Backside of the show. Things get quiet as folks rest and recover. Hope you had a good time.
Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend (and if you’re returning from OSH’25 safe travels).
v/r,dr
Build Update ….RV-12 Bob Collins
The middle block on the rudder/brake assembly went back in easier than I expected (and certainly easier than it came out) thanks to the powered nut driver. One good thing about taking everything apart is it made it easier to reorganize everything, specifically the three "holders" in the top bracket. So the one on the right now holds the brake lines and heater cable. The one on the left holds just the heater cable, and the one in the middle doesn't hold much of anything. I also zip tied and bundled all wires as I had to remove the nice SteinAir lacing.
One conundrum is the route of the pitot line. I think the plans were changed somewhere along the line because the depiction of the lower bracket (which I had to drill out and is now reinstalled) is different throughout the KAI and with the version of the lower bracket I have (three snap bushings), there's no place for the pitot line and I'm concerned about it chafing on the edge of the lower bracket. The instructions say to zip tie it to the zip tie holders but there aren't any. I'm thinking of loosely zip tying it to the brake lines and putting a big blob of RTV there.
I reconnected all the connectors and fired up the avionics and everything is fine.
I still have to reinstall the fuel tank. After that, I'll start over with the PAP and then try the engine start again. We don't think this fuel leak had anything to do with the lack of power and the very troubling stall of the engine when the second fuel pump was brought online. I looked at the pump wiring to be sure the wires were consistent throughout and they were (and both pumps had developed acceptable fuel pressure during the first go-through of the PAP). So we'll have to see what that's all about.
I do have some concern about stress on the brake lines as the rudder pedals move but I guess I'll just monitor that situation.
This completes all the work in the tunnel, which remains a really crappy design feature of the 12iS. I wouldn't wish this maintenance on anybody.


esco

gregsrv14

hobofish

RV-8/8A Storage Ideas …RV7 To Go
I made a storage compartment on the RS between the gear tower and the spar for my "stuff".

-4 PIREP …fixnflyguy
I'm 6' 1" and my wife is also 5'11", and she LOVES the -4. She has flown in a side by side also, and likes the elbow room of the tandem. She also likes it better for sightseeing and taking pictures, as there is little restriction of the field of view out the sides. As long as the -4 has the footwells put in it, height is not a problem. A flat floored RV-4 can have footwells installed easily, and I have made several sets for others. See photos for comparison and canopy clearance...A couple pics from our aerial wedding day.

RE: Spinner backplate rivets
I have two missing rivet heads at 320 tach hours. No special vibration, most cruise at 2450-2500 RPM M1B Factory Lyc with standard mags and Cr. This is the Hartzell composite with a 2.5" spacer for the James Cowl, and Vans spinner. Balanced 200 hrs ago, w/weights added to the flywheel. 22 ft-lb torque confirmed on through bolts. Note the streamer from one rivet and to the other. No crack yet found after cleaning with naphtha. That could change if cracks are found.
Should the rivet size be increased? They had to be drilled in the center with #40 bit to punch them out, but is it bad form to just replace?
Odd, why just one blade? and the one with factory balance weights attached.
I will contact Hartzell to gather their comment. If no cracks, the rivets will be replaced and checked in the future as usual.
Any thoughts/comments invited. Thanks

OFF TOPIC:

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Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend (and if you’re returning from OSH’25 safe travels).
v/r,dr
Build Update ….RV-12 Bob Collins
The middle block on the rudder/brake assembly went back in easier than I expected (and certainly easier than it came out) thanks to the powered nut driver. One good thing about taking everything apart is it made it easier to reorganize everything, specifically the three "holders" in the top bracket. So the one on the right now holds the brake lines and heater cable. The one on the left holds just the heater cable, and the one in the middle doesn't hold much of anything. I also zip tied and bundled all wires as I had to remove the nice SteinAir lacing.
One conundrum is the route of the pitot line. I think the plans were changed somewhere along the line because the depiction of the lower bracket (which I had to drill out and is now reinstalled) is different throughout the KAI and with the version of the lower bracket I have (three snap bushings), there's no place for the pitot line and I'm concerned about it chafing on the edge of the lower bracket. The instructions say to zip tie it to the zip tie holders but there aren't any. I'm thinking of loosely zip tying it to the brake lines and putting a big blob of RTV there.
I reconnected all the connectors and fired up the avionics and everything is fine.
I still have to reinstall the fuel tank. After that, I'll start over with the PAP and then try the engine start again. We don't think this fuel leak had anything to do with the lack of power and the very troubling stall of the engine when the second fuel pump was brought online. I looked at the pump wiring to be sure the wires were consistent throughout and they were (and both pumps had developed acceptable fuel pressure during the first go-through of the PAP). So we'll have to see what that's all about.
I do have some concern about stress on the brake lines as the rudder pedals move but I guess I'll just monitor that situation.
This completes all the work in the tunnel, which remains a really crappy design feature of the 12iS. I wouldn't wish this maintenance on anybody.
Failure to start
I would get it inspected as it is by DAR as an E-LSA and then before you fly it run a flexible hose in it's place ;-) Probably not an option. Most any inspector is going to want evidence that the engine has been run on the airframe without any leaks.
vansairforce.net


esco
F-01455 subpanel nutplates: where are they used?
I have 2 K1000-3 nutplates on the bottom flange of F-01455 subpanel… can’t find where they are used. Any ideas? They’re called out at KAI 35-05 for installation:
vansairforce.net

gregsrv14
RV TRAINING PROJECT-1 Questions
1. I have got to the point of riveting the skins to the spar and the rib flanges but I am confused. The instructions say to back-rivet the bottom skin to the spar - which makes sense, if I understand correctly, since the outer side should have the flush, manufactured heads of the 426 rivets...
vansairforce.net

hobofish
panel upgrade advice
howdy brain trust. wanted to see if i can get some tips or things i should take into consideration. i am trying for IFR and want my bird to be able to used for it. my thoughts were about going forward with Garmin GPS 175 where would i put it? and am not taking into consideration to make...
vansairforce.net

RV-8/8A Storage Ideas …RV7 To Go
I made a storage compartment on the RS between the gear tower and the spar for my "stuff".
Pilot Accessible Pockets/Storage
I have no storage in my cockpit. So, everything ends up in the foot wells. I want to be able to securely store things if I took off without a sterile cockpit and want to do some acro. Sunglasses case, cell phone, a USB cable or two. No foot long subs, torque wrenches, or beer bottles. I'd...
vansairforce.net

-4 PIREP …fixnflyguy
I'm 6' 1" and my wife is also 5'11", and she LOVES the -4. She has flown in a side by side also, and likes the elbow room of the tandem. She also likes it better for sightseeing and taking pictures, as there is little restriction of the field of view out the sides. As long as the -4 has the footwells put in it, height is not a problem. A flat floored RV-4 can have footwells installed easily, and I have made several sets for others. See photos for comparison and canopy clearance...A couple pics from our aerial wedding day.
Any 4 or 8 owners in Ft. Lauderdale area?
Looking to rekindle my GA roots, 4 seems to be the best “bang for the buck” while I see how much time I’ll actually get to fly it. I would love to sit in one, and also bring the wife along and see how she fits/ feels sitting back there. I know the side by side RVs are much more comfortable, but...
vansairforce.net

RE: Spinner backplate rivets
I have two missing rivet heads at 320 tach hours. No special vibration, most cruise at 2450-2500 RPM M1B Factory Lyc with standard mags and Cr. This is the Hartzell composite with a 2.5" spacer for the James Cowl, and Vans spinner. Balanced 200 hrs ago, w/weights added to the flywheel. 22 ft-lb torque confirmed on through bolts. Note the streamer from one rivet and to the other. No crack yet found after cleaning with naphtha. That could change if cracks are found.
Should the rivet size be increased? They had to be drilled in the center with #40 bit to punch them out, but is it bad form to just replace?
Odd, why just one blade? and the one with factory balance weights attached.
I will contact Hartzell to gather their comment. If no cracks, the rivets will be replaced and checked in the future as usual.
Any thoughts/comments invited. Thanks
Spinner backplate rivets
Too All, During a condition inspection for a RV-8, O-360, Blended Foil prop, approx 800 hrs on engine/prop; missing rivet heads (Manufactured head) were on the spinner backplate. They were both in the same quadrant of the plate, looked like they were simply sheared off. Backplate and spinner...
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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