Hot threads online • AP boost pumps Why you should check the wiring before installation.(VAF) • TruTrak experiences Why some of the folks who fly "big iron" wouldn't leave home without it. (RV-List) See also: TruTrak autopilot installation (Yahoo) • Plumbing tip tanks And "why would you want to?" for a bonus. • Lycoming superiority Why are they better, a poster asks? (VAF) • Engine compartment wiring Is clamping the key? (RV-List) • National Builders Motivation Day A good idea (?) that went nowhere in a hurry. (Yahoo) • IO-320, rear facing injection on a 7a ? Has anybody been able to make this work? (Yahoo) • Thrust measuring Static thrust, specifically • Engine and electrical system grounding Follow along with Mickey Coggins (whose e-mail is bouncing,by the way) • Setting up shop Ideal workbenches (VAF) • Squeezing universal rivet between cupped heads? One word: "why?" (Rivetbangers) • Smartlevel advice What's the best size (Yahoo)

FIRST FLIGHTS John Taylor, Daytona Beach. RV-8 3/5/06 (More) Ed O'Connor, Panama City, FL. RV-8, 3/27 (More) Martin/Claudia Sutter, Granbury, TX. RV-7A. Dolph Kruger, South Africa, RV-10 Craig Lindhorst, South Africa, RV-7 Leonard Smith, New Zealand. RV/6. 4/1. (Pix) Dave Reel, Manassas, RV-8A. 3/28. (More) Tim Minchau, Alberta, RV-6A. 3/29.

Flying Stories "Entering the airport traffic pattern was straightforward enough and I dutifully announced a 45 degree pattern entry (left traffic) for downwind to runway Niner. Soon, I announced base leg for Niner, finally announcing "turning final" for Niner. At the moment when my turn to final was almost complete, I quickly noticed a Piper Tri-Pacer to my left that just completed an unusually close-in downwind leg to base turn in front of me and without evasive action, a collision was a virtual certainty..." (More)

Finding motivation in a Media Player
You can only play the official RV video so many times before you turn elsewhere.

     Next to primer wars, few threads online stir passion like this question: do you have to be a special kind of person to build an RV? Since "special" is an immeasurable and incalculable, um, thing... peace rarely prevails in the form of a definite answer. But you do have to be motivated and I've found few RV builders -- at least the ones with a life -- that haven't had stretches where the impetus to bang another rivet or mix another batch of ProSeal or deburr another wing rib didn't fade from time to time.
      Several VAF wings have had builders' motivation day events where people who have built give rides to those who are still in processs. The occasional visit to another's project works well too.
      While there is joy and education to be found in building, the goal is still to end up with an airplane, a "magic carpet" as famed RVator Dan Checkoway describes his plane, which celebrated (along with Dan) its second anniversary on Monday.
      One tool I've found helpful, is online video. And as the tools for creating it become more affordable, and bandwidth becomes cheaper, the availability of online builder motivation increases.
     One I've had on my computer for a couple of years was "The Great Northwest Adventure," produced by Team RV, a group of formation flyers who took a trip to South Dakota and points north. It may be among the most comprehensive RV videos ever produced.
     The trouble with video, however, is it doesn't stay on the Web very long. This particular video, for example, is no longer available. The file size makes an attractive target when someone needs to clean out space. So when you find one, download it. Doug Reeve's Vans Air Force site, naturally, has a half-dozen or so videos, about half of which are actually still online. Keep in mind, however, they don't stream, so it'll take time to download each one, even with a broadband connection.
      (Update 11:40 a.m. 4/1)YudaVision is another online source for RV-related videos. Lots of good first-flight motivation here. Use IE, it won't load in Firefox. And, of course, you'll need a fast connection.(end update)Should you stumble across a motivating video this week, please pass it along to the newsletter and I'll list them next week.
Related Links:
Walter Tondu's video page
myrv9a.com Videos
Planecam: Bill's RV
Web Monkey: From video to Web

Three men and an airplane
After their father's death, two sons take on a project of a lifetime: restoring their dad's RV-3. (Sport Aviation - pdf)

Panel clinic
EAA 105 (home wing) April newsletter has details on their panel clinic and also an article on upgrading panels. Just posted. (Web site | PDF) Related link:
Where dreams meet metal (Hotline - 3/25)

Flush map box door
Garret Smith says he's always been less than completely pleased with the way the Van's glove box door looks on the panel. He figured out a flush map box idea after visiting the justrvparts.com Web site, where they're selling a hinge that is actually being marketed as a oil door hidden hinge. He bought two and played and likes the results as shown here and here. (via Yahoogroup)