DonMcKee
First Flight: Wes Harder’s RV-7A | High River, Alberta. RV-7A #74722
dr
RE: new cowling fit
…Marlonyoung RV-4
Yes, made several cuts until it shrunk down to a nice fit and shape, with the hinge fully secured to the fire wall side. When I got it fitting right, then Cleko the hinge it into place on the cowling and removed the cowling and riveted the hinge half to the cowling. I then put the cowling back on and with a resin, floss or balloons filled in the gaps, sanded down. Then I ran a 2 inch tape over top, back edge side to side to reinforce and capture/ cover the rivets and “cuts” and the feathered it forward to smooth shape. Did all that while attached to firewall (packing tape on firewall side to keep it clean and resin out of the hinge) to match the shape.
Ben Ellis
Use the Room You Have
…N733JJ reply
I built my RV-8 in a 16'X20" tool shed that was also used as a tool shed. I often worked outside the shed when the weather was good. When it came time to put the wings on, I took a week vacation, pushed the plane outside and put the kids and neighbors to work. I covered it with a tarp at night, JJ's first time "camping".
0302lj Status Update
g3xpert
RE: Adjusting Wing Fit
…ravenstar
Sorry if I wasn't clear, but yes, I am leaving the pins in place after installing the left wing. My photos are through the aft hole in the center bulkhead, through the right wing spar to the pin. I was reluctant to post them because they don't represent the problem very well, but here's one that might help. It's looking forward from behind the center bulkhead through the right spar to the pin inserted through the left spar. It looks as if the right spar needs to move a tiny bit further in, but I couldn't get it to match better no matter how much we pushed the wing around.
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RV-14A fuel tank internal fuel return plumbing?
I'm starting work on my RV-14A fuel tanks. The plans call for installing a VA-141 finger strainer flange that could be used for a fuel return line: but then have you cap it off without any additional internal plumbing: While I don't need a fuel return line now, I would like to build my...
vansairforce.net
First Flight: Wes Harder’s RV-7A | High River, Alberta. RV-7A #74722
First Flight: Wes Harder’s RV-7A | High River, Alberta. RV-7A #74722
https://www.vansaircraft.com/first-flights/wes-harders-rv-7a/
vansairforce.net
dr
WDYDWYRTW? 3 / 22-23 / 2025
Getting this weekend's thread started. Here's the RV activity in a slice of the United States at 11 AM Dallas, Texas time. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. v/r,dr
vansairforce.net
RE: new cowling fit
…Marlonyoung RV-4
Yes, made several cuts until it shrunk down to a nice fit and shape, with the hinge fully secured to the fire wall side. When I got it fitting right, then Cleko the hinge it into place on the cowling and removed the cowling and riveted the hinge half to the cowling. I then put the cowling back on and with a resin, floss or balloons filled in the gaps, sanded down. Then I ran a 2 inch tape over top, back edge side to side to reinforce and capture/ cover the rivets and “cuts” and the feathered it forward to smooth shape. Did all that while attached to firewall (packing tape on firewall side to keep it clean and resin out of the hinge) to match the shape.
new cowling fit
I just bought a new cowling from Vans. After getting over the fact that it is shorter and I needed a new prop spacer I now find that the top contour is different and it doesn't match the firewall. It is about 1" high in the center. Ordinarily with a part that is just glass and epoxy you can heat...
vansairforce.net
Ben Ellis
How do you set the spar opening rivets?
The title says it all. I highlighted the rivets in question. I can’t get a bucking bar behind most of these rivets and my squeezer yokes don’t fit either. Any tips?
vansairforce.net
Use the Room You Have
…N733JJ reply
I built my RV-8 in a 16'X20" tool shed that was also used as a tool shed. I often worked outside the shed when the weather was good. When it came time to put the wings on, I took a week vacation, pushed the plane outside and put the kids and neighbors to work. I covered it with a tarp at night, JJ's first time "camping".
Building in shop without enough space to mate the wings
I am assisting with a student team build. We have plenty of hands, and work in 3-4 hour sessions. Soon, we'll be into the sections where we need to have the wings on, and the space isn't big enough. How practical is it to mate/demate the wings each work session, so we can work outside? There...
vansairforce.net
0302lj Status Update
g3xpert
G3X Touch SW v9.52 Available Now (3/24/2025)
Greetings VAF! G3X Touch software version 9.52 was posted to the Software Download Area today. This release includes improvements for Rotax 916iS installations, but includes several background improvements for all installations. Here is a brief description of the changes to configuration mode...
vansairforce.net
RE: Adjusting Wing Fit
…ravenstar
Sorry if I wasn't clear, but yes, I am leaving the pins in place after installing the left wing. My photos are through the aft hole in the center bulkhead, through the right wing spar to the pin. I was reluctant to post them because they don't represent the problem very well, but here's one that might help. It's looking forward from behind the center bulkhead through the right spar to the pin inserted through the left spar. It looks as if the right spar needs to move a tiny bit further in, but I couldn't get it to match better no matter how much we pushed the wing around.
Adjusting Wing Fit
I attached my wings to my fuselage for the first time this weekend, an exciting time because the project really starts to look like an aircraft, even if the tail cone still isn't attached. It's been two years since I finished the wings, and I was happy to see that all the tabs lined up and fit...
vansairforce.net
OFF TOPIC:
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
Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
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...
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