PRODUCTS * Garmin Unveils New MFD (Garmin) *Superior Air Parts purchased.

 

ARCHIVES

See a list of previous RV Builder Hotlines organized by date and subject. (Go)

Chasing the Morning Sun
Manuel Queiroz flying solo around the world in his RV-6.

On February 28th 2006, after three years of meticulous planning and preparation, Manuel Queiroz set off to fly solo around the world in his RV. He's current sitting in Hawaii. (Web site)
Related Link:
Cancer Research UK

Arkansas builders/owners cuffed by severe weather

A tornado and severe storms took its toll on the Bentonville, AR., airport on Sunday. Pictures are available from a local EAA chapter. (More)
Related threads and links:
VAF
RV-List
ADDS Aviation weather

Building on a budget
Greg Halvorsen's RV-6 project
Even tho' Greg works on the cheap, he's always
trying new ideas, and incorporated several on
this plane. (March EAA 105 newsletter feature in PDF. See also chapter Web site.)

Omar's Adventure
There's nothing like running out of fuel to put your pilot ego in check.

FAA recognizes pilot for life-long career
Flying for Joseph W. (Bill) Stevens, 85, was more than being a soldier for his country.
His plane, an RV-6A all-metal, low wing, fast little aircraft, was built from a kit 11 years ago. It's almost time to put it up for sale so he can buy more parts for the new one, Stevens said. (Casper Star Tribune)

Reintroducing ourselves to ProSeal *ProSeal for Dummies (Smitty's RV-9A)
Related:
Tank dispenser sealer from Van's
New builder tips (Prop Jock)

Builder Wikis multiply
A group of RV enthusiasts are getting together to finish plans to set up "wikis" for several aircraft brands. Details will be released on the RV-List within a week or so. A sample of what a wiki is can be found at the very fine RVWiki. A Wiki is a user-supplied content "encyclopedia" that is as good as the contributors wish to make it.
Additional Link:
RV-10 Wiki

Wired for Disaster
Bob Nuckols has a critical review of a Sport Aviation article in 2004 which he says raises more questions than answers. March 9, 2006. (Pdf)
Related:
Original unannotated article (Yahoogroup)

Cleaveland passes on Sun N' Fun
Due to Sun-n-Fun's display rate increase Cleaveland Aircraft Tool will not be attending this year. Instead we have decided to offer special pricing from now through April 7th 2006.

How much does it cost to own a plane?
Probably should've figured this out by now. A pilot at EAA 237 in Anoka, Minn., has in their latest newsletter. (pdf)

Access plate screws: Since this is the hot topic right now, here's a suggestion. Buy a few new no. 2 Phillips dry wall screw driver bits. Get the kind that have the serrations at the tip. These will bite into the screws and not strip them out. They can be taped into a 1/4 inch socket with a turn or two of electrical tape and turned with a ratchet handle. (Dan Hopper via RV List)

Electrical: Where do I start? Is it better to start at the switches and work out from there, or start at the ends and work toward the switches"? My answer has always been the same. "Your aircraft electrical system starts in a comfortable chair with a cool drink beside you, and a notebook and pencil in your lap." (Martin Hadley - Archive 1998)
Resources:
AeroElectric Connection

Overfluting: A tip to avoid over fluting is to lay the rib flat on the worktable after marking each fluting location and kneel down so your eyes are at table level looking under the rib toward the light from the open door. As you squeeze the fluting pliers you will see the rib sink down to the flat tabletop and the light coming under the bowed rib will disappear as it flattens out. Just gently move around the rib deepening some flutes until no light comes underneath the now straightened (flattened) rib. (Pete Cowper, Visalia)

Titeseal: If you haven't yet sealed your inspection plates onto your tanks or don't like using Pro Seal on your inspection plates, the following may
be of interest to you.

I originally sealed my tanks about four years ago. I've been flying for a year with about 75 hours on my RV-6A. I used the cork gaskets that were supplied with the wing kit. In the assembly process, I coated the seal area of inboard rib surface with Titeseal (that I purchased from ACS) and placed the cork gasket on the coated surface. I then coated inside mating surface of the inspection plate with the Titeseal and placed it on the gasket. I then inserted the screws and torqued them a moderate amount that resulted in a small compression of the gasket and extrusion of the Titeseal from the edges and around the screws. The original pressure test of the tanks showed no leaks around the inspection plate. After assembling the plane and filling the tanks, there were no fuel leaks around the plates. During the last few days, I removed the tanks to do the recent Service Bulletin. After removing the screws from the inspection plates, they lifted off without any effort. I then cleaned the old Tite-Seal from
both the plate and the inboard rib with acetone. After doing the work for the SB, I then repeated the above procedures of Titeseal coating and
assembly. The tanks are re-installed and filled with fuel with no leaks. (Richard Dudley)

CLASSIFIEDS & LETTERS

Prototype Shop Mechanic Sought Van’s is looking for a mechanic to work in our maintenance and prototype shop.A candidate should have an A&P license and experience in general aviation aircraft maintenance and repair. Candidates without an A&P license, but who have built, finished and flown a homebuilt airplane – especially an RV-- will be considered. Candidates who have both an A&P license and who have built an RV will be given particular consideration.Mail, fax or e-mail resume to Van’s Aircraft, attention Ken Krueger. 14401 NE Keil Road Aurora, OR, 97002 FAX: 503-678-6560/ E-mail: engineering@vansaircraft.com

I am in Sri Lanka and completing a one year flying contract with my RV7A project languishing at home in Saskatchewan. Do you happen to know any Airbus drivers looking for a job? Sri Lankan Airlines is looking for qualified pilots. I've been here since Nov. and it has been a great experience. It is sort of our pre retirement adventure. If you do know anyone they could contact me directly and I can answer questions and point them in the right direction. David Lamb.