in, did some slow flight to check handling, then came back to land. I did my transition training last year with Alex De Dominicis and the last bit of landing practice last Friday really helped.
First, I want to thank my wife Melissa who believed in me, helped me with hundreds of hours of riveting, and encouraged me to keep going when I got frustrated. I also want to thank my friend Kurt Rutkowski who was at the hangar almost every day the past few months as I finished up the build and prepped for flight. His experience was invaluable.
The airplane flew great, no trim or rigging issues that I can tell so far. There are a few squawks I need to address before the next flight: 1) Stiffen up the oil door (I used two of the Cessna style latches), 2) re-check the nose breakout torque as there was a bit of shimmy at high speeds, and 3) consider cutting down the dam in front of CHT 1 to see if I can improve the temperatures.
To elaborate a little more, for those who find this thread later... It's normal for these special connectors (adapters? couplers?) to have a little lateral play, which allows things to line up when the radio is inserted into the tray:
www.garmin.com
I did my whole interior with Rust-OLeum rattle can Granite Gray on top of NAPA 7220 self-etching primer. All parts were painted before assembly lying on the work table. The rivet heads are therefor unpainted (I like the look).
OFF TOPIC:
Please consider donating annually to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
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Past ‘VAF News’ issues:
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
I 1) flew my dang RV and 2) didn’t look at a computer from 11pm Monday evening until 3:45pm Tuesday afternoon. I am mentally new again <LOL>. Below a Grok’d image made to look like it was painted via watercolor outside my left side, on the way to KXBP for gas. It has been [0] days since my last RV flight (previously [18]).
Ahhhhhh....that RV makes the brain better,
dr
First Flight: Bob Watzllavick’s RV-10 | Azle, TX RV-10 #42284
After four-and-a-half years and 3,200 hours of building, N284MA had its first flight yesterday! Other than the oil door popping open on takeoff and high CHT on Cylinder 1, it was a good flight. Flew for 30 min at 4,500 ft to assist with break in, did some slow flight to check handling, then came back to land. I did my transition training last year with Alex De Dominicis and the last bit of landing practice last Friday really helped.
First, I want to thank my wife Melissa who believed in me, helped me with hundreds of hours of riveting, and encouraged me to keep going when I got frustrated. I also want to thank my friend Kurt Rutkowski who was at the hangar almost every day the past few months as I finished up the build and prepped for flight. His experience was invaluable.
The airplane flew great, no trim or rigging issues that I can tell so far. There are a few squawks I need to address before the next flight: 1) Stiffen up the oil door (I used two of the Cessna style latches), 2) re-check the nose breakout torque as there was a bit of shimmy at high speeds, and 3) consider cutting down the dam in front of CHT 1 to see if I can improve the temperatures.
First flight of RV-10 N284MA, 3/16/2026
After 4.5 years and 3200 hr of buliding, N284MA had it's first flight yesterday! Other than the oil door popping open on takeoff and high CHT on Cylinder 1, it was a good flight. Flew for 30 min at 4500 ft to assist with break in, did some slow flight to check handling, then came back to land...
vansairforce.net
"Loose" antenna connectors on back of Garmin equipment
I'll apologize in advance for not using the proper lingo here.... I'm installing my Garmin avionics and I noticed the antenna connectors that are part of the "back plate" are loose (I can wiggle them). The nut on the back is snug but there is play in the coax cables where they enter the...
vansairforce.net
Early RV-4 fuel tanks
Digging in to resealing my RV-4 tanks and my friend noticed the rear of the tank (T-402?) was installed with the flange facing forward which doesn't match the current plans. This is an early kit from the 80's and I know the fuel tanks were changed at some point. Were the early tanks designed...
vansairforce.net
A Note on Unwanted Adventures
Hello VAF’ers, before we continue with A Plane He Built, some additional information on “Near Miss”, as this event actually did happen, and was documented here in VAF by our dear friend, DH. Next up, more on P.J, and the lead up to Flying Over Big Water. Yours Truly, Sunshine. Here is the link...
vansairforce.net
Countersinking with deburring tool
Have you ever had to countersink a hole for a #8 or #10 screw hole and used your deburring tool? If so, you know it works but tends to leave you with a countersink that isn’t round. The reason, not enough flutes on your deburring tool. A six fluted deburring tool will do a fine job and leave a...
vansairforce.net
Garmin adds more Guided Visual Approaches to aviation database lineup - Garmin Newsroom
OLATHE, Kan./March 12, 2026 – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced additional runways and airports for Guided Visual Approaches, a growing database that provides lateral and vertical guidance for pilots flying visual approaches into challenging airports.1 Designed in collaboration with Hughes...
www.garmin.com
Important Information on VA-119 Oil Pressure Hose
Good afternoon everyone. For those of you that haven't seen our website update awhile back, an item has come to our attention regarding the Firewall Forward hoses we supply to VANS as it relates specifically to the RV14/14A. The VA-119 hose assembly has traditionally been an inexpensive...
vansairforce.net
Paint Roll Bar..... Maybe vinyl
Just finishing the Roll Bar. What have you done as far as painting? I will be priming and using rattle can. Did you paint it before riveting it to the the Roll Bar attach brackets and then touch up the rivets after install, or install, mask off then paint. Not sure of color but was thinking...
vansairforce.net
Enlarging holes for wire routing
Hey guys, I've just started avionics. Section 42MS/U-08 asks to enlarge two holes (each side) on the center fuselage channel, as required. I'm unclear why it's needed, because when reading ahead to later sections, the snap bushings called out seem to fit the current hole size. Maybe Vans...
vansairforce.net
OFF TOPIC:
Please consider donating annually 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
Past ‘VAF News’ issues:
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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